Topic: How necessary is periodization for continued progress?

[ViKtoricus]

I wouldn't say periodization is evil, lol- unless it was enforced with physical violence. But, my criticisms of the *model* have nothing to do with what coach is using it. I simply believe a more anarchistic approach is more effective- most especially for the talented and young who are inevitably held back by periodization.

So are you saying the periodization is more American than breasts?

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

lol, glad you liked that one. I'd say periodization is even less American than the US government, but then I'd be exaggerating.

[Albert B. Gonzalez]

i almost understand what you guys are talking about , what would be an example of breaking away from periodizartion?

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Any type of training which didn't break down into phases, for example a preparatory phase, competition phase, transition phase, etc, first of all, would be anathema to periodization. The "Bulgarian" approach, which I'd say was basically the American approach first but then pushed further by Abajiev, is pretty close to the exact opposite idea- treating weightlifting as all one thing, not imagining various "cycles" to focus on different aspects of the sport like conditioning, strength, high intensity capacity, etc but rather training for competition pretty much all the time.

[Andy Dick]

First, I just want to make sure Chris realizes my evil comment was in jest, just so we are on the same page.

Vik, I see nothing wrong with a more linear approach.  Sports like weightlifting/powerlifting can actually find this approach more beneficial because you need not plan to increase things such as speed and agility work nor do you need a traditional taper during the competition phase.

If things get stagnant, it means we are ready for a bigger training load (plus, exercise selection, exercise order, training intensities and volume can vary week by week, which can prevent staleness.).

That is pretty much the goal of periodization, except usually weeks are clumped with a certain focus.

Here is the better question! If we can train the Snatch, Clean+Jerk, and squat simultaneously, why the heck would we need to divide our training into different phases??

Here is an example a very brief explaination of how I work it with my training.

I start out with about 4-6 weeks with a focus on squatting and less on oly lifts.  This will range with 6 sets or so of 8-6 reps with shorter rest.  Oly lifts are usually 3 sets with a decreased intensity.  The focus is work capacity while really working to push up my squat numbers.  Usually 2 weeks are 8 reps then the rest are 6 reps.  The rest time interset increases when dropping to 6 rep sets.  Following this I ramp up the intensity on oly lifts and decrease load on squatting representative to a % of my 1 rm clean.  Oly lifts are ususally 2-3 rep sets and squats are 2-3 rep sets.  I will do this 4-8 weeks depending on how far I am away from a meet.  From here I do many weeks of 1-2 rep sets of oly lifts really working on increasing intensity while keeping squats at the same relative intensity.  I use the beginning squat focus mainly 1 or 2 times a year at the 4-6 week interval.  If I do drop it in following a meet it is usually 2 weeks to let the joints rebound from pounding or high intensity oly lifts. My old programs did this similar but had me just do pulls and squats which is a very viable alternative and one I may try but I would lean more here if it were to reduce pounding, I focused squatting this time because I am coming back from my knee issues.  This would create 3 distinct different phases.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

No worries Andy.

[Albert B. Gonzalez]

thanks chris its pretty clear now. in that case i definetly have not been using periodization.the only things weve been keeping track of is FS max, BS max C&J max and SNATCH max basically what directly affects the lifts in competition just like you described.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

The thing about periodization, from my view, that makes it a terrible idea for weightlifting is that it attempts to control the uncontrollable, to plan the un-plan-able, and generally places the plan above reality and above the lifter's own interests. Weightlifting is a form of combat and I think as in war, all plans pretty much go out the window upon confronting the enemy.