One of the things that frustrates me to no end as a trainer and confuses me as well is why clients and trainers do not study the basic history of the sport or area they are trying to improve.I had a trainer ask me the other day about basic bodybuilding program design and what would be a good approach?
The first thing I would do is point them in the direction of the great of the past such as Arnold, Mike Mentzer and Tom Platz. Why reinvent the wheel?The principles and methods of these greats serve as a perfect template, especially for a beginner, as to how to get started creating a body that develops in the same way. Of course they nuances and details will be different, but all one has to do, really, is go back and study how the greats themselves started out and begin there. There are no secrets, it's all written down for everyone to learn from.This is especially important if one is a trainer. These methods should be studied in great detail.
Even with the answers right in front of you there still is no shortcut and the dues must be paid in sweat and tears but the answers to the test are there for all to see. But it must be studied,analyzed and individualized for oneself.
The same goes for powerlifting. The routines of Ed Coan, Kirk Karwoski, Louie Simmons and a multitude of others are easily accessible and transferable to the average power student. Yet choosing a method and then sticking with it through not just one, but many cycles seems very difficult for many.If you look at Coans book, for example, you will see how he did basically the same exact routine and cycled the same exact way for 20 plus years. Only the numbers basically changed. Upward and upward.This, of course is the goal but more difficult to do than to write down. One must have an ultimate patience to really achieve anything in the iron sports and this is a very hard concept for many,especially if one has training A.D.D.But that must be overcome if real progress is to be made.Emotional discipline is as important as physical discipline when one has real long term goals and numbers to be achieved.
Looking deeper at Coans methods one see's just one or two top sets for each week done once a week. That's not much work, in one sense,especially if one is used to doing crazy amounts of volume or exercises. And what pressure! Knowing in advance, what one needs to do every week for a cycle of 12-16 weeks. And you get just TWO chances to make your weight and reps for that week. But that's exactly the type of pressure you get at the contest. Just three attempts and if you only get your opener you're stuck with a very light weight and a bad total.So it builds the type of mental discipline truly needed to succeed at power meets.
Of course there are many different approaches,many ways to skin that cat, but none of them will work if the components are subbed out for the skills "you like".
I read a post on a forum from someone extolling the virtues of a specific routine that built their squat. One of the first replies was from someone who said it looked good, and he was going to try it with his deadlift and by switching around the recommended assistance exercises! Why even bother doing that routine? As soon as you sub out the basic template it is no longer the right formula!Once you find what works for you it can be used over and over many times. Arnold used basically the same training program for years with minor variations depending on which part of the competition cycle he was in.
Training routines and program designs are very much like a gourmet recipe, yes you can switch out the ingredients or the cooking methods but don't expect the finished meal to taste the same.
So, know your iron history and the methods and principles upon which your sport or discipline stands upon. Choose basic and time tested routines and recipes to use and stick with them! Before you start switching out the ingredients really see what the original formula brings you in terms of progress.Study how the greats of the past did it and find that which feels similar and familiar to you and then FOLLOW IT before redesigning it.There are no shortcuts to great strength or muscle size.
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10 comments:
As Rob L called it - RDD routine deficit disorder! I find very few people are willing to just practice the basics and keep things simple. Coan/Karwoski is a great example.
We live in an age of near unlimited information and not the will to access it or apply it - people wait for a "secret" to propel them straight to the top of their potential.
Now that I am starting to sound preachy and grumpy I will sign off.
I really appreciate the era today. I get to see some great resources via internet or purchase through Amazon and Dragon Door.
15 years ago I was coaching football (American), looked all over alot of places for any books and resources written by American coaches.
In terms of iron game, I'm still hooked up with Staley/Pavel DVD which is 6 hours long, watching it over and over. Just got started.
Great stuff Rif. I ahve had client's in class do the same thing with diet.
"I am following the progam you gave me, but instead of eggs for breakfast I have Oatmeal and instead of meat and vegetables for dinner I am having lowfat pasta and fat-free yogurt"
Then you ain't following the program I gave you, are you?
RDD, I love it! LOL,do they have medication for that Brett?I also think you are correct that information overload makes thingsmuch harder for many,except that it seems that what gets skipped is the most basic information, the designs of the originals, the real prototypes.
takei,
you are right as well, the net is such a huge resource for everyone to get access to as much info as they want. but, as brett pointed out above, this can be as much a curse as a blessing.
david,
thats just crazy but it happens all the time.don't get it.If one wants to design their own program why ask for help?
OMG, Was this a message for me?
fawn,lol, no it's not.I have a lot of people I'm working with that are doing pl stuff right now as well as dealing with client compliancy stuff. No, you are doing great.
I liked your comment
"Choose basic and time tested routines and recipes to use and stick with them!"
I agree, but would add to test it and make sure it works for YOUR body at that time. It is a fine line between listening to the need for variety and haphazardly picking a new routine each day/week.
rock on
Mike N
Mike,
I agree completely.What I am referring to as much as anything are those who try to 'smerge' a powerlifting routine with a crossfit routine as well as somekind of martial art and expect to make progress at each.
Everything has to be individualized but basic templates are a great place to start. AND of course this is mainly for beginnners. Advanced guys HAVE to follow their own unique designs based on their indiosyncracies.
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