People usually assume certain things when starting their fitness journey.
Sometimes those assumptions are correct -other times- not so much.
Doesn’t getting in shape mean the Workout of the Day is easier?
Sorry, nope.
If I get stronger these AirBike sprints should hurt less, right?
Definitely not.
This second assumption is a common one I hear about, but let’s dig into the “why.”
Stronger = More Powerful
While there are exceptions to this for highly trained athletes, for almost everyone else this is true.
Increase your one rep max deadlift, and you’re very likely to improve your 250m Row Time Trial.
Improve your back squat and -provided you didn’t dirty bulk to get it there- it’s likely your vertical jump is higher as well.
More Power = More Fatigue
Two athletes are taking on a 30s Max Effort AirBike Test.
The first is a 240lb, 6’4” Male with a deadlift of 540lb.
The second is a 120lb, 5’2” Female with a deadlift of 145lb.
Many newcomers would assume that the smaller, weaker athlete would get more fatigued from this test.
But the truth is you’re likely to see the big fellow rolling on the floor in pain for several minutes after such a test, where the other athlete will be able to walk away.
The truth is the stronger and more powerful you become, the longer you will need to recover from max effort bouts of work, even if your conditioning has improved.
A 10 Rep Max Back Squat can crush an experienced athlete, where it’s likely a newbie can come back two days later and improve on their score.
To My Newcomers
Don’t get frustrated by experienced athletes lifting way more than you or flying through their conditioning work.
While some aspects of your fitness will become easier over time, these people are still suffering …albeit in a different way.
Keep an eye on these people and see how they navigate their workouts, lifestyle and self-care to keep themselves in the game long-term.
Ask, why are they still healthy and seeing results while other people haven’t stuck with it?
To My Veterans
Keep in mind that the more developed you become as an athlete, there are some aspects of your fitness that will be challenged more and more.
More absolute loading, faster contraction speeds, and a bigger engine means you’ll also need to be more conscious of signs of overuse and burnout.
You don’t need a pit crew for a Ford Focus.
As you become more senior, you will need to be more strategic in when you “go there” and when you don’t.
To All My Athletes
“No two people get the same prescription and receive the same result.” -Jeff Baltimore
While everyone in class does the same workout, everyone has their own experience with that day’s challenge.
There are many factors outside of your control, which have no benefit for you to focus on…including other people’s weights, scores, and times.
You can control showing up, putting your best effort forward, and then recommitting to do it again.