6 phrases to live by while strength training
Earn Intensity through consistency. Beginner programs, programs for people that have had an extended period off training, or those who train inconsistently have to start at a low intensity. You can’t go from 0 to 100. So yes, maybe you’re program feels easy after some time off - that’s a good thing. Let the momentum build and gradually increase the intensity. You must earn intensity through consistency or it will teach you a hard lesson.
It’s not about what you can DO, but what you can RECOVER from. More is not always better. An 18 year old male with high testosterone and low life stress may be able to train 6 high volume sessions per week and recover from an ego lifting session in the gym easily, but a 45-year old full time employed adult with high life stress, who is lacking in sleep won’t be able to progress on that frequency because they can’t recover from it - each session will just be zapping a huge amount of energy. This increases injury risk and reduces strength gains!
You have to reload in order to shoot the gun. You can’t shoot from an empty barrel in the same way that you can’t add more load if you’re exhausted. Reload the gun (deload) so you can shoot (progress) again.
You can’t fight tension with more tension. This one I get from a client of mine (thank you Michael), and specifically refers to muscular and emotional/mental tension. In the same way that you can’t think your way out of an overthinking spiral, trying to force your way through physical tension in the body is one way to cause injury. Relax into the stretch - fight tension with relaxation.
Your strength is not that fragile. This one is for the perfectionists - the ones that worry about one missed session; a week off training; not having the perfect equipment or the perfect environment for training. After all my years training, competing and coaching I have seen that humans are adaptable, resilient & strong. I promise you will be okay - your strength is not that fragile.
You are so powerful that if you believe you’re not, you’re not. Along the same lines as phrase #5 - you are in charge of your destiny. Your self belief (or lack thereof) sets the tone for your progress. Confidence is a muscle - train it like the rest of your body.
