Earlier this year, I completed a 12-week workout program that utilized dynamic set training. This strength training method is an old concept in the world of weightlifting, but it was a new experience for me. I am well informed of the science that drives this type of training, however, this endeavor was the first time that I had committed to practicing these principals by following a well-designed bodybuilding program from start to finish.

This program incorporated combination sets, giant sets, progressive sets, drop sets, forced sets, and tempo sets. These various types of dynamic sets employ one of several training techniques: combining two movements into one rep, pairing isolated exercises with compound exercises, increasing the intensity as you work through a specific movement, training muscles to exhaustion, incorporating rest/pause techniques, or focusing on the eccentric phase of muscle contractions. Regardless of which dynamic set was being utilized on a given day, the recurring theme that I was consistently aware of with each workout and every passing week was that this philosophy of “muscle confusion” very much paralleled life. At least life as I often experience it.

Life is complicated.

Life is dynamic.

Life is intense.

Life is cyclical.

Life is exhausting.

The reality is that if I don’t push my muscles to fatigue then I won’t get results. The fact is that focusing on the eccentric motion, or the negative work, is the key to boosting strength. The concept that breaking past plateaus and enhancing muscle gains requires confusion, change, and challenge is actually correct. These truths about muscle development, which I experienced through my simple participation in an at-home weightlifting program, caused me to pause and consider Timeless Truth.

Both in life and in fitness, I have a natural tendency to avoid pain, to run from difficulty, and to steer clear of suffering. Yet, both in my faith and in my fitness, God has consistently revealed that the hard aspects of these journeys are what build my character, yield true joy, and possess the greatest potential for personal (and physical) transformation.

But first, in order to experience this transformation, I actually have to show up and do the work. The hard work – both in life and in fitness. I will not simply drift towards holiness or obedience in my faith walk, nor will I simply drift toward strength and speed in my fitness just because that is what I desire. I must employ grace-driven effort and discipline in order to grow in my faith and in order to achieve my fitness goals. This journey of faith and fitness is a life-long transformation that occurs from one degree of glory to the next, and from one fitness goal to the next. And even though the process is marked by imperfection and inefficiency, I am making slow and steady progress toward my goals, both in my faith walk and my fitness journey.