Slow down and do less—it’s the most beneficial tactic you can employ in training (and in life). It’s also the most difficult to master, as it runs counter to the industry messaging that’s megaphoned in our faces 24/7. This is exactly why it’s so effective. After all, it’s in the best interests of the Fitness Gods that you remain a slave to their frenetic bullshit. We can’t have people thinking for themselves otherwise this wobbly pyramid (the one that sits influencers and industry executives atop a shaky foundation of confused individuals) is bound to topple!
If you want to improve your training results, if you want to tap into an endless reservoir of motivation and enthusiasm, you’ve got to slow down and do less. That’s right—more is not better, and moving fast rarely gets you anywhere. The secret to lifelong training success really is just that simple—slow down, do less. But let’s not confuse simple with easy, because at the end of the day you still have put in the work. Just not as much work as you might think.
Great results, less time
Great training results come from pristine technique and focused intensity. Trying to move quickly through a dozen different exercises lies in direct opposition to both of these factors. By slowing down we can better zero-in on what our muscles are doing. We become more aware of bodily alignment, our posture, our balance. Sets become more challenging because we’re devoting more mental and physical resources to each individual rep. Like magic, technique improves.
The ability to focus on a task and get things done diminishes over time. This is why marathon workouts are a bad idea. When you slow down and prioritize technique above all else, your intensity of effort increases. Your mental and physical faculties will be drained—45 minutes will feel like two hours—which is exactly what you want from an effective workout. It’s a far more efficient approach than mindlessly grinding-out garbage reps against the clock.
Try this approach the next time you workout: pick five or six exercises and commit to making them look as pretty as possible. Focus on the targeted muscles and let them move your body, doing your absolute best to eliminate unnecessary momentum while at the same time resisting gravity’s constant pull. I guarantee you’ll hit failure sooner than you think.
Slow down. Do less. Your body will thank you.