How to Apply the Pareto Principle To Your Fitness Routine

For many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes

– Wikipedia

On Sunday I had a great workout. During my strength training, I was lifting heavy and still managed to squeeze out more reps than I usually do. The level of intensity was high but I felt up to the challenge. When I switched to my cardio routine, I was able to keep the speed up and I felt like I could go on indefinitely. Overall, it was a good day.

My past few workouts were not as stellar. They were still good workouts I could be proud of, but they weren’t extraordinary. I did what I had to do knowing that not all days can be special.

On Sunday, I experienced the better part of the Pareto Principle. For every 5 workouts, 1 workout is going to give me 80 percent of the benefit.

Understanding how the Pareto Principle works helps me soldier on during days when I am not at my best. It’s no coincidence that the optimum rep range is 4-6. It may be the 4th, 5th or 6th rep that gives you the most bang for the bank, but it will average to 5.

The Pareto Principle may also apply at a more higher level where for every 5 months of sticking to your fitness regime, there’s 1 month that stands out, a month where everything appears to come together.

Where ever you are at in your journey, don’t be discouraged by a few bad days or even months. Accept that you are in it for the long haul and that the periods of slow or no progress are essential to getting you to periods of greatness.