What is it?
Auto-regulation simply means adjusting the day’s training to fit YOUR needs.
Why do we prescribe it?
Every single strength training system in the world that has demonstrated repeated success at the highest levels has incorporated auto-regulation. Not all use the same tools, but they all adapt to the fluctuating capabilities of the individual. A lot of athletes and coaches do this intuitively, and there are many ways to auto-regulate such as: rep ranges, RPE, percentages, inter-set rest intervals – you see a lot of these variants in our programming.
We believe that all programmes should be adaptable – we should have the opportunity to make it more challenging, if we are feeling good, and to adjust intensity if we aren’t having a great day. It is impossible for the coach or programmer to know how the athlete / individual will feel on that day, so auto-regulation gives us the opportunity to be flexible: Auto-regulation allows us to progress if your body & mind are ready for it, and also to avoid “putting yourself in a hole” if you are not.
This undervalued practice INDIVIDUALISES the training programme in a group setting, and is not only a great tool for athletes to learn, but for coaches to implement.
Most importantly, auto-regulation give us the power to educate ourselves – it allows us the opportunity to learn about the most important tool in life: OUR OWN NEEDS. It gives us the chance to understand how to listen to our bodies, how to push when needed, and to hold back when necessary.
There is nothing better you can do for yourself, then to continuously seek ways to understand what will lead you to success.
