+logo.jpg)
Which do you prioritize and why. Coach Sommer made an interseting point on this subject on the gymnasticbodies forum:
"Maximal strength is "the peak force developed during a single maximal voluntary contraction". Work capacity is simply a term for attempting to measure the strength endurance being exhibited. The higher one's maximal strength, the greater the potential for demonstrating superior work capacity once the body has adapted to the higher volumes of work output involved. This period of adaptation for increasing work capacity is usually measured in months as opposed to the years required to develop optimum maximal strength.
Maximal strength development should always be the first priority for beginners. As noted above, strength endurance is far easier to develop than maximal strength and its ultimate development will be restricted by the degree of maximal strength which the trainee possesses."
This certainly accords with my experience, have you guys found this to be true?
Just recently, I have switched to a all strength workout. Strength is very useful but you shouldn't neglect endurance and stamina, either. strength is definitely harder than endurance to train. The reason I switched to an all strength routine is because I felt I needed to pick up the pace of my workouts.
ReplyDeleteActually, the point I would like to illustrate is that ultimately it is dynamic strength (the explosive expression of strength) which is responsible for athletic success.
ReplyDeleteYours in Fitness,
Coach Sommer
Coach, great to have you on the blog, you are the main reason that I switched from weights to bodyweight training. Now as to your comment, do you feel this to be true for Ring Strength as well?
ReplyDeleteAs you have undoubtedly already noticed, there are only a few ring strength specialists who are also athletic enough to work the other events. Yuri Van Gelder is an excellent example of someone who is only outstanding on the rings. Yang Wei and Jordan Jotchev are both examples of outstanding ring men who are also quite talented on the other events as well. The difference here is undoubtedly the extra dynamic strength work that Wei and Jotchev are both exposed to as all arounders.
ReplyDeleteWithout question, maximal strength work, in this instance high level ring strength work, is extremely important. However it must be carefully combined with dynamic strength work and active flexibility to avoid a compromise of athletic ability.
Yours in Fitness,
Coach Sommer
Wow, thats good. I was actually thinking about getting Gymnastic Bodies and Jotchev's DVD to build my strength.
ReplyDeleteSo are you saying we should train low rep pull ups and dips with a heavy weight vest, or are you saying we should do explosive pull ups and dips? I'm not sure which you are talking about when you say training for maximal strength.
ReplyDelete