These two posts (from this thread:
really hit home for me
"Bodyweight strength" and "Functional fitness" are kind of buzz words, without specific meaning. Even "Gymnastic Strength Training™" is somewhat ambiguous because not everyone does it the same way. You may have bad form, or be switching exercises too often, or simply not be following a series of progressive movements that are specifically designed to take you to your goals. This is why you have spent 10 years without accomplishing what are honestly not horribly advanced goals.
If you get on the GB Foundation program, you will achieve your goals. Everything in the program is evidence based, and the evidence is real, live human beings. Adults, nearly all of whom have no gymnastic experience as a child or adolescent. We know this works. The problem of not knowing what to do, or how to do it, is a thing of the past for our members. We don't just do random things that gymnasts do and call it "GST" or whatever, we follow proven progressions that take real, live adults from zero to hero. That is why we get results over and over and over again.
The choice that everyone faces now is a much simpler one... "Should I:
A) Keep trying different things from different youtube videos, and hope that eventually I learn how to achieve at least some of my goals before I'm 50-60?
or... should I:
B) Get started with the Foundation series, so that I can master FL, Straddle planche, Side levers (human flags), Manna, etc etc... over the next 3-6 years, and then move on to the NEXT level, and keep on blowing my "limits" out of the water."
It really is that simple.
In my experience, while it is very important for everyone who wants to build GST to follow the Foundation program, it becomes even MORE important for big guys like me.
Just about anyone, of any size, can get hurt from pursuing GST without really good guidance, but big guys are especially vulnerable to this. If you follow the F1-4 program you will not get hurt, and you will build truly well-rounded gymnastic strength. You will shatter your limits, but you will have to be patient.
patience = consistence long term adherence
consistent effort over time = big, big results.
As a bigger(and Older)-than-your-typical-gymnast athlete and fitness enthusiast, and having spent years chasing this stuff on my own, and then experimenting with many different programs with some mixed results, but striving to do much more, these posts are very affirming, inspiring, and motivating.
Thank you to Coach Sommer and the entire GB community.... I am 3 weeks into F1 and H1 and loving it. The system is amazingly comprehensive, challenging, logical, and exactly what i have wanted and needed to advance my training. Cheers!
