Asking the wrong questions

If you’re like most guys trying to get in shape, you’ve probably Googled:

• “Best lifting split to build muscle”

• “Should I do HIIT or low-intensity cardio?”

• “Is push/pull/legs better than full body?”

But here’s the truth:

Best for:

Your life.

Your goals.

Your time, energy, and priorities.

1. There Is No “Best Program”

I talk to a lot of people who feel stuck in their fitness.
And usually, they’re chasing someone else’s definition of success.

They ask, “What’s the BEST workout?”

But I ask them back:

Are you training for aesthetics? Endurance? Stress relief? Muscle gain?

Each goal demands a different approach—but none is better or worse than the other.

Think about it:

Is a volleyball player’s training better than a discus thrower’s?

Of course not. They’re just built for different outcomes.

Same goes for you.

If you’re not clear on what you want, you’ll waste years chasing someone else’s results…

with someone else’s plan…

for someone else’s life.

2. Most People Are Asking the Wrong Questions

Questions like:

• “Is this the best workout?”

• “Should I do more Zone 2 or sprints?”

• “Should I incorperate this new exercise that (random influence) on Instagram does?”

These questions seem smart—but they’re missing the context.

They assume there’s one perfect system. One magic formula that works for everyone.

But without a defined goal, no method will feel right.

You’ll second-guess everything.

You’ll program-hop.

You’ll always feel like you’re missing something.

If you don’t know the problem you're solving, you’re just spinning your wheels.

3. The Right Question: What Am I Training For?

This is the question that cuts through all the noise:

Until you answer that, your training has no clear target.

But once you do?

Everything sharpens.

The fog lifts.

You can finally see what needs to get done.

Now, the best program becomes obvious:

Not too much.

Not too little.

Just enough to move the needle.

That’s what effective training actually looks like.

4. How I Blend Multiple Outcomes Without Wasting Effort

I’m not training for just one thing.

I want to:

• Look muscular and lean

• Feel athletic and mobile

• Have solid cardio and strong health markers

So I train in a way that respects the tradeoffs—without wasting effort or muddying the signal.

Here’s how I do it:

Strategic Muscle-Building Volume

High enough to grow…

Low enough to save energy for endurance work.

Purposeful, Not Random, Conditioning

I do a ton of low-intensity cardio—it builds my aerobic base and helps recovery between lifts.

I only add high-intensity work when it boosts my VO2 max and running speed. This totals maybe 10% of my conditioning work.

Athletic Work in the Warmup

Every session starts with core, mobility, and explosive movements.

It keeps me athletic and gets me primed for the day’s lift.

I don’t mash it all together.

I don’t chase novelty.

I don’t waste volume just to feel busy.

Every session has a clear outcome.

Every block is built for a result—not just a feeling.

And it works.

Stop Chasing the “Best.” Start Training With Purpose.

If you’re stuck in the endless cycle of searching for the perfect plan—pause.

Ask better questions:

• What do I actually want?

• What do I have to work with?

• What moves me forward?

Then build your training around that.

Train on your terms.