Tesla says every car on the road is limited by tire grip, and your fitness is limited by something too: usually sleep, food, consistency, mobility or time. Find the real bottleneck and progress gets easier.
Pick a short workout once you know what's holding you back.
Check with your doctor before changing your training or diet.
The idea behind the Roadster's thrusters
In its launch coverage, Tesla argued that normal cars can only accelerate as hard as their tires can grip the road, and that the Roadster's thruster system adds force beyond what tires can deliver. Whatever you think of the car, the principle is a neat way to look at training: remove the one thing that's capping your performance.
Your "tire grip" might be...
1. Sleep
If you're under five or six hours most nights, nothing else works as well as it should. Read how much sleep to lose weight.
2. Food
Too little protein, too many liquid calories or night snacking can stall results. Read how much protein to lose fat and stop snacking at night.
3. Consistency
Three sessions one week and zero the next won't build a body. Read make working out a habit.
4. Recovery
You may be training hard and resting too little. Read why recovery takes longer after 30.
5. Mobility
Tight hips and shoulders limit squats and presses. A few minutes of mobility helps. See the barrel-roll mobility routine.
6. Progression
Doing the same weights and reps forever. Read what is progressive overload.
7. Time
If you "don't have time", shorten the session. Read 15-minute workout for busy dads.
A quick self-audit
Rate each from 1 to 5: sleep, food quality, consistency, recovery, mobility, progression and time. Your lowest score is your first fix. Don't try to change all seven at once.
What if the scale isn't moving?
Other things might be improving: waist, clothes, strength, energy. Read working out not losing weight and track fitness progress without a scale.
A two-week experiment
Pick your weakest area and make one small change for 14 days. Examples:
- In bed 30 minutes earlier
- Add 20 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast
- A 10-minute mobility session after dinner
- Sessions booked in the calendar
Then reassess. Read weight loss plateau if progress is stuck.
FAQs
Is it always sleep?
Often it contributes, but not always. The audit helps.
Should I use supplements?
Not before the basics. Ask your doctor or a dietitian if you're unsure.
Where's the overview of the Roadster lessons?
See Tesla Roadster fitness lessons over 35.
The bottom line
A car's limit is grip. Yours is probably something simpler and fixable. Pick a short workout after you fix one thing this week.
Go train, FATBOY.
This is independent commentary and is not affiliated with Tesla, SpaceX or anyone connected with them. This article is general information, not medical advice. Train at your own risk. If you have a health condition, take medication or are unsure whether exercise or a diet change is right for you, talk to your doctor first.
- fitness plateau
- men over 35