Fishermen Wellness: Strength-Training After Working on the Water
By Christopher Gilman Scott
“Ego is not your amigo.”
Returning to the strength and conditioning world from the sea can be a test on the
mind.
On a positive note, as we’ve come to know, the fact that the commercial fisherman is a
“physical laborer” is a good thing. Our bodies are in motion and are muscles are
working, maintaining, and improving our strength. It builds this capacity peripherally
from the movements of powerlifting and ultra-running. However, since it does not have
an effect directly on these movements and the volume is so large, when returning to the
gym and the trails, it is imperative to lower the volume and build back up patiently.
I struggle with this.
Usually, when I return, I want to test myself that first week back to see where I’m at and
what I can handle right away. This often leads to a state of overtraining from the get-go
and prolongs my gains.
Do not do this.
I’m in the process of understanding and developing a more informed mindset about how
our bodies perform under these conditions.
A study has brought to light that even after individuals took 30 weeks off from training
completely, they only lost 13% of their strength: “After 6 weeks of training again
following their break, their strength increased another 40% relative to where they were
after their break. Not only did these subjects regain the 13% they had lost, but they were
also able to set new personal records with only 6 weeks back in the gym.”
This is a study we should keep in mind when we feel like we’ve weakened due to a lapse
in regular strength and conditioning training.
The wiser ones of us may already have this concept dialed in. For the rest of us, consider
these approaches when returning to your training.