I take programs and modify them for my weak spots.
For example my current 5x5 setup I have gone to a 3 day split and put legs every other time on it. Which means I do legs 2x/wk and everything else 1.5x/wk. Did that because my squat poundage just suxors, and I wanted to fit in a lot of different compound lower body movements into each week.
I would say the only risk I run on modifying programs is overworking. My body will tell me when that happens and I actually listen to it now.
This is true.
Rummy: your last post, kewl.
Dude.
CBG: Yes, I’ve resolved to stop being such a puss about the Oly lifts. I found a site with some really good videos (wish I’d found them here, though), and I’m going to make a start. I know they make kids learn the lifts with pvc pipe long before the ever get to touch real iron. That might not be a bad idea.
I realize that I may have blown a great opportunity to learn them. My neighbor across the street belongs to the local Oly club and does some coaching. I could have asked him anything (and didn’t), but he moved a few months ago. Imagine CT about three inches shorter and you’ve got what he looks like. If I get really stuck, I suppose I could contact the club.
CGB, I am most wrroied about gtting injured. I tried to clean & preses this year. I liked doing them, but had no idea if my form was right. Wouldn’t someone have to watch me to evaluate my form. I can only see so much in a mirror.
While it is possible to design an effective workout for yourself, CT makes an important point.
Additionally, those who are vets now were not always, and had to learn from somebody.
What Golberg said is true, however,
No matter how honest you are with yourself if you don’t have the knowledge you don’t, and you must get it somewhere.
While I’ve gotten great info from this site, having someone in the gym with me, showing me proper form and other details has been crucial.
Isn’t this one of the benefits of consulting with Louie or Tate for powerlifting etc…?
Unless someone has years and years of experience its most likely very hard to identify your weak points and then effectively address them.
my 2 cents
Even at an advanced level, I would hope that many athletes/trainers still consult with others about their routines. While you can get to the point where you can plan everything out for yourself, an outside opinion is invaluable.
It seems that most elite (strength) athletes have a partner or a group that they train with. Having someone there to keep you honest, make you challenge yourself, and kick new ideas around with would be crucial at that level, I believe. I think that’s why the Westside guys have done so well - many of them train in groups and are constantly working with each other to get better.
I would love to hear some of the discussions had by Christian and others in his position with their peers about their routines. That would be interesting. Which is what I was getting at with the, “who plans his workouts” question.
Jeff, you can do it. Lots of lifters start with a broom stick or PVC pipe, as Jim notes. I’ve seen it. Practice in your livingroom if you have to. You won’t hurt yourself this way and you can practice without having that feeling that you’re looking silly, if that bothers you. Follow CT’s instructions. That’s all I ever did. Follow each and every point. Once you can do it with an empty bar or whatever, get yourself into the gym and try it. Start light, get the movement down before you load the bar. The proper sequence of movements is key. Worry about the weight later.
Yes, having someone there to evaluate your form is great, if they know what they are doing, but most people I see doing power cleans, for example, in the gyms around here, have form far worse than you could even imagine, so if you are going to have someone evaluate your form, make sure they know what they are doing. Get CT’s little stick diagrams and a broomstick and spend some time at home just getting the movement down.
Ok, so I had a really weird schedule yesterday and ended up at the gym after midnight last night. (I really really didn’t want to get off-track.) Anyway I finished the arm workout of week 5 of OVT and at that point the gym was pretty damn empty. Since the first lift of the shoulder day of week 5 is push presses – and I had never done them – I figured, “What the hell? There won’t be a better time. I have to do them tomorrow anyway, and there will be more people around then.”
One of the things about the overhead Oly lifts and variants that’s always freaked me out is the idea of using momentum to move the weight up there and balance it. I started with just the bar, then moved it up to a not-overly-ambitious 95 lbs. I had some trouble getting my legs to remember what to do, but my arms figured it out right away. The whole process is stupidly addictive and totally fun. I should have started down this road a long time ago.