Varied Not Random

Varied Not Random

Not just in CrossFit but in the Fitness industry as a whole there is a big difference between the terms 'Varied' and 'Random'. In CrossFit it gets the most scrutiny but let's be honest a lot of us have gone through phases in the gym where we have either done too much of the same thing, getting bored or hitting a plateau or have just turned up daily (still great) and done random things depending on how we feel on the day or what we have available to us. In neither instance are the best results likely over the long term. Yes consistency will get you a lot of places but if it's so monotonous that you get bored and give up because it becomes a chore, is that really going to give you maximum benefit over the long term? Not if you end up skipping sessions or sitting on the couch instead of the gym.

So how do we stop things from becoming random but still varied?

Well we write or follow a programme. We set a goal, even if it's a micro goal, and we plot a path to it. A path that's exciting... varied. One that is going to get us excited to train. And when we are talking variability that doesn't mean doing anything and everything. It's being deliberate with that variability. For example let's say you have a running goal, mixing in speed work or power work in the gym, or tempo intervals during longer runs, fartlek work, time on a cross trainer or even swimming. A similar stimulus but a bit of variety. Swimming or a Cross Trainer to take the impact level down (Doing running sessions on the Cross Trainer really helped me when I was training for a Marathon but was limited on how much running on the concrete at times because of shin splits).

I have purposefully kept that example away from CrossFit as I thought it was important to show that variety is nothing new nor anything uncommon. It just gets branded that way at times because there is so many different skills and modalities that it can look random when it's just there on a page. But there are lots of ways to enhance metabolic conditioning. Lots of ways to build muscular endurance in the legs, lats or shoulders. And build strength without having to stick to the same rep scheme and weight every week for 6 - 8 weeks before re-testing your 1rm.

As I have said in plenty of previous blogs, it needs to be specific to the individual, their goals, likes and dislikes. BUT good CrossFit Affiliate programming is a fantastic base to work from with coaches being able to make the programming fit your needs if there are goals outside of that programming or things that need to be avoided for whatever reason (take my shin splits on as an example and see the previous post I had about CrossFit being great for injured athletes).

My view is pretty simple, variation is what keeps people fit and healthy for the long term. Even where there are specific goals to reach, it doesn't all have to be doing the same thing over and over again. If anything the risk of injury when doing the same mono-structural movements over and over again, without anything else to help balance the body out, actually goes up pretty significantly. In that sense variety isn't just something thrown in for enjoyment and fun but a necessary part of an active, healthy, long life.

Andy