I've gotten a lot of comments accusing me of being "fake" in my progression videos.
I not only have a good laugh and, to be honest, I also feel very, very honored since this
type of accusation is only applicable to people who have reached a certain level in fitness.
The old me would have died for this kind of accusation.
Anyways, today I am going to share with you one of the extremely underrated reasons for
my fast progression, which is recovery.
Let's say a skill requires an effort of 12 to learn.
If you have a good recovery and can train every other day with an effort of 3, it will
take you only 7 days to get there.
If you have a bad recovery and can only train once every 3 days, it will take you 10 days
to get there instead.
If you want to get there in 7 days with a bad recovery, you will have to train with
an effort of 4, which means you have to train 33% harder than you usually train.
Unrealistic.
You might say, recovery is not an issue for me.
I train pretty frequently, but I still don't progress as fast as you did.
Well, chances are pretty high that you train with only an effort of 1.
I guarantee your recovery will become an issue once you amp up the training intensity.
Obviously this is an oversimplification but you get the point.
Alright, so the first tip is to keep your body hydrated.
Before you start complaining this is common sense, do you only drink water whenever it
hits your mind randomly?
Chances are high you do because I was like that before.
The game changer for me is to use an app to constantly remind myself to drink water every
2 hours.
It's such a simple thing to do, so pause the video right now, and download any water
reminder app onto your phone.
Alright, so the second tip is to sleep on your back.
Research has shown sleeping on your side causes shoulder stress and sleeping on your stomach
causes neck and back stress.
Sleeping on your back allows your body to rest in a neutral position and therefore is
optimal for muscle recovery.
If you are not convinced, feel free to do your own research.
From my own experience, I have slept mainly on my stomach for my entire life and it was
a total game changer when I switched to sleeping on my back.
I used to feel sore on my back, neck and shoulders when I woke up, and it kinda went away as
the day went on.
However, as I became older and started training hard, the soreness started to linger and bother
me.
I also used to move a lot unconsciously when sleeping because I had to switch to the side
sleep position occasionally for my muscles to take a break from the stress caused by
the stomach sleep position.
And obviously moving too much during sleep is counter-productive to recovery.
After I switch to sleeping on my back, I sleep deeper and I can feel the huge difference
in the overall reduction of my muscle soreness.
So here is how to break the habit of sleeping in the suboptimal position.
Initially, it will be harder to fall asleep and you will feel a huge urge to switch back
to your original sleep position.
Do not cave in.
Imagine yourself doing the elusive muscle-up you always dream of doing.
Imagine yourself climbing that outdoor V7 so you can show it off on Instagram.
Imagine yourself being so mad seeing Geek Climber on YouTube progressing faster than
you and having to comment "fake."
Basically, visualize vividly the glories if you achieve your goals and the fears if you
don't.
This should give you the extra willpower to change your sleep position.
Do it tonight right away. You won't regret it.
The last tip is to massage your muscles before and after your workout.
Research has shown massaging before workout increases mobility and reduces residual muscle
soreness, and massaging after workout speeds up muscle recovery.
Again, if you are not convinced, feel free to do your own research.
I like to massage myself actively with a foam roller before workout and massage myself passively
with a massage gun after workout.
When I first started this routine, again, the effect I experienced was huge, and I've
continued the routine ever since.
Now I can't even imagine not massaging myself before and after workout.
Full disclosure, I am not sponsored and since I neither have a patron nor have a pro sponsorship
like pro climbers, I signed up for the affiliate program for the relxbit massage gun, so if
you click the link in the video description below and use coupon code GEEKCLIMBER to make
the purchase, you will get 15% off, and I will receive a commission in return.
I've been using the relxbit massage gun regularly and as you all know on this channel
I only recommend products that I personally find useful.
There are two reasons why I prefer the massage gun over the foam roller after workout.
First, the intensity of the massage can be way higher.
Second, since I don't need to get my mind ready for the main workout because it's
after workout, I can actually multitask by doing work on my desk and massaging myself
with the massage gun at the same time.
If you are serious about fitness, I highly recommend you invest in one.
Thanks for watching.
As always, make sure to like, subscribe and check out my website geekclimber.com.
See you in the next video.