NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 41
Chapter 41: The Essence of Strength
Wang Xiong’s offer piqued Lu Ming’s interest. “Brother Wang,” he began, a hint of curiosity lacing his voice, “what was your background before the apocalypse?”
Wang Xiong chuckled, a warm sound that momentarily dispelled the grim atmosphere. “Mixed martial arts,” he revealed.
Lu Ming’s eyes widened in realization. Even during their initial encounter, he’d sensed an underlying competence in Wang Xiong’s movements. Here was a man who could navigate the chaos of a zombie horde, protect the survivors, and even devise a plan against the formidable giants. He was far from ordinary.
“So you’re a fighter then?” Lu Ming pressed, a hint of respect creeping into his voice.
“Almost at the national level,” Wang Xiong replied with a shrug, downplaying his achievements.
Quasi-national level—impressive. It spoke volumes about Wang Xiong’s skill and dedication. The world of competitive athletics was brutal, where success was built on exceptional talent, relentless effort, and countless fallen competitors. Elite athletes possessed a wealth of knowledge about training methods and practical experience beyond the grasp of ordinary individuals. In a word, they were professionals.
Lu Ming’s posture straightened, his earlier nonchalance replaced by a newfound seriousness. “Please, enlighten me, Brother Wang,” he requested, a hint of deference in his voice.
“Let’s start with your approach to fitness,” Wang Xiong began, his gaze dissecting Lu Ming’s previous workout. “There are some inconsistencies here.”
“Who taught you this routine?” he inquired, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Facing Wang Xiong, Lu Ming felt a pang of self-consciousness, akin to a schoolboy caught unprepared. Humility has always been one of his defining traits. Recognizing Wang Xiong’s superior knowledge in the field of sports science, he adopted a student-like demeanor, eager to learn.
“I… researched it myself online,” he admitted sheepishly.
Wang Xiong nodded, his expression softening. “And what is your ultimate goal with this training?” he asked, hoping to understand Lu Ming’s motivations.
“Become stronger,” Lu Ming declared, his voice unwavering.
Wang Xiong chuckled. “Strength is a broad term,” he countered. “There’s strength for health, strength for aesthetics, and strength for combat. Each requires a different approach.”
“Is there such a difference?” Lu Ming asked, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes.
“A vast difference,” Wang Xiong confirmed, a sigh escaping his lips. “For general fitness, your current routine might even be a bit too intense. Just walking regularly could suffice. Building overall physical health doesn’t require brute force.”
“What about bodybuilding?” Lu Ming probed, recalling the split training methods he’d found online—chest on Mondays, back on Tuesdays.
“That’s not a bad approach if your goal is aesthetics,” Wang Xiong conceded. “Bodybuilding focuses on muscle size and definition. It’s the kind of training you see most weightlifters doing.”
Lu Ming nodded eagerly, recognizing the familiar split routine.
“But are you familiar with the trade-offs?” Wang Xiong asked a playful smile on his lips.
Lu Ming shook his head, a frown creasing his brow.
“The benefit is targeted muscle growth,” Wang Xiong explained. “Stimulate specific muscle groups, replenish protein, and you can maximize muscle size and strength in a relatively short time. It’s all about looking good, in essence.”
“There’s nothing inherently wrong with that,” he continued. “Most weightlifters use this method because it does increase overall strength and explosiveness. But…” his voice trailed off, “it comes at a cost.”
“What cost?”
“Coordination,” Wang Xiong replied. “An overly muscular body can lead to physical imbalances. Bodybuilders are incredibly strong, their sheer power exceeding that of ordinary people by far. But when it comes to real combat, while they’d be stronger than most, they might not fare better against someone like us.”
He gestured at himself, pulling up his shirt to reveal a well-defined physique. His muscles were toned and separated, but not overly bulky.
“The human body is a complex system,” he elaborated. “Excessive muscle mass can hinder coordination. True combat is about more than just brute strength. It requires agility, flexibility, and the ability to move efficiently as a whole unit.”
Lu Ming’s gaze lingered on Wang Xiong’s physique, the implications sinking in. He didn’t need bulging muscles for show, he needed strength for survival. His attribute training was a means to an end—to be a better fighter, to survive the apocalypse.
“So,” Wang Xiong pressed, “what is your true goal with your training?”
“Combat,” Lu Ming answered definitively. Fighting.
Aesthetics were secondary. He craved the strength to protect himself, to leverage his attribute farming for survival. This answer came as no surprise to Wang Xiong. Now, they were on the same page.
Wang Xiong elaborated on his experience with mixed martial arts training. Unlike bodybuilding routines that emphasized weighted exercises, MMA training focused heavily on bodyweight training. This approach stimulated various muscle groups while promoting coordination—a crucial element in real-world combat.
“While bodyweight exercises might not bulk you up as quickly as weights,” Wang Xiong explained, “they’re far superior for developing the coordination needed in combat situations.”
Previously, Lu Ming’s immense strength rendered bodyweight exercises ineffective. However, with Zhang Chengcheng’s ability to manipulate gravity, bodyweight training once again became a viable option.
“I can teach you the mixed martial arts training regimen,” Wang Xiong offered. “With Zhang Chengcheng assisting with the gravity manipulation, your workouts can be just as effective, if not more so, than what you’ve been doing.”
Lu Ming readily accepted Wang Xiong’s guidance. Without Zhang Chengcheng, bodyweight training wouldn’t have been feasible. But now, things have changed.
Wang Xiong retreated to his room to craft a personalized workout plan for Lu Ming. Zhang Chengcheng drained from her exertion, also sought some well-deserved rest.
Alone in his room, Lu Ming reached for his notebook and began to document his newfound insights.
Wang Xiong’s words resonated deeply, he wrote. He’s absolutely right. Combat-focused training requires a different approach than building muscle for aesthetics.
The ability to utilize Zhang Chengcheng’s power opened the door for bodyweight training once more. The recent session had felt effective, and Lu Ming believed this approach was more suited to his current needs.
There’s no harm in trying, he concluded, adding another line.
He paused, chewing on the tip of his pen, then continued writing.
What is fitness? he pondered. Wang Xiong is right again. A walk, weight training, even self-discipline training—they all contribute to fitness. It’s a combination of factors—physical condition, available equipment, current situation, goals, and more. It’s not about blindly following a routine or mimicking someone else’s program.
As this realization dawned on him, a line of text materialized on his attribute panel.
[Note: You’ve just grasped the true essence of fitness, Your fitness skill level has increased!]
A surge of satisfaction washed over Lu Ming as he reviewed his updated stats:
Name: Lu Ming
Age: 25 years old
Strength: 31.3 (32.5)
Physique: 31.8 (33)
Agility: 33.7 (34.9)
[Skills]
- Fitness Lv. 7 (0/700)
Not only had he gained valuable knowledge, but his dedication to understanding fitness had yielded tangible results—a boost to his overall fitness level.
End of Chapter 41