Rings X Maximal Lower Body Strength Training

Coach,

 

As you've already said in another topic of this forum, "ring strength is maximal strength training". Well, at first it seemed to me that you were talking about upper body maximal strength, but reading the introduction to the rings one course, you mention tha ring strength transfers to the olympic jerk and even to squats.

 

Then I saw the weekly schedule when Foundation 4 is mastered (which, as you've said, is the best scenario) and the only lower body exercise is the SLS element as a warm up.

 

From there I really got lost.

 

Does direct lower body maximal strength training stops with Foundation 4, since it's now used only as a warm up?

 

 

  

 

By this time you'll most likely have moved to plyometric leg training in the form of movement 1-3.

At first I've also thought that the dynamic leg work on mevement would be all. 

 

But then I saw this post: https://www.gymnasticbodies.com/forum/topic/1205-maximal-strength-is-not-a-panacea/  ,

where coach says this:

 

"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. In my opinion, 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."

 

and this:

 

"This proposition is not meant to apply to gymnastics only; but to all sports outside of Power Lifting and other similar sports where the only variable involved is maximal strength (no agility, sudden changes of direction, acceleration/deceleration etc). Depending on your individual sport, as what point is enough maximal strength enough? For example, Dan John once noted that when he built his back squat up to 400lbs, his measured distance in discuss throwing went down. When he reduced his back squat to 225lbs (approx. bodyweight), it went back up again.

The Chinese National Team has a basic requirement/team preference of double bodyweight in a full ROM back squat. The athletes involved are of course quite light (approx 55-60kg on average), but interestingly once again we are in the neighborhood of 225lbs. "

 

So the question, Coach, is this: since maximal strength training will continue, how should we do it?

 

Loading more the lunges (till about 1,5 bodyweight) and arcups?

 

Chasing a double bodyweight ATG back squat and a triple bodyweight deadlift?

 

Will this be enough?

 

Or too much?

 

After all we are not here to become powerlifters. There must be a maximal lower body strength parameter after which, as happened with Dan John, more weight equals less performance.

Coach, could you please educate me in this matter of maximal lower body strength training?

 

If you consider this is in the wrong forum please move it to the adequate one. I just thought that, since in this topic I speak about the rings one introduction and weekly schedule, here would be the appropriate one.

 

Thanks