If I would have known then, what I know now…
First of all, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life.
For example, not attending class nearly often enough in college.
Thinking that “Frosting the Tips” of my hair looked good in high school.
As well as, eating a baked potato that had been left out for around a week – that was REAL dumb.
In addition to wearing white after Labor Day.
But for today I thought I would limit the scope of my mistakes to Resistance Training and getting in shape.
Here we go in no particular order:
*First, I Did The Wrong Exercises
For instance, I started lifting weights to improve my performance at baseball. Feeling the need to get bigger and stronger. Finding the biggest guy on the team who was willing to help me you, so I did exactly as he instructed:
Bench Press. Arnold Press. Dips. Bicep Curls. Planks.
Three of those five exercises are absolutely terrible for you if you play baseball.
And by doing something right (I’ve always been consistent and persistent), I WAS able to put on a lot of size and make the All-District team, but, I have elbow and shoulder issues ‘til this day from that program.
Picking the appropriate exercises is paramount to our long-term goals and joint health.
*Second, I Only Did One “Type” Of Training Style
After high school, my goals shifted to getting girls to like me. Switching to “Hypertrophy” training aka “Body Building”. Initially, this worked and I put on another ten pounds but then plateaued for about three or four years.
Never training for stability, strength, or endurance training.
Without training for these other qualities, my body wouldn’t allow me to reach the “next phase” of fitness. No matter what your goal is, you need a complete program to get there.
In the same way, ONLY, doing endurance training, or, ONLY doing balance training, or, ONLY doing strength training isn’t the answer.
We need to do it all to get the best result possible.
Third, Warming Up Incorrectly
At first, a warm-up was non-existent. Then it evolved to using a slightly lighter weight before picking up the heavier “working weight”. And then, it was play a game of basketball with a friend. And then, I tore my ACL….
I could (and have) written about a proper warmup in thousands of words.
To keep this short, a proper warm-up should not only elevate our heart rate, but also address tissue quality, improve range of motion, and “activate” underused muscles.
Fourth, Never Working Out My Legs
For me, the “Johnny Bravo” look was totally okay. I was wrong. I’m not a cartoon character, that was stupid. The day I took my leg training seriously, is the same day I started making exponential progress towards my goals.
Fifth, Going WAY Too Heavy
Consequently, a big drawback to being a Personal Trainer in a Big-Box Gym is all of the testosterone.
Furthermore, being surrounded by a bunch of big dudes lifting big weights, encouraging me to do so, combined with exercises being wrong, warming up incorrectly, AND, only doing one style of lifting led to me having way more injuries than any twenty-something year old deserves.
In fact, let my scars (literally) save you from this tendency. You can totally get in great shape without “Turning The Dial-Up To Eleven” on how heavy something relatively feels.
Finally, I’m sure I’ve made plenty of other mistakes, but, this seems like a good list for now.
Learn from them.
Be Consistent.
Be Persistent.
Train Smart.
Can’t Lose,
Nate
P.S. However you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you get happier and healthier:
1. Come in for a Custom Fitness Consultation
We’ll sit down together and discuss your goals, simple steps you can take to achieve them, and see if there is a way to work together to give you the coaching and support you need to get the results you want quickly.
If you’d like to discuss a meeting for a Consultation, just reply and put ‘Consult’ in the subject line and I’ll follow up with you.
2. Do My 10 Years Younger Challenge
Accelerate your fitness & fat loss results…with my proven & guaranteed program where you’ll double your strength and flexibility in just 30 days.
Just hit Reply and put ‘Challenge’ in the subject line and I’ll send you over details.
3. Train With Me From Anywhere
If you can’t make it to my facility in Austin, you can still train with the best! We can train you on Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, or almost any video software that you prefer.
This is exactly like personal training, but it’s anywhere you need it to be, and it’s even more affordable.
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