{"id":15421,"date":"2025-12-13T02:06:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T19:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=15421"},"modified":"2025-12-13T02:06:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T19:06:14","slug":"5-ways-to-get-better-at-writing-training-programs-tony-gentilcore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=15421","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Get Better At Writing Training Programs \u2013 Tony Gentilcore"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>I received a message from a young coach the other day asking if I knew of (or used) any tricks to help make writing training programs easier or less time intensive.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of suggesting he build his own time traveling DeLorean, skip a head 50 or so years to clone himself 17 times (and to see if someone possibly cured male pattern baldness\u2026asking for someone I know), and then travel back to 2025 with his small army of \u201chims\u201d to help with the workload, I offered the following suggestions and advice.<\/p>\n<p>I figured this was a good topic to expound on and decided to make it into a blog post.<\/p>\n<p>Hope it helps.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Practice Makes Perfect (Kinda)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>If you want to get better at playing the violin\u2026play the violin.<\/li>\n<li>If you want to get better at long division\u2026do long division.<\/li>\n<li>If you want to get better at free throws\u2026.practice more free throws.<\/li>\n<li>If you want to get better at not getting laid\u2026go to <em>Star Trek<\/em> conventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I keed, I keed.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no way to sugar coat this:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIf you want to get better at writing programs\u2026write more programs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I have a folder on my desktop labeled <del>Lisa,\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Don\u2019t Open This Folder<\/span><\/del> Client Programs, and if I opened it right now and actually took the time to count the number of programs in it \u2013 which is an amalgamation of my eight years at Cressey Sports Performance in addition to the ten years I\u2019ve been training people out of CORE and Core Collective \u2013 I\u2019d garner a guess there\u2019s at least, I don\u2019t know, a kazillion, billion programs in it.<\/p>\n<p>Okay, lets just say it\u2019s a lot.<\/p>\n<p>I am by no means insinuating I\u2019m some program writing maverick and that I\u2019ve got things dialed down to a well-tuned science, but it stands to reason in the 20+ years I\u2019ve been writing training programs, I\u2019ve gotten pretty okay at not sucking at it.<\/p>\n<p>That being said, the sooner you acquiesce to the idea it\u2019s going to take time, practice, and lots of experience on your part in order to get \u201cadequate\u201d yourself, the better off you\u2019ll be.<\/p>\n<p><strong>To answer the question, though: <\/strong>Is there a way to expedite the program writing process?<\/p>\n<p>Well, it depends.<\/p>\n<p>Many factors come into play \u2013 one\u2019s training age, injury history, goals, availability of equipment, total training frequency, favorite <em>He-Man<\/em> character (&lt;\u2013 very important), to name a few.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d say on average it takes me anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to write a program.<\/p>\n<h4>Moreover:<\/h4>\n<p><strong>1. I rarely start from scratch. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve written enough programs and have worked with enough people that I can Spidey-sense similarities and correlations between one client and another. If someone has the same background and\/or goals as a previous client of mine I don\u2019t need to re-invent the wheel. I can take someone else\u2019s program, do a little bada-binging and bada-booing (tweaking), and cater it to someone else.<\/p>\n<p>I take pride in writing individual programs for all my clients, but I\u2019m also a realist. Most of the time most people need to be doing the same stuff anyways; at least in the beginning:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Less bench pressing.<\/li>\n<li>More rows.<\/li>\n<li>Better scapular rotation and reaching (general shoulder health).<\/li>\n<li>More single leg work and carries.<\/li>\n<li>More butt stuff (posterior chain in general).<\/li>\n<li>Deadlifts DO NOT always mean using a barbell or that one is pulling from the floor.<\/li>\n<li>No, deep squats aren\u2019t dangerous.<\/li>\n<li>Yes, your knees can go past your toes.<\/li>\n<li>Give your clients a little of what THEY want to do. Key words to consider: \u201ca little.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>If you ask me one more time whether or not you should go keto I\u2019m going to throw my face into a wall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Understand there\u2019s NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT PROGRAM. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s inevitable you\u2019re going to be overzealous with some people or underestimate others, especially with regards to exercise selection.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t think a day goes by where I\u2019m not crossing out things on a program or making minor adjustments, or hell, even overhauling the entire program.<\/p>\n<p>No one is perfect (except Ryan Gosling).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media4.giphy.com\/media\/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExcWZwM2NnbTA4NnNyMmd5a21mOWxvaGVmenkxemp4NjB0ZDVhcXJiayZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw\/zLXBAnyOqmTHa\/giphy.gif\"\/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/zLXBAnyOqmTHa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>2. Remember: It\u2019s THEIR Program, Not Yours<\/h3>\n<p>No quote is more appropriate here than one of Dan John\u2019s classics:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>\u201cThe goal is to keep the goal, the goal.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-460535\" src=\"https:\/\/tonygentilcore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screenshot-2025-12-12-at-1.52.39-PM-1024x731.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tonygentilcore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screenshot-2025-12-12-at-1.52.39-PM-1024x731.png 1024w, https:\/\/tonygentilcore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screenshot-2025-12-12-at-1.52.39-PM-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/tonygentilcore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screenshot-2025-12-12-at-1.52.39-PM-768x549.png 768w, https:\/\/tonygentilcore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screenshot-2025-12-12-at-1.52.39-PM.png 1330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\"\/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Ranked #16 in my list of \u201cman crushes\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If someone\u2019s goal is to get strong or maybe compete in powerlifting, then, yeah, they should likely focus on the classic barbell lifts.<\/p>\n<p>Write a program that reflects that.<\/p>\n<p>Kipping pull-ups likely aren\u2019t going to get the job done. In fact, kipping pull-ups are never going to get the job done.<\/p>\n<p>Stop it.<\/p>\n<p>Just, stop.<\/p>\n<p>If someone\u2019s goal is to lose a bunch of fat, again, I <em>could<\/em> make the case strength is still important and that the barbell lifts (which utilize multiple joints and make burning a bunch of calories in a short amount of time a thing. Plus, the goal of any fat loss plan should be to KEEP the muscle you have. What makes muscle, keeps muscle. Lifting heavy things is paramount.) may be of benefit.<\/p>\n<p>But understand there are many methods to get any job done.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe someone would rather jump into a shark\u2019s mouth than touch a barbell.<\/p>\n<p>Blasphemous, I know. But it happens.<\/p>\n<p>If so, don\u2019t be an insufferable dick about it and force feed YOUR preferences over your client\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>A glaring example here is when you see bodybuilders training 55 year old female clients like bodybuilders. Yeah dude, I doubt she\u2019s interested in her bicep peak. I mean, maybe. But I doubt it.<\/p>\n<p>Stick to the goals and consider your client\u2019s preferences.<\/p>\n<p>This can make writing programs much, much, MUCH more \u201cfreeing\u201d and palatable. If someone likes using dumbbells, incorporate more dumbbells. If someone seems to be down with landmine exercises, use more landmine exercises.<\/p>\n<p>Often, the #1 factor for a program\u2019s success is <em><strong>ADHERENCE<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>A client\/athlete is much more apt to stick to a program when it\u2019s one they enjoy and want to do.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Write Programs In Bulk<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019re bound to be more efficient and \u201cin the zone\u201d when it comes to writing program when you write them in bulk.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of writing one program here and another one there, sit down, grab a cup of coffee (or tea), put on some of your favorite program writing music (for me it\u2019s Deep House or Norah Jones, don\u2019t judge), and get to work.<\/p>\n<p>I think you\u2019ll find it\u2019ll increase your program writing prowess.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Have Someone Audit Your Programs<\/h3>\n<p>Asking a colleague to take a peek at some of your programs and to provide some honest feedback is a splendid way to hone and sharpen your skills.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/media0.giphy.com\/media\/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZ21pZzBmN2ZtdGluenB0NGhtdWhyZGhsOWNxanY1aWl1bjNqbHZweCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw\/qcCa6cynAumP1GyNUH\/giphy.gif\"\/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/GoodTrouble-ff-freeform-good-trouble-qcCa6cynAumP1GyNUH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Of course it helps to be someone who can take constructive criticism well. If your default reaction is to get defensive, stomp your feet, and yell \u201cYOU\u2019RE RUINING MY LIFE\u201d when a friend suggests it might not a good idea to program back squats for someone with limited shoulder external rotation and to maybe consider front squats instead, you may want to hold off on this idea.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, grow up, it\u2019s only going to make you better and to allow you an opportunity to see things from a different lens.<\/p>\n<h3>5. When In Doubt, Simplify<\/h3>\n<p>The next time you find yourself sitting in front of your computer screen contemplating putting in Close Grip Bench Press cluster sets for your 16 year old high-school athlete with weight releasers utilizing a 5-0-7 tempo while also repeating the alphabet backwards, in Elvish:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Stop<\/li>\n<li>Punch yourself in the pancreas.<\/li>\n<li>Hard.<\/li>\n<li>And remember to just keep things simple.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Believe me, I know how easy it is to be seduced into adding novelty to your client\u2019s programs for the sake of adding novelty\u2026but I assure you most of them do not care and more importantly most do better without it.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cboring\u201d stuff is almost always going to be the better fit and is likely all most of your clients will need for quite some time.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously, when in doubt\u2026.simplify.<\/p>\n<p>And then just coach the shit out of everything.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Miscellaneous Pontification<\/h3>\n<p>\u2013 It would also bode in your favor to actually lift weights. Practice what you preach.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Refrain from adding things to your programs that you yourself have not tried first.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Network. Make nicey nice with local coaches and physical therapists. You\u2019ll learn a ton.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 I cannot WAIT for the 5th season of Ted Lasso to come out.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Also, not for nothing, but did you not notice I used both words \u201camalgamation\u201d and<br \/>\u201cacquiesce\u201d in this blog post? You didn\u2019t, did you?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/tonygentilcore.com\/2025\/12\/5-ways-get-better-writing-training-programs\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I received a message from a young coach the other day asking if I knew of (or used) any tricks to help make writing training programs easier or less time intensive. Outside of suggesting he build his own time traveling DeLorean, skip a head 50 or so years to clone himself 17 times (and to &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fitness"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15421\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}