In the world of fitness, it’s easy to get caught up in the small details. We are bombarded by articles, podcasts, reels… all telling us about the latest food to avoid, supplement to take, carb timing, health optimization etc. While some of these things can be helpful, it’s important to remember that focusing on the bigger picture—the macro problems—should be the first order of business for significant results, especially for those who are still building their foundational strength and fitness.
Think of your fitness journey as building a house. The micro details are like the interior design—the colors, the furniture, the decorations. But before you can pick out the perfect paint color, you need a solid foundation and sturdy walls. No amount of cute pillows (or supplements) can make up for a lack of structural integrity. The macro problems in your health journey are those foundational elements that will support everything else you do. When you focus on the macro, you’re addressing the broader aspects of your health and fitness: Consistencty, nutrition basics, recovery and your movement patterns.
We encourage you to do a self assessment on your macro problems first before stressing yourself over the optimizations:
- Assess Your Consistency:
- Track your workouts for a month. Are you showing up 3-5 times a week? Do you move outside of class?
- Evaluate Your Nutrition:
- Before diving into meal timing and supplements, take a look at the quality of your food. Are you eating a variety of whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats? Are you eating enough to properly fuel your workouts? How consistent are you really?
- Check Your Recovery:
- Are you getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night? Are you drinking enough water throughout the day? Do you ever take days off from fitness?
- Analyze Your Movement Patterns:
- Are your squats, deadlifts, and presses performed with proper form? Are you working towards strict movements before kipping? If you’re unsure, ask a coach for feedback. Master these movements before worrying about more complex skills.
When to Start Focusing on the Micro
Once you’ve nailed the macro problems (for a solid few months), you’ll be in a much better position to start fine-tuning the details— if you still find it necessary!
This might include:
- Dialing in Your Nutrition: Once you have a solid foundation, you can start focusing on macronutrient ratios, nutrient timing, and supplementation.
- Skill Work: After mastering basic movement patterns, you can begin focusing on more advanced skills like kipping pull-ups, muscle-ups, and Olympic lifts.
- Personal Records: With consistent training and proper recovery, you can start pushing for new PRs and refining your technique in specific lifts.
If you need help with assessing where you should focus your time and energy, or you need help fine tuning: let us know! Reply to this email and we can book a consult.