Something I have learned over the years is that discretion is the greater part of valour when it comes to training.
Consider today, for example.
Marcus is sick, so Jess and I had a disturbed night as we had to attend to him at various points.
It’s also Very Hot outside, so I spent a good few hours sleeping on the floor because, even though she is pregnant, Jess is very lean and radiates heat like WR 102 (the hottest star in the universe) – the combined effect making our bed intolerable at times.
Therefore, I am tired and sore.
I also have to train later today, something I am not looking forward to in the slightest.
Yet do it I will because I am not a pathetic slob who looks for any excuse to get out of training.
Nor am I a nugget who attacks the weights with the fury of a limp wristed male feminist when it pointed out to him that his simping is an ineffective (and downright creepy) mating strategy when I’m feeling crispier than a soul bathed in hellfire.
So, I am going to take it a little easier than I normally would.
How much easier?
I’ll decide when I get there.
But I already know I’m going to lower the weights a little and leave an extra rep “in the tank” at the end of every set (over and above the rep or two I always leave in the tank because training to failure is a mug’s game much of the time).
The lesson?
An obvious one.
Backing off a little when you’re feeling less than stellar is a Big Brain move.
No, it won’t hurt your progress provided you don’t make a habit of it (i.e. pretend you’re not feeling great when you’re actually fine).
It may even prompt some new gains to come out of the woodwork via one or a combination of mechanisms that are, regrettably, beyond the scope of this email.
This sane and sensible approach to training is the one I espouse in all of my works, but it’s most prominent in “Silver Era Secrets” (my three month programme) by virtue of the direct access you get to me, for detailed, specific advice on how to navigate scenarios such as the one I have described above.
The details are below:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/programme/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman