When you lift weights, you learn how your body responds to a particular movement in an exercise and quickly find out what your limitations are. As you train, you become aware of how strong, flexible and coordinated you are becoming. The longer you stick with it, the greater the benefits. Anything can be overdone, and strength training is no exception. Two of the biggest problems with avid weight lifters are overtraining and use of anabolic steroids.
Steroids are chemicals that stimulate protein synthesis, building bigger muscles.
Unfortunately, those who use these drugs help promote the fear that many people have about becoming muscle-bound through weight lifting. Overtraining can best be defined as a condition where the exerciser has repeatedly stressed his or her body to the point where rest is no longer adequate enough to allow for recovery. When you strength train for example, you are actually tearing down individual muscle fibers. It is during rest that your body repairs, recovers and grows, making you stronger and better able to handle your next workout. The result is a higher level of performance.