# self programming vs following a template

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/self-programming-vs-following-a-template/11903>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [January 9, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/self-programming-vs-following-a-template/11903 "2022-01-09T17:07:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cole](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/cole/32/167_2.png) [@Cole](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Cole)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/self-programming-vs-following-a-template/11903/1 "2022-01-09T17:07:21Z")

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Docs,

1.What are your opinions on the effectiveness of following a template (by nature very generalized) vs self programming (clearly more customized)

On the one hand you know yourself better than anyone. On the other hand, we are not as experienced at programming as people like yourselves.

I ask because I know that you each have had periods where you programmed yourselves and periods where you recieve programming from elsewhere ie:jordan with Mike T…

1. Do you two log your training anymore and if so where can I find it? I used to get great value out of following your training logs, jordan back on ss and austin here on this site.

Thanks,

Cole

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**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/self-programming-vs-following-a-template/11903/2 "2022-01-10T17:27:07Z")

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Hey Cole, thanks for the interesting question!

Let’s first establish that most _good_ programs include: 1. Resistance training and conditioning elements that meet/exceed current guidelines  
2. Exercises, rep schemes, rest periods, etc. that the match the individual’s preferences, goals, and resources.  
3. Is auto-regulated  
4. Is progressively loaded  
5. Is updated over time based on subjective and objective feedback With that established, I tend to think there are four common programming options: 1. No program  
2. Self program  
3. Template  
4. Hire a coach I think it’s unlikely that someone not following a program will spontaneously engage in an exercise program that meets all of the above criteria without expertise and careful consideration. That likely eliminates #1 and #2 for most folks, though knowledgable coaches _could_ do #2.

From there, each option has pro’s and con’s and, provided the environment is ripe for gainzZz, can produce good results. Similarly, if the environment is lacking, nearly every program is going to suck results-wise.

For example, self-programming can be fun to experiment (within constraints), but also can be difficult to assess objectively from a 1st-person view.

Similarly, templates can be useful for folks without expertise in the space. those who don’t want to program for themselves, or as a starting point for customization. On the other hand, people can get lost with too many customization options and, sometimes, folks will do the template and not learn much to apply to their next program.

Hiring an experienced coach to help with programming, technique, etc. ideally addresses all of these things. In other words, I think a _good_ coach should be developing programs suited to the individual, improving the individual’s understanding of how-to program, assessing outcomes reliably, etc.

Just my 0.02 here.

I don’t log my training publicly anymore, but rather use a spreadsheet that’s needlessly nuanced lol.

-Jordan

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**Author:** ![Brian\_Waligura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@Brian\_Waligura](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Brian_Waligura)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/self-programming-vs-following-a-template/11903/3 "2022-01-12T19:39:36Z")

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> [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](#):
>
> I don’t log my training publicly anymore, but rather **use a spreadsheet that’s needlessly nuanced** lol.

You should see my spreadsheet. Every workout is detailed in its own tab. I have about 150 or so tabs across the bottom going back only to April 2021.