The full catalog
Protocols for fitness
762 entries pulled from 62 stacks. Items are ordered by how many tracked people are on record about them, including discussion, use and recommendations.
Filter counts cover the full catalog. Type, goal and cost filters apply to items only.
Items
87 entries
Reset- Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.01
Resistance training
Lifting weights 2-4 times a week to build and hold muscle
On record from 43 of 62 tracked people: 37 do it, 4 recommend it, 2 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.02
Protein-forward eating
Roughly 1g of protein per pound of target bodyweight, spread across meals
On record from 21 of 62 tracked people: 15 do it, 5 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost03
Zone 2 cardio
Easy aerobic work you can hold a conversation through, 3+ hours a week
On record from 12 of 62 tracked people: 5 do it, 5 recommend it, 2 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.04
Cycling
Steady riding, outdoors or on a stationary bike, as daily low-intensity cardio
On record from 9 of 62 tracked people: 9 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost05
Stability and mobility work
Daily joint, foot and breathing work to keep strength usable
On record from 8 of 62 tracked people: 7 do it, 1 has discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.06
Yoga
Regular yoga practice for flexibility, strength and a calmer nervous system
On record from 8 of 62 tracked people: 8 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost07
Daily stretching
Long, regular stretching sessions to undo years of tightness and keep training possible
On record from 7 of 62 tracked people: 6 do it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost08
High-intensity interval training
Short all-out efforts with full recovery in between, a few times a week
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 5 do it, 1 has discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.09
Running
Regular running, from a short daily loop up to ultramarathon distance
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 5 do it, 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.10
Swimming
Lap swimming as low-impact cardio and a reset for the head
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 6 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost11
VO2 max intervals
Hard interval sessions to raise peak aerobic capacity
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 3 do it, 1 recommends it, 2 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.12
Whole-food plant-based diet
Plants, legumes and whole grains; little or no animal product
On record from 5 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost13
Daily cardio
Around half an hour of aerobic work most days, at any pace you can sustain
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost14
Training close to failure
Finishing most sets with 0-3 reps in reserve, and the last set of safe lifts to failure
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 3 do it, 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost15
Autoregulated training (RPE)
Set the working weight from how the day feels, not from a number written weeks ago
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 has discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.16
DEXA scan
Body composition and bone density scan, usually once or twice a year
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost17
Low-carb diet
Cutting carbohydrates and sugar so the body runs mostly on fat and protein
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost18
Pre-training warm-up
Easy laps, stretching and light cardio before every session, never skipped
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.19
Pull-ups
Bodyweight pulling, from a first rep to high daily volume on a doorway bar
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.20
Sports massage
Regular hands-on soft-tissue work from a trainer or therapist
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost21
Tempo training
Prescribed rep speeds, usually a slow three to four second lowering phase
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost22
Temptation bundling
Only allow yourself something you want while doing something you avoid
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.23
Tennis
Singles or doubles on court, played as a lifelong sport rather than a workout
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 3 do it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.24
Bike commuting
Riding to and from work as built-in training time
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost25
Body recomposition
Building muscle and losing fat together by eating near maintenance with high protein
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.26
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Grappling practice used as training, stress relief and humility
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.27
Deadlift
Pulling a loaded barbell off the floor to a standing lockout
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost28
Flexible dieting (macro tracking)
Track calories and macros, keep no food off limits, adjust from weekly trends
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.29
Foam rolling
Pressing body weight into a dense foam cylinder to work through tight muscle
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost30
Hiking
Trail walking with elevation, usually an hour or more at a talking pace
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost31
Minimalist training
Short, hard sessions built on a few sets per muscle, drop sets and non-competing supersets
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.32
Pilates
Controlled core and posture work on a mat or a spring-loaded reformer
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost33
Reverse diet
Adding calories back a little at a time after a long diet, instead of all at once
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.34
Rucking
Walking with a loaded pack: zone 2 cardio plus load-bearing
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - ProtocolFREE, no cost35
Slow fat-loss phase
Losing 0.5 to 1 percent of bodyweight a week, or slower, so the diet barely registers
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
15-15-15 workout
45 minutes of cardio split evenly across a spin bike, an elliptical and a treadmill
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
5-4-3-2-1 rule
Weekly activity scaffold: five active days down to one long session
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
72-hour rule
Train each muscle you want to grow at least every 72 hours
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
ABC goal system
Set three levels for a daily goal so a bad day still counts as progress
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Acupuncture
Fine needles at set points, used by athletes for tight or sore muscle
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Anti-glycolytic training
Short powerful bursts with long easy recovery, keeping lactic acid low
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Balance training
Single-leg and unstable-surface work for footing, foot strength and reaction
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Caloric surplus phase
Months of eating above maintenance, on purpose, to add size and strength
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Couch stretch
Kneeling hip stretch with the back shin against a wall or up on a couch
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Cupping therapy
Suction cups on sore muscle, the source of those circular marks on athletes
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Dance training
Choreography and movement classes as conditioning and coordination work
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Endurance carbohydrate fueling
Carbohydrate drink and electrolytes taken by the hour on long efforts, rehearsed first
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Galpin equation hydration
Three to six ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes of exercise
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Gluten-free eating
Cutting wheat, barley and rye out of every meal
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Grease the groove
Frequent easy sets of one lift spread through the day, never near failure
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Group fitness classes
Coached, timed sessions in a room full of people, in place of training alone
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
High-fiber eating
Pushing daily fiber well past typical intake with vegetables, fruit, grains and legumes
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Hybrid athlete training
Chasing strength and endurance in the same block instead of picking one of them
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Implementation intentions
Decide in advance: I will do X at TIME in PLACE
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Jump training
A few minutes of jumping and landing most days, aimed squarely at bone
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Kettlebell swing
Explosive hip hinge with a bell, swung one-handed or two, in short sets
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Legumes as the main protein
Beans, chickpeas and lentils doing the job meat usually does
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Long rest between sets
Three to five minutes or more between heavy sets so each one starts fresh
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Muscle pliability work
Deep soft-tissue work plus band-resisted movement to keep muscles long, soft and resilient
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
One and a quarter reps
A full rep followed by a quarter rep in the stretched position before the next one
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Organ meats
Liver, heart and kidney eaten for the nutrient density rather than the taste
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Partial reps
Squeezing shortened reps out of a set once full range of motion has gone
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Pickleball
Paddle sport on a small court, easy to learn, played by whole families across generations
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Polarized training
Most sessions easy, a few genuinely hard, almost nothing in the middle
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Posing practice
Rehearsing competition poses as its own session in the weeks before a show
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Pre-sleep protein
A protein feed, often around 40 grams of casein or whey, shortly before bed
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Progressive overload
Adding weight, reps or cleaner reps to the same lifts, session after session
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Pvolve
Low-impact functional fitness with resistance bands, gliders and a weighted ball
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Self-coached contest prep
Setting your own calories, cardio and peak week instead of hiring a prep coach
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Six small meals a day
Eating every three to four hours instead of three large meals
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Slow-carb diet
Protein, legumes and vegetables six days a week, one cheat day
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Springboard diving
Somersaults and twists off a one or three meter board
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Stopping short of failure
Ending each set with reps to spare, and tracking progress by how the weight felt
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Sumo deadlift
Pulling from the floor with a wide stance and hands gripping inside the knees
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Surfing
Paddling, pop-ups and turns as conditioning, plus hours away from a phone
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Table tennis
Ping pong played as a brain workout, part aerobic and part fast decision-making
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
The 40% rule
The idea that when your mind says you are done, you are at about 40 percent
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
The 5x5 method
Five sets of five on one main lift, adding weight only when all sets come out clean
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
The 85 percent rule
Working at about 85 percent effort so relaxation and form do the rest
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Three to five rule
Strength template built on threes and fives across every variable
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Triathlon training
Swim, bike and run sessions fitted into one training week
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Turkish get-up
Standing up from the floor with a weight locked out overhead, one slow rep at a time
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Two-a-day training
Splitting the day: an aerobic session in the morning, strength work later on
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Ultimate frisbee
A running team sport played with a disc and no referees
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Walking meetings
Taking the conversation on foot instead of around a table, and ending it with the walk
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Protocol$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Whole-body cryotherapy
Two to three minutes standing in a chamber cooled by liquid nitrogen vapor
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Wild game meat
Venison and other wild-harvested meat as the main protein source
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it
Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed.