Topic: Prep. and Comp. phases

[Brooke Burkhalter]

David,

Isn't the idea behind that setup to do your weakest lift first AND last so you would not always be doing front squat first if snatch was really your problem?

I assume you would still do front squat after snatch and cj  and the front squat would still be done to 1x1rm only and not 3x1@ daily max?
Then you would do snatch again at 3x1 @ daily max?

Cool. I talked to Steve before and I noticed the similarity. He's a very helpful guy.

Exactly. It's just my obervation that most new lifters lack leg strength.

Why 3x1r...? Because ..

- That's what you do in competition!
- The movements are so quick that 1 rep wouldn't be enough 'time under tension'.
- It gives you a greater opportunity to hone technique at heavy weights.

Write Steve Gough into the search engine...

[Brooke Burkhalter]

It's a shame that all the research into training methods, books about periodization in weightlifting end up being boiled down to singles in the snatch, clean & jerk and squats. That IS what I do, taking the advice of somebody that has been around the world and seen it all. But I think some researchers are puking up their post-secondary educations.

You cannot force the human body into a mathematical equation or into a percentage is my take on it. It just does not work that way. If you read through Naim's book you notice how his plan is largely done by feel or autoregulated periodization. From discussions it seems the Chinese do similar as well, going by feel largely. With all the raving about the bodybuilding exercises the Chinese do they still do a lot of classics. My understanding is their bread and butter is heavy classics, heavy squats and heavy pulls.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

If one works on precise percentages on the course of a program these percentages may be unacurate because over the course of 12 weeks or so the 1rm may change so as a result the given percentages will be too low to stimulate the body.

I would say this is not a problem at all but would indicate tremendous progress. On the other hand, the main trouble with the periodized volume based approach is you get diminishing returns from increasing volume in maximum lifts. Yet to pursue the model means steadily increasing the amount of time spent in training. Inevitably, there is only so far you can go with this approach, whether it is a matter of time, money (have to work), talent, age, work capacity, etc. There is also the matter of wasting good days because the program calls for it and then trying to force things on bad days because that is how it is written. The program should never be more important than the coaches judgment IMO.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Yes, it does indicate progress, but then won't this restrict further progress?

Yes, if you continued to follow a program that is too easy. But at the point where you know you have made such progress, it is time to max out, find your new percentages, and (re)start a/the program.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Sure, all my personal programs are periodized.

[Matt Erdman]

yeah makes sense- thanks

Out of interest, have you ever used a periodised proram? If yes , from experence, do you pefer periodised programmes or non-perodised programmes?

Thanks again,

Jaswant Shergill

I always use some form of periodization. It's kind of "freestyle", but I see the best results alternating from higher reps to lower. Also I will focus on squat strength for a time, then focus on heavy singles leading into a competition. I've tried constant low reps in the past, and made poor progress.

[Andrew Davies]

If you need information on training programs, Cyril Martin from Alfreton has put together many training programs for all age groups.  He has spent many years putting them together and researching relevant literature.

They are used by a few coaches in Britain including myself and all have found them to work. 

Give it a go, Andrew.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

So although you periodise, you don't use a rigid percentage based system but go more on feel though still progressing from higher volume.

That is certainly true for me. In fact, you might say in a way I go from a slightly more Russian based, volume oriented routine as a prep phase and then shift steadily to Bulgarian for the comp phase. Its a hybrid.