The Generalist Approach to Exercise Programming
Generalism (as it applies to fitness) is about maximizing preparedness for a wide variety of physical tasks. It’s a both/and approach to exercise, never either/or.
(Strength AND mobility. Power AND endurance. Performance AND aesthetics. And so on, and so forth.)
In this sense, a generalist approach to exercise programming should split training days between “fitness skills” rather than body parts or movement patterns. Here, I’ll talk you through it.
The Generalist Approach to Exercise Programming
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Show Notes and Resources
101 Kettlebell Workouts – a free collection of some of my best generalist routines.
Strong ON! – my premier kettlebell and bodyweight based, generalist fitness program
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Excellent description of your exercise programming philosophy. Builds / expands on work by others (see Simple and Sinister, an extreme, bare-bones approach to General Physical Preparation). Thanks for the custom clean and press routine you sent earlier.
My pleasure, Rob. Hope you make good use out of it. Strong ON!
Pat – Thanks for the great podcast. I’m a CPT and I use the generalist approach with my clients I just didn’t know it. I work with several young athletes and when I talk to their parents they want me to help their kids be better at (fill in the sport here). I tell them that I help their child to be a better athlete overall.
I have done a few of the challenges and workouts that you post and really enjoy them.
Thanks again.
Mark
Mark,
This is a common response. I think most people assume a generalist approach, even if they don’t realize it. So it always makes me glad to hear when I can help people recognize that specialization is mostly a myth, and give traction toward generalism; why it’s good, how to do it better, etc. Thanks for the comment.
Strong ON!
– Pat