Two of my strongest beliefs in regards to training are that you can do well with little or nothing and that exercise can be fun. You do not need a complex system to be produce results. Hard work with the basics will always be effective. And yes, it is possible to enjoy the process.
Now if you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time, you’ve heard me beat these ideas into the ground. I am passionate about these beliefs so it has become a mission of mine to share the simplistic approach. If we ever wish to combat the obesity epidemic, we must get more people up and moving. The best way to do so is by making exercise more accessible and fun.
I hate the idea of manipulating someone to do something that they do not enjoy. You shouldn’t view each minute of exercise as slow and painful torture. Life is too short to waste it repeatedly doing things that we despise. Exercise can be so much more rewarding (physically and mentally) when we perform activities that we enjoy. Now this doesn’t mean that there won’t be times when you are forced to push through discomfort and fatigue. My point is that such discomfort can be embraced when you know it is bringing you closer to your goals.
Now I could go on all day about the joys of possessing a physically capable body. Some people won’t listen however simply because it is coming from me. I train athletes for a living so my opinion could be seen as biased. And in all honesty, perhaps I am biased. I really do not know any other way. I have embraced movement and athletics my entire life.
Fortunately, I can provide examples other than my own to help spread the message. You don’t need to take my word for it when so many others are willing to share their own experiences. Below is one of many videos that I’ve received in just the past few days alone. The individuals in this video recently thanked me for inspiring them to begin training this way after reading Never Gymless a few years ago.
The work that they perform is truly inspiring. To think that these men from the other side of the world have been influenced by my work is something I could have never imagined in my earlier life. I am truly honored.
As for the work itself, it is clear that these men enjoy what they are doing. No one reaches their level by doing work that they despise. Yes, the work that they perform is challenging but there are clear rewards that make each minute of training a worthwhile step in the right direction. These men challenge each other, motivate each other, and improve each other. The results are obvious and impossible to deny.
And once again, consider the simplistic nature of their training. Such work can be performed almost anywhere. They run, they jump, they climb, and lift. They move and enjoy the process, the camaraderie, and certainly the results. You can be sure that these men don’t rise each day dreading the workout to come. Words are not needed to communicate passion. It is as clear as day even when filmed in remote areas on the other side of the globe.
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“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hofmann
What a good bunch of people!
Some varied and interesting workouts there.
Cheers Ross!
Happy new year by the way
Ross, how do you keep from getting elbow pain when trying to increase your chinning numbers/strength?
I think I have a mild case of golfer’s elbow.
thanks
Thanks for another inspiring video. I just wish the amount of footage and information on exercising was available years ago when I started training. Maybe you had a book or two on running and some bodybuilding mags for guidance but nothing like today with all the varied types of exercises and training. Much easier to get motivation today and yet people are as a whole in much worst physical shape than they were a scant few decades ago.
I’m fired up for tomorrow mornings workout. Really fired up and ready to go!
Ross,
It’s cool that you are athletic and I read that you were raised right to be athletic and healthy (ie, you wrote that you and your Dad used to do push up competitions).
As for myself, I was brought up around grand parents who were fraud I’d get molested if I went outside alone as a kid (and they had a 40acre parcel all to themselves) and instead thought the answer was to keep me inside sitting on my ass playing videos games and eating junk food till I puked- a garbage lifestyle I know.
Because of lousy rearing and bad choices I regretted loss of athletic potential now that I’m in my 30s
MY QUESTION TO YOU-
Have you had clients that are 30s and 40s who’ve been obese their whole life’s get to a pint of athletic development where they could do things they never could like pull ups or slam dunk a basketball? I’ve never been able to do a pull up and am stuck on horizontal rows on the Smith machine, it pisses me off so bad!!! How can I ever build the strength to do it??? That’s one thing that agonizes me immensely. I’ve done sets of 80 push ups as a teen but never a pull up- it’s the kind of thing that pisses me off more than words can describe.
@Keith – I’ve seen plenty of folks go from a life of inactivity to TREMENDOUS ability with a variety of exercises and activities. There are actually many examples even posted throughout the blog’s archives. Here is a favorite of mine. I will likely do an update on her soon also as she’s gotten even stronger in the last year.
http://rosstraining.com/blog/2013/03/21/inspiration-from-an-america-ninja-hopeful/
@J G – Listen to the body closely and cut back on volume/intensity when needed. Elbow usually comes from trying to progress too fast. Intensity and volume must be closely watched.
In addition, consider working with a neutral grip at times. This hand position tends to put less stress on the elbows. I do much of my chinning work with a neutral grip as my elbows already take abuse from holding the mitts (I’m a boxing coach). I also coach baseball in the summer so end up throwing a lot of batting practice. I adjust my chin/pull work accordingly at various times in the year.
Wow Ross she’s an inspiration for real! Thanks!