Although most resources on program design review the foundational scientific principles of training, they often fail to provide practical strategies that strength and conditioning professionals need in order to apply these principles successfully. To help bridge the gap between science and application, this article provides a simple and practical, step-by-step system for applying the scientific principles of training into the program design process.

Ever wonder if there’s a more efficient approach to program design? In this session from the 2019 NSCA’s Coaches Conference, Mike Robertson, President of Robertson Training Systems and the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST), discusses his simple seven-step approach to program design.

There is growing evidence that polarized endurance training is a promising method for optimizing a tactical athlete’s cardiovascular system, preparing for physical performance tests, allowing for a more full recovery during deployment, and allowing for safer return to duty after injury or deployment.

What makes a well-rounded athlete, and more importantly, how do you train them? Andy Zalaiskalns, MARSOC Human Performance Strength and Conditioning Coach, discusses a systemic approach to developing the well-rounded tactical athlete.

In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 Personal Trainers Conference, Doug Sheppard explains simple tips that studio/gym owners can utilize immediately to improve efficiency in management and operations. Learn about common errors of studio/gym owners and how to avoid them.

From the 2019 Tactical Annual Training, Rob Orr, co-lead of Bond University’s Tactical Research Unit, explains how the backs of tactical personnel can be compromised. He also details the systems that affect the back and how to construct programs to optimize physical conditioning and reconditioning.

Justin Roethlingshoefer, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Miami University, talks about ways to utilize global positioning systems (GPS) and heart rate technology to identify and adjust loads for in-season time periods—and keep players fit and healthy—without creating fatigue. This is a recording of a session from the NSCA’s 2016 Hockey Clinic.

This article discusses how suspension-based resistance training may help develop the stability and muscular endurance in the shoulder joint needed to decrease the risk of shoulder injuries as a result of the demands of firefighting.

Jay DeMayo, strength and conditioning coach at the University of Richmond, talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about training within a system but having flexibly, empowering athletes to make decisions in workouts, staying at one institution for 15+ years, books every coach should read, and knowing your role within the team setting.