I’ve just return from a couple of months touring around a few of the States giving presentations on the Super Smasher Program and conducting a few personal training sessions. Firstly, let me apologize for not regularly providing tips, advice and motivation on this blog. No excuses here.
As for my latest trip, I was really impressed to see how many people were inspired by my program cycle and had either already made great gains from following the program or were very keen to get started.
Interestingly, I meet a number of guys and girls who had tried CrossFit and found the idea of checking the CrossFit website for a new program everyday motivating and hassle free. A common feeling was they liked not having to think about what their next workout was going to be.
However, a number of these people were also disappointed with the CrossFit exercises as they were either too hard (injuries were common) or they weren’t getting great results. I’m personally not surprised. CrossFit is tough and focuses only on a very specific training mythology.
I have always advocated that you must periodize your training cycle. Trying to go hard for every workout is a waste of time and energy; you just can’t maintain that level of commitment week in week out. Not even professional athletes train at their max every training session.
So what is the ‘balanced’ solution? There are times when you have to train hard to get results. There are also times when you need to train at a lower intensity to allow your body time to recover and grow. There are times when you need motivating. The answer is simple: get yourself on an effective full body training program that details your training goals and provides the right exercises to achieve these goals. Make sure the program uses a periodized cycle.
These are the simple ingredients to an effective program that works.
Merry Christmas,
James
As for my latest trip, I was really impressed to see how many people were inspired by my program cycle and had either already made great gains from following the program or were very keen to get started.
Interestingly, I meet a number of guys and girls who had tried CrossFit and found the idea of checking the CrossFit website for a new program everyday motivating and hassle free. A common feeling was they liked not having to think about what their next workout was going to be.
However, a number of these people were also disappointed with the CrossFit exercises as they were either too hard (injuries were common) or they weren’t getting great results. I’m personally not surprised. CrossFit is tough and focuses only on a very specific training mythology.
I have always advocated that you must periodize your training cycle. Trying to go hard for every workout is a waste of time and energy; you just can’t maintain that level of commitment week in week out. Not even professional athletes train at their max every training session.
So what is the ‘balanced’ solution? There are times when you have to train hard to get results. There are also times when you need to train at a lower intensity to allow your body time to recover and grow. There are times when you need motivating. The answer is simple: get yourself on an effective full body training program that details your training goals and provides the right exercises to achieve these goals. Make sure the program uses a periodized cycle.
These are the simple ingredients to an effective program that works.
Merry Christmas,
James
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