“Dude, what in the world are you talking about anyways?” Practical Metrics to be Unstoppable
You the reader might agree with this line of thinking, after presented with a new idea, the one that goes something like this, “the concept is fine, I get it, but it doesn’t speak plainly on how you put it into practice.” Or you might hold a new idea with a healthy dose of skepticism and think “That’s a great idea, but why should I bother?” Or even hold a new idea in contempt, such as, “Great idea, but I still don’t care.”
A quick search Google for a quote on new ideas generated inspiring, heartwarming quotes, but it also included an ironic take on the Pollyanna cheerfulness of inspiration with a thought from Aleksander Svetski who shared his enthusiasm for ideas “Like I said; Ideas are like assholes — everyone has one — they’re not special, they’re not unique, and most of them stink”.
If those things are all true, dear reader, then let me spare you the ideation of being Unstoppable and speak plainly to it’s application.
BENCHMARKS
I believe there are certain benchmarks for functional fitness and movement quality. And these benchmarks, I’d argue, are universal and are reasonably self-evident. These benchmarks are applicable to one’s specific age range and peer group. For example: a reasonable benchmark for an adolescent over the age of 4 is to ask, can the child run, crawl, climb, play tag, jump, swim, hide and seek? Let’s fast forward that to an adult at age of 60 and beyond.
Can the adult, presently or reasonably assume that in the future, have the mobility to do things like tie their shoes, clip their toenails, get off a toilet, get into a car, climb a ladder, change a light bulb, climb up stairs, go down stairs, open a jar or use a can opener.
Let’s take it one step further, can the person rotate enough to see over their shoulder to back up an automobile, can they climb steps without losing all their breath, can they reach overhead to remove a tight sweater, or can even get the sweater on? Can they negotiate the sidewalks without fear of falling or get a bag of salt from the car to the water softener in the basement?
If the child feels they are unable to keep up with their peers or the adult is unable or fears to be unable to carry out the basic movements that keep life worth living, then that is the BENCHMARK to set and work towards. Those sorts of benchmarks are where being UNSTOPPABLE begins.
Perhaps the latter scenarios aren’t a concern and you are instead looking for an edge… how to be stronger or stay strong, be a bit faster and light on your feet, to stay alert and responsive. To retain or regain command of your body and its obedience to your will. These things and those others not mentioned for the sake brevity are all reasonable goals and the BENCHMARKS of being UNSTOPPABLE.
Dear reader, here lies a sincere effort to help connect the idea of Unstoppable Strength Training and Pilates and it’s plain application in your pursuit to be UNSTOPPABLE. Our sincere hope is that you can come away with giving the idea a chance of validation and it doesn’t just “stink”
In no small part, credit is due to the ideas and work of Dan John, master trainer and coach who helped us broadly define the ideas in our head about BENCHMARKS and helped give them shape and form. Below is an example of BENCHMARKS that we all can strive or maintain to stay UNSTOPPABLE. Thank you Reader. Your feedback is always appreciated.
Examples of physical fitness benchmarks:
Arm hang from a bar for 60 seconds.
Balance on one foot for 60 seconds
Balance on one foot for 60 seconds while turning your head
Lift the equivalent of your bodyweight from the floor.
Lift the equivalent of your bodyweight from the floor more than once.
Lift 1.5x of your bodyweight and walk with it.
Run, jog, trot, walk fast for 3 miles without nearly killing yourself.
Learn not to fall. but if you do fall, “Fall Well”.
REFERENCES
https://svetski.medium.com/ideas-are-like-assholes-everyone-has-them-ccede4908651