The 3 Characteristics of a “Smart” Training Program (and where to get one)

For a training program to be considered “smart”, it must have the following 3 characteristics:

  1. Efficient ⇒ zero wasted time (Are you addicted to efficiency, too???)

  2. Customized ⇒ must be built based on your goals, your capacity, your current abilities and fitness level

  3. Progression built-in ⇒ it must have a built-in a way to continue to challenge you without pushing you too hard (resulting in overtraining or injury), but just enough to keep your progress moving forward

Where to get a “smart” training plan?

1.  Build it yourself

Basically, do your own research. Make sure you have a clear goal in mind as to what you want to accomplish (weight loss, strength gain, add muscle, get faster, etc.). From there, just start reading, listening and watching everything you can get your hands on. Depending on your experience with doing this, it might be challenging, but doable, or more likely a long process of learning, and trial and error.

2. Have someone build it for you

Pretty simple. Find someone you trust, tell them your goals, how much time you want to spend working towards those goals, and pay them to build a plan that fits into your life and incorporates the 3 “smart” training tenets. If you’d like to explore this option, start by filling out this brief form.

3. Hire a personal trainer

If you have the budget for it, you could hire a personal trainer (PT) to not only build a program for you, but could coach you through it as well. Be careful though, there is a ton of variation from one PT to the next, so do your research before settling on the first guy or gal that approaches you at the gym. Be sure that whoever you choose at your PT understands the 3 tenets of a “smart” training program.

4. Find specialty gym

There are not many places that will truly build you a “smart” training plan as part of your base membership. But not only does Koko FitClub do this for you, it also has a unique way of coaching you through each workout. There are Koko locations across the country. And here is one in Houston in the The Heights that has amazing reviews.