A new article all about conditioning and endurance exercise has been put on Breaking Muscle.
Why I Don’t Do “Conditioning” and You Don’t Have to Either
It’s too bad that running a marathon is still looked at by many as the epitome of fitness. Even the man who popularized running, Kenneth Cooper, later in his life said that if you run more than five miles a week you’re doing it for reasons other than your health. Plus, it’s never made sense to me why you needed an expensive piece of machinery (treadmills, stair climbers, and stationary bikes) to mimic what can be easier done outdoors.
I know I’m probably preaching to the choir for the most part here. But that’s not all. I don’t really do HIIT, Tabata intervals, or metabolic conditioning workouts either. GASP!
There are five reasons for this:
1. Strength Trumps All
2. Anaerobic vs. Aerobic
3. Foundation of Conditioning
4. Belief
5. Specificity
Comments
Great article!! I do get annoyed with the common belief that running a marathon being the epitome of physical health. It is nice to see people making a difference in their lives regardless of their exercise goals.
I started a strength competition in July and it is still very small with a handful of people(or more!) hopefully attending again at the end of September. In your article you said how there is no competition for what you do. I have an intermediate section and eventually there will be an advanced section. If there was a specific challenge or type of challenge that you would want to compete against others in I would love to know so I could perhaps use it for an event and maybe make a competition for some of the things that you do.
That’s a hard question 🙂
I do like the Tactical Strength Challenge. It would be great if there were some other things like that. Something that takes a well rounded person (like lifting strength, bodyweight strength, skill stuff, endurance, grip, etc.) would be up my alley.
It does bring up interesting points with what one would compete in if they had the option. Thanks for sharing the Tactical Strength Challenge!! I had not seen this before and my idea is not dissimilar to it.
I am trying to make the competition have an event in each of those areas you mentioned as well as explosive, mainly throwing. I try to cater equally to lighter guys as well as heavier guys with each event. Grip and skill work are the most difficult to come up with.
Thanks for your response!! I highly value your opinion when it comes to strength!