“Cardio! Are you serious? I’m a powerlifter, not a jazzercise girl!”
“What? You want me to squat? I run marathons. I’m not a powerlifter!”
I’m sure that many of you have all heard about these two common myths about cardiovascular activity for the strength athlete and weight training for the endurance athlete? These common myths are a major concern for the sports specific athlete. With science constantly evolving, how do we sort through these theories to maximize our performance?
So how much aerobic activity is too much?
There is considerable evidence that cardiovascular activity performed at low intensity for long periods can compromise the development of strength and power in the strength athlete. With this concern, how do world champion powerlifters, Olympic lifters, and strongman competitors work in aerobic activity?
David Ricks a multi world champion powerlifter who squats over 700 lbs. while weighing only 181 lbs. of bodyweight does perform aerobic activity. David completes 3 sessions on an elliptical trainer for only 30 minutes to keep his body conditioned. Multi world and Olympic champion Naim Suleymanoglu performed a variety of activities that included jump rope, box jumps, and 50 meter sprints. Activities of interval training that do not exceed 30 minutes show considerable benefits to the strength athlete. Today’s strength competitors that are consistently winning may not be the strongest, but they are extremely conditioned with enough muscular endurance to beat out their less conditioned competitors!
So with this evidence, how do strength athletes implement the methods of tabata programs to enhance their performance?
Strength athletes use two of the metabolic pathways of phosphagen and glycolytic, N-10sive Fitness Systems takes these two pathways into consideration with the daily WODS. Activities of box jumps, sprints, 400 meter runs, jump rope, and plyometric movements benefit the aerobic capacity of the athlete and keeps body fat levels low. These activities show evidence of flexibility and the strengthening of ligaments in the athlete.
The CrossFit method involves all ten important functions of the strength athlete which are:
- Cardiovascular/respiratory endurance
- Stamina
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Power
- Speed
- Coordination
- Agility
- Balance
- Accuracy
Tabata programs instill discipline, self motivation, strategy, and how to finish the workout when our body is fatigued. These factors are very important for the strength athlete to succeed to the next level of competition. As a former national and world champion powerlifter I feel that the strength athlete should consider implementing the tabata methods into their workouts. The WODS are great for muscle confusion and for keeping the central nervous system constantly changing which is an important factor for progression of the strength athlete.
Even if you’re not out to set world records, you can still use the tabata methodology to build lean muscle, burn fat, and energize your life. We use tabata programs everyday in our N-10Sive Boot Camps, and I’m so sure you love your results that I’ll give you a FREE WEEK To BOOT CAMP and FREE access to Lincoln’s #1 fitness facility!! Just to try it out.
Fill out the form below to experience a free week of over 100 fitness boot camps and group fitness classes!!!
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