How to Make 2025 Your Strongest Year Yet
“Strength is a byproduct of resilience through struggle.”
These words aren’t just an inspiring thought—they’re a reminder that greatness in the gym, as in life, comes from facing challenges head-on. Strength isn’t handed to us; it’s earned through grit, discipline, and the willingness to push beyond our comfort zones. As you look toward your lifting goals for 2025, remember that the road to strength isn’t just about showing up. It’s about intentional effort, deliberate planning, and unwavering commitment.
In this blog, we will dive deep into what it truly takes to make this your strongest year yet. We’ll talk about the crucial differences between training and working out—and why understanding this distinction is the first step to unlocking your potential. We’ll explore the principles of strength training, including progressive overload, specificity, and intentionality, and discuss how to build strength sustainably over time. This blog isn’t merely about chasing iron glory, you bum! It’s about building a foundation of resilience that will serve you for years to come.
Whether you’re a seasoned lifter looking to smash new PRs or someone just beginning their strength journey, this guide is for you. By the end, you’ll not only have a clear understanding of how to approach your goals but also the tools to start putting that knowledge into action. Let’s get started on the path to making 2025 the year you redefine what’s possible.
PS: Did you know Harvesting Strength is an online platform for training clients to becoming stronger? Don’t believe me? Click HERE to hear more!
Training vs. Working Out
The first step in making 2025 your strongest year is understanding the difference between training and working out.
But wait, there is a difference? I thought it was the same thing?
Listen here bozo, working out and training are not the same thing. I’m sure your dad or step-mom are to blame for this, but it’s okay. I am here to bring clarity to the situation, and help you better understand that these two concepts are far from the same.
Working out is what most people do when they walk into the gym without a plan. It’s chasing a pump, sweating it out for the sake of burning calories, or lifting weights without clear direction. It’s fun and has its place, but it’s not how you build sustainable strength.
Training, on the other hand, is meticulous. It’s intentional and consistent. Training involves having a plan—a program designed to get you from where you are now to where you want to be. It’s about tracking progress, making adjustments, and sticking to the process even when it gets tough.
If your goal is to hit new personal bests, whether it’s deadlifting twice your body weight or preparing for a bar fight with your girlfriend’s ex, training is the path that will get you there.
The Principles of Strength Training
To build strength effectively, your training must be grounded in key principles that govern how our bodies adapt to stress. Let’s break down three of the most critical ones:
1. Progressive Overload
Strength doesn’t happen by accident. To get stronger, you need to consistently challenge your body to do more than it’s done before. This could mean:
Adding more weight to the bar.
Performing more reps or sets.
Improving your technique to lift more efficiently.
Progressive overload isn’t about pushing to your absolute limit every workout. It’s about small, steady increases over time. As an online coach, I work with many individuals who have achieved incredible strength goals by embracing this principle—not through random workouts, but through systematic, long-term planning.
2. Specificity
You become good at what you practice. If you want to improve your squat, you need to squat. If you want to deadlift heavier, your training should include deadlifts and accessory movements that strengthen your posterior chain.
Specificity doesn’t mean doing only one thing, though. It means tailoring your program to address the demands of your goal. For example:
Incorporating front squats to improve your deadlift.
Using pause benches to strengthen your bench press lockout.
Including sled work to develop explosive power for sports performance.
Your goals determine the exercises, volume, and intensity of your training.
3. Intentionality
Every exercise, set, and rep should have a purpose. Random workouts might keep you moving, but intentional programming ensures you’re moving forward.
As you plan your training for 2025, ask yourself:
Why am I doing this exercise?
How does it contribute to my goal?
Am I prioritizing quality over quantity?
Being intentional also extends beyond the gym. Rest, recovery, and nutrition are equally important parts of the equation.
Strength Comes in Seasons
Building strength isn’t a linear journey. It comes in seasons, and it’s essential to respect the ebb and flow of training. Here are a few key things to remember:
You can’t always lift heavy. To make progress, you need periods of lower-intensity training to recover and build muscle. Think of these as your “off-seasons.”
Muscle supports strength. Hypertrophy-focused phases are crucial. They not only improve your physique but also give your body the foundation it needs to lift heavier weights.
Consistency beats intensity. You don’t need to hit a PR every week to improve. Showing up, sticking to your program, and making small improvements over time is what leads to long-term success.
How I Can Help You Reach Your Goals
As an online coach, I’ve worked with lifters at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re chasing your first pull-up or trying to break a plateau in your squat, I’ve helped people just like you succeed by focusing on:
Structured, personalized programming.
Weekly check-ins to ensure accountability.
Accessory work to strengthen weak points.
Through my coaching, ebooks, and online community, you’ll have the tools and support you need to make 2025 the year you crush your goals.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’ve made it this far, I know you’re serious about making 2025 your strongest year yet. Let me help you get there. Click the link below to fill out a quick form. Whether you’re interested in ebooks, joining my online community, or working with me 1-on-1, I’ll help you create a plan that works for you.
Click Here to Share Your Goals
Strength isn’t just about lifting heavier weights. It’s about resilience, consistency, and intentionality. Let’s make 2025 the year you redefine what you’re capable of. Let’s train with purpose. Let’s build your best self.