Training Tip #1: Goal Setting

Over this article series, I'll be unpacking my top tips for making the most out of your training program and getting the results you are looking for. First up is the importance of goal setting. 

Think of a goal as a destination

Imagine setting out on a journey without knowing where you want to go - you'd be travelling aimlessly without knowing if you are getting any closer to your destination. Without setting goals before you start, that's exactly what you are doing with your training. Working aimlessly without a clear and specific objective is just wasted time and effort.

Before you start a training program you should always pinpoint exactly what it is you're trying to achieve, just like having a destination in mind before you start your journey.

Make your goals SMART

Goals should follow the SMART acronym.

Specific - target a specific area for improvement

Measurable - quantify or at least suggest an area of progress

Agreed Upon - specify who will do it

Realistic - state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources

Time-Related - specify when the results can be achieved

Consider these two examples:

Goal 1) 'I want to be faster so I'm better at football'

Goal 2) 'I want to improve my acceleration over 10m by two tenths of a second during the 3 month off-season period, so I can get to the ball faster when I play football'

It's obvious which of these two goals is likely to lead to the best results. Goal 2 is detailed enough to use as a basis to write a training program from, wheras Goal 1 (which is still better than nothing), lacks enough detail to really be effective.

Commit to it   

Don't set a goal if you're not going to commit fully to achieving it - you'll only end up disappointed. Once you've worked out your SMART goals, make them visible. Print them out and put them somewhere you'll see them every day, recruit a teammate to keep you on track, get your coach to be strict with you. The more people who know about your goals and invest time in helping you to achieve them, the more likely you are to accomplish something to be proud of. 

That's the first training tip done. Set your SMART goals before you start training and you'll give yourself a much better chance of getting to where you want to be. 

For information on training programs from Fowkes Fitness & Performance please use the Contact form here