“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.” – Andre Gide
Therefore, What Exists Serves For Possession.
What Does Not Exist Serves For Effectiveness.
- LOAD
- DURATION
- INTENSITY
STRENGTH STAYS WITH YOU AS LONG AS YOU STAY WITH IT
“What exists serves for possession.” Strength, like knowledge, cannot be taken away. It may change in effectiveness when not practiced on a continual basis, but as long as regular attention is paid to it, strength stays, expands, sustains.
A strong woman, a strong man, a strong child, or a strong senior has something immediately evident that the normal person lacks. There is a pride to the carriage, an alertness to the demeanor, a gleam in the eyes, an assuredness no one else can claim or deny. This inner strength is almost like an invisible suit of armor, which is felt in the solidity of the body, the tying together of the upper torso to the core and the core to the legs. A strong body is animalistic in gait, upright and poised with a grace from feeling each muscle work together in stride; more a confidence than an arrogance, more a knowingness that your makeup is not “average,” and that your body possesses more than what’s seen by the physical eye. You hold a secret that’s tested daily, and only you know the immensity of that training in terms of pounds and sweat. Strength is capability.
In terms of efficiency, you build strength in order to make your work easier. To be stronger in the lower back and abs for a runner only makes the rest of the body work less when each part is doing its share of work. “What exists” is always present to draw from, it is in your possession and stays in your possession. But you must work to keep it.
Efficiency of movement comes from having adequate strength. Lateral movements are quicker, reflexes are more reactive, vertical leaps are effortless, covering horizontal distances are easy strides because everything from the shoulders, chest and arms, to the abs, quads and calves are efficiently propelling the body forward in practiced momentum. You tire less while covering more ground when the whole muscular system is strong, while endurance and stamina stay peaked because energy is evenly utilized.
The “effectiveness” in “what does not exist” is the level of having too much strength, uneven strength, and egocentric-strength attained by too much lopsided training which takes the body overboard by being stronger than it needs to be in visible areas and weaker where primary strength is necessary. This actually inhibits motion, movement, agility, flexibility and strength itself. This is how strength can be a weakness.
At this point it is wise to do more stretching or cardio, or try a different priority in exercise order, a completely revamped repertoire or even a different discipline altogether, rather than repeatedly weight training in the day to day exercises which initially caused these imbalances. When form is compromised to complete a lift or repetition for the sake of saying “x” amount of weight was lifted, true strength is not shown nor grown. In fact, neuropathways are now confused from this convoluted attempt at getting the weight to the point of where your mind was stronger than your body in attaining a “successful” lift. This is what happens when weaknesses are not addressed and allowed to stay weaknesses.
The point of “what does not exist” is that in strength training, it is futile to do or attempt more than the body is ready to handle. Sloppy lifts and inconsistent form take away from the body and its core strength. Working up to heavier and heavier loads is what’s intended, but if that 330 lb lift is not coming in any particular movement, or the 6 minute mile run stays out of reach, it’s to the athlete’s “effectiveness” to not go there and to realize that that’s the limit his body needs to reconcile at that plateau.
If it doesn’t “exist,” if it’s not in your genetic or physical makeup, it’s not necessary to go there and sometimes dangerous to continue trying. In Basic terms, one must use proper form and techniques to get the highest result out of strength training, but also the intelligence to know when to back off because the body is not ready or doesn’t necessarily need it. This in turn makes your mind stronger in decision-making and reinforces the strength of your will.
However, do not use new challenges as excuses to not attempt the movements that are necessary to take your training to the next level. You can ease into anything. You can try things out. You can ask for instruction or research the proper forms of movements. Do not shy away from that which may bring you the most benefit. Leave your comfort zone often to broaden its scope. It all adds to your strength.
S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H.
S UPPLENESS – the adaptability and compensation of muscle groups in accommodation.
T ECHNIQUE – the form you use to perform the lift, not the amount of weight you use.
R ANGE – to work the muscle from one insertion to the next, completely and equally.
E NDURANCE– being stronger, longer; utilizing oxygen and brain power to continue.
N EGATIVES – are used in “feeling” as yet unattainable lifts, to enable “muscle memory.”
G OALS – are checkpoints on the path to success, done in stages of 3 periodic increments.
T ENACITY – is to stick to the plan without doubt or distraction until it’s dominated.
H EALING – complete rest to allow the regeneration of new muscle cells and strength.
Strength is created by adding resistance, progressively, over a full range of motion. Simply adding repetitions to movements, rather than weight, will increase the strength of the muscle. With strength comes stamina, then endurance. Endurance means staying stronger, longer. When athletes stay strong, they play their best game, for more of the game. A golfer who stays stronger plays the last 6 holes often better than the first 12. Strength is cumulative, when one area is strong and it ties to another and yet another equally strong bodypart, the result is compounded from the sum of its parts. By having a strong heart, the whole body benefits. By having a strong core, the whole body benefits. By having strong belief, faith, trust, and attitude, the whole body benefits. There is literally no end to the amount of training you can offer your mind and body. And every endeavor has a beneficial effect. Strength is a many-splendored thing.
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