When I was a young(er) lifter than I am now I used to eat up the muscle magazines that came to the local stores in my town. This, of course, was before the prevalence of the internet with instant information – whether it be true or false. Those magazines were gold!

I once came across an interesting article titled The Greatest Leg Program. I could not wait to sink my teeth into what constituted the world’s best leg routine. Having grown up skinny, I felt my legs were a major weak point. I feverishly read through the pages to find no real leg program at all – not even a single exercise listed. Ripped off! A waste of my time!

Well, that was then and a few years ago when I was ignorant of the fact of what the true meaning of the article was. Looking back I can honestly say it was one of the best pieces I have seen written and it still holds true to this day.

It wasn’t about sets, reps, exercises and weight. It was about consistency, hard work and fortitude. It outlined the need to stick to a program, any program and see it through.

At times we all get frustrated over what the best split, rep scheme, and volume approach to use when it comes to training. Are we better suited for high volume or HIT-style? Should we use high reps or low reps? Compound moves exclusively or throw in some isolation work? I say yes to all!

My driving point is whatever you choose, stay consistent with it, work hard at it and believe it will work. If that means performing 10 sets of squats for the entire leg workout, so be it. Make them the most intense 10 sets you have ever done. Supersets, compound sets or high reps? Make the very best of it.

Stay with whatever program you are on for at least 4-6 weeks and monitor your progress. Then and only then will you truly know what is working and what isn’t.

Give yourself a checklist. Are your eating habits sound? Are you gaining strength? Are you gaining size (if that is your goal)? Are you energetic and motivated every time you enter the gym? Do you honestly believe what you are doing will work?

Be honest with yourself, reassess your progress and you will walk down your own path of progress.

What are your successes, triumphs, strategies and techniques for a better program? Comment below.