Don't Alway Exercise Hard (and Ignore the Trolls)
Welp, apparently something about my recent article for US News & World Report resonated with all of you out there..it became the most popular article on the entire US News & World Report site last week!
While I’d like to think it was due to my stellar writing, I’m sure that was not the case. The article explained why going “balls-to-the-wall” every time you work out is not a good idea; whether you are just trying to start an exercise habit or are a seasoned, or even competitive, lifter.
Go figure: Tell people not to exercise hard and you become Mr. Popularity!
I do think my message was missed by a few out there however. I doubt those who didn’t understand my message actually read the article, but regardless, for purposes of clarity, I’ll explain exactly what I meant, and what the haters got wrong.
First, the haters:
Oh, where to start… While I’m sure both of these 19 year old kids who clearly know everything and have already figured out the world (I mean who hasn’t by the time you left your parent’s house just over a year ago!?), they definitely haven’t spent one second understanding the premise of all training: exercise periodization. Periodization simply means changing what you do over time so you incrementally progress without harming yourself. Training intensity is one of the most crucial components of periodization. But, look, with Jason and Andrew’s pearls of wisdom, who needs science?
And contrary to what Andrew believes, EVERY Mr. Olympia, World’s Strongest Man competitor, and powerlifting record holder used the science of periodization, including varying intensity (which can include changing loads, sets, reps, rests, to name a few parameters) to ultimately dominate and destroy and “game day.”
Moral of the story:
1. Never place important decisions about your wellbeing in the hands of a 19 year old (unless it is a real-life Doogie Howser)
2. Never defer to the “wisdom” of internet trolls when it come to — well, anything!
Happy training!
If you’re tired of plateaus and injury, contact me for online fitness and fat loss coaching.
And, as always, hit me up on Twitter with any feedback or questions! @jeffhalevy
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