Why are there so many people claiming to have the “best workout?”
Which one really is the best workout?
The truth is that there is no “best workout” for the typical fitness enthusiast, but there are a whole lot of bad workouts.
There are those that claim that the best workout depends upon a persons genetic predisposition – this is just not true. Of course genetics play a role in the results attained, but don’t spend time designing a workout around your genetics – a push-up is a push-up regardless of your DNA. Individual genetics is not the reason why there are so many “best workouts.”
The reason that there are so many “best workouts” is because your muscles don’t directly respond to:
-lifting heavy weights
-lifting lighter weights but doing many reps
-super sets
-shorter rests between sets
-etc.
Your muscles respond indirectly to all of these stimulus but directly to none of them.
What your muscles do respond to is Stress. Stress is caused by lifting heavy weights, high reps, supersets, short rest periods, etc. That’s why each of these strategies can work and why each should be used by the average athlete.
“Muscular Confusion” is the latest catch word in the fitness community. Although a new term, “muscular confusion” expresses a long known fitness concept – vary your workouts.
The “best workout” is to change your workout. That’s why there are so many…
By changing your workout regularly (every two to four weeks), you cause more muscular and neurological stress on your body than by using the same workout for long periods of time.
note: This advice is geared toward the typical athlete and fitness enthusiast. If you’re pursuing a specific goal rather than general fitness (as a competition body builder or power lifter would be) then work a routine geared to your specific needs.