Intro to Resistance Training Methods

There are many different weight training methods used for various types of athletes. The topic of training style and which resistance training method best meets the goals of the athlete’s sport is often debated. Due to numerous sports and a variety of different athletes, the different training styles are endless. One technique might be good for all sports while another is great for only one sport. That is the beauty of weight training. Depending on if the athlete is in season or on off season, the weight training styles differ. “There is no perfect method, only optimal ones for reaching predefined goals for a particular athlete at a particular stage of his or her career.”1 Also, all sports are different in their own way, which brings a different approach to proper training of the athlete.

Anaerobic exercise uses muscles at high intensity and a high rate of work for a short period of time. Anaerobic exercise helps us increase our muscle strength and stay ready for quick bursts of speed. Think of short and fast when you think of anaerobic exercise. The methods I will discuss will mainly be beneficial to the athletes in anaerobic sports. Therefore, these weight training methods are mainly used to increase overall strength and explosion, so athletes that have to use Type II and Type IIx muscle fibers, which will benefit the most. Athletes that compete in the aerobic system will not benefit much from these weight training styles because aerobic athletes need highly trained Type I muscle fibers, not Type II. Another thing to consider when doing any type of training is the volume and intensity.

The conjugate, concurrent, sequential, and 5:3:1 are all weight training methods that challenge the body in various ways. Strength and conditioning coaches are often confused about what method is best for their athletes. My goal is to explain each method and show the pros, cons, and what sports the training methods are best used for. “There are numerous goals that can be achieved with strength training.”2

References:

1Jovanović, M. (n.d.). Overview of Periodization Methods for Resistance Training. Retrieved September 29, 2016.

2Concurrent Strategies in Strength Training, Part 1. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2016