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Is Strong The New Sexy?
There’s NOTHING bad about being strong.
I try to be as unbiased as possible but this is something I wholeheartedly believe to my freken core: all humans should strive for strength.
Before you think of CrossFit girls slaying clean and jerks, flipping tires and squatting weight that makes my mum cover her eyes and remark, ‘Is that realllllllly necessary?’
Well, actually, she’s got a point. No, it’s not.
Why? Because strength is relative to YOU, my friend.
Strength COULD look like:
1. Back squatting your b/w
2.Squatting with full range of motion for the 1st time
3. Holding plank for 10 sec
4. Holding plank for 5 min
Whichever end of the spectrum you’re on (which, BTW, neither side is better than the other – just different), there’s nothing bad about getting strong.
Your smart. You know this and know it’s important. But I just want to reiterate how important.
Physical pain (knees cranky, shoulders barking at you, lower back screaming)? Focussing on your movement and strength will help.
Wanna make body composition changes?
Thats cool. But hypertrophy training is what is going to give you the change you want. I ain’t gonna lie: it takes time. So I HIGHLY encourage you to have a different focus in the gym (strong, yo) and the body comp changes come as a by product.
Already crushing the weights but you’re lifting as fast as you possibly can to get as sweaty as you can BUT have a goal to be stronger? Stop, take a breath. This is not necessarily going to get you stronger. Faster and harder will lead to plateau.
Key things for getting strong:
1. Follow a program that progresses week to week by sets, reps, weight
2. Lift in a range that focuses on strength and hypertrophy (6-12 reps)
3. Utilise tempo and rest
4. Use an intensity that is focussed on lifting at a weight that is tough but you’re able to keep your form
5. Have intent to move well with each session
6. Leave conditioning for conditioning
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Article by coach Olivia Park
