If you’re just beginning your fitness journey, then you know that you start with the basics. You learn the basic exercises, basic routines, set and rep schemes for your workouts, exercise tempo, etc.
For many, results of some kind will come, whether it’s an increase in strength, speed or flexibility, a loss of fat, a gain of muscle.
At the start, we fall in love with the results and want to keep them going. But eventually what happens is, a plateau or sticking point is hit.
The results don’t come as quickly.
Strength doesn’t increase.
Fat stops melting away.
We wonder why we’re working so hard.
We start to look around at what others are doing. We look online for answers. We search for that new “secret” that will start to get us the results we seek.
We start to think things like:
“Maybe if I try a new diet or a new supplement… that should do it!”
“Mr. Olympia just released his latest workout video… the answers have to be there!”
“Dr. Oz had this person on his show and their new book must have the solution in there!”
“I’ve been using mostly free weights for my routine, I probably need to be using more machines and ditch the free weights for next-level results!”
The above quotes are things I’ve been told by anxious and frustrated clients in the past. My advice to them is always the same:
Stick with the basics. Don’t overcomplicate things. Stick to basic exercises and concepts. Maintain your consistency. Keep working on the basics and fundamentals. Master them. Strive to perfect them.
It’s not “sexy” advice. It’s not “cool” or “edgy”. It’s not “cutting edge”. It’s none of those things. It’s the truth.
Don’t get me wrong, there are times when a change is needed, and I do prescribe variations of things and introduce new concepts to clients from time to time. But the strongest emphasis ALWAYS… is on the basics.
If your basics and fundamentals are not strong, then anything you do after that will eventually fail and not get you what you’re after.
Think of your body as a skyscraper. Your goal should be to make your skyscraper as tall and as strong as possible, able to withstand earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and thousands of people walking around inside.
If the foundation isn’t solid and strong, then anything that gets put on top of it will collapse. It won’t be able to withstand any pressure.
The same goes for your health and fitness. If you haven’t built a strong base and understanding and practice of the basics, then anything “new” you try won’t give you what you’re looking for and you’ll abandon it in search of something different.
The basics are best. They’re taught and their importance is emphasized because they work. They are necessary. They are the building blocks upon which all other programs and concepts come from. The latest diet or exercise routine sprouted from someone’s understanding of the basics.
The problem with most is they become bored. They become bored with their exercises and routines and when those results they got at the beginning start to slow, they immediately begin thinking what they’re doing isn’t working.
The reality is that the body becomes accustomed to the routine and exercises. But rather than focusing on changing up things like rep speed, exercise order, varying rest periods, playing around with poundages, people become impatient and think that there’s a magic solution.
It’s human nature, really. Once that competitive fire is ignited inside of us, we want to stoke it and get it burning hotter and brighter.
Athletes especially can relate to this because they’re always looking for that “edge” that will get them to the next level, to get them better than their opposition.
The best coaches, the best trainers, the most successful among us all got to where they are because they have strong basics and fundamentals. Sure, they’ve tried and used different methods and new techniques, but they never forgot about or stopped practicing the basics.
Neither should you. Always remember to keep your foundation strong, to keep reinforcing it through practice.
Learn and train yourself to fall in love with the basics and the processes that will make and keep you successful in attaining your health and fitness goals.
Don’t forget the basics. The basics always work. The basics always get you results. Over time, the results may not appear as noticeable on the outside, but your foundation is becoming stronger through repetition and consistency. Just because you can’t see or feel it, doesn’t mean something good isn’t happening.
Forget chasing the bright and shiny new object and focus on the basics.
Later today, I’ll be releasing my calisthenics workout for sale in the store. It’s the same routine I’ve been doing for years, and it has a strong emphasis on the basics… exercises that have been around for thousands of years. It’s the perfect beginner routine and all of it can be done at home with minimal equipment. Check it out and put it to use to help build your foundation.
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend.
Until next time…
Always Activate. Get Going.
