Today I found a great local weightlifting club where they train in allround weightlifting. I went along and I reckon its something I really want to get into. They train twice a week, working on the powerlifts and heavy singles of whatever lifts they are competing in at the next competition, so today it was one handed snatch, clean and jerk and deadlift.
This is all great, but I was wondering what you would do with the rest of your training time? The coach said most lifters do other training in their own time or do other sports, but I am not that experienced so I was hoping for some advice about what to do for the rest of the week? I was thinking maybe some hypertrophy work, or mobility, but I really wouldn’t know and strength is my number one goal, so I would appreciate any help.
They lift in the International Allround Weightlifting Association.
My goals are strength and size, in that order. Having said that there are weight categories, so I suppose a high strength/weight ratio is desirable, but I am 6’3" and 190lbs so I reckon I should work on putting on some more mass too. The lifts they compete in change with every competition, and as I said they focus on heavy singles of whatever lifts they are competing in next, so there are no specific lifts I want to get better at.
I guess the work at the club is all scheduled to peak before the competition, the weights all seemed very structured, so what should I be looking to do on my own outside of those two days a week (Monday and Wednesday)?
IAWA and USAWA are not dead. Most people practicing the lifts have gone underground or have ventured into other avenues. The organizations are great, they just lack a solid fan base and a venue to show place the unique qualities of lifting.
Where else will you see a guy do a 3,500 lb harness lift? Or a meet that has you do 13 deadlift variations? I still believe that the toughest strength meet in the US is the Zercher Challenge. 13 lifts ranging from the harness lift to some one arm lifts in one day.
I’ve had great all-round improvements by following the 1 push/1 pull/1 squat regimen in every workout. I have three heavy workouts a week and three gpp-style workouts with bodyweight, stone lifting for time, or one arm work.
then do heavy singles on the lifts your focusing on for the next comp. and other compund lifts stick to 5 plus reps and any other isolation i would use at least 8-12?
Actually the 2008 Nationals is being held at the same Expo center that the Arnold is held at in August. There will not be much of a turnout I am afraid. About 25 lifters. If you are interested in USAWA then contact the head individuals directly - Bill Clark and/or Mr. Garcia. These guys like their training ways are dinosaur-ish.
Who is the main poster getting in touch with on the other side of the pond? Is it Steve Gardner?
Yes I am goign to be training with Steve Gardner, he trains about ten guys and gals in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. He’s a really great guy and the website of his club is here: