Let’s keep this simple, stick to the "basics."  If your progress isn’t where you want it to be, the answer is not more intricate exercises or a more complex program.  What you need to do is embrace training principles and implement those principles with your chosen movements.  Unless your chosen sport is Powerlifting or Weightlifting, there is no particular exercise an athlete or average Joe will need to improve.  You will, however, need to follow correct training principles for which there are a variety of applications and variations to use to achieve your goals. 

Unfortunately, what you typically get is the “trainer” that memorizes exercises and programs, or worse...what worked for them personally in the past.  Or they may have a servitude to some type of training method (see CrossFit).  Typically, the trainer that talks about “sticking to the basics” has a list of exercises that they run through with clients 3 times per week…not what we’re looking for...NOT WHAT WE MEAN.

So, let’s put it this way…there are no basic exercises, only principles.  Exercises/movements can run the scale on the complexity meter, as a Snatch is very complex where a Back Squat is less complex, and a leg press even less complex.  It’s how you go about using each exercise, and how you apply certain training principles that matters.  Variation on global reps/sets/tempos, overload progression, etc. are what matters most.  And don't forget about planes of motion!

Making intelligent decisions about programming comes down to a scientific expertise in analyzing each individual and applying universal principles of training, kinesiology, and biomechanics.  It really is all intelligent, educated decision making…and that is not equate to following current trends or memorizing the WOD on a website.  It definitely doesn’t come down to modeling things after some coach or athlete’s workouts posted on Instagram.

Ultimately, the chosen exercises are really just your chosen method to apply scientifically proven principles.  It is the principles that dictate the movements/exercises and how they are applied.

Regardless of trends or industry movement, the basic and foundational principles of training will remain unchanged.  How we train an athlete today, barring some crazy scientific discovery, will remain the same in the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th centuries and beyond.  The application of those principles may change, but the foundations of “why” won’t.