Troublesome observation: Most who train are either strong OR in shape.
The former are invariably pudgy; looking good in clothes yet often deeply uncomfortable at the prospect of being seen shirtless. (I should know, given this was me for the better part of a decade.)
The latter can be pudgy too, although this is the exception rather than the norm because cardiovascular exercise is unarguably the best form of exercise for keeping the belly at bay. Instead, they’re typically bedevilled by the belief that they are weak and scrawny (not something I have ever felt, but plenty of my clients have said this is how it was for them).
Two sides of the same sorry coin, in my humbly correct opinion.
More:
Both approach training in a fundamentally unbalanced fashion. Usually out of a preference for certain types of exercise over others, with attitude and lack of knowledge playing their part as well much of the time.
I can only speak for how it was for me when I was strong but not in shape, but words cannot describe just how frustrating it was to slave under soul-crushing weights upwards of five times per week yet still mostly loathe the way I looked.
(It got so bad that I point-blank refused to go swimming with my heavily pregnant wife and daughter when we were on holiday, so ashamed was I of my love handles and bewbies. Then there was the six months or so when I only wore tracksuit bottoms because my chubby thighs had worn through all my jeans and I couldn’t bring myself to purchase replacements that were a size or three up.)
For the gents and ladies who are in shape but not strong, I have to rely on the testimony of clients who were in that unfortunate situation.
Here, one recurring theme is how they found themselves doing more and more and more running/cycling/whatevering, resulting in them feeling more and more and more beaten down with aches, sprains, and strains. This on top of being unable to shake feeling inferior to others due to their small stature resulted in them jacking it in altogether.
Unsurprisingly, the solution to both problems is to do more of the thing you are not doing enough of.
I.e. put more effort into lifting if you’re smaller and cardiovascular work if you are larger – without going “all in” and neglecting the other activity as most do thereby creating a suite of entirely new and fiendish problems.
However.
I am not going to sit here and pretend striking the correct balance is easy.
On paper it is, but as is always the way with these things actually putting the needful changes into action and, critically, continuing with them for many years without interruption is a whole different story.
Now for the selling…
In news that will shock no one, I have what I believe is a superlative system that balances getting strong with getting in shape in a way that enhances your life (by leaving bountiful time for, and making you better able to enjoy work, family, and interests that don’t involve training) rather than detracting from it (as many training methods do, in my experience).
You shall find the details on the below-linked page.
It’s not cheap, so make sure to read all the information on the sales page very carefully to ensure your decision is a fully informed one:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/programme
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman