My approach to training is to find and use elements from a number of systems to best meet my training goals and the goals of those I coach.So what are those goals? My goals are most likely very similar to those of the average person:
- To obtain and maintain health and fitness.
- To improve mobility, strength, physical skill & capacity.
- To improve cardiovascular capacity.
- To feel good in my body, and about my body.
- To maintain my health and fitness into my senior years.
- To remain functionally capable my whole life.
There is no magic formula to make this happen, just a sensibly balanced approach. By eating properly, creating the right stimulus in training, and then recovering properly, anyone can improve their overall health and fitness, their physical and aerobic capacity, and feel a lot better.
Friendly competition can be a good thing, but I feel too much emphasis can be placed on competition. If the “clock” and “numbers on the board” become more important than form and function, the result can be poor technique and a risk of injury. Also, I feel too many people think they need to drive their body into the ground on a daily basis in order to improve and compete, which can result in overtraining and risk of many health issues.
I prefer balance in my training. I am a stickler for good form, both for safety and for proper progression. I approach training with the concept that it should be a healthy way of life, with a steady rate of progression, not a competition. I believe that proper movement is more important than the “clock” or “numbers”. I believe appropriate strength development is what is absolutely needed to protect the body from the ravages of time. I believe proper nutrition and recovery are key components to a healthy body and mind.
“Competition” should be with oneself. The goal is to “win” at becoming healthier and more capable. We should keep records of what we are doing so that we can see our own progress. We can look to others for inspiration, but we should never compare ourselves to anyone else. We are all at a different point in our “fitness level” and will all improve on that level at our own pace. When we can look at ourselves, see and feel those improvements, we will know we are “winning”!