In my youth, I read about a weightlifter who once tried training legs once a week instead of the usual two. To his shock, both strength and muscle size shot up.
It rang wild to me. I held firm that growth sprang only from the strain. The more I strained my muscles, the quicker I'd become a titan.
Today, that thinking seems naïve. Experts have illuminated us: supercompensation—the surge in marks beyond the baseline—stirs only in rest's quiet phase.
So why are gyms still full of people torturing themselves like galley slaves? CrossFit is famous for its puke buckets. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, "Everyday Porrada" spells out a grind of raw clashes day after day.
As if David Goggins camped in every one's skull.
Of course, there’s a grain of truth in going all out:
The fire tempers the steel of your mind.
The athlete’s true potential unfolds.
The shocked body breaks free from the long plateau.
Fight-readiness for the crown builds sharp.
But few ever talk about the nuances:
That grind suits pros above all.
A drug mill patches the top dog.
In their yearly cycle, such peaks are rare.
For the medal, they trade body wrecked past forty.
What about amateurs? They want strength, endurance, a better look, health, friendship, fun, skill — anything, but not at any cost. Plenty charge into the game grown, already carrying a sack of body woes.
Here, the key is not intensity but consistency over time. The real enemy is injury — the thing that makes it harder to start again.
The number one protection against injury? Rest.
And longer than you think.
Besides, it’s a great excuse to take a walk in the park.
Yours sincerely,
-Alexander
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
Stuck? Your business grows when you do. I’m your business therapist to guide your shift. See testimonials here. Ready? Book your Catalyst session.