Dikul uses a simple technique to spot systemic overtraining and nip it in the bud. Count your heart rate in the morning, before you get out of bed. Sit up and count again. Then stand up and do it. The difference between each consecutive reading should not exceed 10 BPM. If it does, lower the intensity in the next workout. Dikul insists that no one—not even experienced strength athletes—should pursue pure strength specialization for more than 30-40 days in a row.
