This morning I saw a BuzzFeed article titled: “11 Odd Ways People Got In Shape Throughout History”. (I’d add the link, but it basically turned out to be an ad for an energy drink—talk about odd ways…. feel free to Google it, if you so desire.) One thing that was strikingly interesting was that quite a few things on the list are making a comeback, e.g., sauna suits, muscle stimulation, etc. It seems we will never be free of the snake oil marketers—particularly when it comes to fitness.
I wrote recently about “Cross-HIIT” and have written often about diet and exercise trends that never seem to go away. These just keep coming back repackaged and rebranded. Sadly, they all come “scientifically proven”.
The phrase “scientifically proven” reminds me of a scene in Tommy Boy where Chris Farley’s character discusses putting a “guarantee” on the box. I have been in that “scientifically proven” battle before. This is why I will never do another supplement study as a researcher—and why I have no faith in the marketing claims of supplement companies. Let’s just say, the claims of a product being any percentage greater than the placebo are likely bull****. Placebos are not supposed to have an effect. If they have an effect it is next to nothing. Do the math: 1000% of zero is…. zero. On top of this, the “science” reported by marketers is often not “peer reviewed” (i.e., reviewed by external reviewers and published in a reputable journal). The “science” is also cherry-picked and/or designed specifically to demonstrate a positive effect. Beware of the claims made about products and programs. Check the sources!
Results in personal fitness basically come down to doing the work. Period. Most anything will be effective—if it involves effort (i.e., overloading the body system). The degree of effectiveness will depend on numerous factors—particularly genetics.
Don’t assume that because the “professional” “expert” has a great physique that he/she knows what they are talking about. The right genes can be the reason the person appears in good shape. Perhaps, they just picked their parents wisely. The best test is the effect on people with “lesser” genes. It also helps if the “expert” can explain physiologically why and how the method works. The best evidence is a combination of extensive scientific and empirical data. Sure it “worked” in a study of eight untrained individuals, but is this replicated in other studies and is it “proven” in real life?
Realize that most any change in training (especially if one is sedentary) will have an effect—for a while. The question is: will the progress continue over the long-term? If something works for you, and you enjoy it (enjoy it in the sense that it is satisfyingly uncomfortable), then do it. If it doesn’t work for you try something else, until you find what does.
Old-school is probably the way to go. Methods that have met the test of time—in the “real world”—are most likely to be effective. Trends come and go, because they have little substance. Promises of “quick transformations” are empty. Remember: lasting results require time and effort.
The science of exercise science, in my experience, has led less to new training methods than to a better understanding of why methods work or don’t work.
To be successful, you must be uncomfortable and patient.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!