An athlete I was consulting with asked me a pointed question recently, "what is the most important element of training." Without a doubt consistent training is the most important aspect of athletic success and forward progress. Even a poorly designed or random training program will produce results if followed consistently and training occurs regularly. In my experience the athletes' that are still performing well into their 40's, 50's, and beyond all have one thing in common; they have trained consistently over the years and rarely gave up ground.

But a well designed training plan followed consistently will maximize results. A well designed plan has the proper mix of stress and recovery and ensures the right type of training occurs at the right time. A well designed plan is specific to the athlete but must be adaptable and adjustable as well. I have often recommended athletes cut back on the volume of their training in order to produce more consistent quality work outs. A 5 day per week plan that is followed with energy and precision is better than a 6 day per week plan that leaves the athlete tired, unmotivated, and adversely affects other areas of their life.

Consistency does not just apply to frequency of work outs, but how consistently the athlete adheres to the work out format. It is no surprise the athletes that follow their plan precisely are the ones that see the greatest improvements in performance. There may only be room for 1-2 break through work outs per week. Hitting these important work outs consistently and correctly is key to forward progression.

If you are having trouble training consistently the first thing you have to realize is that training comes last. That's right last. Unless you are a professional athlete your training must be secondary to family and work responsibilities. A well balanced athlete will have their priorities in line, which ultimately will help their success. It is important to design a training program that fits your lifestyle and can be followed consistently without upsetting other areas of your life. Make sure your goals do not overreach your available time to train.

That being said, it is also important to schedule time for your work outs as you would any other appointment. Don't try to fit them in haphazardly; put your work outs on your calendar or have a set time each day. I have found athletes who work out in the morning have greater consistency than those who work out later in the day. Often things will occur throughout the course of a day to sidetrack your work outs. This is less likely to happen in the morning.

A coach will help you make the most efficient use of your training time and can design a plan custom to your needs and lifestyle. Each work out will have a purpose, consistently moving you in a forward direction. A plan built 4 weeks in advance is more likely to be adhered to than one that is thrown together randomly. Train hard, train smart, and train consistently.