Strength Training: no need for innovation

If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. Thomas Edison.

As an MBA student, I spent the past 4 months learning about foresight, creativity and innovation and attempting to develop these skills. They are certainly the most important skills to develop for successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organizations. They are the skills used by people like Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, Fred Smith, Sam Walton, and Ray Croc.

These are NOT skills necessary for successful training. There is no need to innovate new exercises or routines. There are hundreds of exercise plans and routines that are very effective. Most of them improve strength and hypertrophy or both. The guys that set records don't change routines for years.

Unfortunately most people see a routine with a specific purpose and proven results. They change it to “suit their needs.” The results are not the same and they wonder why. Most of these routines are very specific and provide the exact exercise for a number of sets and reps or specific time. Changing the program is NOT doing the program.

Let me provide you with some tips:

• Choose a couple exercises that work multiple muscle groups at the same time. (dead lift, pull-ups and bench press) or (snatch and clean and jerk)
• Work them for many sets with medium repetitions. (5 – 10 sets with 5 repetitions)
• Don’t work to failure; leave a couple reps in the bank.
• You are stuck in a rut? Keep working! Most people get stuck in a rut or think they are and change their routine. A better method is to back off the weight and build back up. Take the guessing out of the equation and back off every time there is a holiday.

Stick with the routine for 6 months to a year or several years. You will get results.