One of my goals in golf is to shoot 65. Been close - shot 66 in Danville, Virginia in the mid-1970's and near a few times since. As my ball-striking improves with age, the goal of 65 remains on the table. Nonetheless, every time I shoot a great round, it just seems to happen - out of the blue. I can't force it or make it happen - it just happens. The same occurs on the PGA Tour. Great rounds are few and far between, but when they occur, the player concurs, "It just happened." And few are able to follow up a career round with another career round. Apparently, it doesn't "happen" twice too often.
Like golf, strength training has its good days and bad. I once claimed that for every "good" day in the gym (when you feel energetic and strong), there are nine "bad" ones (when you just want to finish and go home). That's where the similarity ends. Results from strength training derive from good planning, execution and trying to "make it happen."
Physical change requires a push. It is stimulated by reaching intensity levels (during exercise) that are higher than the norm. Once the switch for change has been turned on, you must then "let it happen." Many trainees keep pumping their muscles, set after set, day after day in the mistaken belief that their efforts will stick (that is, their arms will remain at the pumped size for a longer time, if not forever). Good luck. Muscles grow when they are not working, when they are given a chance to recuperate from exercise. Remember: Exercise stimulates change. Your body makes the change . . . but only when it is ready.
What level of intensity stimulates change? No one knows, but it is probably a high percentage of 100%, if not a full-out effort. Only HARD work stimulates change.
How much time is required between efforts to allow change to occur? No one knows. It varies from one person to the next, but the concensus is 48-72 hours.
If you are stuck in your current program, try LESS exercise (quantity and frequency). Chances are your body cannot recover from your efforts.
Like golf, strength training has its good days and bad. I once claimed that for every "good" day in the gym (when you feel energetic and strong), there are nine "bad" ones (when you just want to finish and go home). That's where the similarity ends. Results from strength training derive from good planning, execution and trying to "make it happen."
Physical change requires a push. It is stimulated by reaching intensity levels (during exercise) that are higher than the norm. Once the switch for change has been turned on, you must then "let it happen." Many trainees keep pumping their muscles, set after set, day after day in the mistaken belief that their efforts will stick (that is, their arms will remain at the pumped size for a longer time, if not forever). Good luck. Muscles grow when they are not working, when they are given a chance to recuperate from exercise. Remember: Exercise stimulates change. Your body makes the change . . . but only when it is ready.
What level of intensity stimulates change? No one knows, but it is probably a high percentage of 100%, if not a full-out effort. Only HARD work stimulates change.
How much time is required between efforts to allow change to occur? No one knows. It varies from one person to the next, but the concensus is 48-72 hours.
If you are stuck in your current program, try LESS exercise (quantity and frequency). Chances are your body cannot recover from your efforts.
No comments:
Post a Comment