Health & Fitness Philosophy- Exercise Nihilism: Why What You Do Doesn't Matter, But Doing It Does

Do the shear number of exercises out there - let alone the myriad schools of movement they fall under - ever make you wonder if there is a best way to get the results you want? For an idea of how this applies to a specific exercise like the Bulgarian Split Squat (the arch nemesis and equal favorite of many of our training clients), check out this video blog we made here.

By no means am I suggesting that the exercises you select don’t matter at all, but you may be putting too much thought into them and whether they are best for you. In the end of the day, many exercises (and even ways to exercise your body) may be easily swapped for each other with similar results. This is especially if we are talking about just staying healthy and fit for the long haul vs being able to do the most single leg didgeridoo pistol squats (yes- I made that up).

In the wide, wondrous world of fitness, if there's one golden nugget of truth I've unearthed, it's this: there isn't a universally "best" way to exercise.

That's right, the quest for the one-size-fits-all workout regimen is akin to searching for a mythical creature—it's enchanting but, ultimately, futile and perhaps even exhausting. The real magic happens when you find what makes your heart race with joy (and, let's be honest, a bit of exertion), because that's when you've hit the fitness jackpot.

Why, you ask? Simply put, if you relish your workout routine, you're far more likely to stick with it long-term and keep driving results. But beyond the enjoyment factor, it's crucial to ensure that your chosen activity challenges the specific qualities you aim to enhance. After all, our bodies are incredibly smart. They adapt to the demands we place on them over time, but only if we communicate those demands clearly and consistently, as well as loud enough at times.

So, how do we navigate this diverse landscape of fitness methodologies? By adhering to a few greater principles that universally apply, regardless of whether you're a yogi, a marathon runner, a swimmer, or a powerlifter. Let's delve into these principles and explore how they can guide us on our unique fitness journeys.

Some Basic Principles…

1. Skill Development

First and foremost, skill acquisition is at the heart of any exercise regimen. Whether it's mastering the perfect squat, improving your swim stroke, or executing a seamless yoga flow, developing and refining skills is crucial. This not only enhances your efficiency and effectiveness; but also keeps you mentally engaged and better at doing the thing you are trying to learn to do. Some form deviation is okay once you learn to get the exercise, movement, or quality just right for you. Another beauty of skill development is that it's infinite; there's always a new level to achieve, a refinement to make, or a variation to try. In this way, skill development can be paramount in any routine or exercise you choose.

2. Increasing Capacity

At its core, fitness can be about pushing our limits—safely and wisely, of course. Increasing your capacity can mean ramping up your endurance, strength, speed, or accessible range of motion. It's about gradually raising the bar on what your body can achieve with the skills you foster and maybe even going a little outside the edges at times. This principle ensures that you're not just going through the motions but are actively working toward a stronger, more robust and resilient version of yourself.

3. Challenging Yourself (With Adequate Recovery)

The essence of physical adaptation lies in the delicate balance between pushing your boundaries and allowing your body to recover and grow stronger. This means that while it's essential to challenge yourself quite a bit in your workouts, it's equally important to give your body the rest it needs to adapt and bounce back ready to rock. Intensity is important! Sometimes you may even be able to bounce back quite a bit stronger than expected when you push the timing and intensity just right while removing certain constraints and fatigue. Think of it as a conversation between you and your body: you push to signal that it's time to adapt, and then you listen and respond with rest and recovery to come back better. This includes nourishment!

Embrace the Diversity of Exercise

Armed with these principles, we can take a step back and actually celebrate the diversity (and similarity at the same time) within the realm of fitness, rather than worry about a specific exercise or way of doing it. Whether you find your groove in the rhythmic dance of a Zumba class, the clanging of iron, the exhilarating rush of mountain biking, or perhaps something else, the key is to engage in activities that you enjoy and that challenge you in the ways you wish to grow.

In essence, fitness is a personal journey of discovery, challenge, and fulfillment. There's no one "right" way to exercise, only the right way for you. So, explore, experiment, and embrace the myriad of possibilities. Your perfect fitness path is out there, waiting for you.

At Resilient Body, we are firm believers in a solid resistance training regimen to bolster whatever your wellness goals may be. Afterall, resistance training can help in so many ways when done with a coach/trainer to be your sherpa; and well thought out gameplan that matches what you enjoy and want to get really great at.

If training on your own or in a small group environment is more of your flavor, we also offer a 4-day per week online training plan that checks a lot of boxes as well as small group training

Remember…

the goal is not just to be fit but to enjoy the journey. So, challenge yourself, develop new skills, push your limits, recover, and most importantly, have a blast doing it. Here's to finding your fitness groove and making every sweat session count!

Some March Announcements:

• We will have a small price increase for our manual therapy and some specialized personal training options that go live this Spring with a formal announcement to come shortly.

• New health coaching spots are closed for the time being, but will open this back up again shortly this Spring along with a free seminar to kick things off. If you’re interested, please book a free consult with us to get a jump start.