Redefining Adaptation: Getting Better At Getting Worse

by Frankie Faires on February 14, 2010

by Frankie Faires

We have this idea that in order to change the body, we need to force the body to adapt.

Inherent in this concept is a fallacy:

Adaptation must be forced.

Adaptation doesn’t have to be forced.  In fact, it cannot be stopped!

Adaptation happens whether we want it to or not…and it doesn’t have an off switch.

If you start working out and gain muscle and/or lose fat…this is adaptation.

If you stop working out and lose muscle and/or gain fat…this is adaptation.

If you sit in a chair all day, you’ll be chair shaped…this is adaptation.

Adaptation is neither inherently negative or positive and it always has a cost: both intended and unintended.

For those of us who follow the protocols of Gym Movement, we PR every workout. This is our adaptation.

While we’ll put our practices against any other fitness school’s practices, we’re pretty proud of our theories, too.

One of our theories about adaptation is this:

If someone adapts to something in the wrong direction, they will not only be getting better at that one thing, but they will potentially getting worse at EVERYTHING else we do.

BUT…

If we adapt to something in the right direction,we will be getting better at that one thing.

AND…

…potentially getting better at EVERYTHING else we do.

I have a question for you: over your next few workouts, what will your adaptation be?

Will you make slow gains, no gains, experience injuries?

How will we adapt?

We will PR.

I hope you’ll Join us.

Frankie Faires

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{ 15 comments }

adam February 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm

So much weight packed in to one little note, its like plutonium! Get better in one direction to get better in every…or worse in one to be worse in all, this directly speaks to me.

Frankie Faires February 14, 2010 at 12:41 pm

“Get better in the right direction to get better in all directions.”

If this fitness thing doesn’t work out, I wonder if I could write for Fortune Cookies?

david February 14, 2010 at 4:15 pm

Looking at things through this lens I now understand why I seem to have more upper back/neck tension and soreness when I have been away from my desk for a few days. At first it was counter-intuitive, but now I realize it makes perfect sense. My body has adapted quite well to sitting in front of a monitor, it’s moving around in the rest of the world that’s the problem.

Frankie Faires February 14, 2010 at 5:43 pm

Great insight, Dave.

frank February 14, 2010 at 5:39 pm

Same here david, i stand all day with arms extended infront of me. No wonder why deads and rowing have tested well for about a month. At first i was like this can’t be right, but it shows how much my body is out of balance. Rows is the opposite of what i do all day.It never made sense until that saturday. My shoulders feel so much better now, that i stop fighting what it wants to do. Before this all i wanted to do is press overhead, and my body, doesn’t like that right know, but that will change when i get more balanced.

Frankie Faires February 14, 2010 at 5:44 pm

Frank,

I think you’re 100% correct.

Mario February 14, 2010 at 6:45 pm

I have adapted to testing more & more… Now, I test ALL my gym movements & sometimes I am blown away with the results from day to day. It’s great to watch others in the gym wondering what the heck I’m doing… I’m waiting for them to ask hahaha. (I work out at 24hr)

Needless to say, my gains have been fast, tons easier & with which seems to be, way less work! I wish I would have known about adapting in the better direction when I was losing my 84 pounds! My aesthetic AND performance goals are closer then ever!

adam February 14, 2010 at 6:50 pm

Mario, I am very happy to hear about your progress!

adam February 14, 2010 at 7:10 pm

Mario, i would like add- I find your personal weight loss very impressive! We offer information which will accelerate your progress and your clients to their very best. Where in Dallas are you located? Two of the best movement coaches in the world are right in your backyard (Frankie Faires and Craig Keaton)

Frankie Faires February 14, 2010 at 8:23 pm

Adam,

Mario is one of our leading MAP (Movement Apprenticeship Program) students.

Mario February 14, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Thanks for your support, Adam! I am very fortunate to be on the forefront of Gym Movement as a student. I have learned much & am anxious to learn more not only from my Movement Coaches but from others like yourself. Please direct me towards any of the information you think will help. I am very much interested studying the different bio-feedback training styles we each are creating.

Stephen Ruiz February 15, 2010 at 6:32 am

Real simple — I love it! Thanks, Frankie

Mike T Nelson February 19, 2010 at 2:26 pm

Great stuff as always guys! Keep it up!

I think you should buy the rights to “Frankie’s Fitness Fortunes” The 3F will set you right., ahahahha

Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
http://ExtremeHumanPerformance.com

Darryl Lardizabal March 3, 2010 at 9:28 pm

Frankie: I love the thought-provoking statements. Please flip the fitness world on it’s head now. Too much mainsteam crap floating around. If anything you’d at least change the fortune cookie industry :-) .

adam March 4, 2010 at 10:54 am

Change is coming fast Darryl, very very fast. Keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the ground

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