by David Johnston
If you want to be able to design your own workouts in the future, then learning how to listen to your body will be invaluable.
In the beginning, it might seem like you reach your limit the exact moment you become uncomfortable. That’s the first threshold you need to break.
The difference between pain and discomfort can be a chasm. Your ability versus your perceived ability is often very different. It is safe to push yourself beyond your limits, but as you progress, the process becomes more intricate. You’ll be able to notice and control different muscles. Muscles that you haven’t been aware of until now.
You’ll start to move with more intensity and more power. You’ll increase your rep range or add weight to certain movements. Consistency is the best way to learn your body. Do something hundreds, even thousands of times and you’ll develop a pretty good understanding of your body and what it’s capable of.
After you master the basics and become comfortable with pushing yourself beyond your limit (in a safe way), you’ll be better at choosing a suitable weight, how many reps you should aim for with that weight, and when to stop if your body has had enough. Not all movements are suitable for all people. You’ll learn how to listen to your body when it tells you what it needs to work on that day and start doing more intuitive workouts. That’s not to say that you should throw your plan out the window either.
Knowing your limits will prevent you from getting injured and it will allow you to achieve some pretty lofty goals. It’s very important and something I do my best to teach my clients as I coach them along their fitness journey and into self-sufficiency.