|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Should I Start at Level II?
In Level I, you built up a base level of strength as well as getting well on the road to correcting postural distortions, muscle imbalances and inflexibility. Level II begins where Level I leaves off. We assume you have done a lot of corrective work and your body is functioning more naturally and far more efficiently. We also assume you have a very good level of foundational strength and are ready to take things to the next step. In fact, Level II may take your level of fitness beyond what you may have thought possible. Level II will help truly transform your body by burning fat and building lean muscle while significantly improving your functional movement. It builds on Level I by continuing to improve core stability, flexibility, strength and endurance, but goes far beyond that. Level I is absolutely essential for getting you ready for Level II and we do consider it the foundation, but Level II is the jumping off point into achieving phenomenal results. It goes far beyond Level I in terms of improving your over-all fitness level, transforming your physique and achieving real world cross-over results.
Am I ready for Level II?
Once again, we strongly recommend that you have completed Level I before beginning Level II. Level II is not like other fitness programs. These are rigorous and difficult exercises that require proper muscle recruitment, flexibility and core stability. If you have completed Level I, then you should be ready for this level. If you have skipped Level I, then you should be aware there may be exercises you cannot and should not perform.
So, just to be clear, in order to begin Level II, we assume you have worked through Level I for a period of time and achieved the following results:
- You have addressed and begun seriously correcting postural distortions.
- You have addressed and begun seriously correcting muscle imbalances.
- You have solid core stability.
- You have increased your flexibility significantly.
If you cannot answer yes to all of the above bullet points, then we strongly complete Level I. If you are someone who has worked out regularly and feel like Level I may be too easy, we can assure you it is not. Although Level I was designed for everyone, even those who are fitness regulars will find many, many exercises very challenging. Level I will give you the foundation
you absolutely need to begin Level II. Don’t let your ego or an issue of time stand in the way of getting the best possible results and reducing the risk of injury.
But, I work out regularly? Why should I start at Level 1?
Level I is NOT just for beginners. I tell this story in Level I, but just in case you are trying to skip that Level, I will tell it again here as a precautionary tale. I met a guy the other day who has been working out for over 30 years. He is a big strong guy at 64, but he was wincing in agony as he tried to stretch. As we began to discuss his workout regimen, it became readily apparent that he followed the old school approach of working out: he ONLY lifted weights for his chest and arms, then did 30 minutes of cardio. He also happened to be in tremendous middle and lower back pain. He didn’t stretch, he didn’t lift for his legs or back, and the exercises he was doing were completely outdated. As I began to explain to him why his fitness program was actually causing his pain, he actually got angry at himself for being so short sighted about his workouts. There’s a lot more than just appearance. The real benefits are your health and your ability to function and move without pain or injury.
The moral of the story is that just because you’ve been working out for years, doesn’t mean you will be very good at any of the exercises we lay out in this program. In this example, he looked good on the surface, but he had major postural distortions and inflexibility. Because of our modern sedentary lifestyle, most of us have a great deal of muscle tightness and weakness. This usually leads to a wide variety of improper and potentially dangerous movement patterns. And obviously, this can lead to pain and injury. The muscles are very complex and work together synergistically to produce correct and safe movement patterns. This requires correcting the muscle imbalances with specific stretches and exercises so that everything functions as a coherent unit.
So, almost everyone should begin at Level I. The only difference is that people in better physical shape will progress much more quickly and be ready for Level II in a shorter time frame. But, Level I is the foundation. And without it, nothing else can follow safely or effectively. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to start at the beginning. You will find extremely challenging exercises for muscles you have most likely completely ignored or didn’t even know existed. And by building up a base level of strength and flexibility, you will increase your opportunity for exponential results in Levels II and III.
|
|
|
|
