1 Step Backwards to go 2 steps forward

Joel Younkins

Physical Preparation Coach

On the surface, most people, coaches, and athletes look at training through a very binary lens. Meaning they think in a way of like this..."Go to gym, work hard, get results."

And while yes this is all very true, you must understand that training has MANY MANY MANY layers to it!

When you train, you're building up or improving different levels of fitness. Realize, that fitness means a lot of things. And for everything it means and the physical abilities it provides, there's all these sub categories to them as well. 

For example...

• Strength- Maximal Strength, Strength Endurance, Isometric Strength, Eccentric Strength
• Power- Speed, Velocity, Reactive Power, Acceleration
• Conditioning- Aerobic, Latic, Alactic
• Flexibility-Mobility, Stability, Static, Dynamic
• Agility- Spatial Awareness, Change of Direction, Balance
• Core- Stability, Flexion, Extension, Rotation, Anti Rotation

These are just some examples of the levels to this training stuff...

As you can see, there's a lot of good training abilities that can improve on for any individual. But the reality in the training world is that WE CANNOT IMPROVE ALL OF THESE QUALITIES AT ONCE!

This is why there is NO PERFECT PROGRAM!

However, in a solid training program, you have to realize that in order to improve something, something else will have to be given up on a little bit. 

For example, you cannot be at your absolute strongest potential while being at your best aerobic potential at the same exact time. They are two abilities that directly complete with each other. This doesn't mean they both can't be in a great place at the same time, but it just means they won't be in their absolute superior form of performance.

So what do you need to know after reading this?

You need to be sure that you know how your program fits together. Timing, sequencing, methods, exercise selection and so on...IT ALL GOES TOGETHER!

You also need to know that your training cannot fully optimize every element of every fitness ability at the same time. Something needs to be put aside in order to make progress elsewhere. If you do not structure your training this way, then you will only develop all of these qualities to be average at best (jack of all trades, master of none).

This is why in training you have to understand what you're giving up (the step backwards), in order to propel yourself forward (the 2 steps forward).

If you do not have a pulse on this concept, then you will be training like how most frustrated people train. 1 step forward to go 2 steps backwards...
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