Strength is a goal of just about everyone in some respect, whether we know It or not.
Fat loss, muscle gain, injury prevention all will have an underlying base of overall strength. It is very hard to not build muscle if you gain a certain level of strength. That extra muscle allows our metabolisms to run a bit higher helping us burn some body fat. The strength also shows the resiliency of our joints during certain movements.
All these things run back to the idea that strength is the base. I hear Dave Tate say It all the time in his posts, “Strength is the base of all other pursuits in fitness”.
It’s something that we need, It’s something that is unavoidable, it’s also very empowering.
And strength gets a bad wrap most of the time. People always seem to think we need to be a powerlifter to work on strength.
That is far from reality.
Strength will be displayed in a much wider variety than we may realize, It isn’t always about how much weight you move on a certain exercise. In most cases It has nothing to do with how much we can lift or move one single time.
There are two areas I have been focusing more of my strength on recently and seeing some great results.
One of these main areas is –>strength in relation to your own bodyweight.
This goes for any bodyweight exercise. Things such as push-ups, pull-ups, planks, body rows. I can do 10 reps weighing 100 pounds, now I weigh 110 pounds and I can still do 10 reps. Well you just go stronger in relation to your own bodyweight.
One of the best ways to get stronger in these types of movements is to find ways to add load to them. Whether that is extra weight, different angles, whatever may fit, but the added resistance really adds to that strength component over time.
If we constantly try to just do more reps, we will hit a wall. We need to find a way that challenges our body in a new way.
If you are thinking of push-ups for example.I start with 10. Over time I work up to 20, but I can’t seem to break past that point.Now It’s time to drop back down to 10 reps but with added weight. Toss a 15 pound plate on my back and It’s time to go. Maybe instead of weight I could add in a decline where I elevate my feet or toss a band behind my back.
Whatever the case may be, find a way to overload that movement.
The second area is–>getting stronger in different motions than I’m not used to.
Traditional exercises like squats and bench presses are great but how strong are you with one leg, how long can you carry half your bodyweight in one hand, can you get full range of motion on a lateral lunge?
These are all things that we tend to avoid, let alone try and get strong in these areas.
Here are some areas I am focused on getting stronger in right now:
– Side lunges
– Sled pushes/pulls
– Single arm carries (suitcase, overhead, rack)
– Single leg squats
– Isometric holds
– Hip flexion and extension
None of these things are flashy or sexy. They seem boring to most people BUT they have some of the best returns I could ask for. They give true results, true changes, true improvements.
Don’t just focus on one area of strength, focus on them all!
In good health,
Jeff
P.S Whenever you are ready, here are 3 ways I can help you change the way your body looks and feels…
1.) Would you be interested in testing out our program for two weeks… With no payment?
Right now you can give our program a shot for two weeks with no payment and get on the road to looking and feeling how you really want.
If you are interested in this free test, reply “TEST” to this email.
2.) Come in for a FREE body scan
We are letting you get a better idea of where your starting point is by getting a free InBody scan. This can test your body fat, muscle mass, and water levels.
If you would like a free InBody scan, reply “SCAN” to this email.
3.) Workout Programs
I have been toying with the idea of creating programs for anyone to use and follow. They would come complete with videos, descriptions, and program demos.
If you have any interest in a program such as this, reply “PROGRAM” to this email and I will get you the ideas that I have been thinking about.
