I recently posted this question: “There are many factors that determine whether a training program is successful or not. In your opinion, what is the most significant, impactful, or important?” 

I received a lot of great answers…Consistency. Frequency. Time. Volume. Variety. Fun. Community. Scalability. And more…

All correct...but not the most significant (in my opinion).

To me, the most important factor in determining success on a training program is effort.

I’ve followed many programs over the years. Some worked. Some didn’t. As I’ve gained more experience as a trainee, I’ve realized something simple: the program itself does not determine success. I do.

You can give me the best coach in the world writing the perfect program. Reps, sets, intensity, and exercise selection can all be textbook for what I’m trying to achieve. But if my effort is low, it won’t work.

That’s on me. Not the program.

Consistency only works if you consistently give your best. Showing up is not enough. You can get away with the “at least I’m here” mindset occasionally, but if that becomes your standard, you will kill your own results.

Imagine applying that to other areas of your life. Work? Fired. Marriage? Divorced. Kids? Who the hell knows. So why expect positive results when you apply that same mindset to fitness?

At the end of the day, I am the variable that determines whether the program succeeds. And so are you. When we truly apply ourselves, programs work. When we don’t, they don’t.

For most people, the program you’re on doesn’t matter as much as you think. The effort you bring to it matters more. If you’re training for something highly specific, programming becomes more important, but effort still drives the outcome.

It’s easy to blame the program. It’s harder to admit when we’re part of the problem. I’ve had to do it many times and it sucks. But every time I’ve owned it, I’ve come out stronger.

If this feels accusatory, I promise, it’s not. It’s motivational. This is me telling you that you’re capable of more. Get after it. Give a little more. Try a little harder.

You won’t regret it!