It can be really easy to get caught up in the digital world of fitness. There is so much going on in this space that it’s mind blowing for even a professional like myself.
So how is a lay person supposed to decipher what is a good way of training and what isn’t? What should they do and what isn’t effective? Where should they even start?
The reality is that a normal person can’t tell what they should even be doing. This is where so much frustration comes in and can cause someone to stop in their tracks and not make a move on anything. Which is the absolute worst case scenario.
For starters, any action towards your goals is better than nothing. It doesn’t matter what it is, just taking action is the best possible thing to do for someone that is stuck on the couch. Literally anything will start to see results.
The issue is that people see something on the ol’ Instagram and think that’s the starting point they should be at. And this particular exercise is more of a level 5 or even a level 10 type modality. Or, do a Navy Seal workout plan because they’re jacked and you can be too.
Several negative things happen when people jump on these types of advanced protocols right off the hop.
First, there’s a large chance that it won’t be done right. Without having the movement skills, control, or awareness the advanced program will be a waste of time and more likely dangerous than effective.
Secondly, it will be dangerous! The likelihood of injury will be far higher than if the person started at the appropriate level. Again, the skill and movement abilities are not there and the tissues are not able to handle the advanced stress. It takes a long time to build the muscle, tendons, ligaments, and bone structure to a point of handling this stress. Not to mention plain old burnout from advanced training and they don’t have the gas tank for it.
Lastly, what do they do if they manage to stay healthy and then plateau at this level? Yes, you can change things up and progress but it’s far harder than if they started at the proper entry level and gained every ounce of progress from that level. Then advance to the next level and squeeze every drop of gains out of that stage, and so on.
Starting at level one if you’re a beginner is the best way to start. Learn the skills and build the resilience up and get all the progress possible from each level of training. Earn the right to train at the advanced levels and watch progress across every stage of your training journey.
Just because it’s listed as a Navy Seals workout, or Lebron James, or Connor McDavid’s training program it doesn’t mean you should be doing it too.
There’s a very good chance that the basics done very well will get all the results needed for the first while of training. Focusing on consistency and progressive overload while slowly increasing overall volume over time. As progress happens with lifting, aerobic training can be added, strength work, hypertrophy, power, anaerobic training… There’s lot’s of phases to add but they need to fall in line properly.
Start where you need to start, there’s no shame in being a beginner. Everyone started at some point. Don’t be fooled by circus act training on Instagram; they do it for likes and not because it’s effective training most of the time. You can work your way through every level of training and see incredible progress if it’s done with intention and in turn.
Wade Dickinson