Guess how many mirrors are in an average gym? One, two, a dozen, or a thousand? It's impossible to say, but what is true is that there are many. This tells you one thing, people like to look at themselves workout. It can also be said that they may only be working out to look better. But why ignore the many benefits that can be achieved when trying to improve your performance in addition to your looks?
Being functionally fit means that you have trained to improve your ability to perform your favorite activities, like a sport or hobby, and increase your effectiveness in everyday tasks, like picking up your child. Functional exercises improve strength, stamina, flexibility, and in essence, your ability to live.
If a trainee focuses on performing better, the form will absolutely follow. Set some goals and try to break them. Even going to your limit with push ups and then trying to up that number the next time is a step to the road of performance-based training.
Now, where does one start on their quest for a more performance-based training protocol? Here are a few things you can do:
1. Rather than your usual cardio, try interval and sprint training
2. Instead of isolating your muscles while exercising, do full-body exercises like pull-ups and squats
3. Instead of splitting your workouts into body parts, work your whole body with kettlebells and sandbags
This is obviously a very general list, but the most important thing to remember is if you train with a purpose and that purpose is to be stronger and last longer, you will look better. This way, instead of focusing on something material, you strive for a goal that's much more worthwhile. What's the point of looking strong without actually being strong? Setting a goal for yourself of a lower body fat percentage and then hitting is fun, but there's nothing like setting a performance-based goal and achieving it.
I set a goal for myself to lower my body fat by 2% in a month. I worked out and ate right, and even with some slip-ups along the way, I hit my mark. This was great, but it was almost like it wasn't enough or there was something missing. Months later, I read about the kettlebell US Secret Service Snatch test. The test was developed when the trainees for the secret service were given ten minutes to perform as many snatches as they could with a 53lb kettlebell with 200 being their ultimate goal.
A kettlebell snatch, for those who don't know, is an exercise where you swing the kettlebell through your legs and then in one motion, bring it overhead. I decided I wanted to try this out so I tested myself and hit 160. I had some work ahead of me. For the next few weeks I trained for this test and worked hard on beating my last score. After a solid month of kettlebell work, I tested myself again and after ten minutes I had done 209 snatches. The result of my training was a lower body fat, lower weight, and a feeling of pride that I had accomplished something, not to mention my strength gain was through the roof.
The point of this story is to illustrate that performance training is a far more efficient way of training. You get stronger and look the part. It's win-win. Just remember the next time you go to workout, start with performance and the rest will follow. - 15438
Being functionally fit means that you have trained to improve your ability to perform your favorite activities, like a sport or hobby, and increase your effectiveness in everyday tasks, like picking up your child. Functional exercises improve strength, stamina, flexibility, and in essence, your ability to live.
If a trainee focuses on performing better, the form will absolutely follow. Set some goals and try to break them. Even going to your limit with push ups and then trying to up that number the next time is a step to the road of performance-based training.
Now, where does one start on their quest for a more performance-based training protocol? Here are a few things you can do:
1. Rather than your usual cardio, try interval and sprint training
2. Instead of isolating your muscles while exercising, do full-body exercises like pull-ups and squats
3. Instead of splitting your workouts into body parts, work your whole body with kettlebells and sandbags
This is obviously a very general list, but the most important thing to remember is if you train with a purpose and that purpose is to be stronger and last longer, you will look better. This way, instead of focusing on something material, you strive for a goal that's much more worthwhile. What's the point of looking strong without actually being strong? Setting a goal for yourself of a lower body fat percentage and then hitting is fun, but there's nothing like setting a performance-based goal and achieving it.
I set a goal for myself to lower my body fat by 2% in a month. I worked out and ate right, and even with some slip-ups along the way, I hit my mark. This was great, but it was almost like it wasn't enough or there was something missing. Months later, I read about the kettlebell US Secret Service Snatch test. The test was developed when the trainees for the secret service were given ten minutes to perform as many snatches as they could with a 53lb kettlebell with 200 being their ultimate goal.
A kettlebell snatch, for those who don't know, is an exercise where you swing the kettlebell through your legs and then in one motion, bring it overhead. I decided I wanted to try this out so I tested myself and hit 160. I had some work ahead of me. For the next few weeks I trained for this test and worked hard on beating my last score. After a solid month of kettlebell work, I tested myself again and after ten minutes I had done 209 snatches. The result of my training was a lower body fat, lower weight, and a feeling of pride that I had accomplished something, not to mention my strength gain was through the roof.
The point of this story is to illustrate that performance training is a far more efficient way of training. You get stronger and look the part. It's win-win. Just remember the next time you go to workout, start with performance and the rest will follow. - 15438
About the Author:
About the author: Marcus Martinez can show you how to your fitness goals. For fitness tips see his free training programs concerninghealth & fitness.
