Is this a stupid idea or not?: performing the 3 exercise bicep routine from your “Thib’s Quick Tricks” article at the end of 2 of the 3 workouts (each week) from your “8 weeks to a record bench” routine . My thought was bicep work shouldn’t impact recovery too much but then again it’s a high intensity specialization program for your bench and some out of the ordinary work for the biceps, so maybe I’m completely wrong.
Also, anything you’d change about the 8 weeks to a record bench program now that it’s some years later?
You answered someone on page 19 who asked about training beginners with low
rep ranges and you answered:
"Most definitely! With beginners I actually believe (now, after years of
following the mainstream dogma) that lower reps performed with either
greater loads OR more acceleration is better than the traditional longer
sets.
Beginners should focus right off the bad on optimizing the neural aspects of
muscle contraction; programming the capacity to recruit high threshold motor
units right off the bat is easier than unlearning previously developed motor
patterns and reprograming new ones."
Does this mean that some of the methods for CNS boosting and HTMU
stimulation that “I, Bodybuilder” might use are suitable for
beginners (not complete beginners i would guess), ie. clusters, partial
reps, supramaximal holds, contrasts, lifts from stopped position, etc…?
If these methods are not appropriate for beginners at what training age
would you suggest a trainee start employing them and until that age just focus
on heavy, fast lifting?
[quote]ferox wrote:
I could use some help and direction with 2 things. First a brief history. I had a history of shoulder pain which prevented me from pressing for a good 2-3 years. I came across Poliquin’s article lost art of overhead pressing, which explained why I might have shoulder pain, followed it, and my shoulders have never felt better. My military press was so weak… I still haven’t hit the goal which is… 150lbs. The program as a refresher.
one arm db press 5x8
seated db press 5,3,2 repeated twice
BTNP ( I didn’t use chains ) 3x5 + 3x3
Strict Military Press 8x1 + 3x3-5
The program worked great, when i retested my max I increased my MP by 1.4% a week when I averaged it out. I been trying to do my own thing for a few weeks and haven’t made much progress. I looked through your old stuff and didn’t find much on overhead pressing.
Strong points:
Dip 80lb + db, haven’t tried in a few weeks.
Chinup 30lb + db
Weak points:
Getting MP up from my nose to about an inch over my head.
Visually the long head of my tricep.
And my grip which is part 2.
When doing towel chinups I can only do one rep regardless of additional weight or not. I can negative slightly better with less weight. When doing overhand, overhand deads, bar is slipping from my grasp before my back/hams get tired. When doing chinups I could never do more than maybe 3-4 reps no matter what weight, I never understood why… If I do rest pause with 4-5 second negatives bw, I went for about 10 minutes and got bored…
but I dont feel like it’s been helping me much. I’m hanging on for as long as I can on towel chinups, and focusing on negative deadlifts. None of this seems to be helping my grip either! Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.
[/quote]
i had a similar problem. try holding heavy dummbells for as long as you can and really contracting the forearm muscles throughout each set… sorry to butt-in
Thib, sometimes I like doing steep declined sit-ups with heavy weight on chest, but I’m not sure if I’m just wasting my time. I always have visible abs anyway, but lately I was thinking of them as deadlift assistance. Do you think strengthening of the abs that way really contribute anything to deadlift power? (I always deadlift beltless and never have problems with lumbar rounding)
[quote]Thy. wrote:
Thib, sometimes I like doing steep declined sit-ups with heavy weight on chest, but I’m not sure if I’m just wasting my time. I always have visible abs anyway, but lately I was thinking of them as deadlift assistance. Do you think strengthening of the abs that way really contribute anything to deadlift power? (I always deadlift beltless and never have problems with lumbar rounding)[/quote]
Weighted abs work is never a waste when it comes to building squatting and deadlifting strength. However the type of abs exercise you are describing tends to recruit the psoas and rectus femoris moreso than the abs.
What are some nootropics other than Power Drive that you utilize pre workout, or for everything in general? Which nootropics other than Alpha-GPC would you recommend to potentate the cns?
[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
Thy. wrote:
Thib, sometimes I like doing steep declined sit-ups with heavy weight on chest, but I’m not sure if I’m just wasting my time. I always have visible abs anyway, but lately I was thinking of them as deadlift assistance. Do you think strengthening of the abs that way really contribute anything to deadlift power? (I always deadlift beltless and never have problems with lumbar rounding)
Weighted abs work is never a waste when it comes to building squatting and deadlifting strength. However the type of abs exercise you are describing tends to recruit the psoas and rectus femoris moreso than the abs.[/quote]
I try to get up with pure ab contraction, not “pulling” with legs.
What would you suggest for weighted ab work then?
Also how do you see hanging leg raises up to shins touching the bar ? (slow performance, no swinging, focus on ab contraction)
What are some nootropics other than Power Drive that you utilize pre workout, or for everything in general? Which nootropics other than Alpha-GPC would you recommend to potentate the cns?[/quote]
It’s potentiate, not potentate. The only products I use are Power Drive (but more as a neural recovery tool), Alpha-GPC (my favorite) and Fast Brain by Poliquin.
The only other good nootropics are pharmaceutical and require a prescription (modafinil, adrafinil, etc.)
Sadly, I rarely have any control on that. But I like to have my clients do a light and explosive activation workout 6 hours before a game if possible[/quote]
Thib,
With the hockey players that you work with, what types of things do you have control over (or at least input on)? Do the teams usually tightly control the players in-season and your role is in the off-season for players who seek you out? I’m particularly interested in how much input you have on conditioning and if you’re often limited to the off-ice aspects or if teams will come to you for input about ideas for on ice conditioning work and testing. Obviously I understand if professional commitments do not allow you to comment on these things.
Sadly, I rarely have any control on that. But I like to have my clients do a light and explosive activation workout 6 hours before a game if possible
Thib,
With the hockey players that you work with, what types of things do you have control over (or at least input on)? Do the teams usually tightly control the players in-season and your role is in the off-season for players who seek you out? I’m particularly interested in how much input you have on conditioning and if you’re often limited to the off-ice aspects or if teams will come to you for input about ideas for on ice conditioning work and testing. Obviously I understand if professional commitments do not allow you to comment on these things.
[/quote]
It depends on what level you are talking about. In the NHL the team has an official strength coach. He is the one doing and supervising in-season training.
During the off-season the strength coach normally still works. He writes down the off-season program and works directly with the players that stay in town and decide to train with him.
“Hired gun” coaches are seeked by the athletes themselves and they must pay out of their own pocket (although the athlete’s agent normally pays). I’d say that on average 4-5 players per team have their own private trainer during the off-season.
Those hired guns normally have no control about what goes on in-season. They can give advice to their athlete but the team normally has the last word.
[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
Reg Dunlop wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
Control_61 wrote:
How would you have hockey players warm up before games off the ice?
Sadly, I rarely have any control on that. But I like to have my clients do a light and explosive activation workout 6 hours before a game if possible
Thib,
With the hockey players that you work with, what types of things do you have control over (or at least input on)? Do the teams usually tightly control the players in-season and your role is in the off-season for players who seek you out? I’m particularly interested in how much input you have on conditioning and if you’re often limited to the off-ice aspects or if teams will come to you for input about ideas for on ice conditioning work and testing. Obviously I understand if professional commitments do not allow you to comment on these things.
It depends on what level you are talking about. In the NHL the team has an official strength coach. He is the one doing and supervising in-season training.
During the off-season the strength coach normally still works. He writes down the off-season program and works directly with the players that stay in town and decide to train with him.
“Hired gun” coaches are seeked by the athletes themselves and they must pay out of their own pocket (although the athlete’s agent normally pays). I’d say that on average 4-5 players per team have their own private trainer during the off-season.
Those hired guns normally have no control about what goes on in-season. They can give advice to their athlete but the team normally has the last word.[/quote]
Do you have any professional hockey players that you train at the moment?
When it comes to using training techniques that potentiate the CNS (supramaximal holds/heavy supports, overcoming isometrics, etc.) prior to heavy sets that can best take advantage of that effect, is there a minimum and maximum rest period between sets? Obviously putting them too closely together might compromise the heavy “main” set, but I’m also assuming that too long of a rest period would also detract from the impact of the potentiating movement. Is there a sweet spot in terms of the time between the two for maximum effect?
While on the topic, I also wanted to ask you a quick question about the light and explosive pre-game activation workout you mentioned in a post above. What type of effect does such a session have on the CNS and how long does that effect last? You said 6 hours before would be the time to have it, if possible. Such a session would obviously not have the pronounced impact that a potentiating movement would have before a heavy lifting set, but it obviously has an impact, since you would include it for an athlete, if possible. I know that it might be hard to accurately gauge the level of effect, but even the most general idea would be quite helpful.
Sorry for the misspelled word haha. After some researching, I found out quite a lot of supplements are banned or under the controlled drug category in Canada. How do you manage to get your supply of amino acids and other substances that are banned ( ex. Acetyl-L-Carnitine ) or regulated with a prescription?
Sorry for the misspelled word haha. After some researching, I found out quite a lot of supplements are banned or under the controlled drug category in Canada. How do you manage to get your supply of amino acids and other substances that are banned ( ex. Acetyl-L-Carnitine ) or regulated with a prescription?
[/quote]
I don’t use them in isolate form. Normally a supplement like ReceptorMax which has acetyl-l-carnitine propionate will make it though.
[quote]Control_61 wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
Reg Dunlop wrote:
Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
Control_61 wrote:
How would you have hockey players warm up before games off the ice?
Sadly, I rarely have any control on that. But I like to have my clients do a light and explosive activation workout 6 hours before a game if possible
Thib,
With the hockey players that you work with, what types of things do you have control over (or at least input on)? Do the teams usually tightly control the players in-season and your role is in the off-season for players who seek you out? I’m particularly interested in how much input you have on conditioning and if you’re often limited to the off-ice aspects or if teams will come to you for input about ideas for on ice conditioning work and testing. Obviously I understand if professional commitments do not allow you to comment on these things.
It depends on what level you are talking about. In the NHL the team has an official strength coach. He is the one doing and supervising in-season training.
During the off-season the strength coach normally still works. He writes down the off-season program and works directly with the players that stay in town and decide to train with him.
“Hired gun” coaches are seeked by the athletes themselves and they must pay out of their own pocket (although the athlete’s agent normally pays). I’d say that on average 4-5 players per team have their own private trainer during the off-season.
Those hired guns normally have no control about what goes on in-season. They can give advice to their athlete but the team normally has the last word.
Do you have any professional hockey players that you train at the moment?
[/quote]
Last year I had quite a few… but it was mostly distance coaching, which I dropped when I began to work on the I, Bodybuilder project (too much workload and travelling).