Training is Like Studying...

I've had a few people ask me about why I created six completely different programs when I put together "Working Class Fitness - The Programs."

I usually give them the standard answer - because each has a different focus. That way, after assessing your current state of physical fitness, you can pinpoint your specific needs, and focus on said needs with a targeted program.

But a question I got recently got a different answer.

The question was basically this (I'll just paraphrase the question since it gets asked all time anyway):

If two different methodologies are good for something, what makes one better than another? Or why would I see better results with one methodology over another?

For example, the standard 5x5 is a great program for building overall strength. As is 5/4/3/2/1. As is "Pyramiding." (All of these methods are used at one point or another in "Working Class Fitness - The Programs.") So why might you get better gains from one methodology than another?

Simple - we're all different. And we all respond differently to different things. And I'm not talking about how some get stronger quicker, or others take longer to build muscle, or that guy - like me - that can think about a cheeseburger and gain a couple pounds (sometimes I think my metabolism is so slow that it might actually go in reverse....)

I mean that we all have our own "Ultimate Program." Sure, a methodology might be great for it's given goal, but that doesn't mean it will work the best for you. You might need to do something else.

Think of it like this:

When you were in school, how did you study?

Yeah, I asked how you studied. Well? How did you?

Personally, once I was confident that my study notes were "up to snuff," I used to go over them once or twice so that I could repeat everything. It was almost as if I was preparing to give a lecture on the subject. I'd pace around my dorm room (this was in college) reciting everything to myself, acting like I was trying to teach the subject to somebody. I don't know why, but this really helped me to understand what I was studying at a fundamental level - not just memorize, take the test, and forget it on my way out the door. This method worked best for me.

However, does this mean that everybody should study this way? No. It might work really great for some folks, like it did me. For others, it might work, but only in a more average fashion.

There are tons of ways to study - re-write class notes, read the book over and over, make flash cards, re-listen to lecture on tape, do workbook problems, etc.

Are any of these methods "wrong?" No. Numerous studies have shown that some learn best visually, others by listening, others by hands-on activities, etc. So, while all of the above work, they will all work differently for different people. While my "mock lecture" method worked great for me, my wife on the other hand, had her greatest success when she simply re-wrote her notes over and over.

Then there's that no good, dirty, rotten jerk that can just listen to it once, and know it inside and out forever...I HATE that guy... ;-)

Anyway, training is the same way. There are plenty of methods out there that work - all for the same goal. Different methods will work better (or worse) for different people. Does this mean they're "bad?"

No - it means they're different.

Which, again, is one of the reasons for the variety in "Working Class Fitness - The Programs."

Wiggy