A Physical Practice – An Exploration, Not a Fixed Plan
Your body, schedule, and stress levels are constantly changing—your physical practice will adapt, too. There’s no single “perfect plan” that you (or a coach) can predict with certainty. Instead, training should be viewed as an ongoing experiment, a process of learning, adjusting, and refining.
The Trap of the “Perfect Plan”
Rather than following a rigid program, your physical practice is about understanding how your body responds to different training. Some days, you feel strong and energized, ready to push harder and challenge your limits. Other days, your body signals that it needs less, and dialing it back becomes the right choice. This dynamic approach ensures that progress continues without leading to burnout, injury, or frustration.
The Key to Sustainable Growth: Adaptability
We play the long game. Focusing on short-term perfectionism is a trap that can lead to discouragement or inconsistency. Instead, embracing flexibility allows for sustainable growth.
The best athletes and long-term practitioners don’t succeed because they stick to a flawless plan; they succeed because they listen to their bodies, adapt to changing circumstances, and keep showing up.
Managing Training Variables for Long-Term Success
Managing (not balancing) the variables of training—volume, intensity, frequency, and complexity—is what makes a physical practice sustainable. It’s not about rigidly adhering to a predetermined plan but about staying engaged in the process.
Training Variables:
Volume: is the total work performed, usually measured in sets, reps, and weight lifted. It can also be expressed as the total distance covered in endurance activities—think of it as "total work."
Intensity: refers to how hard you work during each session. It's often measured as a percentage of your maximum effort or repetition maximum (RM).
Frequency: refers to how often you train within a given time frame, such as per week or month.
Complexity: the coordination demand of an exercise or movement.
Listen to Your Body
A physical practice is a dialogue, not a monologue. Your body provides feedback, and your job is to listen and respond accordingly. Here’s how to adapt:
You slept poorly, and you feel off. → Lower intensity.
You feel amazing. → Increase intensity or add volume (an extra set, more reps, not both).
You’re traveling or time-crunched. → Be consistent. Do something. When traveling or in a busy season of work or life, as much as you may want to stick to your program, turning up the dials of volume or intensity can take you in the wrong direction.
When you do increase, do it slowly and in small increments. Raise the volume (how much you do) before raising the intensity (% of your max).
Tips
Track Your Body’s Signals: Keep a simple training journal or use an app to note energy levels, sleep, and soreness.
Use a “Daily Readiness” Check-In: Before training, ask: “Am I ready to go, or do I need to adjust?”
Experiment: Adjust one variable (volume, intensity, frequency, complexity) at a time.
Keep the Conversation Going
Your physical practice is an ongoing conversation—listen, respond, and keep evolving. Be curious. Explore and play.
Consistency beats perfection. Keep showing up, stay adaptable, and your body will thank you for years.
PS.The story you think it takes may be the thing that's held you back from succeeding or even starting in the past. Let's connect and discuss how you can develop a physical practice. We’ll explore what’s possible for your life—more energy, confidence, and strength to live life on your terms. No pitch, no pressure, just a chance to discover how this approach can work for you. Message me – I’m excited to hear from you.
