The Importance of Failure

Failure is a dirty word to most people.

Tell someone they failed and it conjures up memories of 9^th grade algebra tests or not getting the part in the community playhouse version of Music Man. Failure usually results from not trying hard enough or not being good enough. It can leave you feeling empty, frustrated, angry with yourself or with the teacher who graded the exam or the director who didn’t appreciate your version of "Seventy-Six Trombones.”

Failure can make people give up or make them try harder.

Today’s theme is FAILURE is NOT BAD, FAILURE is ESSENTIAL.

Striving for failure is the best way to improve. In the technology field, engineers try their best to stress their software or networks to find the limits so they can focus on how to make them better. Scientists will test 100s of hypotheses that don’t pan out, all of which help lead them to the one hypothesis that can be supported by their experiments.

For some reason, in fitness, people want constant success. Unfortunately, lack of failure will hold you back.

We do a lot of circuit training in our boot camps and with our clients. Each station in the circuit is an exercise and the goal is to do as many reps of the exercise as you can in 40 seconds. It is pretty straight forward. Learn the movement, select the weight and go for it.

What is interesting to see is how different people approach the 40 seconds. A common question is “What weight should I use?” I give some guidance based on their current capabilities and then let them choose.

Some people choose a weight that will allow them to succeed. Success meaning being able to do the exercise for the full 40 seconds without stopping. Others choose a weight that will force them to fail. They can’t lift the weight continually for 40 seconds and have to stop early or rest in the middle and then continue.

And without question, the people who get the best results are the people who choose a weight that forces them to fail.

Failure is the best way to shine a light on your limitations. Reaching the point of failure will do two things:

-         show you what your maximum capacity is, and

-         guarantee that you are working your body to that maximum capacity

Once you know what you are currently capable of, you have a measurement tool for the next time. If you choose 15 lbs dumbbells (remember to put away your 5 lbs dumbbells) and have to stop after 35 seconds then the next time you have a goal to shoot for…get to 36 seconds.

The next time you workout remember to choose a weight that will force failure. It will help you in the long run.