We’ve all been there before. Bag in hand, headphones hanging out of our shirts, walking out of the gym thinking “I could have done more”. It’s a disappointing thought, especially for those of us who live and die by our training. This is because you suck at exercise, your brain is weak, and you have the work ethic of a 12 year old girl. You fall into this category if you routinely replace sled work, sprints, front squats and farmer’s walks with bicep curls, leg extensions, and abs on a BOSU ball.
I do a lot of Max HR testing using versions of the Bruce protocols. This involves increasing the speed and incline of a treadmill until the subject willingly says that they are at an exertion level of 10, and cannot continue the exercise.
What is interesting and true across the board for everyone I’ve ever tested, regardless of fitness level, whether they are an all American NCAA athlete, professional golfers average Joes or soccer moms, after they get off the treadmill and their heart rate stops sounding like a dubstep remix, they all say the same thing. “I could have done more, but…”
A few of the trainers I work with are infuriated by this remark, but I think this is a mark of being human….. A mentally weak human.
This plays into program design as well. For years, the internet forums have been ravaged by the battle between philosophies and paradigms, especially the high volume vs. high intensity crowds. Those who disagreed with the newest training protocol on either side were branded arm chair experts, and dismissed as having a bad case of imaginary lat syndrome.
…among other problems.
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