It is difficult, but I have decided I don’t want to be so special. I want to be more generalized. I don’t want to be a triathlete, playground gymnast, cyclist, cross-fitter, obstacle course dude, yogi, or gym rat. I think I will just dabble a little in each. What do I mean?I mean I don’t want to just be able to run fast in a straight line, but instead be able cut at a hard angle, explosively jump over a fallen tree, or run barefoot in deep sand without batting an eye.I mean I don’t want to be too tired from training, but instead be a fun dad and chase after my kids on the playground, and run, jump, swing, and climb with them.I mean I don’t want to sacrifice endurance for strength, but instead be able to hold a good pace on a run or a bike climb but also be able to do 12-15 full range of motion pullups, explosive full body press ups, and back squat a lot of weight.I mean that I don’t want to be a sleep deprived, over trained, stress hormone maxed, chronic fatigued mess, but instead have high levels of testosterone, balanced training, enough sleep, and enough specific recovery to allow my body to absorb my training.I mean that I don’t want my back to hurt when standing or sitting at my desk, or waiting in line at the grocery store, but instead be able to have the awareness and core strength to brace myself properly with good posture.What I really mean is that I want to be on the best fitness program for overall health and performance. I want to be able to enjoy a big bike ride with my buddies and hang in there with them, but don’t need to cycle 7 times per week to be the best. I want to be able to squat heavy weight in the gym and be able to run track later that night without feeling destroyed. I want to go to the playground and do pullups on the monkey bars and also be able to swim a few laps without feeling spent. I want to have the strength to carry heavy grocery bags or fire wood effortlessly and have vice grip forearm strength. I want to wake up for an early workout but feel rested and have a good heart rate variability score. So what program would create this balanced specimen?   After must research, and many years personally experimenting in the field, I have identified what I think are the 5 most important elements  for the best overall fitness program.1. Full Body Strength TrainingThose who know me, are already aware that my first love of fitness is strength training. It all started when I was a kid experimenting with my dad’s old barbell weight set in the garage. It was fully realized later, before my freshman year of high school, in the summer strength training program for football. From then on, from high school, through university, and into current times, strength training has been a constant for me. I have been lucky to have good mentors, coaches, and the best professional training available, to learn proper techniques and pass them on to my students. I love the way it makes me feel strong, powerful, and muscular. Strength training is definitely part of me and I would even go as far as to say it defines me (pun intended). But maybe strength training is new for you, or you have tried it a few times but it hasn’t become ingrained into your routine.Below are some of the many benefits of strength training that I hope will sell you on adding it to your program:• Increases your metabolic rate/Burn calories more efficiently• Evidence of help in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, back pain, arthritis, obesity, heart disease, and depression• Prevents osteoporosis• Reduces body fat• Increases strength• Prevents muscle loss (...