Strong is Strong

Mikhail Koklyaev has achieved
world class numbers in
Olympic Lifting, Strongman,
and Powerlifting

Too many times people get caught up in trying to create, or find the perfect program.  Lifters and athletes spend far too much time worrying about the design of the program, what lifts they focus on, what their assistance work is, or who gives them the program.  Granted, program design is extremely important, and a well-designed program can produce great results.  However, there are other factors that I believe are more important than program design in terms of the success of an athlete.

One's belief and dedication to a program, as well as their execution and hard work in AND out of the gym, can make an average lift turn extraordinary results.  I've heard it many times, "strong is strong."  It doesn't matter how you do it, especially in the case of athletes that aren't competitive weightlifters.  Even so, some of the strongest men in the world, like Mikhail Koklyaev of Russia, have been world-class competitors in Olympic weightlifting, Strongman, and Powerlifting.  While this is extremely rare, it just goes to prove, you can be strong in multiple disciplines.

This week has already shown me that when you work hard and improve your strength in big lifts like the deadlift and the squat, as well as frequently work on power through movements like jumps, med ball throws, speed deadlifts and pause squats, you can improve your production across the board.

Yesterday was the peak of my deadlifting and rep squatting cycle.  I worked up to 440 for a set of 2 conventional, the most I've done sumo or conventional since my back injury.  Then hit 473 easy for a single, another PR since my back injury last spring.  I then proceeded to gut out a brutal set of 253 for 20 reps on the squat.

Vince Urbank has pulled over
800 lbs both sumo and conventional
and competes in Strongman

I was a little sore getting out of bed today but went in to test in the clean for winter football workouts.  Despite all the leg work yesterday, I was able to work up to a set of 3 at 110 kg or 242 lbs.  I was ready to stop and call it a day, but then Steve Quadrel, a teammate of mine, decided to try to one up me by throwing 120 kg on the bar.  Knowing there was no way I was going to get 3 reps at 120, but wanting to push myself, I threw on 115 kg or 253 lbs.  I pulled it for 3 reps, breaking my all time personal record in the clean.

The point is, even after not cleaning more then 135 lbs since last spring, my clean improved because I have greatly increased my lower body strength and explosiveness.  There are many ways to get strong. Find a sound program and dedicate yourself to it.  Consistency is key.  Focus less on exactly what you're doing, and more on how you approach your training and the kind of effort you put into it.

Below is a video of yesterdays deadlifts.