things in the long term .
One that I often see neglected is focusing on proper training practices . When it comes to training for the development of a great physique , it is about creating an internal stimulus in the body that will signal the body to develop muscle mass and lose body fat . This requires a great deal of concentration as you pick exercises that work specifically for your body , execute them to a great degree of precision to target certain muscles , and are able to override feelings of discomfort as you learn to take a muscle to absolute failure through high intensity .
Apart from picking which exercises to do and executing them properly with a high level of intensity , you must also pay attention to your programming based on your own individual recovery capabilities . Some people can get away with more sets or less rest days than other people can . Many of these things will be based on lifestyle and genetics .
The majority of trainees that I meet think that “ winging it ” in the gym is the best way to maximize their progress . They take an approach where they go into the gym without a properly structured plan and train whatever they feel like training that day . They have no gauge as to how many sets to do , what exercises to do , what order to put them in etc . They go and do it by “ feel ” and “ intuition .”
Although this approach works great for some , I find that the 5-10 % of people who thrive off this approach are genetic anomalies who would thrive with any program they do no matter what it is . This along with them having a really good ability to be able to gauge what their body needs in regards to stimulus to continue progressing week to week . Most people are not in that 5-10 % though and will use that 5-10 % as their explanation as to why they take their training by “ feel .”
Sure , you may still progress by winging it . But is it going to be the best and fastest way to get to your goals ? Not in my opinion .
Using a logbook and collecting data through time as you pay attention to what works best for you and what does not , will be the best way to figure out what approach gets you to your goals the fastest . Not only should you be looking at pictures of your progress through time but also markers such as measurements and strength through time . The greatest driver of muscle growth will be increased mechanical tension on a muscle meaning that if a muscle is stronger and able to move more weight ( while all circumstances in execution remain equal ) there is a very high probability that that will be a larger muscle . The beauty of this journey is that there is no right answer to achieving a great physique , it is all about figuring out the formula that works best for your specific body .