We get a lot of intelligent, interesting people wandering into our gym. I am inspired by what I learn from many of these people. I am very thankful for their insights; formed from their unique perspectives and experiences. Many of the blogs I write are as a result of gaining these new insights. Such was the case when a gentleman visited us the other day for a tour of the gym.
He spoke of an epiphany he recently experienced. He had always enjoyed running, but was advised that this was actually the best way to lose fat and stay in shape, especially for a middle aged guy. He had followed this advice over the previous few years and increased his running at the expense of other forms of exercise. He even entered some 5k and eventually, 10k races. He noticed a steady decrease in body fat, but also a marked decrease in muscle tissue. Worse, his joints began to ache more and more as he increased his volume of running. As he began to compete in the longer races, this joint pain reached agonizing new heights.
It was at the end of his last 10k race that he had the sudden realization. Precisely, it was just past the finish line. He had finished well – ahead of the pack and not far behind the winner. Exhausted and joints aching, he took a moment after finishing the race. He was leaning on his knees catching his breath in that oft seen position by many after a final push in such a competition. Gasping for new air, he looked up for a second to catch a glimpse of the winners. There they were in all of their glory. The first place guy looked to be about 140 pounds of basically skin and bone. These two elements seemed to define his physical composition entirely. His limbs resembled what could best be described as uncooked spaghetti. The 2nd place guy was a little heavier, probably 160 pounds, but with no visible muscle on his limbs and a sunken chest. The strange part about this guy’s description was his very noticeable belly.
(Note: This terrible predicament – a version of being “skinny fat” often occurs when muscle is not maintained. Rather it is left to atrophy and diminish while cardio exercise volumes and intensities are increased. The problem here is that the heart rate ends up too high to burn primarily body fat and so visible fat stubbornly remains)
“Yaaayyyy…We won!…I think? ….uhmmm….maybe not!
Hey, why are those girls laughing?”
So this!….THIS, was what he could hope for? These guys didn’t look like winners (except for the race). From a purely physical standpoint, they looked more like losers. He summarized: “I’m going to do all this work, take all this time doing a repetitive, cyclic exercise and end up in THAT sorry physical state as my reward?” At that point, he said he got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. I nodded in complete agreement.
He suddenly realized that this was the physical end game he could hope for given his current strategy for physical improvement. At this very moment he knew that physically, these guys and the many other advanced runners he had witnessed represented exactly what he DID NOT WANT! This was aside from the increasing joint pain he endured.
I’ve got nothing against running longer distances. If you love running – do it! I highly respect any athlete and their success in their chosen sport. BUT, as a MEANS of getting into what most guys generally consider to be “bad-ass” physical condition, I strongly submit that this is a really poor choice of physical activity. This is most true if this type of exercise is used exclusively.
On the other hand, free weight resistance training using compound movements and with a strong emphasis on building strength and speed delivers the following (among many other) positive benefits:
- Stronger bones, connective tissue and joints
- Builds functional, fat burning muscle
- Increases the production of anabolic hormones (like testosterone!)
Training the way this gentleman had been, via running longer distances exclusively will do just the opposite. But who really wants that? If an individual is aware of these relative deleterious effects and accepts them to win a race I say “hats off” to you. You deserve a medal for your sacrifice, fortitude and awesome competitiveness. That is just NOT what this guy or most of the rest of us are after. Not even close! This cautionary little tale is a perfect example.
During our conversation, we both agreed that as we drift inexorably into middle age and beyond, we both wish to be the kind of guys that:
- “Other men fear” (okay, at least a little bit)
- “Women desire” (Somewhat at least. Even if it’s just one of them)
Wander gracefully into the physical challenges of my middle years and beyond? Surrender to the physical mediocrity and slowly spiraling function that comes with age? Not on your life! Bring em on….I’ve got a baseball bat and a samurai sword to greet them with. One thing is for sure though; I am certainly NOT going to participate in time consuming exercise regimen that actually speeds up this ugly process. No, on the contrary, I am going to do whatever slows down, stops or reverses this spiraling physical regression.
As a middle aged guy, I’ve got something I’d really like to express about “middle age”:
F&$K middle age!
……AND THAT GOES FOR ALL THE CREEPING, DELETERIOUS PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF EACH PASSING YEAR!
So, no offence, but as I drift into my older years I’d rather look and function like one of these guys:
I’m happy to report that this gentleman joined our gym and is already putting on muscle. He only spends a few hours in the gym, a few times a week. He’s getting stronger, feeling great, looking better and his joint pain is dissipating fast. Most importantly, all of these things are making him very, very happy.