Although Gymnastics provides phenomenal strength development, some contend that special training must be employed to attain and maintain the highest levels of strength for gymnastics. Take a look at the Conjugate approach to strength training for gymnastics.
The author is almost correct. Maximal strength in relation to a high degree of relative strength is of supreme importance; up to a certain point and within certain parameters. Once you have developed an optimal surplus of maximal strength, continuing to train for maximal strength as the primary focus begins to have a deleterious effect on gymnastics performance. The correct approach is that, having achieved an optimal surplus, the primary focus now shifts to being able to express that strength explosively. Maximal strength training will continue; but in a greatly reduced role and as a secondary focus.
Yours in Fitness,
Coach Sommer
Greg Everett
2 | 2007-09-03
Coach -
This is a good point and appears to be true for pretty much all sports short of powerlifting. And it does seem to be overlooked by a lot of folks, possibly because it's so much easier to work with absolute strength because of its measurability, etc., and it's an easy way to convince yourself you're making progress when in fact you may not be developing any more of the athletic qualities you're actually afte.
What I'm curious about is how clearly you've defined the optimal strength surplus you mention--do you actually have figures to work with, or is this just your gut sense when working with a particular athlete?
Coach Sommer
3 | 2007-09-03
I use a rather intricate progression of different types of bodyweight exercises from very basic to extremely difficult; intricate enough that it has taken me three years to write the five books which fully explain and illustrate the components within my system of athletic preparation. Once an athlete has reached mastery of very difficult maximal strength bodyweight movements, then the primary emphasis shifts to the development of explosive power. It is of course possible to allow athletes to begin training for explosive power prior to achieving a high level of maximal strength, however the results are significantly less than that of an athlete who first took the time to build the correct foundation. Prior to the foundation being established, it is most effective to maintain the training of explosive power as a secondary focus with a greatly reduced role.
Yours in Fitness,
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