Yes, it was super-athlete, martial artist Bruce Lee who once claimed: "I fear NOT the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once. But I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
I agree.
His point here? Well, I believe he was 'hinting' at the notion that the man who practices simple, powerful techniques MANY times - like the karate 'kick' of which he spoke - tends to be far more skilled, fit, and fearsome, than the mere 'dabbler.'
After all: When you get really good at even a simple movement, athletically speaking? Well I've found personally, it becomes 'second nature.' So much so that in order to execute it - you don't have to think about it, at all. After sufficient practice, you can commandeer a given move quickly, effortlessly, in an instant. Which, in my experience can make the key difference, between success and failure.
For example: There was a time in my life, when I was 'all over the map,' with regard to my exercise regimen. One week, I'd lift weights. Another I'd run, and concentrate on other cardiovascular activity. And another? I might do little, at all.
Yet when I chose a simple, yet proven-to-be-effective fitness protocol? One consisting of HIGHLY simple body-weight, or, 'calisthenic' movements, which exercise every muscle group in the body like no other? And, when I actually 'stuck to it,' and practiced it daily?
After a few short weeks, I noticed: My fitness level increased, exponentially. Where before, I became 'winded,' during workouts? I now seemed to be able to exercise for extended periods, without tiring. As a matter of fact, I reached levels of strength and cardiovascular fitness, I'd once deemed, 'ridiculous.' An hour-long session of 1000 squats, push-ups, and crunches - a workout favored by athletes such as Herschel Walker, Lee, and others - became, 'my norm.'
'Ridiculous,' indeed.
I developed what I'd call, a 'core of steel,' as well. Which is a good 'fringe benefit' to doing exercises which are simple - yet which, with each repetition, exercise every major and supplemental muscle group in the body. Exercises such as these, I found? They have a way of demanding more of your core being, than do those with which you have the 'help' of an exercise bench, machine, or fitness 'gadget.'
More: I found I developed an EXTREME level of confidence, with this new fitness protocol. I could drop down and do hundreds of calisthenics - squats, push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, and the like - WITHOUT having to doubt my ability to, 'finish a set.' Before committing to my new protocol? Well, I was simply a 'dabbler,' attempting many different techniques, machines, and other 'gadgetry.' And as a consequence, I hadn't the core strength, to truly push myself physically, to my best. After YEARS of practice with good, simple, tough calisthenic sessions? Not so, anymore!
You can do the same, without question.
Here's what to do:
First: Pick a proven exercise plan, and 'stick' to it. Yes, you can lift weights or use other machinery, if you deem it helpful. Yet I recommend (at least as an addition to your current regimen) simple sets of calisthenics, or body-weight exercises, done one set after another, without rest. I simply prefer this method as it leaves absolutely ZERO doubt that you'll 'whip' yourself into the best shape of your life - and quickly. An example?
Try this workout for fifteen minutes:
Do as many push-ups as possible. Start by doing them on your knees, if you must. Then, with no rest at all, do as many abdominal 'crunches,' as you can. Again: Take no rest! Then, do as many body-weight squats as you can muster. Simply keep the back straight, bend your knees until they're about parallel to the ground, and repeat.
Now then: Repeat the entire cycle, starting with push-ups, again. Do this for twenty to sixty minutes. If you do so, without rest between exercises? And should you adhere to a good, healthy plant-rich diet as well? Well, you'll make of yourself a lean, 'mean,' athletically built 'fitness machine.' And you'll do so, FAR sooner than you might think possible.
Of that, you can be sure.
Next: Don't be dissuaded, by the opinions of others. When I first began doing such simple workouts? I 'heard it' from my former weight-lifting friends. Many of whom were of the opinion that, 'you just can't be strong' without 'pumping iron.' And: That 'little handful' of exercises can't be hitting ALL your muscle groups!'
On the contrary, I've found:
I've NEVER in my life - though I lifted weights for years - had the overall strength, core-power, and athletic confidence I have now; and this, using simple calisthenics. I haven't touched a weight at this point, in years. Calisthenics are simple, yes. Yet each exercise - such as the squat, push-up, and crunch, to a lesser degree - 'hits' every major and minor muscle group in the body; unlike many machine, or weight-based exercises, which tend to focus upon a single body part, at a time. Go with a simple calisthenic regimen, such as the one I've outlined above. Or simply add it to your current exercise protocol. You'll develop an almost 'super-human' type of power, from head to toe.
And, metaphorically speaking, you'll leave opinions of doubters 'in the dust.'
So, what have we got so far? Pick a proven exercise plan, and 'stick' to it. I recommend the calisthenic session, above (or at least, in addition to) other types. Don't be dissuaded, by the opinions of others - HIGHLY important!
And finally: Give it all you've got! In other words, give it your best with each workout you perform. If you're doing a calisthenic session? Make sure NOT to rest between sets of exercises. As doing so will compromise not only the level of overall fitness garnered from your session - yet your level of 'toughness,' as well. Bet on it!
Whereas, on the contrary: Should you focus upon each repetition? And should you push yourself to the limits of your ability, during workouts? Well you'll develop such a level of core fitness - along with a good, 'ripped' musculature, head to toe - that your friends who may once, have doubted you? Well, when they begin to notice your great results for themselves, many will begin, 'asking for tips.' You can bet on that, as well.
And there you have it friends.
Pick a proven exercise plan and 'stick' with it. For as Lee intimated: It is the 'master' - not the 'dabbler!' - who tends to garner life's greatest rewards. And should you choose the simple path of the master? In just a few short weeks you'll be on your way to greatness; and likely I'd say, to the highest fitness level, of your life. Don't be dissuaded, by the opinions of others. They matter little, if at all! Particularly AFTER you prove that commitment to the simple, 'breeds' the type of success unknown to the 'dabbler.' More: 'Give it all you've got,' when it comes to your exercise session. I tell you from experience, 'you'll not regret it.'
Follow these simple ideas.
And you'll make of yourself, the type of physical 'specimen,' of which you can be proud. You'll construct the type of physique that garners an unspoken respect, from all you meet. Also, another 'fringe' benefit: With continued, committed practice - you'll surely become a living example of Mr. Lee's contention. That largely unnecessary, overly complex 'masses' of techniques, can't 'hold a candle' in terms of overall effectiveness, to simple, proven ones that have stood the test of time; like the core building, body-weight workout - or, metaphorically speaking, like that 'one kick' practiced, '10,000 times.'
Good call Mr. Lee - wherever you may be.
Jeff Sekerak
Jeff Sekerak is a former Alaskan Commercial Fisherman, and fast-food addict, turned 'Super-Fit Vegan.' He is the author of the book, Confessions of a Super-Fit Vegan, or: ''I ate the food 'of the gods,' loaded up on carbs, forgot to count calories, and built the body of my dreams. You can too!''. Sign up for great, informative, useful blog updates on the 'super-fit vegan' lifestyle, at http://thesuperfitvegan.com Plus, read Jeff's current blog posts at http://thesuperfitvegan.com/blog (he's got a TON of great, free info there right now!)
*Copyright 2012, Jeff Sekerak, all rights reserved. Consult your doctor before engaging in any diet or exercise program.
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