The One True Way Revealed

The argument rages on – who has "The Best" way of training. One group says you should train only a few hours a week, another says you should train a few hours a day.

One says strength machines are the greatest thing ever, but another says they aren’t worth the price of scrap metal. One says training with bodyweight is the only way to go, another says heavy singles are the only way to build strength. Still another says high reps with lighter weight are worthless but another says low reps heavy weight will leave you injured for days.

So whos right?

Well... they all are, at least to some extent, and they are all wrong to an equal extent.

You see, the first step is to separate "what works" from what doesn't – at least physiologically speaking That should be simple enough. The process by with the human body "gets stronger" has only a few, simple, and relatively easy-to-incorporate requirements.

Once those are filled, training can take any number of forms but once we separate what works from what doesn’t we still have to separate "what works" from what "works well."

Some ways to training are better than others but what makes those ways better than others, is what the heart of the matter is here.

And so, we have the "One True Way" – the only answer, the final point that all training comes down to... which is:

"Functional Dictates Design"

Surprised? You shouldn't be, those three words answer nearly every training question and "training" need never get any more complex than this.

"How many sets... how many reps... which equipment should I use... how many days to train... whats better squats or deadlifts... why is recovery important... should I do "this"... should I do "that"...

All the answers to these should be obvious.

Every workout has a purpose, or at least it should have one, otherwise, its just "doing something." And "doing something" while certainly important, is not necessarily the same as training for a specific outcome.

You choose the "tool" i.e. the means or method, based on what you are trying to accomplish. This should be obvious, and it was fortunately one of the first things that I was able to comprehend in my training career.

But if this concept were so simple why are folks essentially trying to pound in a nail with a banana and wondering why it isn't working so well?

I sure cant say, but the good news is that as long as you understand why “Function Dictates Design” you should know exactly how things need to be changed to get back on track.

For whatever way you woudl like to get stronger, for however you would like to train, simply do what is necessary to achieve it, no more, no less.

And when you understand "how" and "why" the only thing left is to "do it."

Train Hard,
John Wood