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Michael Boyle is one of the foremost experts in the fields of strength and conditioning, performance enhancement and general fitness. Michael has served as the head strength and conditioning coach at Boston University, for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, and for the 1998 U.S. Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Team.
In this exclusive interview with Michael, you will gain noteworthy insights into winning with mind and muscle for sustainable success. Specifically, you will learn about his intelligent approach to achieving one's fitness goals, his views on burnout prevention, and much more. Read on for my interview with Michael:
JIM: What is a common mental challenge or block to achieving one's fitness goals, and what do you recommend for overcoming this challenge?
MICHAEL: I think the most common block is lack of self-discipline and lack of commitment. I think we all want to be fit. I think very few are willing to do the hard, consistent work necessary. One big key is social support. I think this is why we saw the huge boom in personal training and now the large increase in what is being referred to do as "group personal training". Kind of an oxymoron but the concept works.
JIM: What suggestions do you present to athletes for dealing with intense non-injury pain and discomfort during a taxing workout?
MICHAEL: Don't get to that point. I know that sounds simple but no one needs to experience "intense non-injury pain". I am a tortoise and hare trainer. I have been quoted as saying I will gladly train the tortoises of the world. I'll keep you healthy and make slow steady progress over the long haul.
JIM: What have you observed in the weight room to be the No. 1 psychological attribute (confidence, focus, motivation, etc.) that most differentiates elite from non-elite athletes?
MICHAEL: I think we keep coming back to the word commitment. I'm not sure that is a psychological attribute or not. I think there are many talented people but it's the commitment, the consistency that produces the result.
JIM: What recommendations do you give as a protective factor against psychological and physical burnout?
MICHAEL: To avoid physical burnout, train smart. Stay away from Crossfit type, train to failure, programs. Training to failure is training for failure. For psychological burnout, train with others. Don't make it solitary. Enjoy the process, enjoy the moments. Don't be afraid of a day off or a week off. Take a vacation, have dessert, have a beer.
JIM: What is a common misconception people have about increasing strength and/or improving conditioning?
MICHAEL: I think the most common misconception is that it is so hard. It goes back to the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. By slow and steady I don't mean training slow but, progressing slow. Think about this. Start in week one with an empty 45 lb in the bench press and do 10 reps. Add 5 lbs. per week for one year. That's just 2.5 lbs on each side of the bar. If you didn't miss a week you would bench press 305x10 ( 52x 5= 260, 260 + 45= 305). To be honest, that is impossible. You would plateau. However most people are in such a hurry they plateau in a few weeks.
JIM: What do you perceive as the most important part of your role as a strength and conditioning coach?
MICHAEL: The most important part of my job is to teach you how to perform the exercise with perfect technique so that you can train safely. My role then shifts to teaching you the basic concepts of progressive resistance exercise.
If you are looking for sports and personal training in the Boston area go to www.bodybyboyle.com. If you are looking for performance enhancement information go to www.strengthcoach.com. Michael Boyle Strength & Condition (MBSC) was recently named one of America's Top Gyms By Men's Health.
