Navigating the Noise: How to Stay Informed and Avoid Hype in the Strength and Conditioning World

It's funny how the strength and conditioning world works. Much like in life, trends are cyclical and repetitive. There's always something new and better; cardio or no cardio? The one puzzle piece that we've been missing; ice or sauna? The one thing that is going to completely change the game; blood flow restriction or velocity based training? Now, don't get me wrong, it's natural to want to stay up-to-date and be at the forefront of innovation, but it's important to remember that not everything new and shiny is necessarily the best.

With so much information available online and through social media, it can be tempting to simply adopt whatever the latest "guru" is promoting without really thinking about it (I'm guilty for it too). However, this can lead to a lack of nuance and an oversimplification of complex concepts, and can ultimately be detrimental to our athletes.

I'm not saying there's nothing left to learn, no more research to be conducted, or that we already have everything figured out. That would revoke the value of innovation in the space, the profession of strength coaching would be useless, and there would be no need for professional development. Opinions wouldn't matter, and everyone would be doing the same thing.

Luckily, that is not the case. Instead, we have a repeating pattern: new information surfacing that is supposed to be better than everything we've ever known, one well-decorated coach or influencer posts about it, then everyone and their mothers hop on the bandwagon. That information is then regurgitated in so many ways by so many people that it gets old, people stop talking about it, and something new comes up.

Inherently, this is neither good nor bad. It is just the spreading of information through platforms that have made it extremely easy to do so. However, I do think it often times leads to a black and white approach to concepts, a misunderstanding of context, and a lot of people believing things without actually knowing how to apply them to the correct scenarios.

So, what can professionals do to ensure that they are making informed decisions and not getting swept up in the hype?

1. Understand that different gets "eyes": New and different content is often rewarded on social media because it is able to capture attention and keep people engaged. However, it's important to understand that just because something is new or different does not necessarily mean that it is more valuable or useful. In fact, some content may be specifically designed to capture attention without offering any real substance or value.

2. Seek out multiple sources of information: Don't rely on just one source of information, as this can lead to confirmation bias. Instead, seek out multiple sources and try to get a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

3. Be critical of the information you encounter: Don't blindly accept everything you hear or read. Instead, be critical and consider whether the information is supported by evidence and whether it makes logical sense.

4. Consult with colleagues and mentors: Discuss your ideas and decisions with colleagues and mentors who have more experience and knowledge in the field. They can help provide valuable insights and perspectives.

5. Continuously learn and educate yourself: The field of strength and conditioning is constantly evolving, so it's important to continuously learn and educate yourself in order to stay up-to-date with the latest research. This can be done through reading peer-reviewed journals, attending conferences and workshops, and following trusted sources of information.

6. Immerse yourself in information that you both agree and disagree with: By seeing both sides of the argument and considering different viewpoints, you can better understand the context in which certain techniques or approaches are being used. This can help you to become a more critical thinker and avoid blindly adopting trends without fully understanding them.

I know some of this feels like common sense, but in today's world it's easy to get caught up and resort to autopilot. Actively talking about and addressing these subjects can help us navigate the strength and conditioning world to get the best results for our athletes. Ultimately, it's important to remember that no one approach is going to be the best for everyone, and it's okay to have different opinions and approaches. By immersing yourself in information and staying open to professional development, you can make more informed decisions and provide the best possible service to your athletes.