Why It Is More Important To Be In Condition Than Shredded

 Unless you're a bodybuilder, that kind of training doesn't always help in the real world. When you look in the magazines and the ads on youtube and other social media platforms, what's the first thing that comes up? People after people looking shredded with low bodyfat and a knack for selling you damaged and unrealistic approaches to health and diet. Health is about keeping yourself strong inside and out, health is about the mind and body working together and much more.

Being shredded for the most part is overrated, if that's what you're after, more power to you but in the end, just because you look like a million bucks doesn't mean your condition is just as impressive. Being in condition is not always about looks, it's the ability to handle things for a good period of time without tiring. In workouts, honestly, you don't need more than a half to get in shape but that just sounds too arbitrary. Conditioning makes the difference in many aspects of life, not just training. Can you imagine the ability to not tire out on a hike, swimming, playing with the kids and so on and so forth? Forget being in condition in your 20's, what if you had that level of energy in your 30's, 40's and beyond? 

Not everyone has the same genetic makeup, some have a vast metabolism that even eating like a pig won't have them gaining weight but for others, no matter what they do, it's still difficult to even lose a pound after training your ass off for a month. Being shredded is impressive at times but if you don't have the ability to last when it counts, than you don't deserve that body. Some of the strongest and fittest people on the planet don't have very low percentage bodyfat and certainly not all have that model appeal, but they bust their ass and are very healthy. The last time any real form of shreddedness that was worth while and being in real shape were guys like Otto Arco, Maxick, Sig Klien and other Old-Time Strongmen and Bodybuilders. These were the guys that were doing things at a level long before supplements or steroids existed, so why are we going backwards in a since with all the technology and supplements around today? 

I'm not saying all supplements are bad, some have real value and work for many people, but it takes some knowledge and wisdom to understand what works out there and what is so damn shitty, even the name on a bottle is sketchy. Some people do very well without the need for supplementation. The truth of the matter is, the better condition you're in, the better of you'll be with developing the quality of life instead of just how long you'll live. It just makes you wonder at times that some of the healthiest people don't live past 90 while some who never exercised in their life live to be more than 100. 

I personally believe that being in condition comes first before developing an impressive physique and even then, having a physique is just a lesser part of the puzzle. It's not wrong at all to want to look good but looks don't always save lives and they certainly won't give you endurance like a Tiger. 

Keep things simple and be in sold physical condition for when it is needed at any time.