I started to write this as the combine completed and the NFL draft was just about to happen. ESPN was showing a lot of specials about NFL combine prep and it got me thinking. Many people watch these shows and think that the combine athletes training is much different than their own but in reality they squat, bench, jump, sprint, etc… just like everyone else. The key of their success is done within the small details.
I understand that most people are not training for the combine or something as high level as this. The point is that success in performance and fitness is not just about commitment. Relating this back to general fitness and personal training, a squat is not just a squat.
Which training client would get the best results, if their diet and needs were all the same?
Clearly the person that is utilizing the squat in an effective form and utilizing appreciable weight to actually challenge their body. Simple details that people overlook, a squat is not just a squat.
Another real life example is the all common push up.
Common mistakes seen:
- Elbows flared out.
- Butt sinking.
- Head forward.
Again a push up is not just a push up. The correct execution, program set up, intensity, and so on will make all the difference between great results and mediocre results.
The deadlift is probably one of the most abused exercises:
Here
vs.
I don’t think much needs to be said here…
Safety
I’m more of a “conservative” coach but that’s by design. Athletes and young coaches have asked why I didn’t let X athlete go for that extra rep or why did I call the set? In the grand scheme of things that extra grinding rep maybe fun to do but it’s not worth injuring my athlete. I don’t like our athletes and personal training clients to grind out sets, unless it’s by design which is VERY rare.
Some may say that this is where they develop mental toughness, but in my experience there are far safer ways to build mental toughness than grinding out a max rep. My job as a sports performance coach is to build an athlete, my job as personal trainer is build the client’s physical prowess, all of these encompass safety. As a performance coach and trainer, ALL of my clients know exactly what I want out of them and know when to push and when to call it. This is building not only a tough athlete but also a smart one.
In the end, we all have to remember that the weight-room is a small part of the overall development of an athlete. This is why I will never sacrifice speed of the bar or position for a rep with ANY of our clients- personal training or performance training. To flip it, IF your multi-million dollar athlete gets injured pushing a max squat, how will you explain and justify this to the coaches, agent, and the athlete?
Conclusion
There is a lot of of value working with a qualified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, or sports performance coach. The execution, structure, and focus of the personal trainer and coaches program is really in the details.
“It’s the small things that no one sees that result in the big things that everyone wants.”
A squat is not squat is not a squat, to get faster it’s not about repeated sprint drills, strength gain is not just through lifting heavy weights, and so on. I hope this helps educate you of the importance and great value that a great coach and trainer brings to the table. Respect their time and their knowledge and I’m 100% positive you’ll reap the rewards.
Train smart,