This morning, I received a newsletter from some automated site that I did not know I subscribed to. It was titled "Strength is a Skill". I will admit, I began reading it at the end of class today and I did like what it had to say. So I thought I would share it with the rest of you!
"Strength is a skill"
Like a lot of coaches, I have a handful of "pet" phrases, cues, and quotes that I tend to bring out. When I'm talking to my clients or having a conversation there are a few that seem to come up pretty regularly. Usually I don't notice it or think it's that obvious until a client starts mimicking one back at me (this is right before I they end up doing extra push-ups). It's not that I can't think of something original to say, trust me, it's that these cues work.
One of my favorite lines that you'll never hear me apologize for using is "Strength is a skill". I use it a lot, tag most of my emails with it, and firmly believe it. I'd like to claim that I originated the quote, but I know that I heard it from someone back in the day, but I honestly can't remember who coined the phrase (if anyone knows then shoot me a line). Regardless of its root, I think this quote best sums up my training and life philosophy in one succinct message.
Everyone is pretty familiar with the idea that in order to gain strength you need to practice and challenge yourself to get stronger. This is the point behind lifting weights to build muscle. Common knowledge, right? Well, there's a little more to it than that. You see, strength comes from two areas. First, when you lift weights the body recovers from the damage caused by building more muscle fibers which results in an increase in the cross-sectional size of the muscle. This is what most people think about when it comes to getting strong. All else being equal, a bigger muscle is a stronger muscle.
However, that's not the real root of muscular strength. The vast majority of muscular strength gains come from refined neurological recruitment. In other words, teaching your body to contract more muscle fibers and contract them in the right order. With improved neurological recruitment the same muscle becomes more efficient and the muscle can gain strength without gaining appreciable size. This is how small powerlifters and fighters can be much stronger than larger bodybuilders.
Ok, so how do you increase the neurological efficiency of your muscles? Frequent training under heavy loads results in superior neurological function. That's right, lifting weights REALLY IS A SKILL and frequent training is PRACTICE.
To me "strength is a skill" is not just about being able to pick up a heavier weight, though. To me it applies to mental and spiritual strength as well. Just like not everyone is born big and physically powerful being strong of mind and character are not simply innate abilities. Sure, some people are born at different points on the mental toughness spectrum, just like we all know the guy that walked into the gym with a 315 deadlift and the guy that couldn't even lift the bar. However, after a year of hard training the talented guy was better and the weak kid was now a strong kid.
Improving your strength of character and mental focus takes concentrated effort and work. At first you might have a hard time finding success. I'll bet your first attempts at shooting a basketball or front squatting were clumsy, awkward, and made you question whether you should even continue this endeavor. So can your attempts to break free from your shell and display confidence seem much harder initially than they should be. However, with more and more practice and a no-quitting stance you'll find it easier and easier to demonstrate your strength and improve until you've reached the level of success that you set out to. With practice you'll be able to improve your work skills, your body, your mental focus and toughness, your relationships, and everything else in your life.
One of my favorite lines that you'll never hear me apologize for using is "Strength is a skill". I use it a lot, tag most of my emails with it, and firmly believe it. I'd like to claim that I originated the quote, but I know that I heard it from someone back in the day, but I honestly can't remember who coined the phrase (if anyone knows then shoot me a line). Regardless of its root, I think this quote best sums up my training and life philosophy in one succinct message.
Everyone is pretty familiar with the idea that in order to gain strength you need to practice and challenge yourself to get stronger. This is the point behind lifting weights to build muscle. Common knowledge, right? Well, there's a little more to it than that. You see, strength comes from two areas. First, when you lift weights the body recovers from the damage caused by building more muscle fibers which results in an increase in the cross-sectional size of the muscle. This is what most people think about when it comes to getting strong. All else being equal, a bigger muscle is a stronger muscle.
However, that's not the real root of muscular strength. The vast majority of muscular strength gains come from refined neurological recruitment. In other words, teaching your body to contract more muscle fibers and contract them in the right order. With improved neurological recruitment the same muscle becomes more efficient and the muscle can gain strength without gaining appreciable size. This is how small powerlifters and fighters can be much stronger than larger bodybuilders.
Ok, so how do you increase the neurological efficiency of your muscles? Frequent training under heavy loads results in superior neurological function. That's right, lifting weights REALLY IS A SKILL and frequent training is PRACTICE.
To me "strength is a skill" is not just about being able to pick up a heavier weight, though. To me it applies to mental and spiritual strength as well. Just like not everyone is born big and physically powerful being strong of mind and character are not simply innate abilities. Sure, some people are born at different points on the mental toughness spectrum, just like we all know the guy that walked into the gym with a 315 deadlift and the guy that couldn't even lift the bar. However, after a year of hard training the talented guy was better and the weak kid was now a strong kid.
Improving your strength of character and mental focus takes concentrated effort and work. At first you might have a hard time finding success. I'll bet your first attempts at shooting a basketball or front squatting were clumsy, awkward, and made you question whether you should even continue this endeavor. So can your attempts to break free from your shell and display confidence seem much harder initially than they should be. However, with more and more practice and a no-quitting stance you'll find it easier and easier to demonstrate your strength and improve until you've reached the level of success that you set out to. With practice you'll be able to improve your work skills, your body, your mental focus and toughness, your relationships, and everything else in your life.
I am not quite sure where it came from- it was an automated message that I received.. It has a pretty good message though!
Yesterday, I got my sister to get back to the gym with me! It was nice. It was supposed to be an "off"/ cardio day for me, but I felt that I needed the workout so I took her along and we worked on that V Taper ;-)
Well, Carmen is now sitting next to me eating her salad...yes, salad.
So, that mean its time for me to eat and hit the gym! I'll complete my thoughts later tonight :D
So, that mean its time for me to eat and hit the gym! I'll complete my thoughts later tonight :D
No comments:
Post a Comment