Customer Reviews

Periodization Training for Sports

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A very well written book on Periodization for sports training. Dr. Bompa has all the bases covered in this book for a complete sports training program. The book includes a sections on training, and theory of Periodization, structure, and format or Periodization for individual sports [ covers every major sport ], an exercises selection, along with some pre, and post exercise information. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a solid training program tailored to their specific sports needs. Another good book on Periodization.

This is a very good book on strength training in that it relates specifically to many different sports. The only problem is that there are complicated terms, abbreviations, and vocabulary that are constantly used (with definitions and explanations upon first reference only). A glossary in the back would be a big help. Overall, this covers a lot of sport specific training methods which allows the reader to more or less pick and choose the best practices for his or her own training program. It's been a big help for me, although I recommend staying away from the plyometrics section.

This book explains in depth the theory behind periodization and long term training for sport specific performance. The reading is detailed enough to give u a good foundation on how muscle are made and how they function in various types of performance environments. This book should be required reading for anyone coaching youth sports. Since the book is about training for sport, there are several examples given covering a wide variety of sports, however this can become confusing (too much information that seemingly doesn't apply). It's best to read it with a particular sport in mind and create relationships between sports/examples and your sport. Also, take lots of notes and read every chapter, not just the ones you think you need. Great book!

I give this book four stars because it is useful and informative, but not perfect. First, the positive parts:
There is enough information for a variety of sports from football to rowing to synchronized swimming to basketball. It lays out a hypothetical calendar for the offseason and inseason of the different sports and tells you what kind and how much training to do at the different phases of the season. There are no longterm plans with all the specifics layed out. There are some example workouts and examples of weeks of training. This book instead lays out a template and calls for the reader to fill in the blanks using the information obtained throughout the rest of the book. For this reason, you must read the whole book and learn how to create your own custom training program. If you are expecting to be able to look in this book and find a program for your sport with all the details laid out, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a program that does not call for you to do any of the planning, check out the '52 Week Training Series' books.
The book is sloppy in its organization. You will really need to read the entire book to get the most out of this. I recommend taking notes throughout your reading of the book. Pieces of information seem to be randomly strewn throughout the book.
For example, I started reading this book with the purpose of training for long distance running. I found some information about long distance running on one page, but then the subject suddenly changes to something else, like basketball, or rowing, or hockey, in the very next paragraph. There would be no more information on distance running until later in the book when i just happened to stumble across some more information a few chapters later.
Also, I noticed that some of the charts of info seem to contradict each other. For instance, in one chart for a specific type of training, say, maximum strength training, they recommend a specific amount of reps, sets, frequency, percentage of one rep max to be used, and rest intervals between sets. The same type of training will then be mentioned in another paragraph or chapter, only it will recommend different training parameters than the ones previously mentioned.
So the book is worth buying if you are willing to put in some work. If you buy this, follow these instructions:1.Read the book from front to back and pay close attention. 2.Go back through the book while taking notes on the parts that are most pertinent to your situation. 3. Use the gathered information to design your customized periodization program.

I ordered this book to use as a learning tool while I was studying for my Fitness Trainer exam. While I found it useful, it is complex and not the simplest book to use for quick answers. It is "the book" if you want to understand how periodization works.

A man of few words Bumpa explains what works and what doesn't. This book teaches how to implement his world famous periodization training programs into your own training. A must have for every serios strength and conditioning coach.

This book is a great source for training intensities, workouts, and theory. That is what I liked most about this book. It does not just tell you to do "so-and-so" workouts if you want to get better... but, it tells you why you want to do those workouts so you can choose which workouts you want to do. I love the theory behind it.

Bompa's book is the definite book on periodization strength training. Yes, it's heavy, full of technical terms and overwritten. But it's also comprehensive, relies on solid research and focuses on what works, not what's the latest fad.
Bompa speaks from experience and his book is chock full of solid, complete ideas on how to undertake sport-specific strength training program. He outlines strength training programs for 35 sports. That includes all the main sports but oddly leaves out golf while including alpine skiing and kayaking. Go figure.
Bompa has a PhD and has had a long and successful career. He speaks from experience and it shows. If you only buy one book on weightlifting and strength training, buy Bompa's book. Work your way through it. It takes some time but the results are worth it.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to learn more about periodization. I found the book easy to understand and highly recommend it!

All in all this is a wonderful book that expands on books of basic knowledge. It gives you the knowledge to plan out a workout although it does not give you sport specific movements it does give you a handy guide of how well certain exercises hit muscles. The conditioning section is pretty helpful and I like how he even has the energy systems for each sport.