With the internet boom any one can find information on exercise program design or even have a workout customized for themselves. Strength training and every thing else that’s tied in (flexibility, energy system work, pre- and post-rehab, etc.) has become very specialized. I’m asked all the time to create workouts for individuals. I’ll choose exercises that are appropriate, determine the number of sets and reps and even recommend the length of their rest periods. But what I can not determine is the effort that the individual is going to put in. Only the person performing the program can determine the effort.
What’s been lost in all this specialization and program design, is people training hard. They just think because they have a program designed for them, that they will lose weight, get stronger and look good in their new Speedo. I don’t care what program you’re on. If you’re doing it half-ass, nothing is going to happen. Someone on a poorly designed program who breaks their ass in the gym is always going to get more results than someone sleep walking through a well designed program. But if you put someone who breaks their ass on a well designed program, what do you think will happen? Now you have the ultimate training program. Does this mean you have to pray to the porcelain gods after every set? No. You know deep down the amount of effort you have to exert. Results do not come easy and neither should your training.
