When it comes to training, rarely does one size fit all, and if you were to ask 10 people (who have got results) what they do, you may get 10 different answers…
How I train is specific to ME, how YOU train needs to be specific to YOU.
Training age/experience, injuries & limitations, personal likes & dislikes, frequency & time are just some of the factors that need to be considered when looking at what is the best approach for you to take.
There is no such thing as the ‘best exercise’, only the best exercise for you.
However, I do believe there are two factors that apply to ALL forms of training:
1) You must train with relative intensity.
Training ‘hard’ is all relative, but remember that training needs to place a stress on your body for it to change. Training NEEDS to be intense, otherwise we would all get in shape from simply going shopping or cutting the grass.
How do you know if you are training hard?
Ask yourself this:
When did you last truly step out of your comfort zone in the gym?
Or imagine this:
On a scale of 1 to 10, 1= laid on the sofa doing nothing, and 10=being sick out of your eyeballs (not literally ha) where would you currently place your sessions?
2) You must train progressively.
Put in very simple terms, you need to beat or improve what you do every time you train.
No matter what style of training you adopt, you need to log your workouts and come into the gym with a clear plan of action.
You need to log all reps and all weight lifted and create targets.
Your body will adapt very quickly to the stress of exercise, therefore progression is an essential factor in helping to ensure that your training continues to provide the correct stimulus for change.
Chances are you do this in all other areas of your life: for example, your relationships and work life both progress, this what keeps things moving forwards, this is how we grow and develop.
Please note that both of the factors above have nothing to do with age or the ‘amount’ an individual may currently be lifting.
e.g. – Lets say I’m lifting 100 kg on an exercise, but I’ve been doing so for the last 2 months, I haven’t increased in either weight or reps performed….
…..and Mrs Smith was lifting 3kg 2 months ago and is now lifting 6kg, then Mrs. Smith has progressed more than I have.
Where you start is irrelevant, intensity and progression is relative to you and your goals….
That’s all for today, until the next time, keep moving forward
Tristan ‘log book’ Buttle.
P.S – Adding weight to an exercise or increasing reps should NEVER be done at the expense of poor form!
P.P.S – If your performance isn’t progressing then you need to ask yourself why?
P.P.P.S – Give me a shout if I can help you out with any of the above.