North Coast Miller
Level 9 Valued Member
I believe I was on a similar plan for a long time to my demise. Without a goal, is it still training or does it become something else?
I think you have to look at where you are. If you are reasonably satisfied with current performance levels, then simply maintaining certainly counts as training.
I think anytime you have a short list of metrics (even as with TSC), then what becomes of the stuff you haven't included in your goal. You could use any basic foundational movements as a performance goal.
I've often thought about creating a battery of tests composed of lifts, movements, activities I never train and see how I do over time, but I'm really not sure where to begin. Maybe carry 100lbs of sand under my arm headlock style, hop on one leg around my house, haul the same bag from the ground through a 2nd story window with a rope, using only one arm. IDK...goofy stuff, but at the same time testing against what you train only shows that you got better at what you were doing (and for sure you will stall at some point anyway), not necessarily "better" in a more generally useful sense. You're trusting the test selection to be an accurate stand-in for...the unexpected?
I do a bit of variety and apply progressive overload. If my weights go up I'm improving. If my RPE goes down at the same time, I'm definitely improving. I'm not exactly satisfied with where I am, but I'm not dissatisfied either.