GET up Volume II, Issue 15
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Volume II, Issue 15 June 2004 Where was this information when I will be properly prepared for your started??? chosen sport, having made You know, a lot of our readers will only improvements where you needed them. skim this edition. After muttering “isn’t that If it's done wrong, then it could be interesting,” many of readers will toss this potentially disastrous. One of the most edition aside or line the bird cage with the paper. Wrong. Mistake. Don’t. powerful and adaptable models for the organization of training, or Take the time to read Steve Shafley’s periodization, is the conjugate model, or, insights into “Conjugate Periodization.” Sure, if you follow internet lifting trends, the big words…lots of links…but, Steve has Westside Barbell Club model, provided a gift to the lifting and throwing community that demands careful distribution and popularized by Louie Simmons in the discussion. Powerlifting USA magazine and at This is a brilliant summary and should http://westside-barbell.com and by Dave provide our readers with an entirely new way to Tate at look at planning training blocks. http://www.elitefts.com. Unfortunately, The problem for the editorial board is simple: how do we improve on this next issue? trainees who lack a complete understanding of the basics often make Our mission? To teach everyone: big mistakes in using conjugate 1. The Body is One Piece periodization, which can lead to 2. There are three kinds of strength training: regression or even injuries. · Putting weight overhead · Picking it off the ground · Carrying it for time or distance 3. All training is complementary. THE BASICS BEHIND CONJUGATE PERIODIZATION Steve Shafley Conjugate Periodization involves a Steve Shafley is one of the concurrent training of several motor first people I “met” when I abilities or a wide multi-lateral skill came on to the Internet. developmental approach. In layman's Steve has a background in terms, you train multiple qualities at rugby and powerlifting and strongman and… once. The Westside model is Enjoy! specifically designed to improve a The powerlifter's equipped lifts, most organization of specifically, the squat and the bench strength and power press. These two lifts are the ones most training is one of the affected by supportive equipment most potentially powerful tools in an choices. Always keep in mind that the athlete's tool box. If it's done right, you lifters from the Westside Barbell Club Get Up! The Official Newsletter of the Lifting and Throwing Page 1 Volume II, Issue 15 June 2004 lift in organizations that allow unlimited speed-strength. For example: A 400 supportive equipment, and that this will pound bench presser should be able to dictate exercise choice. bench 225 pounds faster than a 300 pound bench presser. Let's digress here and look at the list of 4. Reactive Strength: Reactive potential strength qualities to be trained. strength is the ability to use the muscles and central nervous system to achieve 1. Maximal Strength: The ability to maximum force as quickly as possible move the heaviest possible weight for after an intense muscular stretch. This one repetition. That is a good working can also be called "explosive strength". definition of maximal strength. Almost Reactive strength is developed after a every other strength characteristic falls strong stretch that builds kinetic energy out of maximal strength. An example: during the lowering phase in different If you can bench press 300 pounds, then forms. Shock training builds reactive multiple repetitions (10-12 reps) with strength. Users of the Westside 280 pounds is out of the question. template use the dynamic However, if you can bench press 400 bench presses and box pounds, then 280 pounds for reps is squats with assorted entirely possible. Greater maximal methods of accommodating strength can directly affect strength- resistance to improve endurance. explosive strengths. 2. Strength-Endurance: Strength Plyometrics are another endurance is the ability to perform a method used to develop lengthy display of muscular tension with explosive strength. a minimal loss of work capacity. Strength-endurance is very specific to 5. Accelerating the type of work being done. Strength: Louie Simmons says "To Training to failure is an effective way to ensure the development of accelerating train for improved strength-endurance, strength, bands or chains should be as long as the proper percentages are employed while using a bar or maintained. dumbbells, I believe this can prolong the 3. Speed Strength: Speed strength rate of maximal force production during is the ability to move heavy weights as an exertion. This simply means one is fast as possible. In the Westside accommodating resistance, making template, the dynamic days are devoted barbell training more productive." to improving speed-strength, but, like Accelerating strength is the ability to strength-endurance, the maximal keep the weight accelerating maximally strength one can exhibit directly affects through the movement. Get Up! The Official Newsletter of the Lifting and Throwing Page 2 Volume II, Issue 15 June 2004 advanced lifter, and every two or three The conjugate periodization template weeks for a novice. The importance of that Westside uses is remarkably changing maximal effort exercises adaptable to damn near any application. should not be underestimated, and is one To those without the proper grounding in of the key mistakes an athlete new to this the "whys" and "hows", the Westside type of training makes. model often seems confusing and contradictory. What it all boils down to 3. Repetition Method: This method is that there are three ways to train a is probably the most familiar to the movement (listed below). As a mental general trainee. Simply perform an exercise, think about the different types exercise for a set amount of repetitions, of strengths listed above, and think about usually in the range of 5 to 20. In some different ways to use the methods below cases, it may be beneficial to perform to train them. repetitions to the point of muscular failure, in others; the set should be 1. Dynamic Method: This is stopped 1-2 repetitions shy of failure. performing a movement with the optimal The repetition method is used for weight for the best speed. Going too assistance work in the Westside heavy or too light in this movement template, to assist in the hypertrophy and is a mistake. A broad generalization is strengthening of weak areas. Another that anywhere from 40% to 75% of a one common neophyte mistake is going to repetition max is optimal, depending on failure too often and in too many the lifter's individuality and the exercises. movement. The dynamic method is all about the speed and the perfection of the The Westside Barbell Club divides their movements. Movements done using the training days into four days a week. dynamic method should always be done These are: crisply and fast. Going too heavy is often the 1. Maximal Effort Bench Press day first mistake someone new to this style (maximal effort and repetition methods) of training makes. 2. Maximal Effort Squat and Deadlift day (maximal effort and 2. Maximal Effort Method: This repetition methods) method is easy to describe. Perform a 3. Dynamic Effort Bench Press day movement at the heaviest weight (dynamic and repetition methods) possible for 1 to 3 reps. One important 4. Dynamic Effort Squat and aspect of the Westside model is to Deadlift day (dynamic and repetition change this lift often, every week for an methods) Get Up! The Official Newsletter of the Lifting and Throwing Page 3 Volume II, Issue 15 June 2004 These days can be placed anywhere in Please note that I will tend to use the week. However, there must be examples taken from powerlifting more 72 hours between a maximal effort day than any other sport, simply due to the and a dynamic effort day for the same facts that there are numerous examples movements. A simple schedule like this online for powerlifting and that this is fits the requirements: what I am most familiar with. In the case of most of the readers of this article, 1. Monday: Maximal Effort they will either be a competitive lifter, or Squat/Deadlift a thrower of some sort, or maybe both. 2. Tuesday: Dynamic Effort Bench Adapting the general principles of Press conjugate periodization to the 3. Thursday: Dynamic Effort Olympic lifts is probably best Squat/Deadlift left to someone with more 4. Friday: Maximal Effort Bench Olympic lifting experience Press than I have, however, getting stronger, in general, won't hurt So does: an Olympic lifter or a thrower, and these methods have made 1. Monday: Maximal Effort many people much stronger. Squat/Deadlift 2. Tuesday: Maximal Effort Bench As a final note for this section, I'd like to Press define just what accommodating 3. Thursday: Dynamic Effort resistance is. Accommodating resistance Squat/Deadlift is simply using an external means to 4. Friday: Dynamic Effort more closely match the strength curve of Squat/Deadlift. a movement. If you take the bench press and compare the subjective difficulty of Westside Barbell Club has their days as: different phases of the lift, you will find that the start of the bench press tends to 1. Sunday: Dynamic Effort Bench be much harder than the finish. Adding Press bands or chains to the movement will 2. Monday: Maximal Effort tend to level out this differential. This Squat/Deadlift will, in turn, make the 3. Wednesday: Maximal Effort muscles work harder Bench Press during the entire stroke 4. Friday: Dynamic Effort of the movement, and Squat/Deadlift will in turn provide Get Up! The Official Newsletter of the Lifting and Throwing Page 4 Volume II, Issue 15 June 2004 greater overall gains in hypertrophy and template are numerous, but I'll list some strength.