The Consistency Report – Volume 11

School starts next week here in South Carolina. I have all three kids going.

I remember the first day of school being a double-edged sword. It’s exciting, but it also signals the end of summer.

As adults, we can use the school calendar as a mental reset. The summer is not over yet, but the vacation mindset should be. This is a great time to take stock of your goals, your routines, and your habits. What do you want to accomplish between now and the end of the year? Where have you been coasting? It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul—just a conscious tightening up.

The same way kids sharpen their pencils and pack fresh notebooks, you can sharpen your plan and get ready to hit the next four months with purpose. Think of this as a “back-to-school” season for your own discipline and consistency.

Here is what I have for you this week.

Fitness

What We Can Learn from Ronnie Coleman

We’re not all 300-pound pro bodybuilders on stage at the Mr. Olympia—and most of us aren’t training with the help of performance-enhancing drugs. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to learn from Ronnie Coleman. His approach offers valuable lessons that can help anyone build more muscle, become stronger, and train with greater purpose. Here are a few things:

• Prioritize getting stronger: Ronnie’s size was built on the back of serious strength. You may never squat or deadlift 800 pounds, but making steady progress on your big lifts will drive muscle growth over time. Focus on getting stronger, rather than simply adding more volume for the sake of it. Avoid “junk volume” and make every set count.

• Build your base with compound lifts: Squats, deadlifts, presses, and rows were the backbone of his training. Master these before worrying about advanced isolation work. Ronnie didn’t rely on fancy machines or constant novelty. The basics, done consistently and with high effort, are enough for most lifters to achieve significant results.

• Increase training frequency: Ronnie trained every muscle more than once a week. While not necessary, hitting muscles more frequently can be beneficial.

• Keep your pace up: Even with heavy weights, Ronnie moved quickly between sets. Shorter rest times can help you fit more quality work into a session. It’s called training density. Don’t rush, but don’t waste time in the gym either.

• Stay consistent: Ronnie didn’t program-hop. He stuck with proven exercises and worked on progressing them week after week. Find the split and exercises that work well for you and hammer them for years.

I did a full write-up on Ronnie Coleman’s training this week. Check it out here:
https://kylehuntfitness.com/the-ronnie-coleman-workout-and-diet-program/

Mindset

Competition is great. Comparison is not.

I love competition. I turn almost everything I do into some form of competition. It pushes you to be better.

But constantly comparing yourself to others? That’s a trap.

If you look hard enough, you can always find someone better. Social media is terrible for this. Focus on competing with yourself and striving to improve over your previous performance. That’s where the real progress happens.

Be the best at getting better.

What I’m Into

The 10 Best Sports Movies of All Time

I watched Varsity Blues last night for the 1,000th time. I got thinking—what are my favorite sports movies of all time? Off the top of my head, here is my top ten:

10: Warrior
9: Pumping Iron
8: Miracle
7: The Fighter
6: Friday Night Lights
5: Rocky (kinda cheating, but this includes 1, 3, and 4)
4: Any Given Sunday
3: Days of Thunder
2: Vision Quest
1: Varsity Blues

What did I miss? Here are some other good ones—Major League, Southpaw, Creed, Remember the Titans, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers, White Men Can’t Jump, The Color of Money, Jerry Maguire, Two For The Money.

This Week’s Podcast Episodes

Only one episode this week:

Why Barbell Training is Still the Gold Standard for Strength & Size | EP 519

In this episode, Derek and I break down why barbell exercises are still the most effective way to build strength, muscle, and athleticism. We cover the big lifts, why they work so well, and how to get the most out of them in your training. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned lifter, this one will remind you why the barbell isn’t going anywhere.

https://kylehuntfitness.com/why-barbell-training-is-still-the-gold-standard-for-strength-size-ep-519/

Final Thought

Every August, parents send their kids off with advice like “Pay attention,” “Do your best,” and “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” That’s basically a bulletproof plan for adulthood, too. Swap the backpack for a gym bag or laptop, and it still applies.

So this week, give yourself the same pep talk you’d give your kid at the bus stop—then go out and make the most of the next chapter.

– Kyle

PS – Ready to dial it in?
Let’s work together → Hunt Fitness Coaching