During strength training, how should progression be monitored?

Monitoring progression in strength training is essential for ensuring that athletes are continually improving their performance and adapting to the demands of their training regimen. Tracking increases in load lifted over time is a fundamental method of measuring strength progression. This approach is based on the principle of progressive overload, where gradually increasing the resistance or load placed on the muscles leads to strength gains, adaptations in muscle size, and improvements in overall fitness performance.

When the amount of weight lifted increases, it indicates that the athlete is developing strength and becoming physically capable of handling greater loads, which is a key goal of strength training. This method also allows for clear and quantifiable data to assess performance over time, making it easier to set specific goals and adjust training programs accordingly.

While tracking calories burned, assessing body composition changes, and measuring heart rate recovery can provide valuable insights into overall fitness and health, they do not directly measure strength progression in the same way that tracking increases in load does. In strength training, the load lifted serves as a direct indicator of an athlete's strength capabilities and training effectiveness.