“More lifters fail because they are bored with training than for any other reason. Static exercise programs don’t give results, are monotonous and interest in training soon ebbs when they are followed for any length of time.”
So sayeth Reg Park in an article he penned in 1951 on the topic of “Irregular Training” (you can find it on a blog called “The Tight Tan Slacks of Deso Ban”).
I’m not going to rehash what Reg has to say in the article because he covers the topic far better than I ever could.
But I do have quite a bit to say about boredom, specifically my way of handling it in my own training and with clients (there are differences, but the gap isn’t so wide I can’t cover them together in this context):
* No matter how severe the boredom, I always maintain balance between the six primary movement patterns (squat, hinge, vertical press, vertical pull, horizontal press, and horizontal pull),
* On those “I just can’t be bothered” days, I’ll generally drop the free-weight lift I dislike the most in favour of a machine or bodyweight variation,
* If I really, really can’t bothered, I’ll substitute any and all free weight lifts for machine or bodyweight variants,
* I view basically all forms of conditioning work (i.e. cardio) as broadly interchangeable (as we condition to be better lifters and avoid sickness, disability, and an early demise, not to “get good” at conditioning), so I’ll happily do sprints or take a long walk with a weighted vest and heavy backpack over my usual run from time to time,
* I tend to vary important but minor work (such as that done for the arms) on a workout-to-workout basis, just to keep my mind engaged,
* If boredom persists for longer than a week or so, I just won’t train at all until the desire returns (although I’ve not had to do this in forever because I take regular deloads and active recovery weeks).
There are other things I do and teach, but that should give you some ideas to do with what you will.
Another thing I got to thinking about the other day when I was out sprinting instead of running (because I was a little bored of running to town and back) is how easy “switching it up” without throwing the baby out with the bathwater and risking your results (or worse) is when you have a large and well stocked training toolbox.
Such as that you will be in possession of after only a few months of being subscribed to The Phil Tyreman Letter.
So whenever boredom strikes and your results start to peter out, you just need to open one of your issues, consult the teachings (and usually complete programme therein), and act.
A subscription is just £20 per month (less than many tubs of whey protein and I daresay a great deal more useful).
To learn more, visit the below URL, listen to the audio and/or read the letter:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman