The Little Black Book of Training Wisdom: How to train to improve at any sport - Paperback

by Dan John (Foreword by), Dan Cleather (Author)

A clear, practical guide to how training really works.

"A rare book." - Dan John, author of Easy Strength and Never Let Go

Most training advice makes things more complicated than they need to be. The Little Black Book of Training Wisdom cuts through the noise and focuses on the few principles that actually drive long-term progress - consistency, intelligent stress, skilful practice, and thoughtful planning.

Drawing on years of coaching, teaching, and sports science, Dan Cleather explains training in a way that is both rigorous and completely accessible. You'll learn what actually improves performance, why athletes stall, and how to build a training process that works in the real world.

Inside, you'll discover:

• the cardinal rule of training - and why most people break it without noticing
• how improvement really happens through physiology and practice
• the difference between capacities and skills, and why both matter
• what progressive overload actually means in day-to-day training
• how to structure a training week so progress becomes predictable
• how psychology and intensity shape training outcomes
• clear guidance for coaches - from communication to planning to long-term development

Whether you're a beginner looking for clarity, an experienced athlete trying to break plateaus, or a coach who wants a grounded framework for decision-making, this book gives you the tools to understand and improve the training process.

Training isn't magic. It's simple principles applied with consistency.

"Dan cuts through the intellectual rubbish bin that has dominated our field for the last few decades and gives us clarity and insight." - Dan John

Author Biography

Dan is a Reader in Strength and Conditioning and Programme Director of the MSc in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK. Before joining St Mary's he was employed as a strength and conditioning coach at the English Institute of Sport. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant strength and conditioning coach at California State University Long Beach. Dan has coached national and international medallists across a wide range of sports, and in particular has worked with World and Olympic champions in track and field athletics, rowing, canoeing and rugby. Dan's PhD is in biomedical engineering (from Imperial College London) and his research interests include musculoskeletal modelling, functional anatomy and strength training. He has published around 40 articles in peer reviewed scientific and professional practice journals. He is a founder member of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association and currently serves the organisation as Director of Finance and Administration (a post he also held between 2005 and 2009).