Recent Posts
Can We Make Tempo Prescription Easier?
One of my big goals for 2025 is to make programming and coaching easier for trainers and coaches to understand. Let’s use tempo as an example. I first learned about tempo way back in 2000, when Ian King and Charles Poliquin were promoting their 3 and 4 number systems, respectively. The premise was simple: Use […]
Continue Reading12 Reasons to Use R7 to Write Your Training Programs
Well over a decade ago Bill Hartman, Eric Oetter and I locked ourselves in the purple room at IFAST with a simple goal: To create a better system for writing workouts at our gym. Now don’t get it twisted…I felt like we were writing really good training programs at that point in time, and our […]
Continue ReadingThe Random Post 9.11.24
Hey friend! As you probably know, one of my goals this time of year is to get more articles and content out there into the world. So every now and then I’m going to go back to one of my favorite article styles… …the RANDOM post! The title kinda tells the whole story, so let’s […]
Continue ReadingStep-by-Step Program Design
One of my favorite days in every IFAST internship is “Program Defense Day.” Here, our young coaches are put to the test. We get to see what they’ve really learned about program design during their 3-month internship. And trust me – I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. From the programs that are […]
Continue ReadingBig Picture Program Design
Whether you’re new to the game or a savvy veteran, many coaches struggle with designing programs for their clients and athletes. While some feel challenged because they don’t understand the fundamentals of program design, others may feel hindered by a lack of design systems and principles. And trust me, I know…because I struggled too when […]
Continue Reading5 Tips for Writing Better Gen Pop Programs
Note from MR: Todd Bumgardner and Chris Merritt are two guys I truly respect in our industry. Not only are the life-long learners, but they’re also guys who simply “get” the training process. In this article, Todd is going to give you some fantastic ideas on how to write better gen pop programs. And while […]
Continue Reading6 Ways to Improve My Training Programs
I have one simple goal in life: To get better every day. Now keep in mind – I said it was a simple goal. But definitely not an easy one 🙂 And while this goal applies in all areas of my life, it’s really evident when it comes to my coaching and programming. I have […]
Continue ReadingHow Long Should You Stay on a Program?
It may sound incredibly basic, but I get this question all the time from young and old trainees alike: How long should I stay on my program? It’s such a simple question – but like most things, the answer isn’t quite that simple! Let’s dig a bit deeper, and see how your goals directly affects […]
Continue ReadingHow to Write Power Training Programs
Power training is critical in athletics. Whether it’s the ability to juke a defender and break off a big touchdown run, hit a baseball 400 feet, or slam dunk a basketball, power is a key component that every performance coach must program for. However, before you blindly jump in and start doing 100 repetitions of […]
Continue Reading4 Ways to Write Training Programs Faster
Back in the day when IFAST first opened, Bill and I were the first, last and only line of defense. We assessed every client personally. Wrote all their programs. And obviously, did all the coaching to boot. It was strange – I would be exhausted phyiscally at the end of the day (working from 5:45 […]
Continue ReadingAre you following the right program?
Today, I’ve got a hypothetical question I want to ask you. Are you following the right program? And before you blindly answer “Yes” or “Of Course,” really step back and think about that for a moment.
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