Your No-BS Guide to Breaking Plateaus

A 6-point guide to finding your bottleneck.

Author

Eric Hinman
November 17, 2025

My Story

Your No-BS Guide to Breaking Plateaus

Tired of hitting a wall in your workouts and your goals?

Here’s the problem: Everyone loves to train what they're good at.

The strong guy lives at the squat rack. The runner just wants to run. But real growth? That's in the work you're avoiding. Your progress is only as fast as your weakest link.

To be a complete, capable athlete, you need to build all 6 pillars. That means it's time to find your bottleneck and attack it!

To see how I apply this to my own routine, I filmed a full "day in the life" video of a training day.

Training Plan

The 6 Bottlenecks: Which Problem is Yours?

1. Is it STRENGTH?

If you can’t move the weight, then strength is holding you back.

The Fix: 3-5 sets of 3-6 reps at 60-85% of your one rep max. Focus on complex / functional lifts and accessory work.

2. Is it your ENGINE? (Aerobic Capacity)

If you’re dying after 20 minutes, you need a bigger engine.

The Fix: 45+ minute Zone 2 workouts specific to your sport.

3. Is it MOBILITY?

If your movement pattern sucks, you’ll fatigue faster.

The Fix: Pause drills in the position you’re trying to improve.

4. Is it SKILL?

If you have strength + endurance, but still aren't performing well in a specific movement.

The Fix: Work on the skill of it. Study the best. Set designated time to work only on that skill.

5. Is it HORSEPOWER? (Anaerobic)

If you can’t go hard enough, you need more horsepower.

The Fix: 20-second to 6-minute intervals at a high intensity. Rest time must be equal or greater than work time so you can repeat the effort.

6. Is it MUSCLE ENDERANCE?

If you hit a wall and your specific muscles fatigue and fail.

The Fix: Higher reps and sets of the movement. Try 10-12 minute EMOMs at 60-70% of your 1RM for 5-10 reps.

Partner Corner

Ozlo Sleep Buds = Game Changer

Training hard is only half the equation. Recovery is where the real progress happens and the biggest factor in recovery is sleep.

I used to rely on basic earplugs, but I’ve found something much better. Ozlo Sleepbuds are a game-changer. They help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up fully recharged.

Here’s why they are part of my nightly routine:

  • Block out everything, including city noise, and my dog’s snoring

  • Smart audio that helps me transition to sleep naturally

  • Gentle alarm that wakes you (if an alarm is necessary)!

  • All-night comfort, even for side sleepers

  • Relaxing wave sounds that help me unwind after long training days - also great for napping

  • Peace of mind built in. Designed with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and an optional offline mode, Sleepbuds minimize EMF exposure so you can rest easier.

If you take sleep + recovery seriously, definitely consider these. They're on sale now for Black Friday / Cyber Monday.

Upcoming Event: March 6-8 in Austin, TX

Founders Only Retreat

Forget conference rooms and awkward name tags. We build real connections the way we build our bodies: through sweat, challenge, and recovery.

This is 48 hours of cold plunges, hard training, and real conversations that lead to breakthroughs. This isn't networking. It's building your tribe.

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A complete athlete is built by attacking weaknesses, not just playing to strengths. Find your bottleneck. Do the work. Trust the process.

Get after it,
Eric