How to Periodization Weight Training

Step-by-step Instructions

Here is what you need to do...
Step 1

Let's just cut to the chase: for athletes, periodization weight training is the way to go. This kind of training involves taking the lifter through a series of peaks and valleys that, overall, come together to provide the athlete with a completely increased level of fitness. Periodization weight training can be done in a few different ways, and both of which will be briefly described below. Read on if you're an athlete, or if you're just a bodybuilder/weightlifter who's attempting to further your overall potential for physique.

Step 2

The first kind of periodization weight training is linear training. This kind of training involves constantly increasing the weight and volume of training so that, over time, the athlete is able to reach levels of high success, low failure, and eventual progress. Linear training is typically done for athletes who are involved in sports that require more technical ability than athletic ability (i.e. golf, baseball, tennis). This kind of periodization training is also good for bodybuilders who are just starting their journey to bigness and greatness.

Step 3

The next kind of periodization training is undulation training. This, in layman's terms, is muscle confusion training. In this sort of periodization training you employ a number of different shock methods in order to confuse the body in a way that coerces it to grow bigger, faster, and stronger. This kind of training is best used for athletes that participate in sports that require more athleticism than technique (i.e. rowing, wrestling, football). It is also great for bodybuilders who have been lifting weights for some time, as it confuses the muscles in a way that freshly incorporates growth and increased strength.

Step 4

Both of these kinds of periodization training are helpful in different ways, and applying them is a matter of figuring out what your goals are. If you seek to get bigger and stronger at a crazy fast rate, undulation training is for you. If, however, you only want to get better in a manner that allows you to stay extremely in tune with your body, then you should be going after linear training.

Special Attention

Difficulties people often experience or parts that need special attention to do it right.

Periodization weight training, in the form of either method, requires the athlete to work his butt off. Personally, when I'm on a schedule for periodization weight training, I make sure to take my preworkout every day. Muscletech Preworkout helps me kick ass in the gym, which gives my periodization schedules the chance to make me as good as they were designed to.

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This Student Author's Background

Funny or interesting story about this topic...

This kind of weight training was actually applied to me in different ways for different sports in high school. I noticed that, during my wrestling seasons, undulation weight training was extremely popular. This kind of training insisted that I constantly change up my methods of strength-building, which also promoted an overall massive growth that contributed greatly to my success as a wrestler. In soccer, though, linear training was the way to go. I constantly worked in a way that helped me slowly achieve a level of endurance and technical prowess which was necessary on the soccer field. Both methods worked wonders- but both were used for very specific training end-goals.

When did you first do this & how did you get started?

I first did periodization weight training during high school sports, as I mentioned above. Periodization training worked great for me, and I expect that no matter who you are, it will operate efficiently for you as well. So get to it.
Happy lifting,
J

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