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Periodise your strength training to achieve better long-term results

Never mind the advances in science and cutting-edge fitness thinking; sometimes you’ll find the best advice has been around for some time. Thousands of years, in fact.

Varying the intensity of training over a series of cycles to avoid a plateau, known as ‘periodisation’, became popular in the 20th century, but it was the Ancient Greeks who first realised the benefits. Legend says the strongman Milo of Croton used a calf as his training tool of choice. As the young cow grew, the weight he had to lift increased.

Repetitive strain

Periodisation may be well established, but that doesn’t mean it’s common knowledge in every weights room. One of the most common mistakes made in the pursuit of new muscle is doing the same thing week in, week out.