Strength training is hard. It just is. Part of getting strong is based on overcoming adversity. Challenges are set and we are put to task to destroy them. It is within these challenges that we take those important steps toward our goals and break down the walls of our current limitations. That’s a difficult thing to do. It’s hard. While this is often the case, it doesn’t have to ALWAYS be the case. In your best Joker voice ask yourself, “Why so serious?”
Now let’s take minute to put all the hardcore, elite, tactical, beast mode training aside. Put down your Jakd 3D and rest your thousand yard stare for a moment.
Why do we have to be so serious about fitness all the time? (TWEET THAT!) Sure there’s a time and place for it but why can’t we have more fun? Can’t we approach training like play? Kids get strong and resilient playing. Fact.
I programmed the last round of classes at Mark Fisher Fitness. The ninjas know that Fury is keen on crawling and their immediate dread of 60-90 second crawls was palpable. As we progressed weekly through the class, I started to notice why people hated crawling (even though they knew it was good for them). They took it too seriously. Ninjas were moving stiffly and way too deliberately while worrying about their form. A change of perspective was needed.
So I gave one of my “not entirely rare” crawl speeches. I empowered everyone to simply move, have fun and play with the next round of crawling. Throw away most of your concerns about technique and move around.
Man, did the Ninjas deliver! It was the single best round of group crawling I’ve witnessed at the Clubhouse. We were all a bunch of kids messing around. They got back to their feet with more energy, less fatigue and smiles. (Well, most of them did.)
So here are a few benefits of attacking certain things from the perspective of play:
- It’s crazy, but training is more fun while you play. It takes the edge off and makes it a more rewarding experience.
- You’d be amazed at how much your work capacity can be expanded when you view something as a game instead of a chore. Time flies as your strength grows.
- I bet you recover faster too. While you’re muscles may work the same, the mental demand is much less when we’re moving from a state of play. Emotions can tax your central nervous system. So does strength training. States of play can feed the brain through a training session as opposed to just wearing it down.
That’s that. Simple. When training seems super intimidating, change your perspective from work to play. Screw being serious all the time. Be a kid and move. Play.
Oh, and if you think this idea of the “play” approach is just about training…you missed something. Glory!
- Fury out
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