Training vs. Working Out: Why You Might Be Working Hard, But Not Getting Better

If you play lacrosse, you’ve probably told yourself, “I’m putting in the work.”
And you might be.
You’re in the gym, you’re running, you’re getting shots up, you’re sweating — but here’s the truth:
Most athletes are working out. Very few are training.

Working out is effort without direction.
Training is effort with a plan.

Working out makes you tired.
Training makes you better.

The difference is intention.

When you train, every rep has a reason. You know why you’re doing what you’re doing, what you’re chasing, and how it connects to your game. When you’re just working out, you’re hoping the effort alone will be enough.

It won’t.

I learned this the hard way. I grew up outside all day—basketball, street hockey, tag, football—competing with the neighborhood kids in San Jose, California. We fought for every point because it mattered to us. That fire never left.

When I started lifting weights as a teenager, I thought working out was enough. I’d wake up early, go through the motions, and get stronger. It felt good… but it wasn’t training.

Training came later—when I had to get serious about improving something specific.
When I realized that just doing “more” wasn’t the same as doing the right things.

Scroll through social media — you’ll see it everywhere.
Athletes grinding. Sweating. Posting “getting better” captions.

But are they really?

If you’re not tracking your progress…
If you’re not diagnosing your weaknesses…
If you don’t have a plan for your next phase of growth…
Then you’re working out, not training.

And the difference shows.

The player who trains always passes the one who just works out. Always.

Training starts with honesty.
What’s holding you back?

Maybe it’s your stick skills.
Maybe it’s your footwork or decision-making.
Maybe you rush shots instead of reading the goalie.

A real training plan attacks those weaknesses on purpose — not randomly.

When I was trying to make the jump from junior to senior box lacrosse in Canada, I realized my stickwork wasn’t elite yet. So I built a plan around the exact situations I saw in games:
breakaways, inside finishes, wrong-side shots, everything.

I didn’t just shoot for fun — I trained with focus. I drilled my go-to shots until they were automatic.
That’s the key. You’re not just doing reps — you’re building weapons.

You don’t need to do more work.
You need to do the right work.

Working out gives you sweat.
Training gives you separation.

One makes you look busy.
The other makes you unrecognizable by spring.

So, take a second today to ask yourself:

Because the athletes who know the difference — and act on it — are the ones everyone else chases a year from now.

For sports like lacrosse—especially when you grow up in non-traditional areas—or if you’re a parent who doesn’t have a background in the game, it can be really hard to know what your athlete actually needs.
What skills matter most?
How do you filter through all the hype online?

That’s where experience matters.

That’s where I come in.
I’ve coached and mentored over 150 athletes who have gone on to play at the next level — across different programs, genders, and regions. I know what it takes to build from raw potential into a complete player.

If you want to learn more about what your athlete can do right now to train more effectively, send me an email. I’ll be happy to outline some thoughts on what most players can improve immediately.

And if you’re looking for something more personalized, I also have a few openings for private training and my online mentorship group with special offers available this month.

Also here’s a simple video that will help your athlete maximize their wall ball time!

Thanks for reading!

Elliott