Now don't get me wrong... combat athletes are some of the proudest, most competitive and driven people you will ever meet.
Winning and losing is taken very seriously, because after all... it is personal.
But in order to get good at these sports... the ego must be left at the training room door.
The same is true for physical training for performance improvement of any kind.
Why?
Because if you are not willing to work on your weaknesses, and humble yourself in the process, you will never realize great improvements.
Let me ask you a question about your neighborhood gym...
Is there a guy there with a huge chest and arms with skinny, toothpick legs?
Yea, you know the guy.
Well, he got that way because he spends his training time working on his strengths and ignoring his weaknesses... and this is no way to improve over-all fitness.
Ok, another question...
Is there a gal there that spends almost all her time doing aerobic type endurance activities while completely ignoring all other types of physical training?
Yea, that's her with the spandex body-suit and designer water bottle.
Well, she trains this way because she is focusing on her strengths and ignoring her weaknesses... and this is no way to improve over-all fitness.
If you were to ask either one of these individuals if they were fit... they would most likely say yes and then explain themselves by giving examples of their competence in the one physical ability they are strongest performing.
But I propose that fitness is not the ability to maximize one physical skill... but rather the ability to optimize all the physical skills of cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy and toughness.
Exhibiting excellence in any one particular skill at the expense of all others is not fitness.
You must be willing to work on the physical skills that need the most improvement in order to realize the greatest increase in over-all fitness.
Let's face it... some people are better than others at certain aspects of physical training.
But if you only perform the physical training for which you are naturally gifted... you are limiting your over-all fitness gains.
Leave you ego at the gym door... make it your safe haven from embarrassment.
After all... it is the place you go to get better, not show off.
Concentrate on your weaknesses even if you feel foolish and clumsy at first... you might even be surprised at how quickly those weaknesses become newfound strengths.
Do yourself a favor and learn a lesson from combat athletes... Leave your ego at the training room door.
With all the physical training programs out there all claiming to have the fitness solution... how do you pick just one.
Don't!
The truth is, there is no absolute one best physical training program that can do everything for everyone... no matter what the hype.
Experiment with different physical training methods, stresses and intensities to find out which one is right for you at this particular moment in time.
Modify physical training programs to meet your own personal goals, needs, abilities and limitations.
But above all else... Do something!
In my experience I have noticed a couple of things when it comes to how people approach physical training...
First, people spend too much time looking... and not enough time doing.
This physical fitness program worked for so-and-so, but so-and-so said this one was best, but I read somewhere that this program worked, blah blah blah...
Quit looking for something to do... and do something.
Looking for a physical training program is doing absolutely nothing to improve your fitness level.
No physical training... no benefits.
The absolute best workout routine is a fable... So quit wasting your valuable training time on senseless analysis.
Second, people spend too much time analyzing their physical training.
I do not care who you are, how many probes you have stuck in unmentionable places, how many tests are performed or how many machines monitor your every move... You will never be able to determine how every molecule of your body reacts to physical training.
Now don't get me wrong... scientific study is important and can point you in the right direction.
But once you are pointed in the right direction... go out and do something.
Don't bother me with what happened to 100 lab rats in 1986... I'm busy training!
Furthermore, this analysis period seems to happen way too early in the physical training.
The effects of physical activity will be seen over time.
Just keep doing something to improve your fitness levels and you will see those positive benefits over time.
Third, people get sucked into "Quick Fix" physical training fitness solutions
How many times have I seen someone on the right track with their physical training... only to be side-tracked by some "Quick Fix" physical training fitness solution.
They fail to see miraculous results like the ones advertised in the pop fitness cultures marketing hype and decide that the physical training they are doing just isn't worth their time.
But the truth is... physical training is a journey, not a destination.
You will never reach your perfect fitness level and then be able to stop.
And this journey is a personal journey... no two paths will or should be exactly alike.
You must find your own path towards physical fitness success.
You must do something... and keep on doing something!
I'm going to let you in on a little secret... You will never enjoy any long-term benefits from your physical training if it does not become a part of your lifestyle.
And no physical training will become part of your lifestyle if you don't do something that makes sense to you.
Look past the hype and ask yourself, "Will this type of physical training bring about the results I seek, and will I continue to do it to enjoy long lasting physical benefits?"
If the answer to this is yes, don't keep second guessing yourself... start immediately.
Wait a minute, what are you still doing reading this article... get out there and do something!
Eddie Lomax has sinced written about articles on various topics from Body Building, Aerobics and Fitness. Coach Lomax is a strength, conditioning and fitness coach dedicated to building better humans for sport, work and life. Learn more at