The Eight-Week Training Plan Trap: Why This Coaching Model Fails

🤦‍♀️ The Eight-Week Training Plan Trap: Why This Coaching Model Fails

 

The other day, I was catching up with a friend, and she mentioned she needed to call her coach because she had no workouts planned for the week.

My initial thought was, "Okay, maybe things got busy, it happens." (Trying to be less judgmental here, but let's be real, a coach's main job is to, you know, plan the training.)

So, this morning, I checked in on her and asked about the plan.

Her response? The coach had programmed her training... for the next eight weeks!

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Seriously? Eight Weeks?! That's Unacceptable.

 

My jaw almost hit the floor. This is, in my opinion, a horrible and completely unsustainable way to run a coaching business.

Here's the cold, hard truth: Life happens.

In an eight-week block, you can expect at least one major disruption. Think about it:

• The dog gets sick and needs a vet visit.

• You get sick and need an extra rest day (or three).

• Your job demands an unexpected work trip.

• A family holiday or weekend getaway pops up.

When a coach dumps an eight-week, rigid plan on you, they are setting you up to fail the moment real life interrupts.

 

The Problem with Long-Term, Static Plans

 

Once you miss a block of training—even just a few days—the mental and physical separation from the plan begins. Athletes are immediately faced with two stressful questions:

1. "Where do I return to training in this massive plan?"

2. "Do I try and make up the missed workouts?"

Either way, the plan becomes a jumbled, confusing mess. The athlete loses faith, the adherence drops, and suddenly, the coach and the athlete are playing catch-up, trying to hastily readjust the workload from a reactive position.

Poor planning will inevitably result in poor results. Period. No athlete should have to deal with this kind of unengaged coaching. It's simply unacceptable.

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🚀 Our Commitment: Collaborative and Flexible Coaching

 

At Altitude Endurance Coaching, you can NEVER expect this kind of approach.

We live by the rule that plans must be fluid and responsive. I am writing plans two weeks—if not just one—ahead of our current date. This allows us to:

• Adapt to your energy levels and fatigue.

• Adjust for your ever-changing schedule.

• Collaborate on the workload so it fits seamlessly into your life, not the other way around.

Coaching should be an engaging partnership, not a static blueprint.

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Now I want to hear from you!

What are your horror stories of bad coaching? Share them in the comments below!

Ready to ditch the rigid, eight-week plans and embrace an engaging, collaborative approach to your training? Hit me up when you’re ready for a coaching experience that puts your life first.