3 Rules for 'Consistency' in Strength Training

"People say consistency is important in strength training, but if it were that easy, I wouldn't be struggling."
"I've never been able to stick with anything, am I just a failure?"
Are there any of you who think this way?

I started strength training about seven years ago, butI have failed many times along the way.
There were times when I paid for a gym membership but just couldn't bring myself to go for months.
However, one way or another, I am now back to going to the gym 3-4 times a week, and I have several hobbies besides strength training.

Today, I would like to talk about[3 Rules for Consistency]that I learned from strength training.

● The Importance of Consistency

Why is consistency important in the first place?
The answer is simple:even the most perfect plan is meaningless if you don't execute it.

For example, if you choose "not to take the test because you're afraid of a 10% failure" when you have a 90% chance of passing based on your current ability, your chance of passing is 0%.
Also,even if you develop a training program that is 120% more efficient than the average person's, if you never execute it once, the efficiency is 0%.

You might think, "That's obvious."
But think about it.
Most people get discouraged by the hurdle of "going to the gym.".

Haven't you had the same experience?
You want to study for a certification this year, you want to learn to play the guitar, you want to get better at photography...
If only you could stay consistent, you would get better...

Making a great plan is important, but what's even more important is "staying consistent."
So, how can you stay consistent without getting discouraged?

① Be realistic

First, be realistic.
You could also rephrase this as being within a range you can actually achieve.

For example, just because you want to be a bodybuilder like Ronnie Coleman (though I doubt anyone starting strength training now would want that),doing 2 hours of hard training 6 days a week is not realistic.

If you set your goals too high and end up breaking down, it's better to set goals you can achieve from the start.

Even if people around you are training 6 days a week, or fitness influencers are advocating for the optimal amount of training, you don't need to worry about it.
A plan that you can achieve with your lifestyle and your personalityis what matters.

② Be fun

No matter how effective it is, it won't last if there is no joy and it's just painful.

There is a reason why bodybuilders can overcome grueling training and dieting.
Rather than the pain of training or dieting, getting a beautiful body and achieving one's goals is more enjoyable to them.
Well, this is a unique sensibility, so you don't have to imitate it...

The points that bodybuilders and ordinary people find enjoyable are different, and even among bodybuilders, those points vary.
People who just want to get big, people who want to lift heavy weights, people who love overcoming themselves, people who want physical stimulation, people who want to win contests...

There are many ways to enjoy strength training, but in my experience as a trainer, what most people discover first is that "results appear directly on your own body." Just like leveling up stats in an RPG, there is nothing more fun than seeing the fruits of your labor with your own eyes, and those who realize this get a sparkle in their eyes.

3. Do not seek perfection

Done is better than perfect is a well-known saying.

Coined by Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook (now Meta), it is also one of the company's slogans.
"Finish it before aiming for perfection" is a phrase that suits him as an engineer, and it is also extremely important in strength training.

In reality, there is likely not a single person in this world, including professional bodybuilders, who can train perfectly.

There are times when work or family obligations get in the way, and no matter how careful you are, there are times when you don't feel well.
Sometimes you are doing everything right with training and diet, but for some reason, the results don't follow.
Sometimes training equipment is monopolized by rude gym-goers, or gyms might close due to a pandemic.

What is important here is to "not seek perfection and think flexibly."

If you can't find the time to go to the gym, it might be a good opportunity to rest your body and mind.
If you can't use the equipment you usually use, it might be a good opportunity to try new equipment or exercises.

Just because you couldn't follow your plan once or twice doesn't mean your muscles will shrink by a kilogram or two.
What is important is to continue. And to not accumulate stress. For that, be flexible to change.

● Summary

・Consistency is important!
・There are 3 things to keep in mind to stay consistent!
・Be realistic
・Have fun
・Do not seek perfection

● Conclusion

This note provides logical information about healthy living, targeting those who have just started strength training and want to study the body properly.

I have posted various articles in the past, so please read them if you are interested.
Also, I am accepting requests for topics you would like me to write about in the comments section.

I hope that even for those who are somewhat knowledgeable about strength training or those who are actually working as trainers, this will lead to discoveries like, "I didn't know there was this way of thinking or this way of expressing it!"