Training Systems: Solutions or Problems?

Greetings, RAW Lifters.  Today is a good old fashioned ranting/blog post kind of day.

It deals with training systems, being either a solution or a problem.

After 20 years of working out on my own as a HS athlete, learning more & more as a college student, doing self-study of training books on my own, becoming certified as a NSCA strength coach after college, working for a speed training franchise, and a plethora of other training & coaching experiences.... whew, its been a lot of time & experience! I've come to the conclusion thus far that:

1. Some programs just flat out work.
2. Someone always thinks they have the better program than the ones that flat out work.
3. Some programs just flat out stink.
4. Someone always has a program that is better than the ones that flat out stink (Usually #1).

Now, I have been a sucker for programs that just don't work, too many times to mention.  I have been burned in the past by trying to sell other people's programs, only to discover you can't sell a $120 video package of DVD's when millions have been sold and many of those copies are at garage sales & ebay auctions for $10-20 each.  I've done those programs, put on 15-20 pounds of muscle, and found my running to NOT improve at all. That doesn't make for a happy coach, trainer & athlete such as I. (Yes, I still consider myself an athlete, I am an avid 5K'er and do them seriously.)

I've also had good success with other people's programs and discovered bits & pieces of why they worked so well, usually the program structure & format. One of those programs has been the "Indestructible!" program outline in my Kindle guide, "Just The Workouts!" (http://tinyurl.com/asapjtw) which is a program I saw in HS, two colleges, and after college.  There is no main origin of who created this program, but many trainers & coaches I've discussed it with have memories of such a program, with the percentages and charts for 1 rep maxes and each phase of the program. I'm sure I will find out who created this plan one day. But for now, I think its such a 'public domain' type of program, widely used for decades, that people turn to it as a resource because of its structure and formula of working so well.

Other programs I've taken the best from have been various kettlebell training programs.  I got into KB's in 2005 with a pair of kettlegrip handles, where I had to buy standard 1" weight plates to put on them. It was the most affordable option for me at the time.  I then bought my first few kettlebells, and my addiction grew & grew.  I now have approximately 10 kettlebells within my collection. I've donated a few to the school I coach at, because I've used them with my athletes in their practices. People still kind of look at me funny when I mention I do a lot of kettlebell exercises as part of my training.  It doesn't bother me, because if they fail to see the edge it gives me, its an edge I have against them.  I've done a lot of kettlebell swing workouts because of what it alone can deliver to me (helps me shed weight, develop running power, and improve my endurance).

I took some time away from KB's and focused mostly on some programs you may have heard.  I thought maybe a switch to those programs would be great for me....only to see how much I lost in performance after I left the KB's alone.  It was time to get back after it, if I wanted to get back on the horse again and be a competitor. I also needed a solid strength & conditioning plan to complement my goals...

So, I've also found a beneficial program series that I can do in minimal time frames, sometimes 1/3 to 1/2 the time of the other programs I used to follow... plus I can sell these programs too and be something I can truly be behind in the end, because I know they work well.  Craig Ballantyne's series of programs called Turbulence Training is a great blend of intervals, strength, and conditioning for a busy guy like me.  His 20-10 workouts as of late are some of the best short time frame workouts I've done.  And he's not afraid of kettlebells either.  You've probably seen the link for these new programs at http://tinyurl.com/cbhwrevsale , a series of workout guides from beginner to advanced, and videos to go along with it.  To me, its an all out bargain compared to other DVD programs out there, plus you can download the video's and make your own customized DVD's of the videos he's made.  With a basic laptop, I am able to do this in an afternoon of time on a weekend.  CB is well respected, hasn't been a part of copyright infringment/plagarizing like other trainers have, and to me, he works his butt off in producing quality programs.  He's fine in my book. He's got a bit of marketing savvy but I don't get lost in it. 

Part of my experience as a trainer & coach is to dissect the good stuff from the bad stuff. I do this from running programs to lifting programs.  I feel I should experience some of these program formats to further dissect these things.  Does it feel effective to me? Does it do more damage than good?  Does it push me forward, or set me back further?  Does it do the same to the athletes & clients I've trained?  I've come to the conclusions that:

1. Tried and true programs keep working because someone did them right.
2. New fancy stuff that sells well sometimes isn't what its cracked up to be. Marketing stuff as the 'most awesome program, ever!' is usually a sign of crafty marketing, and not the results of the program. People wouldn't sell a used program if it worked so damn well in the first place.
3. Its best to turn to programs that work because they can be part of the solution you are searching for.

The programs I have created online with Kindle guides are fostered with this in mind: they have been programs that have worked for me & my clients/athletes, and delivered results for them.  They can be unique on their own, or a mix of a little of everything that works elsewhere.  From running to lifting to cross-training, I feel I've created something special.  Not everyone associates strength training with running, or kettlebells with GPS based running workouts.  My experiences have developed these programs, and through this blog, you will see my methods to my madness.  I am not a perfect coach & trainer, but I feel my experiences from all sides of the bench through the years has taught me a lot.

I guess its why I've come up with the mantra of RABC:

Lift. Dominate. Repeat. 

Doesn't get any simpler than that.

Programs should deliver that kind of simplicity to you.

Coach Rick Karboviak
http://tinyurl.com/rkofp
http://occupyfirstplace.com