Jen Sinkler, a former USA Rugby player and longtime fitness editor, is known for a deep, all-in approach to training and a strong sense of style. She’s tackled it all—powerlifting, strongman, CrossFit, kettlebells, Tough Mudders—and somehow stays true to her fashionista flair. When I was prepping to travel and her first solo product, Lift Weights Faster, launched, she kindly wrote a guest post on common conditioning mistakes.
Mistakes we tend to make in conditioning
Mistake 1: Not being dense enough
No matter the training, three variables matter: intensity (the load you lift), volume (total reps), and density (how quickly you complete the work). If you only focus on one piece, you’ll miss progress. Density—how fast you push through a circuit or workout—can be a game changer for conditioning, helping you feel better and look leaner as you improve.
Mistake 2: Not tracking workouts
A simple training journal is incredibly powerful. It helps you see progress, troubleshoot stalls, and find new ways to improve. Track volume, density, and intensity, even in circuits, and use that data to nudge your numbers higher over time.
Mistake 3: Going overboard
If it feels like too much, it probably is. A lot of explosive moves, heavy lifting, and hard circuits can take a toll. Stress from other parts of life adds up, and chronically high stress can derail progress. For many people, one to two conditioning sessions per week is plenty.
Mistake 4: Joining the circus
We crave novelty, but not every new idea is worth your time. Be selective with what you try, especially when time is limited. Look for productive variations—different structures, time-based work vs. reps, and smart adjustments to work-rest ratios—to keep progress steady without overloading your system.
The total package and then some
If you’re looking for ready-to-use conditioning, there’s plenty in Lift Weights Faster. The program includes about 130 grab-and-go workouts and a glossary of roughly 225 exercises with clear descriptions and visual demos. Workouts are organized by available equipment and time, with options under 10 minutes as well as longer routines for when you’re traveling or outside the gym. Lift Weights Faster is designed to help you train efficiently and keep progress moving.
