3320: Beyond Sets and Reps by Ross Enamait of Ross Training on Strength and Conditioning Principles

Reggie, I just sold my car online.

Let's go, Grandpa.

Wait, you did?

Yep, on Carvana.

Just put in the license plate, answer a few questions.

Got an offer in minutes.

Easier than setting up that new digital picture frame.

You don't say.

Yeah, they're even picking it up tomorrow.

Talk about fast.

Wow.

Way to go.

So, about that picture frame.

Oh, forget about it.

Until Carvana makes one, I'm not interested.

Car selling made easy.

On.

Carvana.

Carvana.

Pick up these, ma'am.

Apply.

So good, so good, so good.

Spring styles are at Nordstrom Rack stores now.

And they're up to 60% off.

Stock up and save on rag and bone made well.

Vince, all scenes and more of your favorites.

How did I let no rack as a deed is?

Why do we rack for the hottest feel?

There's so many good brands.

Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts.

Shop new arrivals first and more.

Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free.

Great brands, great prices.

That's why you rack.

This is Optimal Health Daily.

Beyond sets and reps by Ross Enemite of RossTraining.com.

And I'm Dr. Neal.

Hey there, happy Monday and welcome back to Optimal Health Daily,

where act as your narrator of the best health and fitness blogs all for free.

And we have a bunch of shows covering a bunch of different topics.

Just search for Optimal Living Daily in any podcast app to find them.

But for now, let's get right to it and start optimizing your life.

Beyond sets and reps by Ross Enemite of RossTraining.com.

Whether it is hot and humid or snowing and cold,

I enjoy training outside at least once a week.

We run, perform calisthenics, lift stones and logs,

and climb trees and ropes.

I not only enjoy the fresh air and scenery,

but also the creative process involved in turning the world around us into a functional gym.

So much can be accomplished by simply pushing yourself with whatever can be found around you.

A state-of-the-art facility is everything but necessary for a challenging and effective workout.

The world is your gym.

Lifting, carrying, and throwing heavy stones is a tremendous way to develop real-world strength.

Pull-ups from thick tree branches will strengthen the hands,

unlike any conventional gym exercise.

Few conditioning routines are as enjoyable as running hills and trails throughout the woods.

Rope climbing is yet another tremendous pulling exercise,

with obvious lower arm benefits.

Clearly, these are just a few of the countless outdoor exercise options.

I have discussed several others throughout this blog's history.

For example, the video I share in this post includes random footage taken over the past few months.

As evident throughout the pictures and video, I make the most of whatever is around me.

I truly believe that I could train effectively in any environment.

Whether I am in front of my yard, lost in the woods,

or stranded on an island, I will find a way to exercise.

I do not need any particular piece of equipment,

and that's a message I have consistently delivered for many years.

Sets and reps.

Yet, whenever I stress the potential of simple and intense routines,

I find my inbox filled with questions about sets and reps.

If I had a nickel for each time someone asked what routine I follow when I am outdoors,

I would be a rich man.

Unfortunately, I do not have quality answers to those questions.

One of the reasons that I enjoy outdoor training is that I am free to do whatever I wish.

If I want to run, I run.

If I want to stop and lift a rock, I will stop and lift a rock.

I do not need to perform three sets while someone looks on and waits for a turn on the bench.

I also do not follow any particular rep range when outside.

I train based on instinct.

For example, no one tells me when I am hungry or thirsty.

I just know.

My body tells me.

I follow a similar approach when I am outside.

I do not need a paper routine to tell me that my legs are tired from running hills.

My body will tell me, and I'll know it is time to transition to something else.

Perhaps I will switch to pull-ups from a tree branch.

Once my hands are fatigued from the thick branch, I will also know.

I may go back and run a few more hills,

or maybe I will lift and throw a heavy stone.

Keep it simple.

Whatever I am doing, I will push and apply myself with the same intensity I bring to the gym.

Once I have worked for an hour or so, I wrap things up and conclude the workout.

I won't know how many sets or reps I performed of any specific exercise,

but I will know that I worked hard.

I won't know the weight of the stones that I lifted,

but I will know that they were heavy enough to challenge me.

I won't know the length or grade of each hill that I ran,

but I will know that they were far and steep enough to fatigue me.

And as crude as such a routine may sound,

it provides a much needed break from more traditional and structured work.

I say this not to suggest that everyone follows my approach,

but instead to highlight some of the reasons that I train outdoors.

The freestyle nature of such work has proved quite beneficial for me over the years.

Meaning outside without specific parameters allows me to stay fresh both physically and mentally.

Final thoughts.

In summary, there is nothing wrong with performing a specific routine,

but there is more to training than blindly following what is written on paper.

As you gain experience, you begin to know better than anyone what your body can handle.

When your body provides real-time feedback during a session,

you will know what it means and how to proceed accordingly.

If you haven't trained outside before, I encourage you to get up, get outside,

and use the world around you.

You'll quickly realize that you do not need anything fancy

to achieve a quality workout while enjoying the fresh air around you.

You just listen to the post titled Beyond Sets and Reps

by Ross Enemite of RossTraining.com

and I'll be right back with my commentary.

If you're a small business, the right hire can be make or break.

Hoping the right people see your job posting isn't the best growth strategy.

When the pressure is on and you need the right hire, this is a job for sponsor jobs.

Join the 3.3 million employers worldwide that use indeed

to connect with quality talent that fits their needs.

Spend less time searching and more time actually interviewing candidates

who check all your boxes.

Less stress, less time, more results.

When you need the right person to cut through the chaos, this is a job for indeed sponsor jobs.

And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsor job credit to help get your job

the premium status it deserves at indeed.com slash podcast.

Just go to indeed.com slash podcast right now

and support our show by saying you heard about indeed on this podcast.

Indeed.com slash podcast terms and conditions apply.

Need to hire? This is a job for indeed sponsor jobs.

Spring starts at the Home Depot and we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season.

Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills for under $300.

Like the next grill for burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout.

Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go-to spot the patio sets for every budget.

Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and radios that set the vibe from the Home Depot.

Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot.

Exclusions apply see Home Depot.com slash price match for details.

Dr. Neal here for my commentary.

After working out consistently for the last 20 years or so,

there is a point I have reached where I, like Ross and a mate,

seem to know what my body needs.

I've stopped planning out how many reps and sets I'm going to do during my workouts.

I've stopped writing all the reps and sets I've performed during each workout too.

But let me say this again.

I only started doing this after about 20 years of working out consistently.

Same with Ross.

He's been training consistently for about the same amount of time.

If you're a beginner or haven't made exercise a habit yet,

then this is not for you.

Maybe you've been doing the same gym routines,

have achieved the results you've always wanted,

and are happy with this approach.

Then, by all means, continue.

No need to fix what I ain't broke, right?

But, if you've been doing the same gym routines for way too long

and are ready to incorporate some new moves,

try some of the things that Ross mentioned.

You might discover you just might like it.

Alright, that'll do it for today.

Thank you so much for listening.

I hope you have a wonderful start to your week,

and I'll see you back here tomorrow where you're optimal life awaits.