I fucking hate lists
After spending enough time criticizing popular training methods, I think it’s fair to put something out there that is more constructive. Most of our efforts go into published work like the Strength and Endurance manuals. These embody the concepts and critiques of our’s and other’s methods, but much of what people see is just the banter of how we feel about our industry. Fitness is indeed fucked, but what good are we if we don’t start to push it in a better direction.
I’ve fairly, or maybe even unfairly addressed common problems with the barbell; I still use it and I also recommend others use it. I just have made adjustments for what is important when using it as a tool. Here are some things that I believe help keep the barbell a tool instead of making you a tool.
1- Focus on all aspects of technique. Spend time with attention towards the lift, and you in the lift. Also where your mind is at, what are you focused on, what does the voice say when weight gets heavy, or what’s the tone when you give yourself correction? Attention is the key. Where does it break down, why does it break down, how much time do you think it will take to correct? All of these questions lead to a program that is not only better than any prewritten program out there, it will transfer to other aspects of your life. Which is the point.
2- Be creative. How can you improve a lift without performing the lift exclusively? This frames thinking around understanding the goal of the lift, as opposed to the reward of lifting maximally to prove you can lift to others. Instead, you show yourself that you understand what you are doing, which can reveal new and interesting ways to challenge your habits and assumptions. It also sets you up to counter imbalances before they become a problem. The most common complaint about lockdown was “how am I going to get strong without a barbell?” There is some truth to this if your sport includes a barbell, but there are infinitely better things to work on than different ways to whine about your lack of equipment. Do you think it’s possible to get stronger by treating light weight like it is maximal weight? Can you prove it
3- Research and learn, but not into an abyss. It’s helpful to see new ideas or even look up classic training guides to help reinvigorate your interest, but challenge the idea that modern humans are more advanced because we have an electron microscope and muscle biopsies. Our ancestors were strong enough to survive an ice age, they didn’t need Mel Siff’s Optimal Training chart to do it, you probably don’t either. If knowing the mechanisms helps you appreciate the training you need to do and it helps reassure your path, have at it. But information paralyzation is real, and too much noise means no signal can get through. Even if you have slightly incorrect ideas about what you are doing, it is still better to do than to spend the next few years thinking about what to do. The world is full of people that can expertly talk about an ability, but few who are able. We need a deeper connection to ability not a deeper comments section. Don’t be a pundit that can’t perform.
4- Environment. Make yours, don’t let it just happen to you. As they say “shit rolls down hill.” I don’t care how much will power you have or how many Jocko energy drinks you down, you cannot overcome the importance of a growth environment. You need to train with people who have similar values. NO ONE CAN THRIVE IN A VACUUM, and that is coming from me, someone who would cheer on a blackhole swallowing our solar system. If you train alone, invite someone in and try and be the environment that you need for them. It may take a while, but eventually it comes back to serve you. Make your training space idealistic. Aim high, demand that your space is clean, and not just the floors but also that what is said is of something to aim for. This does not mean that everyone has to be a fucking cheerleader, but for sure don’t let it become a soap opera. Too often I see people turn the gym into a bitch fest. Training can be helpful therapy but don’t let your need for therapy sanguine the life force from your training space. People will appreciate your focus on the goal, the one’s that don’t weren’t doing you any good anyways and will usually feel too unwelcome as long as you don’t allow their attitude space. Try this: next time someone goes into bitching mode, reply to them with a completely different topic or question, the people who can change will notice and make a change. Get rid of the others.
5- Choose. You are the end product of a few hundred million years of selection. Don’t let an inanimate object beat you by not actively choosing its role in your training. If you are hurt, you chose not to pay attention, the red flags are always there. Training is supposed to make you better. If besides fatigue and some sore legs you don’t feel fucking fantastic, you are doing it wrong. Choose different. Choose to do it right, and give yourself the time to do so.
