The Most Important Factor in Strength Training

If you are struggling to make progress with your strength training workouts, you are not alone. Most people move from program to program in an effort to find that magic program that will explode their gains.

There are many factors that go into the design of effective strength training workout routines. Factors such as loading parameters, rest periods, training frequency, and exercise selection are just a few.

If you are doing a workout written by a reputable strength coach then you probably don't have to worry about any of the above factors. The program is most likely well written. However, even with a well written program there are lots of guys out there that seem to make little to no progress.

It's not all about the program. You can put two guys that are at exactly the same strength and size, with the same genetics, on the exact same program and one could make great gains while the other doesn't make any.

Although not all strength training programs are created equal, it's not all about the program. There is something that is more important than the program itself. That's what this article is about.

It's not food, although food intake is probably just as important. It's not some secret supplement that you have never heard of. Getting more results from your strength training workouts is about one thing. Without this one thing it really doesn't matter how much you eat or what supplements you take.

So what is this one thing I'm talking about?

What is my #1 rule for more effective strength training workouts?

It's effort.

That's right. Effort. The amount of effort you put into your weight training workouts is what separates the guys who get great gains from the guys who get no results.

I know you probably feel like you put in a lot of effort with your training. I mean, lifting heavy stuff requires effort right?

Let me tell you what effort is, then you can see if you are putting forth enough.

Effort is adding either weight to the bar or more reps in any given exercise every single time you repeat a workout. It is taking only the rest you need to do another set. It is ignoring all distractions and concentrating on the task at hand.

Here is what effort is not. Effort is not doing the same workout with the same weight every time you go to the gym. It is not talking to your gym buddies for ten minutes between every set. It is not lifting a weight that is way too heavy for you while your spotter does all the work.

Effort + Nutrition + Rest + Well written routine = great results

Effort combined with well written resistance training workouts and proper nutrition and rest is the magic formula to great gains.

Effort is not just about what you do in the gym. The effort you put in outside the gym is equally important. This means making sure that you are getting your post-workout nutrition. It also means making sure that you are eating enough throughout the day and getting enough rest.

Effort outside of the gym is more about discipline than hard work. Stay disciplined and become obsessed with recovery.

Put forth the effort in both your strength training workouts and what you do outside the gym, and you will make great gains.