Imagine for a moment your boss gives you the option of working 30 hours per week instead of 40.
Your benefits and yearly salary will be exactly the same. The only thing changing is the amount of work you do — instead of 40 hours per week, you’ll only work 30.
Your boss also says, “If you improve your productivity during the new 30 hour work weeks you’ll get a raise.”
Would you accept this offer? Would you challenge yourself to be more productive, work less, and get paid more?
Uh . . . if you said anything but, “Heck yes!” you’re officially a crazy-pants. (I still like you all the same, but you’re a crazy-pants nonetheless).
So now I must ask you — if you could apply the same concept to your workout program, would you do it?
What if you could achieve the same results (if not better results) by doing less?
Enter – Workout Minimalism
We’ll discuss what Workout Minimalism is as it pertains to strength training, why you should embrace it, and how you can start implementing it.
But first, just know that my clients and those who use Beautiful Badass embrace the minimalism concept, and the results speak for themselves. They spend less time in the gym but achieve even better results.
In case you think I’m just blowing smoke up your booty (that’s a nasty expression, but I’m using it anyway) here’s some feedback from fellow Beautiful Badasses.
I have been doing your training programs for the last 1.5 + years and have seen more progress in that time than any other . . . I have now come to love doing your minimalist programs and realized I don’t have to end up in a puddle of sweat to make progress or do 20 exercises.
-Kerry K.
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve already completed three workouts from the first phase and I feel great with lots of energy in comparison to my previous workouts where I felt so lethargic. I am very motivated and looking forward to my workouts.
-Taisa
I’m excited to start DP [Double Progression] on Monday. I did the Beginner Program and had awesome strength gains and shed a bunch of fat….not even trying. HELLO! Simple badass goodness.
-Jennifer F.
See? I told ya this whole Workout Minimalism thing works.
Let’s continue.
What Is Workout Minimalism?
Workout Minimalism is a combination of:
- The best exercises
- Hard work
- Doing a little better each time
That’s the heart of workout minimalism.
Embracing workout minimalism means doing what you need to do to achieve the results you’re after, and no more. You only do the things that take you significantly closer to your goals and ditch everything else.
Think of it this way – would you rather use a sledgehammer to bust down a brick wall, or a chisel?
Minimalism, done correctly, is the sledgehammer approach to building a better body, thus providing you with more results in less time.
Unfortunately most people use the chisel technique, and it’s no wonder they achieve dismal results. Check out this workout for a more in depth look at what exactly fits into the “sledgehammer” exercise category.
In order for minimalism to be effective, you not only use the best exercises, but you work hard and consistently strive to improve your performance.
It truly is that simple.
Why Should You Embrace Minimalism?
Achieving maximum results (losing fat, sculpting muscle, getting stronger) in minimum time is just one of the amazing results of taking the minimalist approach to building a better body.
That fact alone should convince you to give it a shot, but the list of benefits doesn’t end there.
More energy. When you embrace workout minimalism you’ll finish your workouts with more energy than when you began.
Some people think this is the exact opposite of what should happen. The current mentality is that you must accumulate as much fatigue as possible and that be exhausted and lying in a crumpled heap of sweat after every workout.
Wrong.
Fatigue isn’t the marker for a successful workout. All that matters — the true indicator that you’re on the right track — is improving your performance via the best exercises. More information about this can be found in Beautiful Badass Pillars.
Do what needs to be done to transform your body, and then get out of the gym, rest, and come back fresh ready to beat your performance the next time. That is how you build a better body.
Elevated workout motivation. If you workout 3-4 days per week for about 30-40 minutes each time, you’ll stay focused throughout the entire workout. And because you won’t finish every workout exhausted, you’ll be ready for more the next time.
If you’re more motivated to workout, you’ll be more consistent. Being more consistent means you’ll achieve the results you’re after. Achieving the results you’re after in less time will further increase your motivation. Then you’ll continue to strength train for the long-term and maintain the results you achieve.
Voila!
Magical, isn’t it?
Did I mention that minimalism WORKS? Seriously. Don’t believe the hype that says you must workout for at least 60 minutes most days of the week. I’m going to prove to you the minimalist approach to strength training produces great results.
Put Minimalism to the Test
“Prove it!”
I get it. We’re a skeptical generation and everyone wants proof. Now it’s my responsibility to prove to you that minimalism works, and that it works dang well.
First, I encourage you to get the Beautiful Badass Mini Course if you haven’t done so already. It includes everything you need to start building a better body today a la the minimalist approach, including a sample workout. Again, don’t take my word for it.
The most motivational, tough, quickest and intense workout you’ll find. Put your pink dumbbells down, step off that treadmill, and really get the boys noticing that you lift like a girl when you dominate those pull ups unassisted! Can’t even begin to show how much appreciation I have for YOU! You screwed my head back on with your simplicity. Keep it up!”
-Stacey T.
Sign up for the Mini Course at the bottom of this page. Use the sample workout and put minimalism to the test for at least 4 weeks. After all, the only way I can PROVE minimalism works is to show you. In order for that to happen, you have to give it a fair shot. I’ll give you what you need to succeed and all you have to do is apply the information. Fair enough?
I’m willing to bet if you follow that sample workout for at least 4 weeks you’ll become a believer in workout minimalism and you’ll achieve far better results.
And finally, take a good look at your current workout program. Does it consistent primarily of sledgehammer or chisel exercises? How can you apply the rules of Minimalism to start reaping better results?
Remember, it all comes down to this: the best exercises + hard work + doing a little better each time.
All that lefts to do now is put minimalism to the test. Are you up to the challenge?