Do you feel like you have to workout for at least an hour to see any benefits? Is a 60 minute “cardio burn” what you’re itching for? How’s that working out for you?

I ride road bikes and it never ceases to amaze me to see all the flabby, overweight cyclists who go long in 90% of their training. Long, slow distance does not make you fit. It does not give you the body you’re imagining it will. It just allows you to go further.

Think sprinter vs marathoner.

Or this?

This?

Nothing against Meb Keflezighi, the marathoner on the left, but I’d rather have the build of Asafa Powell.

While these guys are both specialists and do what they do very well, I would argue though that Asafa would be better suited for a broader range of abilities than Meb.

For instance, what if they were both in a race that involved running 5 miles then deadlifting 350 pounds 5 times at the finish? Meb would likely crush the run but still be standing there staring at the bar as Asafa caught up and lifted the load.

This weekend I’m going to a sporting event that is a stepping stone to the Crossfit Games in Aromas, CA. The winner of the Crossfit Games has a legitimate claim to the title of “World’s Fittest Human.” That said, most of the effort will last 20 minutes or less. And the athletes competing are specimens of fitness.

Here are a few pics that I shot at last years qualifier at GSX:

Longer isn’t the answer. It never was. Stronger is.

There is no such thing as “firming and toning.” There is only stronger and weaker. -Mark Rippetoe

If you want to stay “skinny fat” then keep that hip shaking “cardio burn” going.  But if you want a tighter package, you have to lift heavy.

Stronger gets you the body you’re wanting to see in the mirror. Stronger opens the door. Stronger gets you better at life.

Stay strong my friends,

Dr. Chris

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