Random Workouts. Better Athleticism.
Random workouts lead to random results.
But what if we’re not aiming for specific athletic qualities like speed, power, or strength? What if the goal is something deeper—something you can’t measure in load or velocity?
The true goal of building athleticism is improving your ability to tolerate variability. This ability to adapt and react is the core of athleticism. It’s the key to thriving in any sport—whether it’s football, rock climbing, gymnastics, or water polo.
The best athletes aren’t necessarily the strongest or fastest; they’re the ones who can respond quickly and efficiently to an unpredictable environment.
Now, let’s be clear: I’m NOT suggesting you jump straight into sports without preparation…that’s how adults get injured when they try to play intramural sports or beach volleyball without a necessary foundation. The key to avoiding injury and improving athletic performance lies in building your body’s capacity to handle the demands and variability of sport.
So, how do we develop this? The answer is movement exploration and variation.
I recommend 10 minutes of exploration—incorporating different starting positions, sprints, jumps, or movements—you begin training your body to adapt. By introducing variation in your workouts—changing the exercises, loads, speeds, and tempos—you’re actively building your ability to respond to change, which is exactly what sports require. Create a framework for your session with these simple guidelines. For example:
Sprint and jump in a 5-10 yard area.
Shift your starting positions—lie down and sprint, shuffle to a curvilinear sprint, skip into a broad jump.
Play with transitions between movements.
Lateral shuffle to back pedal.
If you don’t play sports, the approach doesn’t change. This kind of training prepares you for life’s unpredictability, making you more adaptable and resilient in everything you do.
The good news: building the capacity to meet these demands is straightforward.
The harder, yet essential, part? Improving your ability to tolerate variability.
Incorporating both movement exploration and variation into your training will give you the tools to become a stronger, more versatile athlete.
