Customer Reviews

Optimizing Strength Training:Designing Nonlinear Perioztn Wrkouts

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I have (and continue to) follow periodization strength programs based on the work of such authors as Tudor Bompa, PhD. He (along with several others based in the old Eastern Bloc nations) coined the word "periodization" to describe the process of organizing your training year into periods, or "microcycles", that emphacize the four main aspects of muscular physiological adaptation (general anatomical adaptation, max strength, power, and muscular endurance). Following his principal of planning for peak performance, I have managed to win several national and three world championships in rowing over the years. I am convinced I would not have had the success I have had (while helping raise four kids and having a full time job) without proper planning. I have learned to train smarter, not harder... While these programs were designed to meet the needs of athletes to attain peak performance at specific times of the year, the principles can be applied successfully to the general fitness enthusiast, particularly if one follows the specific guidelines about the need to develop a firm foundation of fitness as detailed in Dr. Bompas' books Serious Strength Training. I read Dr's. Fleck and Kraemers book "Optimizing Strength Training: Designing Nonlinear Periodization Workouts" thinking I would expand on my knowledge base. To my sincere dissapointment, I found their book to be poorly organized and written. Every chapter is filled with pleas to see the differences in their plan (which basically follows the basics of periodization, without all the organization). The authors' main point, it would seem, is that coaches and trainers should pay attention to their athletes or clients level of readiness to participate in a planned workout, and to be ready to adjust or abandon the workout if they aren't ready to give close to 100% effort. They also over simplify the Theory of Periodization, and present their plan as a nonlinear alternative. They fail to give proper credit to those who created the Theory of Periodization, not even mentioning Bompa's name anywhere in the text, or the Bibliography (Bompa, on the other hand, does cite the authors in his). Someone interested in learning to design an intelligent training program would be better off reading any one of Dr. Bompa's books.

Fantastic introduction to flexible non-linear periodisation. Would be ideal for personal trainers although it did have a sports heavy focus. The case studies are good to have as well, although I think maybe there could have been more program examples for different outcomes.

Easy to read and understand.

This is an interesting book with a different approach on strength training. Its authors are attempting to integrate the concept of dynamic systems to the one of periodization of strength. Somehow, all professionals of strength training know that nowadays the use of old patterns of periodization does not come about as many benefits in terms of strength improvement as a more varied approach does. This fact is still more evident in sports with a long in-season schedule. The utilization of a non-linear approach to training seeks to both improve the different domains where the strength is required and also to maintain the strength all along the season.

Although the authors highlight those aspects to take into consideration in order to plan a convenient strength program, they probably fail to 1)make the reader to understand why to chose this approach and what aspects of non-linear paradigm are connected with the strength training and 2)try to make a distinction between older paradigms bound to strength training in sport and the new approach.

Overall, it is a promising start toward what it would be the confirmation of a different perspective with respect to strength training

I'm a NSCA-CPT and also a PE, and I've been doing some research for more than 5 years about the periodization and the types of training, also as a personal trainer and a strength and conditioning coach and enthusiast, I've tried almost every type there are... And as this book states by its scientific articles: the nonlinear periodization is the one that's going to give you or your clients or your athletes the best their genetics may give.
Also, the authors are two of the most respected researchers on the field and the way the book is presented gives no chance for mistakes on the methodology. By the way, this is science, they don't say anything unless they have some research, scientific article or physiology book to back it up.
I may say that there's no magic on this book, nor that there's a way to get the aster results, but you will see them sooner and, eventually with constance, a better sports and exercise performance.
Those who are looking for an effective and scientific way of periodize their training with short-to-long term results (without steroids, of course) need to buy this.
I've used this kind of periodization with tennis, soccer, basketball, and futsal players. Also in bodybuilding and athletics with my clients and on every try they saw much better results than with any other periodization. Not only on their free fat mass but the increase in sports performance.
It's not by chance that the Indianapolis Colts used this periodization and get to win the Superbowl that year (as says the cover of the book)...