Because we all have different starting points, the route to increasing fitness will be different too. However, some fundamental principles of training help guide us into understanding how changes will occur.
The Principles of Training
Make it specific
As we’ve touched on, the type of exercise you do should be specific to your goals. Don’t expect to train in one way, then excel in another. If you want to run for longer, then don’t spend time doing bicep curls.
This rule gets quite granular, even within a particular type of fitness. For example, you can develop incredible aerobic fitness and be a brilliant runner. Still, you won’t perform at a really high standard on the bicycle if you haven’t trained on it.
Plan for progression
Doing the same workout over and over again won’t lead to any improvements. If the demands on the body stay the same, it won’t need to make any changes to progress. To see increases in fitness, you’ll need to make it harder when it becomes easy. That can mean different things depending on what you want to achieve. It could be more workouts a week, a heavier weight, more reps, less rest time, or a faster pace.
Understand it’s reversible
The unfortunate truth about fitness is that what isn’t used is lost. Because the body changes to adapt to demands, if those demands aren’t there any more, then the changes will be reversed. Your body will apply its efforts elsewhere. So, if you don’t train for a while, you can expect to lose a bit of fitness. That’s why making it a habit that you enjoy and can sustain is so important.
Prioritise recovery
All these adaptations to the body that we’ve been talking about happen when we’re at rest. That’s why recovery is crucial for developing fitness. Beginners will need more recovery than more advanced exercisers, so make time for it. Not resting will stunt fitness progress.
Remember your individuality
There are loads of individual differences that will impact how you develop fitness. Your natural ability and rate of progression are affected by genetics, age, and sex. Measure your fitness only against yourself and never someone else.
How to define fitness for yourself
Finding a role for fitness and exercise in our lives is rooted in understanding and being motivated by the benefits it can bring us.
Some people want to achieve weight loss or a particular appearance. Some want to increase their strength or speed. Others want to feel good and get those endorphins going.
Defining your fitness goals isn’t as straightforward as it’s made out. Start by thinking big. Then you can narrow down your focus and figure out precisely what you should be doing in the gym to achieve it and how often you want to go.
Fitting fitness in is undoubtedly the most challenging part. When surveyed a bunch of people, most believe that their fitness would be improved if they had more time on their hands and it was easier to do. Relatable right?
We’ll let you in on a little secret. Using Hussle’s Monthly+ pass and getting unlimited access to multiple gyms, pools, and spas at thousands of different locations across the UK helps. The Monthly+ Pass also includes subscriptions to digital fitness apps for the days it works to work out at home.
Plus, if things get weird, which they often do because life is unpredictable. Just pause your pass. And come back to it when you’re ready. We’re all about that anti-contract life.
