You may have heard the saying “more is better”.

I would like to challenge this statement and say more is not always better. Better is Better.

I want to tackle this on 2 fronts.

The first is in relation to unlimited training during the week.

The second, is in relation to how much and how hard you push yourself in an actual session.

The Trap Of Unlimited Training

Unlimited training revolves around the philosophy that more is better. And you will see many gyms and training studios use this approach by offer unlimited group classes.

Whiles there are few good gyms out there that really supervisor their members to ensure good technique and safety, this is definitely not the norm. Unfortunately, many of these gyms offering the unlimited group training have one trainer for up to 16 members. They offer no real instruction or education how to do the techniques correctly and safely. Some of these gyms even incorporate TV monitors to demonstrate how to do the exercise because the trainer is just spread to thin with so many members in a class. This really is a monkey see monkey do approach.

I don’t know about you, but I would like to think I am no monkey.

So, in this case, is more is better?

I hope you answered, No.

What is better? Better is better. Better education. Better instruction. Better personalisation. Better programming. Better is better.
How can this be achieved? Through personal training with a coach. Two or three sessions a week with your own personal coach, showing you, guiding you and educating you on the best way to exercise.

You see having a plan designed by a coach specific for your goals and training for that purpose, is so much better than training aimlessly. Even if it is unlimited.

Remember better is better and it all starts with a better plan.

This now brings me to the second point…

Train To 80%

You hear the saying all the time “no pain, no gain”, “if you don’t leave your training wiped out, you did not train hard enough”
These people have fallen victim to the more is better philosophy also.

Again, I would like to challenge this concept with Better is Better. You should leave your training session feeling better than you arrived.

This all starts with a well-designed program / plan specific for your needs and goals and adheres to the principle of progressive overload.
What is Progressive Overload? Progressive overload is a gradual increase in volume, intensity, frequency or time over a period of time in order to achieve the targeted goal.

The problem with high intensity training day in day out that completely wipes you out, is it is not sustainable. You will eventually place too much stress on your body and nervous system, which is more than likely to lead to pain at best, injury at worst.

At Adaptive Strength (formerly Box33) we aim to train our client to about 80% of capacity. We treat each session as a practice session, in order to help you get better. We will program light, medium and heavy days to cycle the load and intensity. Some sessions will be loaded with weight and others unloaded. All this is individually designed to help you, get you to your goal in the fastest and safest way possible.

Better Is Better.

If you are not getting the results you desire or have fallen victim to the more is better approach and looking for something different and better, then contact Adaptive Strength (formerly Box33).

We will listen to your goals and find out your why. From here we will create a personal training program unique to you.

You will be given a plan, most probably training 2 -3 times a week. It will be simple and effective. But best of all you will be guided every step of the way. With the best education. Best instruction. Best personalisation. And, best programming.