Why Doesn’t NCFIT Use Rx vs. Scaled?
January 20, 2023 | Words by Liz Francis
Functional fitness has taken the health and wellness world by storm, and for good reason — it’s intense, challenging, and gets results. But one aspect of functional fitness that has been both a blessing and a curse in my life is the Rx vs. Scaled approach to workouts.
On one hand, having a specific prescription for each workout — the weight, the reps, the movements — gives you a clear target to aim for. We all remember the first time we completed a workout as prescribed — no better feeling, right?! That is until you get into class the next day and realize you can’t lift half of the prescribed weight on the board and … we’re back to square one.
Let’s be real — sometimes going Rx is simply out of reach.
And that’s where the dark side of this approach comes in. It’s discouraging to constantly compare yourself to a number on the whiteboard. Who can relate to this scenario:
*Somebody tells you “good job” after a workout*
You: “Yeah, well, I super scaled it, so not really. But YOU crushed it!”
That’s such a negative way of thinking; trust me, I’ve been guilty of this too!
It’s crucial to remember that everyone’s fitness journey is unique. There’s no shame in modifying a workout to your needs and capabilities. In fact, it’s the smart thing to do! Someone who goes Rx on Fran but takes 15 minutes to finish does not get the big picture: Pushing yourself too hard too soon can lead to injury and burnout. Nobody wants that.
There’s an undeniable sense of community and camaraderie at the gym, but this can also lead to comparison and competition. It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring your own progress against others. Just remember, you’re not in a race with anyone else. Your only competition is yourself.
At NCFIT, we don’t use the Rx vs. Scaled approach in our programming. Instead, we have two journeys for each workout: Performance and Fitness.
The Performance Track caters to athletes looking for more high-skill movements, while the Fitness Track is perfect for athletes who want a simple and effective workout. Best of all, both tracks can be modified for any athlete!
It’s important to keep things in perspective and remember that exercise isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Modify when necessary, listen to your body, and most importantly, remember that the leaderboard DOES NOT DEFINE YOU! You’re on your own journey and that’s something to be proud of.
