Consistency Over Complexity

Keep It Simple

I was out for a walk at a local park when I saw someone wearing a weighted vest. She also had hand weights resting on her shoulders, and she was holding her phone between her ear and shoulder, with her head tilted to the side. I get it and can appreciate the desire to multitask. But at what cost?

Now, this isn’t even close to the wildest, weirdest, or most ‘WTF’ workout I’ve come across. I’ve seen a LOT over the years! When you see stuff like that, I just want to remind you that you don’t need to do crazy exercises to stay or get fit.

– Intimidation

These overly complicated workouts can look, and often are, pretty intimidating. So, when people see them, they might think, “If that’s what it takes, I won’t even bother starting.” Just know that’s not true. Some of the simplest exercises like walking, squats, and push-ups still work great!

– Intensity

I’ve worked with folks who think they need to give maximum effort every single workout. That’s not only false but also unhealthy. Doing a bunch of crazy high-intensity workouts back-to-back can eventually lead to injury. 

 

– High Risk of Injury

Probably the biggest issue with these complicated routines is the risk of hurting yourself. Many of these overloaded, awkward movements, poor body mechanics, and unbalanced exercises can cause bad form and, ultimately, injuries.

 

– Focus on Functionality

When you see a complex exercise, ask yourself what it’s actually for. Will it help you or improve the way you go about your daily life? If not, then it’s probably not worth doing.

 

Consistency Beats Complexity…

If you’re already super fit and enjoy the challenge of complicated exercises, and you know how to do them safely, then go for it! Have fun with it!

But for the person looking to get healthier for the long run, the best bet is to keep it simple. I’d much rather see someone moving their body 4-6 times a week than doing one crazy, intense workout. Consistency beats complexity every time!