“If there is a lesson to be gleaned from this branch of exercise genetics, it’s that there is no one-size-fits-all training plan. If you suspect that you aren’t responding as well to a particular training stimulus as your training partner, you might be right. Rather than giving up, try something different.”–David Epstein, The Sports Gene
So, the media has you convinced that all you have to do to get six-pack abs all you have to is ______? The reality is (sadly) you might not have that washboard stomach no matter what you do. If it were all a matter of training, diet, and/or supplementation, more of us would have Hollywood bodies. (I don’t.)
If you are working your tail off and not getting the results you want, you have only yourself to blame. Yes, I said it. It is your fault. Either you chose your parents poorly, or you are pursuing the wrong goals.
Of course, there is always the possibility that one’s training, diet, etc. are not perfectly suited to one’s goals. If this is the case with you, modifications are in order. No training program is perfect. Exercise is, after all, individualized. Adaptations are specific—in other words, a body system make specific adaptations to imposed demands.
No matter what our genetics, we can always see improvement—or maybe not. Yes, sadly, there are “non-responders”, as well as “responders” when it comes to exercise. In addition, it has been well documented that we don’t all begin at the same level. Some begin with a high level of fitness. Others start with a low level of fitness. Where they end up? That also depends on genes.
Swedish physiologist, Per-Olof Åstrand, has said: “Anyone interested in winning Olympic gold medals must select his or her parents very carefully”. You may not be interested an Olympic gold. You may ….only want to get into a little better shape, like most of us. What is important is that you train such that you get the most out of your training.
Your genes may keep you from being the best there is, but only you can prevent you from being the best you. If you are not your best when you are working your hardest, perhaps you are working hard at the wrong thing. Change your methods. If whatever you are doing is leading to marginal results, perhaps it is time to change the goal(s).
Genes are never an excuse. They should guide our goals and efforts, but never justification for not trying. Just be realistic.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
Image source: http://mymodernmet.com/howard-schatz-beverly-ornstein-athlete/