[BendtheBar]

I've been running into articles lately espousing the idea that overtraining is a myth (or at least extremely difficult to achieve). I tend to agree that it is difficult to overtrain a muscle, but I do believe that it can be easier to beat up your joints.

One of the issues I have with said articles is that they rarely talk about training longevity and the impact that too much heavy volume can have on joints. Now I understand this isn't a sexy topic for the young guys to talk about but I think it's an important one.

In any case, here's an open ended question...how do you feel a lifter should train to maximize muscle, strength and training longevity?

Or posed another way...just because it is hard to overtrain, do you feel a lifter who wants muscle should push the limits and do as much high volume and heavy weight as possible, damn the consequences? Or do you feel they should limit themselves a bit with an eye on longevity?