way up. The famous motivational speaker
Zig Ziglar captured the essence of the
progression principle when he said that on
his very first day of running he “ran a block,”
and that on his second day he “ran a block
and a mailbox.”
4. Principle of diminishing returns.
As progression continues to be made, the
point comes where more and more progress
is harder to attain. This is the reason beginners
make quick progress when starting almost
any kind of exercise program, no matter
how unscientific or poorly designed it may
be. The body is adapting to new stresses
and has a great amount of room to progress
from its current level of zero to its maximum
potential. However, as one makes gains,
greater progress becomes more difficult.
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This is because one is much closer now
to the human limits of physical capability
than when exercise was first initiated. It is
much easier to go from bench pressing one
hundred pounds to lifting two hundred
pounds, than it is to go from six hundred to
seven hundred. As exercisers and athletes
achieve greater and greater gains, training
becomes more an art of fine tuning and skill
efficiency than it is an activity comprised of
quantum leaps in progress.
Next month, the remaining five principles
of fitness training will be covered. For
questions or comments, or if you are in need
of personal training within your home or
office locale, please send an email to tgray@
homefitconsulting.com, or call 855-934-3834,
ext. 709. ✤
April 2014
INSIGHT