Reactive Training Systems

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

RE: Big Mike's Training Log

Eric Talmant · Senior Member

You do know that taking 1-2 weeks off after a major competition is standard protocol for eastern European programming-right :) ?

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

yes, but I'm ready to start lifting big weights again. There's a difference between what I want to do and what's best for me, so I choose the latter and anticipate the former.

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

Oh, I just realized what you meant....

Those weights are light enough! If it hadn't been 90 degrees in the gym, I'd have barely broken a sweat!

Eric Talmant · Senior Member

Mike:

What are you doing for G.P.P. right now? I know that the military probably has you doing certain things daily but I am just curious.

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

They did have me running quite a bit, but I started getting shin splints. Everything else toned down quite a bit after that (which has just been this week). Next week, I'll start back with my regularly scheduled program.

DaneKelley · Veteran Member

that shirt is chris' old shirt that he got from dan its not very old and chris only wore it afew times

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

Thursday
Squat- 515x3x3 @7.5
Bench- 395x3x3 @7.5
Deadlift- 585x3x3 @7.5

Getting back into things. Sunday will be full speed once again!

Dan Evans · Member

Mike, have you looked at Dr. Issurin's new book on block periodization? I was putting together an order, and was thinking of adding that in.

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

I have not looked at the book, but I did buy the DVD. I haven't gotten a chance to watch his DVD yet, but I did watch James Smith's DVD on a similar topic.

Short Answer: Without having seen it, I'd say it's probably worth the buy. Learning about well thought out approaches always are. But make sure you combine it with your own experiences to apply it to Powerlifting. It won't be ready to go right out of the box.

Long Answer: I have a decent understanding of Block periodization and the standard issue RTS stuff fits the bill already (albiet with less specific language) if you take the time to plan training thoughtfully. I know the RTS book isn't available yet. I've never published one before. It takes longer than I thought! But when it comes available, it will outline a method for planning your training from one major competition to the next. If you follow that model and put some thought into your training, Block Periodization won't dramatically change what you were doing already. *BUT* learning more about it would STILL be worth it because it gives you a greater understaning about how the training process works, so when you do plan your own training, you're doing more than following the model -- you intelligently understand what it is that you're writing down.

But it goes beyond Block Periodization. If you read about Block Periodization, it's not intended to be used year-round. It's more of a method of pre-competition preparation. By the strict definitions in Block Periodization literature, it is not well suited for "off season" or "non-pre-competition" training. There are other periodization models that should be followed in those instances. That's why it's important to learn about as many periodization models as possible. No singular model is the best -- just as no singular training program is the best. You need a SYSTEM of periodization to be the best just as you need a training SYSTEM to have the best in that arena also. There are tons of ways to organize training. Nearly all of them are worthwhile at some point in time. Be a student of the sport, learn as much as you can about them, then when it comes time to plan your training you'll understand what you're trying to accomplish.

DaneKelley · Veteran Member

I've been going down one pin every week this cycle. I started on pin 4 which is at 18 inches and have been working my way down. I'd like to pull 635 raw off pin 1 and 675 in my suit. then i was thinking about trying 635 off the floor, but im not sure. I really just want to work on my raw strength right now so im not sure if i want to use the suit or not. I do agree with you though, i think i need to pull either pin 2 or lower.

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

********************
This is the start of my training for IPF Worlds, 2008
********************

Week 1
Sunday SBD
11 Squat- 70-80%, 10-14 NL
525x3 @7
575x3 @8
605x4 @9
575x3 @8.5 (29m)

Bench (pinky on ring) +180pp- 70-80%, 10-14 NL
295x3 @7
315x3 @8
330x4 @9
315x3 @8 (13m)

GM (squat stance)- 4x6
405x6 @8
425x6 @8
455x6 @9 (16m)

Total Training Time: 110min

I went 3 for 3 on PRs for today, so thats a pretty damn good first day back. I was feeling good, so I pushed it to the higher end of my volume zone for today, but still kept it pretty low.
Squatting 605x4 @9 the first day back is pretty good if you ask me. Nevermind that it was a 7 pound PR. I got a little forward on some of them, but not too bad.
Benching was good today also. I exceeded my expectations by about 8 pounds, so thats pretty good too.
Taking time off after the meet softened the callus on the back of my shoulders, so GMs werent very fun. Still hit a very nice PR here. I cut a set short because I needed to get back home.
All in all, this was a good session and a very good 1st day back.

-- Edited by Mike Tuchscherer at 18:02, 2008-06-30

Mike Bartos · Member

Nice first day back! Congratulations on your win at nationals. I wish you the best of luck in your training for worlds.

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

Thanks, Mike!

Eric Talmant · Senior Member

Mike Tuchscherer wrote:

I have not looked at the book, but I did buy the DVD. I haven't gotten a chance to watch his DVD yet, but I did watch James Smith's DVD on a similar topic.

Short Answer: Without having seen it, I'd say it's probably worth the buy. Learning about well thought out approaches always are. But make sure you combine it with your own experiences to apply it to Powerlifting. It won't be ready to go right out of the box.

Long Answer: I have a decent understanding of Block periodization and the standard issue RTS stuff fits the bill already (albiet with less specific language) if you take the time to plan training thoughtfully. I know the RTS book isn't available yet. I've never published one before. It takes longer than I thought! But when it comes available, it will outline a method for planning your training from one major competition to the next. If you follow that model and put some thought into your training, Block Periodization won't dramatically change what you were doing already. *BUT* learning more about it would STILL be worth it because it gives you a greater understaning about how the training process works, so when you do plan your own training, you're doing more than following the model -- you intelligently understand what it is that you're writing down.

But it goes beyond Block Periodization. If you read about Block Periodization, it's not intended to be used year-round. It's more of a method of pre-competition preparation. By the strict definitions in Block Periodization literature, it is not well suited for "off season" or "non-pre-competition" training. There are other periodization models that should be followed in those instances. That's why it's important to learn about as many periodization models as possible. No singular model is the best -- just as no singular training program is the best. You need a SYSTEM of periodization to be the best just as you need a training SYSTEM to have the best in that arena also. There are tons of ways to organize training. Nearly all of them are worthwhile at some point in time. Be a student of the sport, learn as much as you can about them, then when it comes time to plan your training you'll understand what you're trying to accomplish.

Mike: I hope to get to your emails today or tomorrow. If you read my log you will see why it is taken me longer than expected.

I imagine you also commented on James Smith's email about blocks/periodization, etc.

Good stuff above about evaluating and assessing one's yearly training.