This comment can be deceiving. Hard work CAN pay off if the work is being done properly. If the work is not being done properly than hard work simply means just that; you are working hard.

Some of the famous sayings in our industry have done nothing but build this image around hard work that is simply not true. Take a look:

“No Pain No Gain”

“Just Do It”

“Blood, Sweat, and Tears”

Obviously these are motivational sayings and are not meant to represent the sporting and fitness fields, but in many cases they do. Coaches and trainers that do not know any better take these sayings as truths.

The bottom line is I can work really hard at any exercise and have little impact on my ultimate goal, what ever that may be. Or I can work really hard, not over tax my body or mind, and get outstanding results.

So the question is. Does the hard work match the direct line to the ultimate goal? I think in most cases it does. I think most trainers and coaches have a plan. They know how to get the job done with PROPER hard work.

There is nothing more satisfying to see an athlete bust their tail to get better each workout. But there it is even more satisfying to see the athlete work smart and hard to get the job done

Several years ago I created a product named “Ground Breaking Athletic Movement”. This program was designed to help coaches understand what working smart was about regarding multi-directional speed. This product was followed up with Ground Breaking 2. This product was designed to take the coaching of skills deeper. It isn’t about drills; it is all about skills, methods, and principles of speed. www.GroundBreaking2.com is the site you can learn more.

I am sure many of you have been questioned by parents as to why their son or daughter isn’t exhausted or dripping with sweat after each workout. The answer you give probably bounces off deaf ears. The frustrating part is you are doing the right thing, but because these parents believe in the sayings I mentioned above (No pain no gain….) they only want hard nose work. My rule is, if parents sought me out to sign their kids up with me, leave me alone to do my job- PERIOD! I explain why I do what I do, but I will not justify each training session. When I need athletes to get technically more sound they may not be fatigued at all. This doesn’t mean I can’t finish a workout with a good metabolic session, but if my goal is skill development it will result in better performance but not necessarily exhaustion.

I guess my title should have been, “Hard Work Really CAN Pay Off”.

P.S. – I often encourage those interested in becoming more adept at coaching multi-directional speed to invest in Ground Breaking 2 www.GroundBreaking2.com. But if this product has already been purchased I believe the additional products at www.SportsSpeedEtc.com like Low Box Training for Athletes are important additions to improve specific movement skill.