For those who don't know, my eldest child started school this year.

Prior to this we had a regular Monday arvo date-day type arrangement.

The three kids and me.

Give Mum a break.

We'd go somewhere fun like Latitude or Science Works.

It was great. And EXHAUSTING.

I was pretty much at my limit on most of these days.

You could call 3 kids and me at Latitude for an afternoon my 1 REP MAX.

(Your 1 REP MAX is the amount of weight you can lift in a particular exercise for 1 rep only).

But now that the eldest is at School on Mondays, the Monday arvo date-day has dropped to two kids.

3 year old and our 16 month old.

First trip this year, we hit the Zoo.

So I'm now working well below my old 1 REP MAX of 3 kids.

66.6% to be exact.

The quality of the time I have with the two remaining kids has improved drastically.

I feel 'in control'.

Bear with me, there is a point and a great fitness lesson in all of this ...

You see, in the mind of many people ...

(Some 'Trainers' included.)

You need to be working at your absolute LIMIT in the gym to progress & improve.

This idea in itself can create FEAR and RESISTANCE to even starting a fitness program.

But it can also be a gateway to injury.

Push yourself to failure and your ability to control any movement suffers big time.

Stability of joints goes out the window.

'Quality' drops off.

Exposure to getting hurt sky-rockets.

The solution?

Play the long game & think: 'Easy Strength'.

(Not the get fit in 12 weeks BS.)

Controlled movements.

Slow, progressive increases.

Below your 'MAX'.

Take a simple exercise like a Split Squat / Static Lunge for example.

Say you test yourself and you fail on the 8th rep with 8kg Dumbbells in your hands.

Should your program be 3 x 8 reps @ 8kg Dumbbells?

NO! Thats like 3 kids at the Zoo!

Try this instead:

Week 1 - 3 x 8 reps @ 6kg Dumbbells

Week 2 - 3 x 9 reps @ 6kg Dumbbells

Week 3 - 3 x 10 reps @ 6kg Dumbbells

Maintaining the quality.

Perfect form.

The funny thing about this Easy Strength idea is that you can make major increases over time in your maximum strength.

(And your club head speed.)

Without ever going near your 'MAX' or working to 'failure' in the gym.

2 kids at the Zoo, not 3.

Easy.