Awakening through "instinctive" training - A Programless Program

“Before enlightenment, the plates were plates, and the dumbbells were dumbbells. After enlightenment, the plates were plates and the dumbbells were dumbbells again.” (Or something like that.) Zen master Hakuin (at least, I think that’s what he said)

“The key to results is to train as often as possible while remaining as fresh as possible.” Prof. Vladmir Zatsiorsky

Those above quotes pretty much sum up my training philosophy, but since some here might have a hard time “getting” what I’m talking about, I thought I’d discuss how I train (currently) and maybe it will help others.

First off, realize that I attempt to bring my experience of “awakening” (for lack of a better word) into everything I do. While I may not be enlightened (whatever the heck that exactly means) I have at least awakened from the dream of separation—as some Zen or Advaita masters might put it—and so I try to carry this ever-present awareness of What-Is into my training as much as I do the rest of my life.

Okay, second, you need to realize that I have been training for a very long time. I understand my body, and how it responds to training stimulus, very well. So… what I’m about to say won’t ring true for everyone. If you haven’t been training for very long GET ON A PROGRAM. However, for those of you who have been training for a long time, it is probably best to “throw out the book” so to speak. Programs eventually become useless for many of us, and it’s best if we JUST TRAIN. When you sit, just sit. When you eat, just eat. When you lift, just lift.

However, I also realize that the above quote by Zatsiorsky might be the best ever uttered when it comes to building strength. With that in mind, here is what a typical training day for me now consists of: I pick two exercises at the beginning of the workout: one for my upper body, and one for my lower body. These are “bang for your buck” exercises. Some form of bench presses (barbell or dumbbell), dips, or push ups for my upper body. Some form of squatting and deadlifting for my lower body. I then pick a number of reps to use for each set of each exercise. Usually it’s sets of 3 to 5 for upper body (unless I’m doing push-ups) and sets of 2 to 5 for my lower body. Then, I just train. I don’t count sets, I go by feel. Sets could range anywhere between 5 and 20 for each exercise.

After a few sets, I’m really “into it” (for lack of better words). I often lose sense of time and space. (Body and mind drop off, as Dogen might have put it.)

And that’s it. In a day or so, I train again, picking a couple of different exercises. Because none of my sets in these workouts are “to failure” I can train as often as possible while remaining as fresh as possible.

Re: Awakening through "instinctive" training - A Programless Prog

bro,