Routine - Not the enemy

There’s a common belief that routine is bad. We’re told to keep our muscles “guessing” (whatever that means) and constantly switch things up to avoid plateaus. Sure, variety has its place, but there’s a big difference between strategically rotating exercises and randomly picking them.

The best way to make long-term progress? Keep it simple. More squats. More lunges. More ring rows. More carries. More mobility work for your ankles, hips, and thoracic spine.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned gym rat, these fundamentals are the backbone of any solid strength and conditioning program. Complicated workouts can be fun, and sometimes necessary, but most of the time, consistently mastering the basics is the superior way to train.

—Justin Miner