Exercise number

Exercise number refers to the amount of exercises performed in a training session. There is no set rule about how many exercises a training session should have to be effective. Exercise number can depend on many different factors such as the training goal, training age of the player, time available, method of training etc. A novice resistance trainer may have more variety and a larger exercise number in their sessions. This allows the coach to provide a wide and varied general training stimulus to introduce loading to the body in this anatomical adaptation phase.

As training age progresses, a “less is more’’ approach can often be applied to exercise number. A lower exercise number in a session allows the player to focus on their technique and lifting intent. Time and efficiency of the session can also play a part on exercise number. With a large exercise number, the session can take a long time to complete and this may not be ideal or achievable in the training environment.

The sessions below show two strength and power training sessions, one for in-season and one for pre-season. Both sessions could be used to develop and maintain strength and power.

For the in-season session, the exercise number is low, to provide an efficient, quick, training stimulus to maintain strength and power levels. Training volume is lower due to being in season and a desire to limit unnecessary fatigue.

For the pre-season session, the exercise number is higher. Players can perform higher volumes as there is less worry about the impact of fatigue on performance in games.