Fitness Goals

I, like almost anyone else, have various fitness goals. My goals aren’t really the typical get visible abs type of thing, though. Abs to me imply that I’m not eating enough. I don’t care about looks.

Perfect form

This is my biggest fitness goal, but it is really unachievable, and I know that. In every single lift I perform, I want to have perfect technique. It’s certainly gotten a lot better over the past 8 years or so, but perfect is impossible. There will always be something that I can improve. Proper technique is the best way to ensure safety. Moving safely is what will allow me to progress as I get older. An injury is a setback that, at the minimum, would force me to take a break. At worst, it could force us to stop forever. Proper movement patterns are more effective, too. People have had decades to learn the best ways to move.

Poor technique also looks dumb. Doing things with shit form isn’t something to brag about. We have all seen the numerous gym fails videos on YouTube.

Squat Heavier

This is definitely a big one for me. I just had not been able to get past that mental roadblock of 305. It took a few tries, but I finally made it. That barbell going over 300 pounds just mentally changed it for me for quite a while. I have felt like I had it in me for quite some time now and should have finally made it!

This is a goal that I have accomplished. Back in 2023, I made it and have hit that weight a couple of times doing my 5/3/1 programming. I want to go higher now, but I don’t have a set number in mind. I am now in my 50s. So I am not exactly young anymore, and the clock is ticking. The feasible goal now is to rep that 315 pounds.

I am good at squatting. Both back squats and front squats. My body is built and wired for that particular movement.

Muscle Up

Muscle-ups are one of those things I can’t practice here at home. We don’t have the ceiling height to have rings or a bar high enough. But at the same time, I could do them with a bit of practice. There have been times when I was likely strong enough to do them during my fitness Journey. Hell, I have done weighted pull-ups with nearly 100 pounds. One of these days, we can get to one of those fitness parks someday, and I can give it a few attempts.

Body Weight Strict Press

This is one of those goals that I want to achieve someday. I don’t know if it’s one I can realistically ever have a chance at making, though. I’ve been stuck at about 20 pounds below my body weight for quite a while now. I haven’t gone heavier than 160 in years, but that weight’s feeling easier for me. Age isn’t on my side for this one, but I hope to make it someday. All these years later, I am still stalled at that 160ish pounds. Lighter weights, though, are easier to rep.

Gain And Maintain As Much Strength As Possible

To make a long story short, I don’t want to become frail and unable to move. I know it is inevitable if I live long enough. There is no escaping that. A closely held belief of mine is that, as long as I keep lifting, I can head that off to a point. It is better to move and lift now than to wish I had later.