When it comes to strength training, there is often a lot of emphasis placed on the type of program you follow. Discussions and debates rage on about the merits of various training methods, such as powerlifting, bodybuilding, CrossFit, and many more. While the type of program you choose can certainly play a role in your progress, the reality is that adherence to any program is far more important than the specific type of program you choose. However, the SAID principle, Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand, still applies. It’s very important you choose your goal carefully so that whichever program you choose, adaptation will occur.
Adherence
adherenceăd-hîr′əns, -hĕr′-
noun
Faithful attachment; devotion..
Let’s say you want to become stronger. (shoot me, I’m biased). One of the biggest mistakes many people make is constantly switching from program to program, never sticking with one long enough to see real progress. They might read about a new program online or hear about one from a friend and think that it’s the “magic bullet” that will finally help them achieve their goals. But the truth is, if you don’t stick with a program for a significant period of time, you won’t see any real results.
This is because strength gains take time, and the process of building muscle and improving strength is a slow one. You can’t simply lift a few weights for a week or two and expect to see dramatic improvements. It takes months or even years of consistent effort to achieve significant gains in strength and muscle mass.
This is where adherence comes in. Adherence simply means sticking with a program consistently over a long period of time. This means showing up to the gym regularly, following the program as it’s written to an extent, and being patient as you gradually make progress. You won’t always be able to stick to the program because you’re not a robot. You will get sick, go out of town, not feel it one day, there are all kinds of reasons. The broader view is more important here when I say “stick to the program.
Adherence is crucial because it allows your body to adapt to the demands of your training program. When you lift weights, your body responds by building muscle and getting stronger. But in order for this adaptation to occur, you have to consistently challenge your muscles and push them to their limits. If you’re constantly changing your program or skipping workouts, you’re not giving your body the chance to adapt, and you won’t see any real progress.
Another important aspect of adherence is consistency. This means sticking with your program over the long haul, even when you don’t feel like it. There will be days when you’re tired, days when you’re sore, and days when you just don’t feel like going to the gym. But if you want to make real progress, you have to push through those days and stick with your program no matter what.
Of course, adherence is easier said than done. There are many factors that can make it difficult to stick with a program over the long term. Life can get in the way, with work, family, and other commitments taking up a lot of time and energy. Injuries can also be a factor, as they can sideline you from your program and make it difficult to get back on track.
But despite these challenges, it’s important to remember that adherence is the key to success in strength training. No matter what type of program you follow, if you don’t stick with it consistently over a long period of time, you won’t see any real progress. This applies to other types of programs like bodybuilding etc. For the vast majority of people, the devil is not in the details when it comes to training for strength.
