Based upon my personal experience I’ve been lead to the conclusion that simplicity in fitness is the way.
Simplicity How?
Not in the terms of streamlined workouts,although I personally do this, but in the manner of doing it your own way.
Too many people look for the perfect program, and in the process lose sight of the fact that they simply need to train hard.
One could do nothing but a few calisthenics and a little flexing and be far beyond fit,but its up to you to find what you believe in, and then do it.
Observe + Action
The action behind the program is far more important than the program itself.
Go to a park, see the fit guys doing chins, dips, and higher level bar work.
Go to a solid gym and see the strong powerlifters train, but then on the flipside observe the bodybuilders.
Check out the all-roundness of some crossfitters.
Look at a laborer’s work capacity.
Check out combat athletes the world over.
Can’t see this stuff in person? There’s always YouTube.
Look at someone who has the ability you want, figure how they got there, and then figure how you can get there making modifications as necessary based on your personality, needs, strengths, and weaknesses.
I personally would rather not lift, than follow a rigid program.
If i program at all, I primarily use guidelines,and if i decide to follow a proven program such as Wendler’s 531, I severely bastardize it, tweaking frequency being the most common culprit.
I like frequency of exercise, and like training my entire body.
Needless to say my manner of just going to the gym and hitting full body workouts or 2/3 of the categories(push/pull/legs, practically always including legs) each session and throwing in calisthenics at home for the rest may not work for you.
Seeing a random person at the gym and working in plus adding squats may not be your cup of tea.
Streamline
If i don’t want to do anything I streamline my training back to pushups and Hindu squats. The gym is really icing on the cake, and extra credit in my mind. Whatever daily PT requirements I’ve set are also hit(calf raises).
I do the PT 7 days a week, year round.
Rain,sleet,snow, or shine, in sickness and in health like a mailman wed to his work.
If I want to do more I’ll throw in some chins, or flexing for the back, and a little bit of neck work. Often I’ll flex the hell out of my forearms, open + close my hands 100s of times, or go outside and do something such as in the winter shovel snow(which I happen to enjoy, I always thought it built my work capacity particularly for the deadlift in a sustainable,fresh air, fun way).
Maybe I want to lift,and yet stay home. You can often find me doing ugly olympic lifts in the yard.
Like Our Forefathers
The idea of being fit in the simple ways of our forefathers has always struck me. I always did military style PT, and always did tasks such as raking, and shoveling. Personally I enjoy filling a pickup with yard waste.I got to observe my Grandfather be fit as hell as an old man simply having lived this way. Walking, some chins, yard work,swimming, going somewhere and more walking, etc. It’s simple,and a method that’s worked for time immemorial.
Mind you I’ve always enjoyed lifting, but have always done so in a way that I could based on time,availability of the equipment I need, and at whatever frequency I wanted.
I’ve lifted everyday for 6 months before, and have went periods of only lifting twice weekly.I’ve even found myself lacking equipment for 6 months,and yet in all these situations I’ve still made gains.
Resonate + Rocket Science
Just do what resonates with you.
You’ll find it mentally easy, and very enjoyable.
As long as you train you’ll be fine. Using enough intensity is all that matters,and even this can be a minimal amount while you still get stronger, better cardio, and more work capacity. Destroying yourself isn’t a requirement, ever seen someone half asleep destroy a weight?
Training is not rocket science.
Any method can and will work. You’ve seen many. You may have tried many.
Just do you, and get to it.
Train
-J Out