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Luckily I learned a long time ago that if you train the same way that average people are training, you can expect the same average results. This couldn’t be truer when it comes to traditional bodyweight exercises and weightlifting routines. So many fitness routines are made up of doing things “the way they’ve always been done”.

Your training should be dictated by one thing, results. The results you want, and the results your training is giving you. If results aren’t coming your way, it just might be time to look at an alternative training strategy.

This is especially true if you’re an athlete or training for a Martial Art, the measuring stick should be progress. Is it working? Are you getting: · Stronger · Faster · Quicker Reactions · Increasing your athleticism · Very efficient muscle firing patterns · And on and on…

The best way to make sure you will reach your full fitness potential is to add unstable atmosphere training to your regimen. You accomplish this by using such things as stability balls and balance disks in your training. When you do this, you force the smaller muscles of the spine to become engaged.

These smaller spinal muscles are what I call the “athleticism muscles”. Once you begin to use them, they essentially become activated and will take part in all your athletic movements. The results are more functional strength, quicker reactions and overall increased athleticism.

The smaller muscles of the spine will adapt once engaged, sometimes I’ve had athletes feel the progress after only a couple training sessions. And likewise, if you continue to train while not engaging these muscles, you are in essence teaching your body not to use them.

For example, when doing the basic pushup, your body is learning just that. Your feet and hands are firmly routed, and the exercise is very one-dimensional. Your athleticism muscles are being taught that they are not needed, and your body will adapt.

Many traditional bodyweight exercises and weight training is nothing like athletic movements and it’s no surprise that they don’t transfer at all to the athletic arena. An excellent example of this is the simple squat. It’s very common for an athlete who is able to do hundreds of squats to have problems merely getting a handful out when doing them on the balance disks. The reason is simple, like athletics and life, the movement now becomes multi-dimensional. No matter if you’re a Martial Artist, a golfer or your just looking to get back in the fitness swing of things, unstable atmosphere training if for you!

About the author: Joe Driscoll is a former Martial Arts world champion and the author of "Conditioning and Beyond" and several other books on fitness, conditioning and Martial Arts Training. Find out more about Joe and his training concepts at http://www.FightingShape.com