Topic: Linear Progression.

[Aussie]

Hey friends.
Its been a pretty long time since I posted here. I've got a question that's been lurking in the back of my mind for a while.  But first some background. I'm currently doing my level 1 certificate in strength & conditioning & am set to do some training with the AWF this saturday. I'd really like to get into coaching & personal training.

With a beginner (in terms of weightlifting), is the principal of linear progression effective? By linear progression I mean once somebody has done 3 reps at 25kg, would you then instruct the trainee to do a 4th rep, add a 4th set, or simply add 2.5kgs onto the bar?

For a beginner, working off a 1RM is obviously problematic, since while their mastering technique, their 1RM adjusts. Just like when you learn the squat, once your technique improves, you become more effective.

cheers.

[Shaun Le Conte]

With someone who is really a beginner, drilling the technique is more important than a progression scheme for the snatch and clean and jerk. With a newbie that has snatched, say, 45 kg x 3 reps I would not make snatching for a 4th rep the next goal. I'd look at how that lift was performed and work on another kink in technique.

I understand that linear progression is a term recently popularized in the Starting Strength book which is geared towards powerlifters, football players and other people training for absolute strength or size. I think that this sort of scheme is acceptable for strength training exercises at an appropriate volume and intensity. The newbie has got to be doing a lot of snatch and clean and jerk to learn the lifts and they should not be exhausted from heavy squats or other strength exercises.