what does everyone think of Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training by tudor bompa? is it worth reading? does it have any practicaly applications to sport or just a theoretical read?
TIA
Bompa is THE reference for Periodisation - but as regards which of his texts is best - I’m not sure.
Some cover old ground and there migh be little need to buy more than one.
I know DavidW purchased his latest text and it might be the best book.
Would anyone know which one is the latest?
I think that Bompa´s books are good, but they are more theoretical, and it is IMO the traditional western periodization stuff. Contra to the western methods are Charlie´s methods, with vertical integration, which have produced great performances. Another example contra to the western methods is Westside Barbell Club, which has great powerlifters who use what they call the conjugated method. Westside trains for pure strength, Charlie is looking at sprinting speed, but the approaches have many similarities. They do not employ the typical western periodization, for many reasons.
If you are looking for practical stuff, I would read the Charlie Francis Training System, Dave Tate´s Periodization Bible (testosterone magazine archives), and read this for a quick general review of periodization.
Hope this helps!
I would certainly read Bompa’s book. Charlie has known Tudor for many years and has always spoken very highly of him. Tudor was also a contributor to Charlie’s Training Manual, and there is some discusssion in there about how and why sprinting periodization differs from the more traditional model.
I live in Toronto and my local book store has alot of Tudor Bomba books.
If anyone’s interested, I’d be happy to run down and check out what they have.
These are brand new.
Rupert
CharlieFrancis.com
Tudor books are of a theorical nature, but are fairly easy to read and understand.
If you do coaches courses the work uses the stuff in these books.
Good book! Read it!
great book… read it! I just read it last month. I skipped 2 chapers total of 76 pages. 1 chapter i skipped was on talent indentification and the other i cant rememeber. The rest of the book is amust read from front to back.
Recently I have bought Bompas Periodization Training for Sport which focuses periodization on strength development. Bompa has all of these different strength phases to achive max results in sport. His biggest focus is the conversion of MxS to Power. Now Ive read on this forum that there may not even be a need for ths phase since track work is a power conversion. Is there any benefit to a power phase? WOuld it benefit to start doing power movements like plyos or light explosive type squats if there already exists a power transfer on the track, will more power work in the gym help? Also if there is no need for a power phase what would be done after a MxS phase? Bompa advises against doing a MxS phase over 8wks b/c it could lead to overuse and wear. thoughts?
I just checked my library at home for my Bompa books (I get confused between the different titles).
I have ‘Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training’ and one or two others, Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training is the bible as far as I am concerned.
‘Periodisation For Sports’ is a very good read also, but a not as comphrehensive - maybe a good thing if you are looking for a fast introduction to the topic.
Was thinking of getting Fleck and Kreamer’s Periodisation Breakthrough - anyone purchased that?
Can I get a review?
no23,
Save your money. I read it several years ago. It’s a joke. Read Bompa’s book instead if you haven’t already.
Just wondering if it could add to anything - both Fleck and Kreamer are widely published.
Originally posted by slowman
Recently I have bought Bompas Periodization Training for Sport which focuses periodization on strength development. Bompa has all of these different strength phases to achive max results in sport. His biggest focus is the conversion of MxS to Power. Now Ive read on this forum that there may not even be a need for ths phase since track work is a power conversion. Is there any benefit to a power phase? WOuld it benefit to start doing power movements like plyos or light explosive type squats if there already exists a power transfer on the track, will more power work in the gym help? Also if there is no need for a power phase what would be done after a MxS phase? Bompa advises against doing a MxS phase over 8wks b/c it could lead to overuse and wear. thoughts?
Slowman,
Conversion phases are generally not recommended for sprinters. Speeds achievable in a gym do not replicate sprinting speed and can result in injury.
Plyos, explosive med ball work etc., like weights, has a use in the development of general strength. Prescribe such work, as able, after track work.
btw be careful with light fast squats. I have recurrent tendon trouble behind my knee, which I attribure directly to such an excercise (Probably should be an entry in the ‘things I’d do differently thread’!)
I understand vertical integration yet I have not purchased the forum review of this book, I plan to purchase the book anyways; however, what I want to know is after 9-10 weeks of a MxS phase what do you do then? I mean since your testosterone production ceases or levels off (I can’t remember which);do you continue strength training at a lower level to maintain? once a week? stop strength training and focus on power for a month?
In Bompa’s book there is one graph on an olympic sprinter and his periodized training, perhaps BEN?