Podcast Summary
Fitness Menopause: A New Phase in Exercise: Millennials who focused on bodybuilding in their youth may experience a shift towards new forms of exercise in their late twenties, leading to personal growth and rediscovering the joy of physical activity.
The fitness menopause refers to a period in some individuals' lives, particularly millennials, who have focused on bodybuilding or weightlifting in their teens or early twenties and later realize in their late twenties that this training regime may not be fulfilling them anymore. This realization often leads them to explore other forms of exercise, such as yoga, martial arts, or CrossFit. The fitness menopause concept was identified by the speaker as a result of her own experiences and disenchantment with bodybuilding. It's essential to note that not everyone will experience this shift, but for those who do, it can be an opportunity to discover new forms of physical activity and rekindle their love for exercise.
The appeal of bodybuilding for the younger generation: Bodybuilding's low skill requirement, instant gratification, and accessibility to resources online make it an attractive fitness option for the younger demographic.
Bodybuilding has gained popularity due to its low barriers to entry and the instant gratification it offers. The timing of its rise, around the age range of 26-34, coincides with the widespread availability of fitness resources online. Bodybuilding requires less skill and mechanical complexity compared to other sports, making it accessible to a wider audience. People are drawn to the external rewards, such as the visible changes in their physique, and the ability to set their own rules and goals. However, some criticize bodybuilding as being less athletic and a justification for unhealthy habits. Despite these criticisms, the low skill requirement and instant gratification make bodybuilding an attractive option for many people starting their fitness journey.
Understanding the Differences Between Powerlifting and Bodybuilding: Powerlifting and bodybuilding are related but distinct fitness pursuits. Reflect on your motivations and preferences to determine which one is right for you.
People often get into powerlifting as a less challenging alternative to more competitive sports or as a path of least resistance due to its accessibility and ease of getting started. However, it's essential to understand that powerlifting and bodybuilding, though related, are not the same thing. Many individuals may spend their training careers focusing on bodybuilding-style workouts without realizing if they genuinely enjoy bodybuilding or just exercising in general. It's worth reflecting on this question to gain a better understanding of one's motivations and preferences in fitness. Powerlifting can be an effective and rewarding pursuit, but it's essential to approach it with clear goals and a commitment to lifting heavy weights regularly.
The journey towards physical development is ongoing: Understand that maintaining past achievements is easier than starting anew, and staying dedicated to physical goals is crucial for long-term success.
People are driven to exercise and bodybuilding for various reasons, often seeking the perceived benefits and achievements. However, once these goals are met, individuals may lose interest and seek new challenges. It's essential to understand that the journey towards physical development is ongoing, and it's easier to maintain past achievements than to give up and start anew. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) is one of the strictest organizations in powerlifting, with stringent drug testing and rules, and competing at the world level requires significant effort. Overall, the pursuit of physical goals can bring significant rewards, but it's essential to recognize that the journey is ongoing and requires dedication.
The nuances of qualifying for and experiencing high-level competitions: Recognize the unique journeys of athletes qualifying for and experiencing high-level competitions, appreciating their dedication and accomplishments.
The experience and merit of competing at high-level events like the World Championships can vary greatly. Some athletes have earned their spots through dedication, training, and exceptional performance, while others may have qualified through less competitive circumstances. This disparity can lead to frustration and feelings of discreditation towards those who have qualified in less traditional ways. For instance, in a conversation, the speaker expressed their disappointment towards individuals who have attended the World Championships due to administrative processes, while feeling they didn't truly deserve to be there. They compared their own experience of earning a spot with someone like Tom Martin, who gained notoriety for deadlifting an impressive 340 kilograms but was criticized for his unconventional appearance and suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs. Despite the controversy surrounding Tom Martin, the speaker acknowledged the significance of achieving the pinnacle of one's chosen sport and suggested that those who have reached the highest level, such as Olympic competitors, should celebrate their accomplishments with memorabilia like framed singlets. In summary, the discussion highlights the nuances of qualifying for and experiencing high-level competitions, as well as the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the unique journeys of each athlete.
Finding a training style that brings enjoyment and compliance leads to better results: As individuals progress in their fitness journey, they may need to transition to new training styles for better enjoyment and compliance, leading to increased progress and better condition.
As individuals progress in their fitness journey, they may find that what once worked for them no longer provides the desired results or fulfillment. This was illustrated in the discussion about a powerlifter who, after years of competition in a tested federation, left to compete in a non-tested one and saw significant gains. However, this transition wasn't due to drug use, but rather a shift towards a training style that brought him more enjoyment and compliance. At the beginner and intermediate levels, the barriers to entry in fitness are low. But as individuals approach the top, progress becomes more challenging. Some people may find themselves drawn to bodybuilding-style training, but for others, this approach may not provide the desired results or enjoyment. Instead, they may discover new forms of exercise, such as yoga, fighting, or CrossFit, that offer novelty and a better fit for their goals and preferences. When individuals make this transition and find a training style that they genuinely enjoy, their compliance and training volume increase, leading to better condition and progress. However, it's important to ensure that any new training regimen includes some form of loading and progressive overload to continue making gains.
Building a solid foundation in physical fitness: Starting a new fitness routine can be challenging, but building a solid foundation in physical fitness through bodyweight exercises or resistance training makes it easier to adapt to new sports or workout styles, leading to a more enjoyable fitness journey.
Finding the right type of physical activity or sport can significantly improve one's happiness and overall well-being. However, before reaping the benefits, individuals often need to go through an initial phase of building basic muscle mass and strength. This can be achieved through bodyweight exercises or resistance training. Having a solid foundation in physical fitness makes it easier to adapt to new sports or workout styles. For instance, someone with a background in bodybuilding may find CrossFit more manageable than someone with no prior experience. The ability to recognize and understand different exercises and equipment comes from having been exposed to them before. This understanding and confidence lead to a smoother transition and a more enjoyable fitness journey.
Diverse fitness background improves learning and adaptation to new skills: A varied fitness background, including sports like gymnastics, dance, and team sports, enhances proprioception and makes it easier to learn advanced fitness movements as we age.
Having a diverse background in various physical activities, especially during childhood, can significantly improve one's ability to learn and adapt to new fitness skills as they age. Proprioception, or the ability to understand where your body is in space and how to move it, is crucial for advanced fitness movements. A background in sports like gymnastics, dance, or team sports can provide a solid foundation for fitness and make it easier to pick up new skills later in life. Additionally, focusing on maximizing fitness potential through various activities, rather than just sticking to one type of workout, can lead to better overall fitness and a more enjoyable fitness journey. For example, transitioning from a sport like football or rugby to obstacle racing can be more beneficial than just doing 5k runs. Overall, having a diverse fitness background and continuing to explore new activities can lead to better fitness outcomes and a more fulfilling fitness journey.
Experiencing shifts in priorities: People's interests and priorities can change over time, and it's essential to be open to these shifts and recognize that they are a natural part of personal growth.
Sometimes, prioritizing certain areas of our lives can shift as we grow and experience new challenges. For the speaker, this meant moving away from a focus on fitness and personal development towards business and other areas of personal growth. This shift came about due to a series of injuries and plateaus in his fitness journey, which led him to reassess his priorities. He found that what he once expected to gain from fitness no longer held the same appeal, and instead, he was drawn to new goals. This is a common experience, as people's interests and priorities can change over time. It's essential to be open to these shifts and recognize that they are a natural part of personal growth.
Finding the Right Approach to Fitness and Nutrition: To achieve sustainable muscle gain and fat loss, find a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition that suits your individual needs and goals, avoiding extreme methods with potential risks.
There are various approaches to gaining muscle and losing fat, but not all methods work for everyone. The speaker shared their personal experience of trying different programs, from free ebooks to extreme diets, without seeing significant progress. Eventually, they found success with a combination of progressive weightlifting and proper nutrition. However, even then, they went through a phase of excessive weight gain due to consuming large amounts of calories from unhealthy sources. The lesson here is that it's essential to find a sustainable and balanced approach to fitness and nutrition that suits your individual needs and goals. Additionally, it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks and drawbacks of extreme diets or training methods.
Looks can be deceiving in weightlifting: Ignoring pain signals and relying on quick fixes for muscle gain can lead to health issues
Appearance can be deceiving in the world of weightlifting and fitness. The speaker shares his experience of competing in weightlifting while hiding in a lower weight class due to having eliminated body fat, but when out of clothes, people were shocked by his muscular build. However, his dedication to training led him to ignore pain signals, which ultimately resulted in a severe disc issue and loss of function in his leg. This experience serves as a reminder that the pressure to train through pain and the belief that more muscle can be gained through supplements and quick fixes can lead to serious health consequences. The speaker also reflects on the contrast between the past era of fitness marketing and the current regulations and societal norms.
Realizing the importance of injury recovery and training variety: Listening to your body, addressing injuries, and incorporating novelty in training are crucial for maintaining long-term fitness and well-being.
Both individuals in this discussion experienced a turning point in their fitness journeys due to injuries and a lack of novelty in their training methods. They realized that their previous training methods were aggravating their injuries and not leading to sustainable progress. The concept of the "fitness menopause" was introduced, which refers to the chronically aware state of mortality and the realization that cardiovascular fitness had not been prioritized beyond serving specific goals. The experiences of both individuals highlight the importance of listening to your body, addressing injuries, and incorporating variety in training to maintain long-term fitness and well-being.
Discovering true enjoyment and progress in fitness: Focus on internal motivation and measurable improvements for a more satisfying and sustainable fitness experience. Explore various aspects of self-improvement and consider CrossFit as a tool for functional fitness and measurable progress.
The journey of finding fulfillment in fitness involves going beyond external rewards and societal pressures to discovering what truly brings enjoyment and objective measures of progress. This process can be linked to broader personal growth and development, particularly during certain life stages like menopause for men. By focusing on internal motivation and measurable improvements, individuals can experience a more satisfying and sustainable fitness experience. Additionally, exploring various aspects of self-improvement, such as sleep routines or self-development, can enhance this process. CrossFit, with its emphasis on functional fitness and measurable progress, can serve as an effective tool for integrating fitness into one's life in a meaningful and enjoyable way.
Preferences and motivations for activities change over time: Initially, we may engage in activities for external reasons, but they can later become about personal growth and enjoyment. Appearance and achievements can reveal more than meets the eye, and it's crucial to consider the long-term effects and potential sacrifices.
Our preferences and motivations for engaging in activities like fitness or hobbies can change over time. For instance, starting CrossFit or slacklining might not initially seem impressive or practical, but they can become enjoyable and fulfilling experiences. Initially, people may be drawn to fitness or bodybuilding to improve their appearance and impress others, but as they progress, they may find that these pursuits bring other benefits and become less about impressing others and more about personal growth and enjoyment. Additionally, the signals we send through our appearance or achievements can reveal more than just that one aspect of our lives. For example, someone who appears extremely lean or muscular may have sacrificed other areas of their life to achieve that look. It's important to consider the second, third, and fourth order effects of our actions and the potential sacrifices or deficiencies that may come with them. Furthermore, research suggests that the attributes men typically train for to look more attractive to women, such as biceps, abs, and shoulders, may not be the attributes women find most physically appealing in men. Instead, women tend to prefer men with strong glutes, backs, and legs. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of these preferences and to focus on optimizing for the right things.
Focus on self-improvement through various activities: Incorporating exercises and activities that promote self-improvement can lead to increased grip strength, reduced risk of mortality, and a better quality of life, regardless of age or fitness level.
Focusing on self-improvement through exercises like barbell rows, art classes, or learning new languages can lead to significant physical and mental benefits, especially as we age. These small improvements can lead to overall health improvements, including increased grip strength, reduced risk of mortality, and a better quality of life. It's important to remember that everyone's journey is unique, and some may be just starting their fitness journey, while others may be experiencing the effects of aging. Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey, incorporating exercises and activities that promote self-improvement can lead to positive changes. Additionally, it's essential to remember that everyone's definition of self-improvement may look different, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. So, find what resonates with you and focus on making small, consistent improvements.
Exploring the importance of grip strength training: Grip strength training enhances overall fitness and performance. Unusual strength curve of fat grip handles makes even small weight increases challenging. Three aspects of grip training: crush, pinch, and support. Captain of Crush grip trainer showcases the challenge. Powerlifters may benefit from grip training to overcome competition deficits.
Improving grip strength is often overlooked but can significantly enhance overall fitness and performance in various activities. The fat grip handle, a tool used for plate-loaded lifting, presents an unusual strength curve, making even small weight increases challenging due to the demand on grip. Martin Burkin, a fitness enthusiast, discovered this firsthand and delved deep into grip training, competing in Iron Mind competitions. Grip training involves three aspects: crush, pinch, and support. The Captain of Crush grip trainer, an old-school tool, is a testament to the challenge it poses, with its highest difficulty level requiring a solid grasp of a metal box. The world record for the rolling thunder lift may seem achievable, but the reality is far from it for most individuals. Grip training is particularly relevant for powerlifters who may find themselves outmatched at competitions despite strong deadlifting abilities. The Chinese lady at Finland, a reference to an unassuming yet strong competitor, underscores the importance of recognizing the potential hidden strengths and weaknesses in one's fitness journey.
Behind every seemingly ordinary person lies an extraordinary dedication: Appearances can be deceiving, ordinary people may be quietly transforming into formidable competitors through years of training and discipline
Behind every seemingly ordinary person lies an extraordinary dedication and commitment to their physical pursuits. You might see them at the supermarket or going about their daily lives, but on a platform or in a ring, they transform into formidable competitors. This dedication often requires years of consistent training and discipline, with some even adopting specific routines and mindsets to optimize their performance. It's important to remember that appearances can be deceiving, and the true strength and power of individuals often lie hidden beneath the surface. So, the next time you encounter someone who seems unassuming, remember that they might just be in their own "Fitness Menopause," quietly working towards their goals and transforming into a force to be reckoned with.
