Dave Griffiths has provided me with a training update from the track squad who regularly train at Positive Fit in Mandurah. Please read and think how your training could use the variation and principles applied in this elite category of exercise.
“Following a short break in May after the Australian Championships, the athetes are back in training completing an endurance based phase. We call it training to train and no matter how many years the athletes train, this phase is essential in overall development.
In the weights room, as on the track, sessions are completed in circuits for 3 or 4 weeks until we progress to specific sets. From August, the weight sessions are in a pyramid format and a progression system increases the weight as strength develops until the track and field competition season starts at the end of September.
From mid August the emphasis on the track moves toward more speed based traning even though we practice it all year round. Just as any specialist skill performer maintains rehearsing their skills, so must the athletes – even thought they feel heavy from their off-season weights.
In general, the group works as a group however the more seasoned athletes – those who aim at excellence at the Australian Championships – will progress to their speed work later than the others as school competition is in December and open National season starts in January.
If you see me at Positive Fit, please come and say hello and if you wish to ask a question – please do and i will do my best to answer it”
Dave Griffiths – Level IV Coach
Its interesting to compare this training with some of the principles we put our personal treaining clients through – such as phases of training and progressively overloading. If you’re not doing this in your training – please talk to your Personal Trainer – and if you don’t have one – WHY NOT?
