Most of us have our training logs written out for the day, week, or even month. So that when we get to the gym, we know exactly what’s going to happen. This helps us be efficient in our session; can get us mentally prepared for a big attempt; or just bring out the OCD most lifters enjoy. I like to have my log planned out for 2-3 weeks. This way, I can plan on how to arrange my training around travel, holidays, or upcoming meets.

There are days; however; when you get to the gym and things don’t go as planned. Maybe you’re not as recovered as you needed to be from the last workout. Maybe you’ve just worked all day and haven’t been able to eat as well as you should before you train or maybe you’re just having an off day. Shit happens. This is where training experience comes in handy. When you’ve been training long enough to know that these days come and to just deal with it, you know you’ve hit a milestone. It shouldn’t surprise me (but still does) how many people freak out and believe they need a reset;a new program; or both just because of one bad day in the gym. Relax people. You’re supposed to be training for the next 40 years, you’ll have days that are wonky. No worries.

But then there’s the other side of the coin. Where you have your numbers written for the day but everything feels light. You’ve just hit your last set with ease and start to wonder if you’ve been misloading the bar all day? The same questions hit, is your programming off? Should you have been lifting heavier all along? What’s going on?

Again, experience takes over. You’re having a good day in the gym. Push it a little more, be a little greedy. How far you can go where you don’t mess up the rest of the week’s training takes experience but I don’t believe in letting a strong day go to waste. Be prepared to screw up along the way and don’t freak out when you do. If you’re not greedy you won’t learn how to push yourself on those days when the weights aren’t feeling light. Sometimes you need do step away from the plan. Be greedy!