Train with Ferocity

Once a long time ago I was asked how one should train.

At the time I was on the spot, as a totally amateur weight-trainer, and quite green so I had no qualifications to answer a question like this.  I firmly believe that weightlifting is the one area where you are allowed to strike down someone else's arguments with a simple "but I lift more than you so shut up" (see previous posts).

Back to my original story--I was asked how to train, or more specifically, how one should train their arms.  I ended-up mumbling something about performing exercises that train all heads of the biceps and triceps and making sure to perform them on the same day (or some antagonistic bull like that) and in the end I think I actually recommended that he perform Preacher Curls--I know right, ridiculous!  I guess that's a good way to show you how green I was...

I have JUST returned to weightlifting after taking a much-needed break.  Every once in a while after a stretch of consecutive weight training, it is important to take a week off--even if you don't feel tired yet--even if your weights are continuing to increase.  I tend to do this myself after eight to ten weeks of a program.  Last week was spent relaxing--catching up on my reading--and refocusing myself so I could really hit the weights HARD upon my return.

The thing is--you NEVER get a second chance--if you dog it on one set, you will never get that set back.  There are no do-overs with weightlifting; if you don't attack each set with everything you have, then you may as well stay home--because you're just taking up space.

I live a mile and a half from my gym--and the walk back takes me nearly an hour simply because I'm so spent.  On "squat day" I have to drag myself home, legs shaking--and it takes even longer.  This is a measure of a good workout in many cases.  It SHOULD be hard.  It SHOULD be heavy.

In the end there is only one answer to that question, "how should I train?"  You should always train with ferocity.