6 Components of an Effective Training Program

Text size:  |  Post a comment  |  Print  |   | 
Add to my favorites

1) Active Warm-up
This includes mobility, activation, movement preparation, and all injury prevention or corrective exercises. Glute bridging, resistance band work and lunge variations are all essential in a proper active warm-up.
2) Core Training
The core is meant to stabilize the spine, and your routine should reflect this. Stick to plank variations, cable chops and other exercises that focus on core stabilization, while minimizing crunching patterns. Glute work such as bridges and mini-band walks, along with back extension work, should also be addressed in a sound core routine.
3) Elastic and Reactive Training
Often referred to as plyometric training, this type of training is for everyone, not just athletes. As you age, power and agility are the first to go, therefore keeping this type of training in your program will help both injury prevention and performance. Exercises can range from simple exercises, such as jump rope and calisthenics, to more advanced exercises, such as squat jumps to a box. Proper foundation work must introduced before this type of training is part of your program.
4) Strength Circuit
A proper strength routine consist of a full body approach utilizing exercise that work many muscles at once, such as lunges and push-ups, while avoiding exercise that work single muscles, such as by bicep curls and leg extensions. Constantly changing repetitions and load will keep your body guessing and lead to greater results.
5) Cardio
This does not mean walking on the treadmill for an hour while reading "Muscle and Fitness" magazine. Ten to 12 minutes of well-structured intervals will do more for your metabolism and fitness than that entire hour on the treadmill or elliptical machine. Cardio does not have to be done on a machine; wind sprints, kettlebell swings and medicine ball circuits are great ways to get in some effective cardio.
6) Regeneration
Foam rolling, static stretching and some sort of recovery nutrition consisting of protein and carbohydrates should all be used to promote quicker recovery.
Bringing It all Together
In a single training session, some of these essentials will be emphasized more than others, but all six still need to be addressed somewhere in your program.

About this Author

Peter Park is the official strength and conditioning coach for Lance Armstrong, while also personal training at his gym Platinum Fitness in Montecito. Park received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of California, Los Angeles and is certified as a personal trainer. Park lives in Santa Barbara with his wife Kelly and two children Hayden and Carter.

Last updated on: 11/18/09

Member Comments

0 down up

by Frankietrain on April 7, 2009 at 11:30 PM

Peter,
Once again you have wrapped it up into 1 hour. Thanks for reaching out to all us weekend warriors. Great article.
Frank

advertisement

Additional Reading

Stay In The Know By Email

Receive emails packed with helpful information on health, fitness, nutrition and lifestyle.

Tools

Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.