The Paretto Principal states that 80% of your progress in any given situation will result from 20% of the effort. This principal was named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who noticed that at the time 80% of the land was owned by 20% of the population. Translate that to fitness, and the 80/20 rule in fitness was born!
The Paretto Principal is often used in economics, computer science, occupational health and safety, but it can also be applied to our personal lives and fitness. That’s because most of the time, we tend to focus on the flashy 80% of fitness – trendy workouts, new apparel, or the latest diet. In reality, none of this will get you anywhere without the basics of health.
The 80/20 Rule In Fitness
For most of us, working out is only one part of what we do. Unless you get paid to stay in shape (bodybuilders, fitness models, actors/actresses) you probably do not want to spend countless hours working out most days of the week. People generally need only 2-3 days per week to achieve their fitness goals.
Get ready for the secret to losing weight – diet matters most. If you work out hard but go home and eat unhealthy good, you will probably never reach your potential or goals. A common mistake is to focus 80% of their time on the actual workout and barely give 20% to nutrition. Your results will come from what you put into your body.
Does this mean you do not have to work out? No, you definitely do. But to get results you need to have the basics down:
- Goal Specific Training
- Progressive Overload
- Variability
- Consistency
- Proper Nutrition
Get rid of the fluff and focus on what matters. The latest diet pill, supplement, workout program, or at home equipment will not get you the photoshopped body on that fitness magazine you always read.
Focus on what matters and you will get closer to your goals than ever before.
Instead of buying the latest workout DVD, hire a trainer that can give you a Goal Specific and personalized workout program. If you love the group setting, try a boot camp class or Small Group Training facility, and be consistent.
Instead of relying on the latest supplements, focus on your diet. Talk to a dietitian to help you formulate a nutrition program that fits your budget and needs.
Getting in shape is possible, results are possible, just focus on what matters and discard the rest.