I’ve read all the reports but to finally see the Ironmind training hall tape was unbelievable. Guys failing six consecutive snatches just shy (above!!) of the world record… AND then coming back 15 minutes later to do the same on Cleans.
All that shit about 5 minute recoveries… Vanev takes about 90s.
If that’s the film I saw from Number 2, it’s pretty amazing. Also the quality of the equipment was very poor.
I have got to borrow this tape off you!
Koing
David,
Are these videos a worthwhile investment?
Is there any useful information on them?
Only visual info, the Polish 2001 tape has the most training info in terms of footage of assistant lifts etc and its more like a normal training session
The rest of tapes are filmed at training halls just before major meets, so are mostly mainteniance lifting by elite olylifters.
If you want to see the best in the world throw around big weights and look like they weigh nothing then you will enjoy it 
The 1995 2 tape set is my fav - watching those 120lb Chinese kids throw around weights that I do is an eye opener!
I saw some of the Bulgarian videos and it was amazing.
The 110kg to 180kg looks as if it was about 60kg. The squat from the bottom of the clean looked FAR FAR too easy. They have HUGE squats.
Koing
So if I were to get only one(maybe two) which should I get? Polish Creating Champions?
Get the 2001 polish and the two tape 1995 set, the 1995 has the widest variety of lifters, and you’ll see lots of power cleans and powersnatches, not just the full lifts. Also those Chinese kids doing perfect form clean deadlifts and so on.
2001 Polish take has Kolecki doing some mid thigh hang powersnatches too, plus squats, snatch grip pushpress, pulls of various types etc . mostly from the front angle however.
If you only want 2 tapes, get the 1995 set of 2 tapes IMO
Where can you get these tapes from?
There is another video currently circulating in US weightlifting circles of Abadjiev lecturing on his training philosophy. Whilst I am still awaiting my copy of the tape I have read other’s interpretations and am already fascinated.
Abadjiev apparently utilises every emotional stimulus available to maximise lifter’s arousal levels. Strategies include (handicapped) ‘head to heads’; betting on lifts and control competitions. He believes that training at the ‘fight or flight’ response level leads to greater rates of improvement.
Bulgarian lifters may be uniquely suited to this type of training. They are selected for their athletic potential and anatomical suitability. Additionally, since athlete numbers are so high those who are unable to adapt can be dropped from the program. Technique, developed at an early age, is exceptional and therefore is less likely to degrade under (near) maximal lifts. The technical proficiency also minimises the physical stress of lifting. Lastly, like most other elite weightlifters, the Bulgarians also benefit from the best supplementation and restorative methods.
I have to say that in relation to intensity, Abadjiev’s approach is in direct conflict to my own. My athletes never lift above 95% of relative maximum except during competition or test sessions. Additionally, I try to restrict emotional stimulus because I feel that a 5% increase today may cause a 5% decrement for the following week.
Is it time for a rethink?
can you expand on that?
you know I can’t
well if it aint broke dont fix it…if what your doing now is bringing appreciable gains, then stick with it, when you need a change of pace, or you stagnate, switch, or if you feel your progressing too slowly why not give it a try.
I think your approach makes more sense from a physiological point of view, especially as you can’t duplicate their training conditions (like training up to 5 x per day, spread out over the whole day, with massage and recovery between, all on-site).
FWIW, the current Bulgarian coach (this info comes from an article in Milo a year or two back) has abandoned the Abadjaev approach, citing lifter burnout, going crazy (no variety), and injury. He’s gone back to a more traditional %age based appraoch. I guess results at the world stage will tell.
Lyle
how do the greeks change(Pyrros!)? Ive always been curious
David W.
I ain’t smart enough to say whether or not you need to rethink. I find most of your thoughts on training to be dead on and i’ve gotten alot out of your posts.
That being said, my only comment on the Bulgarian Madness is this. It sounds to me like what they have going on there is very similiar to what we have going on here in the States down in Florida, but with regards to football(not soccer). The pier (forgive my spelling) pressure, as well as the community pressure put on kids at a young age in Florida to perform on the field has resulted in a hugh talent pool, that universities nationwide go fishing in. The “fight or flight” mentality is instilled in the kids down there quite young.
Is this a good thing??? Thats a whole other thread. But you can’t argue with the results on the field. What i take from it, is that the muscle between your ears is the strongest in your body and has the greatest room for improvement, especially if its exercised at a young age.
gone,
td
david,
i didnt mean that part of it. do oly lifters (elite) get massage, EMS, or anything of that nature?
I’m interested in his philosophy, but we have to remember that the Bulgarians essentially didn’t care about burning out lifters. If too much stimulation/training/stress caused a lifter to suffer ill effects, so what, there’s plenty more just like him, next! Performance was apparently their goal regardless of the effect on the athlete(and more importantly for our purposes, on the person).