Episode 86: Workouts Don’t Matter as Much as You Think

When it comes to training, workouts seem like the be all end all. As coaches, we obsess over the details of each repeat, or when we should perform tempo runs or short intervals. Workouts are what we worry about. Yet, how much does it matter?
In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, we discuss why while workouts are important, we often over emphasize their
Topics covered include:
- How many ingredients make up the recipe of development
- The Cumulative effect
- It’s not what you do, it’s how you do.
- Why you need to slow down to speed up
- Are you playing checkers or chess?
- Are you a coach or an accountant?
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
Principles by Ray Dalio
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Thanks for another good podcast, guys. I’ll get the constructive criticism out of the way early. It would be helpful in making your points, which sometimes wax and wane philosophically, to give good detailed examples with data to really drive each point home. I particularly liked Johnathan’s comment about the pro golfer and working on one movement. That brought to mind Jay DiCharry’s books (which Steve referenced in his book) on biomechanics and breaking the movement down into parts. Slowing down to speed up was also a vital point. Again, running economy is vital with movement in the correct fluid way to train and recruit the right muscle patterns and build capillaries, neural connections, and expand cellular/biochemical capability.
As I’ve listened to my son more (a lot more), our work together to plan his workouts and auxiliary efforts has suddenly unleashed an exponential rise in his development. His psychological well being is so crucial, probably most important, because he’s a high school kid with other things on his plate. The workouts have become so individualized for him … at this stage, less is more … he needs the recovery and has a pretty solid aerobic base to work with. As a sports physician, I love your book, Steve, because it makes so much scientific sense. I still also like Daniels’ work as one part of the equation, but as guidelines only. He is sometimes misinterpreted as being rigid. Where your book, Steve, however, first made a great revelation to me in contrast to one principle of Daniels was underscoring the idea that you don’t have to reach VO2 max in your interval workouts to enhance VO2 max. My son may not understand your book fully, but he certainly gets DiCharry’s books. Both have made a world of difference to his performance and confidence.