Training 2/27/15

Squat - cluster sets (30 sec b/w reps) - 3x6 @ 260
Bench - cluster sets (30 sec b/w reps) - 3x6 @ 215
1x20 each:
Yates row - 115
Band overhead tricep extension - orange
Cambered bar curl - bar +50
Ab wheel
Good morning - 115

Don’t try to rush quality work.

People will set out to achieve some training-related goal, but put the qualifier in that their training must be time-efficient (i.e., they can’t invest a ton of time into it). While I understand the importance of time, because we only have so much of it, and wanting to be time efficient, because I’m guilty of it myself, the truth is if you want something, you’re probably not going to be able to put those type of restrictions on it. If you’re truly serious about accomplishing it, it’s going to take blood, sweat, tears, and time.

Think if you were to say, “I want to train BJJ every day, but only for an hour, and get my black belt in a year.” Sure, you might be able to if you’re already a high-level brown belt, and even if you’re not, you will make great progress doing that. But you won’t be able to reach that level (and you won’t get there in a year almost regardless of time investment) with those kinds of restrictions. And that’s OK. Simply be willing to adjust your expectations to meet your level of commitment. Too frequently, people want it all, and they want it now, and they want it without having to do the work. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Anything worth having is going to take work, and more importantly, it’s going to take time. Some people start out further ahead, closer to the goal. But they still will take a long time to get there; that’s just the way it is.

I once read a quote from Alwyn Cosgrove (which he probably stole from somewhere else) that you can have something with 2 out of 3: fast, quality, cheap. It can be ready fast, and be of good quality, but it won’t come cheap. It can be fast and cheap, but it won’t be high quality. And it can be high quality and cheap, but you better be willing to wait for it. As soon as you realize these things, you can set your expectations appropriately. This doesn’t mean don’t challenge yourself, but don’t be too let down when you don’t quite get what you want, in the time you want.