The Power of Structure: How a Program Can Unlock Your Fitness Goals

The Power of Structure: How a Program Can Unlock Your Fitness Goals:

When it comes to lifting weights, I’ve always leaned into and enjoyed the freestyle approach. This worked for the first couple years of lifting. I show up, grab the weights, and let the workout go wherever I wanted. Squats one day, deadlifts another, maybe throw in some dumbbell presses and a random superset for fun. It kept me in decent shape, lets me stay active for basketball or the occasional jiu-jitsu roll, and it’s, well… fun.

But here’s the truth: this “wing it” style of training never helped me reach the next level. Sure, it’s good for maintenance, but when it comes to breaking through plateaus in my strength, size, and performance, it’s not cutting it. And I’ve come to realize something important: structure doesn’t kill the fun—it actually makes it more rewarding.

Why Freestyling Didn’t Work for Me

For the longest time, I held onto this belief: "I don’t like programs." The idea of tracking reps, following percentages, or sticking to a meal plan just didn’t appeal to me. It felt rigid, like a prison for my workouts. So, I avoided it. And you know what happened? My lifts plateaued. My physique stayed the same. Despite working hard, I wasn’t progressing, and deep down, I knew why.

There’s only so much progress you can make without a plan. Freestyling is great for maintaining fitness, but if you’re chasing serious goals—whether it’s building muscle, hitting PRs, or sculpting your dream physique—you need structure.

Starting Simple: Returning to What Works

Recently, I finally made a decision. I dusted off an old program I’ve used before, one I know works. It’s simple, straightforward, and effective. I like it, I trust it, and most importantly, I know I can stick with it.

Starting something familiar made all the difference because it eliminated my doubts. No more questioning if the plan would work or whether I could finish it. I’ve done it before, and it delivered.

This was a powerful rediscovery for me: the basics are where the magic happens. Sometimes we don’t need something new. We just need to go back to what’s proven itself in the past.

The Mental Battle of Sticking to a Plan

Let’s be real—committing to a program is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. It takes discipline to stop doing what feels easy or fun in the moment and start following a structured plan. For me, that meant acknowledging my false belief: "I don’t like programs." That wasn’t entirely true. I just hadn’t found the right program—one I enjoyed and could commit to.

If you’ve been stuck in a fitness rut, take a second to reflect:

• Are there strategies or plans that worked for me before?

• Could revisiting those basics give me the boost I need?

Structure: A Pillar, Not a Prison

Here’s the key takeaway: structure isn’t a prison; it’s a pillar to build around. Programs give your workouts purpose and direction, like guardrails that keep you from veering off course. They help you stay accountable and push past plateaus, even when motivation dips.

Mastery Comes From the Basics

A pastor I admire once joked that his sermon should really be titled "Basics #2002". His point? We never truly progress past the basics, we simply refine higher and higher levels of mastery over the basics. No matter how advanced we think we are, success often comes from mastering the fundamentals at a deeper level.

This applies to all areas of life—whether it’s spirituality, business, relationships, or fitness. Mastering the basics isn’t a one-time task; it’s a lifelong journey of refining, re-learning, and rediscovering.

Summary: Building Your Fitness Foundation

1. Structure isn’t restrictive—it’s empowering. Programs provide clarity and focus, making your workouts more effective and rewarding.

2. Go back to what’s worked before. If you’re stuck, revisit a program or approach that has delivered results in the past.

3. Mastery is in the basics. Progress comes from continually building on the fundamentals, not chasing the newest trends or flashy methods.

If you’re ready to push past your own fitness barriers, start with one simple step: commit to a program, even if it’s not perfect. Trust the

process, stick with it, and see how far it takes you. Remember, progress doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built on the pillars of structure, discipline, and a commitment to the basics.

Thanks for reading, and may this inspire you to take the next step toward your fitness goals!

First Step