The Perfect Workout Program, Is There One?

With so many different Guru's and designers of celebrity programs out there it can be hard to know where to start and which is likely to be the perfect program fro you. The range of different classes now is baffling with each claiming miraculous results. This newsletter will help you get to grips with the pro's and cons of some programs and why there may be no perfect workout program. 
 

Some of the most popular programs today 

Home
P90 X, Insanity, Zumba,

Female
Pilates, Barre Core, Yoga,

Men
Bodybuilding, Cross fit, Kettlebells, Calisthenics
 

All have Advantages and Disadvantages 

P90 X- intense and structured, but only as intense as you make it and no one to hold you accountable.

Yoga- Great for mobility and stress release, but can be boring  and too slow for some

Cross fit- A great group environment that has a high energy dynamic and educates the general public on the benefits of Olympic weightlifting, but can very dangerous and inaccessible to newcomers depending on the coach

Bodybuilding- Great for boosting self confidence and getting to know your body, but can cause a lack of mobility and body dismorphia
 

Good to know

Science has proven that the best way to train to lose fat is to mobilize it first by performing weight training. Then to flush fat out of the system cardiovascular programs such as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training such as 30 on/30 off) or Tabatta (20 seconds at 10/10 perceived intensity, 10 seconds rest and repeat for 5-10 minutes). If you are less time restricted the LISS (Low intensity steady state cardio) for 40-60 minutes is very good too. 
 

Can you Stick To it?

The next most important thing is making sure you can choose a method and stick to it for long periods. Like anything we can and will get bored of a given method. The key is to find something we enjoy and will do consistently. Perhaps we may even combine activities such as weight lifting and yoga. Or try a combination of group classes with one to one training. 

Whatever you feel comfortable with and gets you started will do. You can build up to the scarier, more intense stuff. 
 

Why There is No Perfect Program

We are all far too different and individual for any of these programs to be the perfect fit. Probably the most important factor lies in how intensely we train on a given program.

In terms of program design, you can give the best designed program in the world to someone but if they approach it with minimal intensity then  their results will reflect that. Give a badly designed program to a hard worker and they will get better results. 

Whatever program you decide to undertake, approach it with the right intensity and you will reap the benefits later.

Yours in Health

Patrick Fallis