
Durability vs Volume: Why More Training Isn’t Always Better
From Simon Ward, Be Battle Ready - The podcast for strength, resilience, and longevity by Simon Ward
March 18, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 465
About this episode
In this episode, Simon and Beth discuss why more training isn't always better and the importance of durability in endurance sports.
Why training more isn’t always the answer Most endurance athletes assume that getting better simply means doing more training. More miles. More hours. More big sessions. But after decades of coaching and competing, Simon argues that the athletes who achieve the best long-term results are rarely the ones doing the most volume. They are the ones who train consistently without breaking down. In this episode Simon and Beth explore the idea of durability versus volume, why chasing big sessions can backfire, and how athletes can build the resilience needed to train consistently for years rather than weeks. 5 Talking Points 1. The volume trapMany endurance athletes believe more training automatically leads to better results. 2. What durability really meansDurability is the ability to train consistently without injury, illness or burnout. 3. The foundations of durable trainingSleep, strength, mobility, nutrition and sensible training loads allow athletes to absorb training and recover. 4. Why hero sessions backfireBig one-off workouts often look impressive but can disrupt consistency if they leave you exhausted or injured. 5. Consistency beats intensityThe athletes who improve the most…
People in this episode
Host: Simon Ward
Guest: Beth
Topics covered
- durability
- training volume
- endurance performance
- athlete resilience
- consistency in training
Keywords
- endurance athletes
- training consistency
- injury prevention
- recovery
- training loads
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