Getting stronger is a goal that we hear often. Getting stronger is a great goal and worth every second you spend pursuing it. Strength goals are easy in theory, just get stronger right? You will get stronger with consistency and a smart approach (it’s honestly that simple) but there’s a longer list of things that will not help you get stronger:
- Not eating enough
- Being dehydrated
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Lack of sleep
- Training too heavy, too long or too often
- Not taking adequate rests between sets
- Progressing too fast
These are the most important things that come to mind. This may trigger some thoughts about your own training. To be honest, I hope it does. I know without a doubt that when I am trying to get stronger that list needs to be in check, if not, I will fail. That may not be on day one or week one but eventually it will catch me. Missing one is all it takes and it’s a long game. Imagine doing all of those things every day but you sleep less than 5 hours a night. Let me save you the trouble and tell you that you’ll have a hard time getting stronger.
You’ll have to do the dirty work. It will challenge and test you and that’s okay. If you want it, you’ll go and get it. You can’t buy it at the store. Strength is a skill and you have to practice it and get used to what it feels like to train heavy. This does not mean a weight that is too heavy. Do not confuse quality strength work with messy, max effort training day after day! These are not the same. One will get you stronger and one will ruin you. Training with intent means training smart, so stay out of your own way.
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Michael Allen
Author Bio
Michael has been working with clients in the gym and countless adults in a physical therapy setting since 2013. He spent 3 semesters working at Towson University with student-athletes from nearly every sport at the school. He served as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Kennard-Dale High School during the 2019-2020 school year. His goal is to always get better and give you the safest and most effective use of your time at First Capital Gym.