Disclaimer: I am not a certified fitness professional. Please consult one or a medical professional before undertaking any new forms of exercise – you are at your own risk. I present these exercises only as a way to exchange ideas and inspire others to be creative in their methods for attaining their fitness goals.
I’m now into the “Pre-Competitive 1” Phase (weeks 13-16) of my Half-Iron training (from Gale Bernhardt’s Training Plans for Multisport Athletes), and strength training is only once per week and the workouts are meant to be for “strength maintenance”. For the preceding “Specific Preparation 3” phase (weeks 9-12), my strength workouts were coded as being “Power Endurance” (PE).
“The PE strength training phase is intended to combine strength with velocity. Making fast movements with weights, however, is controversial. At least one study has shown that when lifters were asked to move a weight as quickly as possible while maintaining contact with the weight bar, power actually decreased….”
So Gale Bernhardt wants me to lift the weight explosively, but is concerned I won’t get the most bang for my buck if I have to control where it goes? I’m more concerned about whether I can handle the weight coming back down on the negative phase, and what that’s going to do to my body….
“One of the best options for a hip extension exercise with fast movements is a leg press machine that allows you to explosively jump off the platform with a load and return to the start position at a moderate speed.”
So if I understand it correctly, most of the PE movements should have an explosive lift, and ideally not carry any extra weight on the way back down. I’m not sure my gym wants me dropping weights on the floor like that, but luckily, I’m good at finding ways to improvise…
Enter the Heavy Bag. This thing has been hiding in my mother’s basement from the halcyon days of the late 90s when I took kickboxing and other martial arts. It weighs 70 lbs, and that’s a lot less than the weight I dead-lift or squat, yet somehow carrying it out of her basement (and subsequently into/out of mine) is a workout unto itself. Once I did, though, I found a way to get some great, explosive strength workout, and get a little Vitamin D in my own backyard.
Have a look.
Such a great idea!!! i HAD NEVER THOUGHT TO DO THIS WITH A HEAVY BAG BEFORE!
Such a great idea!!! i HAD NEVER THOUGHT TO DO THIS WITH A HEAVY BAG BEFORE!