Supertraining

Hi Linda,
   
  More than 20 years ago,  I entered the gym and started bodybuilding.  In the 
Australian countryside, there was very limited information available, other 
than the Weider publications, which I bought for years and studied religiously. 
 I would shadow 3 or 4 news agents for days or weeks waiting for the next 
monthly edition to arrive.  When I bought it, the news agent would give me a 
look like I was some sick freak. I would race it home; lock myself in my 
bedroom, and read up to 90% of it in one sitting.  I would read and re-read 
articles on technique; practise imitating the photographed exercise position of 
the bodybuilder; and contrast this with every other article I had on working 
that body part from other editions.  I followed a diet religiously, having 
constant fights with my parents when I flatly refused to eat a dessert an aunt 
made specially for me, or refused cake at a birthday etc.  I did this for 4 
years, pushing to failure; in constant pain, and loving it.  I
 have been in many gyms in different parts of this country, and I have never 
seen anyone work as hard as I did. For this effort, I got basically no return.
   
  Linda, I wish I did power lifting instead; I wish I did Olympic lifting 
instead, I wish I did wrestling or boxing.  At least I would have picked up a 
skill.
   
  I am a person that would have no problem in subscribing a power lifting 
program to the grandmother you mention (safety concerns considered of course).  
I won't forget your comment, "train them like athletes."  I believe that is 
true.
   
  I have been reading Power To The People by Pavel Tsatsouline; and while I 
have not been training long enough to make a strong statement, I feel this is 
the right path.  It is exactly opposite of the training I did in my youth.  
   
  Linda, I want to ask you about Power Lifting.  I need to learn correct 
lifting techniques, and how to program.  I need to learn everything basically.  
Can you suggest a book or video?  I just did a search for Westside Barbell.  I 
haven't looked through the site yet.  Are they THE people, the authority in 
Power lifting? Can you give me some names of people or links?  How should I 
educate myself in this area?  
   
  Best wishes
  Anthony Sharah 
  Sydney, Australia
  
====================
Linda Schaefer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
          <<<Westside Barbell is upfront about things, just ask them. 

it's much more difficult to get a straight answer out of the 
bodybuilding/weider empire actually...and that's what builds the unrealistic 
expectations in the minds of clients everywhere! that they could do the lifting 
and diets given and turn into mr. covermale... <rolling eyes> Usually the very 
hopeful client has got some coverguy in mind you are to magically produce out 
of less than likely material, and someone not devoted to becoming that, simply 
isn't going to make it happen, and usually blame the trainer for the shortfall 
lol. You sure you want to take up fitness industry? <grin>

Powerlifting style training can benefit people, they don't all have to compete, 
but it's based on the bones of the strength sports, the use of barbells, 
dumbbells, and chalk. And by the way, I use some Westside style training and 
I've never done steroids, nor felt I needed them...so you're clearly throwing 
the baby out with the bathwater!

Side note: from what I saw of Australian PL at worlds over the years, you 
clearly could USE more PL down there....perhaps it's not a bad niche to take up?

The reality of it all, to try to SIMPLIFY this is there are two schools of 
thinking overall.

1. the core is weak in everybody, we must rehab even HEALTHY people. That's 
Chek etc...the wobbly boards, whoopie cushions, fitballs. etc. I'd also put the 
fads in here, and there's a great number of them...new 1 every week.

2. strength can be acquired by anybody, train them like athletes of strength 
and to their own abilities - that's westside, and well, the rest of us dinosaur 
types. i.e. the "what works is what has always worked". Basically the "get your 
hands on the bar and work hard". this includes OL and strongman styles too. 
Mostly sweat and chalk and consistent work, it's not flashy BUT it will get 
results...

That's outside of any supplements, steroids, or other devices. 

As a trainer, decide where your own opinion lies in those two genre, then 
follow the guru or training style of your choice...for that's where the great 
divide is, and the rest of it is simply check-offs on style preference.

I hope that helps make it simpler, it's by no means comprehensive. When I 
coach, I tailor it to the individual, and I fall under catagory 2. I don't by 
any stretch require all people to compete powerlifting, but I do teach good 
form and PL techniques do tend to allow the lifter to move more weight, which 
generally adds to their success and confidence as athletes. That's my 
experience and it goes for men and women both by the way. My thinking is still 
"if Grandma wants to deadlift, give her the chalk and teach her good form, and 
CHEER HER ON".>>>