The case for training like a human

There are many ways to skin a cat. Not that I’m skinning any cats. Relax.

But walk into any gym and you’ll quickly realise everyone has the system. Upper/lower splits. Push/pull days. Full body. Glute days. Arm days. Days dedicated entirely to foam rolling and discussing protein intake.

And honestly, most approaches work.

Because the foundations are fairly universal:

repetition, progressive overload, consistency and recovery.

What changes is how we move.

However, my approach to strength training is slightly different .I don't focus on dividing sessions by body parts. I prefer to keep the brain excited.

So whether we’re pushing, pulling, hinging or squatting, there’s usually an element of learning involved. A balance challenge. An uneven load. Rotation. Coordination. 

Because life is unpredictable.

Let’s be frank .A kettlebell is really just a pretend heavy thing. The gym is rehearsal for real life. And real life lifting is messy.

You don’t pick things up in perfect textbook positions with one muscle group politely working while the rest of your body remains completely still.

You twist.

Reach.

Carry awkwardly.

Stabilise.

React.

Catch yourself.

So I’ve always wondered why we sometimes train the body like isolated parts that barely know each other.

That doesn’t mean strength fundamentals don’t matter. They absolutely do. But adaptability matters too.

A few of my training heroes support my theory. Kelly Starrett ( one of my mobility gurus) talks a lot about movement variability and humans needing more than repetitive gym patterns. Stacy Sims ( she is to female strength training what Sarah Jessica Parker is to female fashion )  consistently highlights strength training for function, resilience and longevity, particularly for women as we age. Mike Robertson  ( elite strength and mobility coach)  speaks about building adaptable bodies, not just strong ones. And Louisa Nicola (neurophysiologist, brain health educator, and performance coach ) often discusses how the brain thrives on challenge, novelty and learning.

Which is why in our gym you’ll often see people carrying uneven loads, moving in different directions or combining movements together.

Not because we’re trying to reinvent exercise.

We’re just trying to build humans who are strong in real life.

Strong enough to lift awkward things.

Catch themselves.

Move confidently.

And keep learning new skills long after society suggests we should probably sit down quietly and do Pilates forever.

(For the record, I like Pilates. Please don’t email me.)