Train Like a Man With a Plan: Why Your Next 12 Weeks Matter More Than Your Next Year
Most men train the way they live, with good intentions, scattered focus, and too many priorities pulling them in different directions.
I know this because I’ve done it myself.
There were seasons where my training was all over the place, trying to build muscle, drop fat, get stronger, unlock skill work, improve mobility… all at the same time. And if you’ve ever trained that way, you already know when everything is a priority, nothing becomes a result.
My training wasn’t bad. But it was diluted. And diluted effort gives diluted progress.
It wasn’t until I committed to one clear goal at a time (for at least 12 weeks) that everything changed.
When I focused on handstands, my handstands improved. When I focused on building muscle, I gained muscle. Simple. Obvious. Yet easy to avoid because committing to one direction means letting go of the others… at least temporarily.
And heading into January 2026, I’m taking my own medicine again. I’m choosing strength as my first macrocycle of the year.
Twelve to sixteen weeks of dialled-in programming. One direction. One goal. No distractions.
GET STRONGER!
Later in the year, I’ll shift back to a muscle-building phase because I know the long-term benefits. But I’m not jumping between them. I’m not doing “a bit of everything.” I’m choosing one target, and I’ll hit it.
Why This Matters for You
When you first start training, everything works. You add weight every week. You feel stronger every session. Your body responds quickly because it’s all new.
That’s beginner progress, and it’s beautiful. But it doesn’t last.
After a year or two of consistent training, progress naturally slows down. And this is where most men get stuck. Not because they lack effort… but because they lack focus.
Random training works for beginners. It does nothing for intermediates and advanced lifters.
This is where specific programming becomes essential. Goals need to be clear. Training needs to be structured. Cycles need to be focused.
And the biggest shift? You need to commit long enough for adaptations to occur.
Twelve weeks. Not two. Not six. Not “whenever the boredom hits.”
Why 12–16 Week Macrocycles Work
A macrocycle is a focused training phase with one primary objective. For the men I coach, that primary objective is almost always one of these:
Build muscle
Lose fat
Increase strength
Rehab or fix an injury
Not all of them. Not two of them. Not a rotating list of the week.
One.
For 12–16 weeks.
Most guys don’t fail because they lack willpower. They fail because they chase five different goals, quit when the progress slows, switch programs, and repeat the cycle.
The men who win? The ones who choose a direction, commit to it, and let the process work.
I’ve seen it with my clients over and over again. The guys with clarity, commitment, and consistency are the ones who transform. Not the ones with the “best intentions” or the newest training method.
This means you have four focused phases a year. Each one with a clear north star and a clear plan.
Where You Come In
Before the new year hits, I want you to think about this question:
What’s the one training priority that would change your life the most in the first 12–16 weeks of 2026?
Build muscle?
Lose fat?
Get stronger?
Fix an injury?
You get to choose your direction, not your destiny. You’re not locked in for the entire year. But you are committed long enough to see real results.
You’ll reassess after your first cycle. If your life season changes, your focus can change. If your momentum is strong, you can continue.
Simple. Focused. Effective.
The Method Behind the Training
Right now, I’m using a system built for real progress, especially for men in midlife who want strength without destroying their joints.
Programming has a purpose. Progress has a rhythm. And your body responds when the plan is clear.
That’s what these macrocycles are about.
Your Next Step
Most men guess their way through training. Random workouts. Random classes. Random phases of motivation.
And random effort creates random results.
If you’re serious about changing your body, your strength, and your long-term health, you need more than effort, you need a plan that matches your goal. Stop guessing. Stop drifting. Start training like a man with direction.
If you want support, you’ve got three clear options:
1️⃣ Premium Midlife Maverick Community: $49 USD/month
Perfect for men new to strength training who want structure, accountability, and access to 2x/week strength sessions built specifically for midlife.
2️⃣ Midlife Mavericks Team Program: $100 AUD/month
For intermediate to advanced lifters who want 3–4 sessions per week and a proven system designed to build muscle, strength, and long-term resilience.
3️⃣ 1:1 Online Personal Training: $200-$400pcm
Fully tailored programming for your exact goals, training age, injuries, lifestyle, and equipment. Your plan, your pace, your direction.
If you're tired of training without progress, choose a goal, choose a direction, and commit to your next 12–16 weeks.
Your strongest year won’t come from trying everything, it will come from focusing on the one thing that matters most.
