Training - Move From Easy to Advanced

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Fitz, I was wondering if you could give advice on how to train yourself for a move or pose that is too advanced for you. I understand how to work up to a particular weight or speed in weight-lifting or cardio, but I'm at a loss about things that seem 'all-or-nothing.' I'm thinking of things in fitness DVDs where they frequently have models for easy/moderate/advanced movements. Sometimes I can do the easier move without feeling challenged, but I can't do the harder one at all. I often don't see how continuing to do the easier one gets me closer to doing the more advanced one. I especially struggle with a variety of moves in yoga and pilates. Thanks! Your articles and videos are my favorite thing about That's Fit. Cecily

A. Hi, Cecily. Thanks so much for both the sweet feedback and the great question. I'm sure many people wonder the same thing. The first thing I want to tell you is that you should be struggling when you work out. Struggling means you are challenging your body and pushing it to be better. Wobbling, tightness and frustration are part of the deal when participating in yoga and pilates, for sure. This neverending journey to become more fit will hopefully always include great challenges, but I do have the secret to becoming more proficient in advanced skills.

Keep trying! Oh, I know you wish I hadn't said that, but it's the truth. If you want to be good at pull-ups, you need to keep practicing pull-ups. If you want to stand on one foot with your other leg pointing to the sky and your hands in some sort of funky prayer position, you need to keep practicing that too. Your lifted leg may originally lift only a foot off the ground, and your arms may float at your side like wings, but with consistency comes improved strength and flexibility. Eventually you will have mastered the most amazing yoga poses known to man. At that point, someone like me will come tell you do them while standing on a BOSU because you should always be moving towards the "next step."

I hope you embrace the struggle, Cecily. I love watching students accomplish feats they once couldn't. The look of satisfaction and accomplishment on their faces is priceless. Continue to train with your DVDs until they are no longer difficult. Once you've mastered them, move on to something even more advanced.

The video below shows a simple lesson in progression for one of the toughest exercises around -- pull-ups! Hopefully, it will give you the confidence and vision you need to move forward with your workouts. I'm so excited to hear about your progress, lady, so please keep me up to date. Now get to work!

Punches & Kicks,

Fitz

Fitzness.com

Note: The content presented in this Q. & A section is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.