SCIENCE VS EXPERIENCE

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Science vs Experience
The Science Approach!:
If you have read any of the new methods on training watched new YouTube clips or IG videos and photos you can pretty much agree that the science behind training has hit an all time high. This approach to training for physical preparation has been widely viewed as being the only way to go when implementing a training program. Instead of the old school “do what your coaches did” people are now looking towards finding a systematic approach to training and progressing. This can substantially increase the success of one’s game while keeping the athlete from overtraining. Some can argue that calculating physical output while devising a plan to optimize every training session for a specific goal is the only way to go.

The “Old School” Way:
Now with that being said on the other side of the spectrum comes the real world application better known to some as the “old school” approach to training. This is your train till you bleed pass out and vomit on yourself style. Where you go into the gym train as hard as possible, and in return you will get better each time. The guys that usually say things like “there are no days off” or “fu** overtraining”, those are the ones that live by this approach. An old school way can be deemed to some as barbaric or “meatheadish” but this approach can be beneficial as well if put in the right prescription.

There’s NO one way to do things!:
Now before you go bashing the science guys, or the bro science guys let me say this… These two approaches have there positives and negatives, and all can be properly put into place to optimize an athlete’s overall performance, human optimization, and longevity. Which brings me to this one significant point, there is always room for both. A strategic scientific approach with some aspects of real world application that’s been tried and proven to improve results. This can be developed in all programs of sport performance training. You must not get pulled into one direction rather embrace the two worlds in order to create an overall training stimulus that has both been proven and safe to bring about success. By using science to ensure that your program has the right procedures at the right times, and that all training modalities are being worked at the correct parts of your cycle. Throw in some things at the right times to bring a sense of mental toughness and camaraderie to your team of athletes to push through barriers that the athletes may not feel they can. This may I add only be around 5% of the time and not to alter the progression of the training cycle. Things you know that helped you as an athlete in the past and not just because it was what the coaches or trainers told you to do. You must fully educate yourself on this before you utilize the real world application approach really sit back and go over exactly what you know now has worked in the past then properly implement it into your daily program. As for me with my athletes I make sure each training session has a purpose while still abiding by my own coaching principles along with putting in some things I know now that has taken me to the next level even if the science backing it may say otherwise. I truly believe in not getting sucked into one modality of training. Always make sure it makes sense for what the sport requires, but there must be more than one way to progress. I personally make sure I don’t go with the fads and exclusively train just that at the moment. I make sure to utilize those modalities but never stick to just one. I’m not just the Kettlebell guy, or the unilateral strength guy, or even the plyometrics guy. I like to acquire all these training styles into a program. Properly placing these exercises in a format to optimize the athlete’s performance as a whole. And the same goes for what I’ve done as a younger athlete utilize my real world application in the right sequence at the right time only to produce the optimal outcome.

​So in conclusion I would like to say this, be smart but never forget your roots. Keep an open mind and never stop learning. Taking the best of both worlds and creating a bullet proof approach can not only optimize performance, but can ensure the longevity of training for the athlete. Keep being innovative and never stop trying to improve!

Phil Daru
Strength & Conditioning Coach
ACE, FMS Certified
Degrees in Sports Medicine & Fitness Technology
Competitive Powerlifter USPA
Former Professional MMA Fighter
Former Division 1 Football Player
Awarded S&C coach of the year 2012­ (Florida MMA Awards)