THE DOWNSIDE OF OVERCOMMITMENT
The pressure is real. Platforms like Strava and Instagram have turned fitness into a social contest. You might feel compelled to post every workout, share every run, and document every lift. As someone who’s prepped for both short and long-distance triathlons, I’ve felt that pressure firsthand. It’s as if posting less than once a day means you’re not doing enough, especially when fellow athletes around you are sharing multiple workouts daily.
On one hand, these opportunities are exciting and push us to stay active. On the ladder, constantly chasing the next big thing can be counterproductive, both physically, mentally and can easily lead to burnout and injury.
The constant pressure to perform and compete can detract from your enjoyment and progress. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget the importance of a structured, well-thought-out training plan.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LONG-TERM GOALS
Setting a meaningful goal requires time and investment. We're not talking about a two or three-weeks commitment but rather a long-term vision. Ideally, planing your next 12 months around one or two major accomplishments (with perhaps very few other smaller objectives).
People often don't realize that each additional event or competition can detract from your main preparation.
Consider this: each event requires a few days of prep beforehand, the event day itself, and some recovery time afterward. It's not uncommon to lose nearly a week of training per event, and if you do this once or multiple times a month, it adds up to a significant amount of missed or suboptimal training over your initial training plan.
THE OVERWHELMING CHOICES
Let’s break down some of the main trend disciplines we are currently around and what they offer:
CrossFit: aka "the sport of the fittest" and the major contributor to what the fitness industry looks like today. CrossFit is designed to enhance overall fitness by improving multiple domains of physical traits such as strength, endurance, flexibility, power and much more. CrossFit requires lots of different skills, equipments, technique, time & toughness but can be very beneficial if you follow a thoughtful program that aligns with your current fitness level, goals, and apply progressive overload without constantly varying workouts.
5k, 10k Semi-Marathons and Marathons: ideal for those who enjoy running and aim to push their endurance limits. They require a structured training plan and a good amount of time commitment.
Ultra endurance: for the extreme stamina enthusiasts, these events push your mental and physical boundaries far beyond the conventional marathon. They can be very time consuming and taxing on your system but opens another dimension for the most experienced athletes.
Triathlons: a versatile option combining swimming, biking, and running. Great for all-around fitness but demands a diverse training regimen and an individualized approach.
Functional Resistance Training (FRT): focuses on building muscle mass, quality of movement pattern and motor control through resistance training. This is the baseline of every modalities you want to follow. Excellent for building, strength, mobility, conditioning and to give you a massive toolbox of different exercice selection. FRT requires a plan, curiosity, intentionality and great body control.
Hyrox: a mix of running and functional fitness. Relatively new but is rapidly growing in popularity for its challenging yet accessible format (@Mix.Brussels members, you guys know what we are talking about).
Powerlifting: perfect for those who prefer to focus solely on absolute strength and compound lifts. It’s straightforward but requires a disciplined approach to progress safely and effectively.
Calisthenics/Street-lifting: very interesting for mastering your own bodyweight and to develop pure strength. The sport requires very few equipments and can easily be done in any environment. The main downside is the progressive evolution of skills acquisition and diversity.
HOW TO CHOOSE?
To avoid getting overwhelmed by all those different options, start by identifying your personal goals and what you are curious about learning. Are you aiming for endurance, strength, overall fitness, or a combination? Once you have clarity, consider the following steps:
Research: learn about each fitness modalities and choose the one you solely want to focus on. Understand what it entails, the training commitment, and the community around it.
Experiment: try out a few different activities before investing a full season. Many gyms and fitness clubs offer trial sessions or short-term memberships.
Set Goals: establish both short-term and long-term achievements. This will help you stay focused and measure your progress overtime, year after year.
Use Social Media Wisely: rather than succumbing to the pressure of posting every workout, use social media as a tool for creating and inspiring others, while sharing milestones and progress, but don’t let it dictate your training schedule nor motivation.
Balance: don’t overcommit. Ensure you have rest days and listen to your body. It’s better to train consistently with a plan, purpose and sustainably than to risk injury from overtraining.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROCESS INVESTMENT
Being deeply invested in your training process is crucial. Remember it’s not just about crossing finish lines but rather, developing a fitness system that allows you to continuously seek out for a healthier life. The daily discipline, the small wins, and the gradual improvements build a solid foundation for long-term success. Taking on too many events can dilute this experience, making it harder to stay fully engaged and present.
Navigating the vast world of fitness options can be daunting, but with a focused approach, you can find your path. Remember to balance ambition with sustainability, and don’t let social media pressure dictate your journey.
It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing what matters most to you and doing it extremely well.
So, next time you feel that pressure to sign up for every event or share every workout, take a moment to reflect. What’s your ultimate goal? How can you best achieve it without losing your passion or burning out? By staying focused and deliberate, you can enjoy a fulfilling and successful fitness journey. Strategic event participation, personal goal setting, and deep investment in your training process will help you stay on track and to enjoy the ride.
Passionately,
Max & Ben
Written by Maxime Dupont
If you enjoyed reading this email, you can support us by spreading it to the word. Hit the forward button, share it with a friend and tell us your thoughts! We love to hear back from you.
