There’s nothing like lifting something heavy up and putting it down, over and over and over and over again. Right, kids?
Humans have been lifting weights for thousands of years. They’ve been building pyramids and wagons, homes ,and putting mammoths on spits above open fires. It’s been part of our lives for thousands of years.
Nowadays, while not too many people lift heavy objects with an intent to create or cook something (unless you’re talking about creating that #bod or cookin’ some #gainz, bro), there is still a strange satisfaction people get when entering a gym.
Of course, it’s not too surprising. Lifting weights improves our physique and fitness level, burns fat, boosts confidence and physical activity interest, keeps us alive longer, increases bone density, and so much more. But when it comes to becoming disciplined on an endeavour that involves lifting heavy objects repeatedly inside a building with other people staring at themselves in the mirror, going too hard and too fast can result in becoming overwhelmed and “falling off the bandwagon.”
Strength Training Reality
Lifting weights (or any exercise endeavor, for that matter) isn’t supposed to be a chore. True, it’s supposed to be demanding. But it’s not supposed to break you down until you quit.
We might be able to blame reality TV shows or social media “influencers” for causing the “go hard or go home” mentality. We might also be able to blame health professionals that preach fast weight loss and promote six-week challenges at the same time every year.
But whatever the case may be, when it comes to pursuing a goal to keep a regular gym routine going, staying intelligent on your journey is key. Which ultimately means that if you need to, you drop back a gear. You take a step back. You, perhaps, drop the weight on the lifts you are performing, decrease the intensity, start to focus on your technique a little more.
Lifting heavy all the time isn’t always necessary. We aren’t all athletes. We aren’t all trying to compete. Sticking to an exact split or routine day in and day out each week is not what it takes to “get fit” or “be healthy.”
What truly gets results, however, is a consistent plan that doesn’t derail you via burnout, boredom, injury, or otherwise.