May 25, 2025
Tension is the name of the (Strength) game,
Don’t Chase Load. Chase Tension.
We think progress means more weight on the bar.
But the real unlock?
Isn't more load.
It's more tension.
You are not weak …
You're not weak because the weight is light. You're weak because you can't make it feel heavy.
Real strength isn't about numbers.
It's about control.
And control begins with tension.
How to go about this
1. Stop counting reps. Start feeling reps.
Ask yourself: can you generate tension through your whole body? If not, the weight doesn't matter.
2. Train the skill of tension.
Swings, hardstyle planks, even walking can teach you. It's not about maxing out. It's about dialling in.
3. Focus on ownership.
Every rep is a signal. Make it clean. Make it sharp. Make it yours.
Why?
1. Tension drives adaptation.
Your body doesn't care how much you lifted. It responds to the quality of the signal you send.
2. You'll avoid burnout and injury.
Chasing load without control leads to tightness, tweaks, and (bad) plateaus.I've been there.
3. You'll become stronger, with less.
When you master tension, 12kg feels like 24kg.Suddenly, limited equipment isn't a limit at all.
The Takeaway
Chase intent.
Own your reps.
That's how strength is built.
Here’s a different (and slightly longer) version of the same post.
What Real Consistency Looks Like
Work on your hip mobility
A simple and powerful drill to help you unlock your hip mobility.
Most of us, especially men, lack hip internal rotation. This will help significantly.