The Skill Gap: A Smart Way To Improve A Specific Skill

Most people go about improving their (insert your movement of choice) the wrong way. And this is why they stay stuck at the same level for a loooooonngggg time.

The good news is that the process is actually much more simple than you think. Don’t get me wrong, it absolutely takes time, effort, and intentionality, but it is not complicated.

Most skills people want to improve (pullups, muscle ups, olympic lifting, etc) are just that… a SKILL. If we wanted to learn how to play an instrument, we would practice a little bit multiple days a week, not just try to rip off Led Zeppelin here and there. We would consistently practice the basics.

The way you improve at skills is by practicing them consistently and repeatedly until you master it. Not just here and there, or when it’s convenient. Finding the perfect “drill” or “progression” is far less important than just doing something more days per week than not practicing the thing.

Let’s take pullups for example. If you want to get pullups and only work on them when they show up in our varied programming, it will be hard (or impossible) to master them. Instead, get on the bar 3-4 times per week. Doesn’t matter if you’re doing jumping pullups, banded pullups, feet assisted, negatives, pronated grip, supinated grip, ring pullups, isometrics, and the list goes on.

Consistently doing something for as long as it takes, is what will get you to accomplish and eventually master your skill of choice. Switch the mindset from treating it as an exercise and start treating it like a skill- something you practice.