Coffee and Easy Strength

Ahhh… coffee is delicious.

Like many, I savor my morning brew. It’s nothing fancy for me, just ground Peet’s French roast from Acme and a Mr. Coffee style drip coffee maker. I’ve tried no caffeine mornings and there were definitely some benefits, but life is short and I really enjoy black coffee in the mornings.

It ramps me up to start the day and the taste motivates me to get going.

One of the most revelatory sources of health and fitness wisdom has been “legendary strength coach” Dan John. I found him back when I was discovering kettlebell training, but the real knowledge happened when is started listening to his Dan John University podcast, where he takes listener questions and provides his take.

One of his programs is called Easy Strength. It’s best to get it straight from the source, but I’ll try to summarize it. You drink coffee, lift weights (but never too hard) and go for a walk. The idea is that get gain benefits of resistance training (and stay recovered enough) and that walking afterwards helps get rid of fat. I’m not here to try to proved the science behind it, but I have tried the core principle enough to know it is a sustainable program. It’s aptly titled and I love the concept that you are training for the long haul.

Quite often, we get the message that if you are not crushing your body you’re not getting a great workout. Of course if you feel good, push yourself. But I love this concept of sustainable workouts that leave you wanting more. I witness so many people getting revved up and start hot and soon I never see them at the gym at all. Ease into it. Allow your body to feel movements. Nail your form. Then gradually add weight or go faster.

Make your workout enjoyable. It sounds impossible to some at first, but it will become easier and just as enjoyable that first coffee of the day.