Are You a Thermostat or Thermometer?

Written by Joel Sattgast, DPT

When it comes to smart, strong, and consistent training, the winter months often prove challenging for a variety of reasons. The days are shorter, sunlight is scarce, and, if you reside in the pacific northwest, finding a window where it's not raining can prove difficult, if not impossible. Adding injury or setbacks from a season that did not go according to plan is the final ingredient in a terrible recipe, and the ultimate reminder that perhaps you have found yourself in the doldrums of training.

It's times like these when athletes need to behave like a thermostat rather than a thermometer. The difference is stark. A thermostat automatically regulates the environment by preventing large fluctuations in temperature. In contrast, a thermometer is at the mercy of the environment and prone to marked swings. In essence, a thermostat relies on information from the environment to generate an appropriate output, whereas a thermometer directly reflects the state of the environment. To foster peak athletic performance, consistent training and sound decision making are a must. It's therefore essential to adjust to the ebb and flow of life through making minor adjustments on daily basis. Of all the athletes we coach, the happiest and most successful ones in sport as well as in life behave in a manner similar to a thermostat. Be the thermostat!