Why You’re Not Getting Fitter: The Truth About Plateaus | Athlete’s Compass

Every athlete—beginner, elite, or aging—eventually hits a frustrating plateau where progress stalls despite hard work. In this insightful episode, the team unpacks what a training plateau really is, how to distinguish it from overtraining or undertraining, and what physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors may be contributing. From VO2 max goals to recovery metrics, the discussion touches on aging, hormones, training load, and the need for recovery or change. Whether you're pushing too hard, not hard enough, or simply stuck in the same routine, this episode offers science-based tools and personal experiences to help you break through your plateau.

Key Takeaways:
Plateaus are normal and can happen due to overreaching, lack of recovery, aging, or unvaried stimulus.
Wearables like Garmin offer insights, but long-term test environments (like consistent routes or rides) provide more valid trend data.
Training isn't linear. More effort doesn't always mean more progress.
Critical Power and HRV are reliable performance and recovery indicators.
Masters athletes must prioritize strength, rest, and periodization.
Men vs. Women: Aging impacts men and women differently; strength training is critical for aging women.
A well-structured off-season is often skipped but essential for long-term performance.
Mental reframing and reflection are powerful tools for navigating plateaus.

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