The surprising truth about those long gym hours

Ever felt like you're living in the gym?

Is your primary form of exercise one of these?

CrossFit, Spin, Pelaton, Bootcamps, F45, Orange Theory, HIIT, High-rep strength training...you get the idea.

You're clocking in those hours, sweating it out in high-intensity sessions, pushing through every rep, every sprint, every jump... and yet, the results seem to be playing hide and seek.

I get it. It's frustrating.

Especially when you see others doing seemingly "less" and achieving "more."

I spent more than 8 years doing CrossFit 3-4 days a week, running, and dieting, often with fasted training and intermittent fasting, and just could not get the muscle or physique I wanted. I couldn't even look a bit "lean" even when I lost weight.

Here's the "surprising truth" I finally figured out:

Sometimes, less is more.

Let's break it down.

High-intensity cardio-style workouts have their place.

They can be exhilarating, challenging, and fun. 

But if your goal is to improve your physique and body composition to be leaner and fitter, you're missing the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Strength training.

And I mean, lifting heavy.

When I switched from high-intensity workouts almost every day to shorter, strength-focused training with long rest periods and plenty of food and sleep in between, the muscle started to grow with what seemed like very little effort.

When you focus on lower-rep strength training and do much less of that stressful cardio, you're building a foundation. 

You're telling your muscles, "Hey, I need you to grow, to be strong, to support me."

And guess what? They listen.

Lifting heavy 3-4 days a week can do wonders:

More muscle means a faster metabolism. You burn more calories even when you're not working out.

Lifting heavy can improve bone health.

It also helps you feel powerful, giving you "functional" strength, and guess what? This translates into your physique too.

Now, I'm not saying ditch your favorite high-intensity class.

But maybe it's time to balance it out.

Instead of going all out every day, flip it around and try this.

Lift heavy 3-4 days a week, focusing on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and overhead presses.

Get your steps. Walking  is an underrated superhero. It's excellent for cardiovascular health without the added stress on your body.

Limit high-stress cardio. Those adrenaline-pumping sessions? Keep them, but dial it back to 1-2 sessions a week.

Your body will thank you.

Remember, it's not about how LONG you spend in the gym, but how EFFECTIVE that time is.

And sometimes, simplifying your approach can lead to the breakthrough you've been waiting for.

Ever felt like you're stuck in a high-intensity rut?

Reach out and let’s talk about your workout routine.

Let's find the balance together.