The Principle of Training Simplicity

Recently I have been reducing the number of exercises in my training sessions, basing everything I do around the exercises I believe to be the most beneficial to me. My thinking is simple – if particular exercises are ‘better’ than others, why bother with a complicated, long winded session that is made longer by inferior exercises? In a nutshell, this sums up the principle of training simplicity.

I have devoted more time and effort to the exercises that give me the most bang for my buck and removed the exercises that I feel I could do without, reducing my workout time dramatically.

Here is a sample lower body workout I have been doing recently….

• 5 x 10 Barbell Squats
• 5 x 10 Romanian Deadlifts
• 3 x 30 Seconds Double Arm Kettlebell Swings
• 2 x 30 Seconds Plyometric Lunges

Principle of Training Simplicity – Squats

The workout in this example is full of compound lifts – widely regarded as the most effective. In the workout the intensity, weight and rep ranges can be tweaked to suit the requirements, whether they be strength, endurance or hypertrophy. It ticks every box.

I have rolled this out across my training – a typical workout will consist of multiple sets of fewer, better quality exercises. I’m not wasting time on less effective exercises.

Benefits of this stripped-down training approach include reduced injury risk, reduced joint loading and shorter workout time. It also fits with the number one safety point in training – use the minimum effective dose.

This workout is just an example of the principle of training simplicity – fewer exercises, wisely selected, with more sets of a better quality. I have focussed more intently on making every rep count and have noticed the benefits of this both in my own fitness and that of my clients. No wasted time, no wasted effort.

Ask yourself why you are training the way you do. Question your methods, question your approach. Can you improve what you are doing in the gym? Less time for the same or better results?

Remember the benefits from your workout come directly from the quality of your work – not the quantity of it. Don’t waste your time on programmes that up your injury risk and deliver less benefit than you deserve. Give the principle of training simplicity a go and see how you can improve your gains in much less time!

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HoylesFitness

Owner of www.hoylesfitness.com. Personal Trainer, Father and fitness copy writer. Working hard making the world fitter and healthier! View all posts by HoylesFitness