We have only so much energetic capital to expend at any one time.
We only have so many resources: sleep, food, hours in the day.
When people come in to train in the gym to start out, nine times out of ten, they say: “I want to get fitter, stronger, lose weight …and learn to do a handstand.”
Sometimes the last skill part changes, but in essence we tend to want it all, now.
For the beginner, we can get this for a while – all things can improve. As we progress though, this stops.
To become measurably “fitter” (increased aerobic capacity), means dedicating a lot of our resources to this.
To get stronger and more mobile, we need to dedicate time and energy to this.
Learning an advanced movement like a one-arm handstand, will require almost complete focus on this element.
We reach a point where we have a resources conflict. We literally can’t progress in all areas.
So, there are a couple things to consider:
1. Choose to work in areas that serve you. Watch out for societal conditioning. Certain areas, like adaptable strength, movement, mobility, complexity – will benefit all other areas. These create a great “base” for the pyramid. Others, like aerobic capacity, have limited return.
2. The “elite” level of any area has diminishing returns. To go beyond a certain level in strength for example, has only a small benefit besides feeling good in the weight room with your friends. Without developing accuracy, mobility and coordination, the strength is not so useful. When you reach a certain point in one area, circle back around and see what is missing.
3. Progressing in one “main” area is far easier than trying to progress in all at once. Multitasking again proving to be a difficult nut to crack. Don’t be afraid to let some things sit for a while, as you develop other areas.
