The Consistency Report – Volume 13

I’ve been battling a cold all week. I blame the kids. Someone in the house always gets sick the first couple of weeks of school. This year it's me. Cool.

It’s always frustrating when your training, work, and daily routine get disrupted by something as simple as a bug. But that’s the reality—we don’t get to operate at 100% every week.

The key (as always) is showing up in some capacity, staying consistent with the basics, and not letting one setback spiral into two or three.

The problem I have now is that I actually feel better today.  Not 100%, but probably around 70%. So, do I workout? I think I’m going to do a little something. Hopefully,  it doesn’t disrupt my recovery.

Here is what I have for you this week.

Fitness: Tom Platz Leg Workout

When people talk about legendary leg training, Tom Platz’s name is always at the top. His workouts weren’t complicated—they were brutally hard, brutally consistent, and done with an intensity most lifters can’t imagine.

Here’s a sample of one of his sessions:

• Back Squat: 8–10 sets x 5–20 reps

• Hack Squat: 5 sets x 10–15 reps

• Leg Extension: 5–8 sets x 10–15 reps

• Lying Leg Curl: 6–10 sets x 10–15 reps

• Standing Calf Raise: 3–4 sets x 10–20 reps

• Seated Calf Raise: 3–4 sets x 10–20 reps

However, its not just about the workout on paper. It’s how he executed it.

An interesting point about Tom’s background is that he trained with Olympic lifters in the early 1970s. That experience significantly influenced how he squatted – with a high bar, an upright position, and a deep range of motion. In my opinion, that’s the best way to squat for leg development.

His hack squat technique was pretty funky, too. The best way to describe it is it looks like a sissy squat with the heels together, squatting up on your toes, and your knees coming forward. Doing them this way maximizes quad involvement, specifically the vastus lateralis.

The last two exercises for the thighs were leg extensions and leg curls. You’ve probably never seen anyone go harder on those two exercises than him. He pushed every set to failure and beyond. The reps were explosive and had an exaggerated range of motion. You have to watch it to understand it. Once he did as many reps as possible, he would have a partner assist in getting a few extra, moving the weight until it was completely motionless. The last few “reps” barely budge.

Read more about Tom Platz's leg training here: https://kylehuntfitness.com/the-tom-platz-leg-workout-how-to-build-the-best-legs-ever/

Mindset: Beware of the Dunning-Kruger Effect

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which beginners overestimate their abilities, while experts tend to underestimate their own abilities. Why? Because beginners don’t yet know what they don’t know. Experts, on the other hand, are acutely aware of the gaps in their own knowledge.

You see this everywhere online. Someone reads a single book or listens to a podcast and suddenly becomes the authority. Meanwhile, the PhD who’s been studying the subject for 20 years is still careful with their words.

The takeaway: it’s okay to say “I don’t know.” In fact, it’s a sign of strength. When you admit what you don’t know, you open the door to learning more. When you pretend you know it all, you shut that door—and everyone around you can usually see right through it.

What I’m Into

LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix
I’m late to the party here, but I have to say—I’m impressed. I bought it with my own money (no sponsorships or codes here), and the flavors are solid. More importantly, it makes my morning hydration effortless. Most people are unaware of the significant impact that being under-hydrated has on energy, performance, and even mood. LMNT is a simple way to fix that.  

Running Shoes
I’m not a big runner, but when I do, shoes matter. I’ve always had luck with the Nike Pegasus—they’re durable, comfortable, and they look good. However, I’m considering making the switch for my next pair. Right now, I’m debating between the Asics Novablast 5 and the Hoka Clifton 10. Since I underpronate (my weight lands more on the outside of my feet), the Asics seem like the smarter call. The big lesson here: don’t pick running shoes just for looks—pick them for your gait. Your joints will thank you.

This Week’s Podcast Episode

Only one episode this week:

🎧 Training Around Injuries + Q&A | Ep 521
In this episode, Derek and I discuss how to train around nagging injuries and answer listener questions.

Final Thought

Sometimes life is like Tom Platz’s leg workout—painful, uncomfortable, and way harder than you want it to be. But if you push through, you build a kind of resilience most people will never touch. And if you can laugh about it along the way—even better.

-Kyle

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