Programming isn’t for everyone but they are a great way to keep your lifts in gradual progression. If you can find the right program from a good coach then you could see some major improvements with whatever you’re trying to achieve. There are programs for serious powerlifters, bodybuilders, and even the people who have never picked up a weight in their lives. What I mean by finding the right program and coach for you is that you should find a coach that is willing to make your program specific for your needs. There are plenty of programs out there that are generically made for anyone to use (I’m not saying these programs don’t work) but the ones that work the best are programs made specifically for you.
For anyone reading this that is not familiar with programming, it is a weekly workout plan made from percentages of your 1RepPR to progressively work toward improvements in those lifts. This is how powerlifting programs basically set up for bodybuilding style programs are more based on certain set and rep schemes to not specifically make you stronger in a specific lift but rather work that specific muscle in a certain way. Programs are able to keep you on track for weeks at a time which is great for someone who likes a lot of structure with their lifting. We have all seen the people who bring a notebook to the gym and right down their totals for their lifts. These are definitely the people who like to have that kind of structure for their workouts. Programs also give you motivation and keep you interested in what you’re doing. If you’re program tells you to be in the gym that day but you just feel lazy then you have more of an incentive to stick with the actual structure and get you’re lazy be-hind off the couch and off to the gym.
Although programs are very good in a sense they don’t appeal to everyone. Some people don’t like to have their workouts tied down to a structure and thats perfectly alight. These people more lift off feel than structure. Its all about how they feel on a certain day that will dictate what they will be doing on that specific day and in a lot of cases it works out very well for them. It is different for everyone, the person who has great success lifting away from a structure may not do as great with a structure and vise versa. Like I said earlier its all based on preference, but everyone can learn from the people following how they feel. The thing to take away from them is to not take it so seriously. If you’re on a program and feel like you can hit a squat PR that day then go for it! There is nothing holding you back but the piece of paper you brought to the gym. Yes, the coach knows what he’s talking about but it doesn’t have to be so serious. Do what you want to do and have fun doing it. I say it in all my posts and I’m going to say it again KEEP IT SIMPLE. This whole lifting thing is not all that serious, just enjoy what you’re doing!
