Everybody should work on things that they are not very good at. Areas where you might be weak or lifts you need more reps in to get better performing. But you also must do stuff you actually enjoy.
Case in Point: Last Saturday according to the program I am working through I should have done a pressing lift with a barbell, either a Close Grip Bench Press or a Inclined Bench Press. But you know what? I didn’t effing feel like doing anything with a barbell.
I went with a High Frequency Bodyweight Exercise workout, because I realling like to do those. Pulls Ups and Dips using As Many Reps As Possible (AMRAP), because I love doing those workouts.
People fall into this trap all the time on a given program. They believe the program is written in stone where many times you can simply adjust for a day and pick back up the next workout. If a program is SOOO strict that you cannot stray in any way, shape or form. AND you are not getting ready for a powerlifting competition. STRAY!!!
Good lord! We are doing this as a part of a continued journey to overrall better fitness and health. To build muscle, lose fat, get stronger, be healthier in Body, Mind and Spirit. If you are stuck in a program where you dread the upcoming workout, ALL THE TIME, get the hell off that program.
This is not to say to always avoid exercises you may not love. If you can walk, you gotta do some leg stuff. Squats, Deadlifts, Farmers Walk, etc. But please allow some flexibility into your program so you don’t begin to hate it.
We see this all the time, especially at this point in the year where so many people are jumping back into fitness due to the New Year. They get back into the gym. They are Gung Ho about it, going 4 days a week, for about a month. Nearly without fail, so many people get on a program they begin to dread. Well, who would want to do something long term that makes them miserable?
This Monday I picked right back up with the Barbell lift I needed to do Saturday, No big deal. I am still on track, and probably better for it as I was refreshed and not beaten up from the Saturday lift. As I’ve stated numerous times on this site, High Frequency Bodyweight Training is KING for the majority of us who are not utilizing anabolic help. I never feel like crap after a session of Pull Ups and Dips. Never.
This applies to all fitness endeavors. If you have a cardio day coming up, and you HATE cardio, for the love of god find alternative cardio methods. If all you do for Cardio is a treadmill, and you hate it, use a Rower. Use a Ski Erg. Do a Spin Class. Do a lightweight circuit workout. Find something different. Even if you don’t love the alternative, change in itself can be worth it and refreshing. Fitness is not a one time thing, it is a lifetime thing. Incorporate things you like WAY more than things you hate. If you are on a program that is way too strict, find a new program. I will help you find a new program, but for the love of god do not quit because you dread a particular workout.