Thanks to Ken Stone for pointing this out to me. Masters [cycling] track racer Kenny Williams tested positive for the banned substance DHEA in a test taken at United States masters nationals in Colorado Springs. In a letter first published at cycle-smart.com, Williams called the … [Read more...] about What is DHEA? Benefits of DHEA Supplements (which is Banned in Track!)
Weight Training
Dwain Chambers, Ato Boldon and Box Jumping
Several years ago in the days before YouTube, there was a viral video of Ato Boldon doing a 60 inch or 1.50m box jump (approximately). Obviously, people confused this with the vertical jump or vertical leap test, but it is a good indication of explosiveness. And bravery. I am a firm … [Read more...] about Dwain Chambers, Ato Boldon and Box Jumping
Wrist Straps and Weight Belts – Good or Bad?
During my weight training days at McGill, I remember a lot of lifters were using wrist straps and weight belts, including myself. The weight belt was good for the vanity – it tightened your waist and tucked in your beer belly, plus it inflated your chest, hence the inverted triangle … [Read more...] about Wrist Straps and Weight Belts – Good or Bad?
Why Sprinters should NOT do Double-Leg Squats
There’s an alarming trend of Coaches who do not like the conventional double leg squats with the bar behind your head. But for those who like to do the double-legged squats, it is recommended to do “front squats” with the bar on your front shoulders and collar bone, because if you fail at a given … [Read more...] about Why Sprinters should NOT do Double-Leg Squats
Weight Ratios for Power Clean, Bench Press & Squats
What are the recommended weight ratios for power clean, bench press and squats in terms of your bodyweight? You can see my old weight training program, a discussion on how to determine 1 rep max (1 RM) and another sample weight training program from another coach. I try not to get hung up on … [Read more...] about Weight Ratios for Power Clean, Bench Press & Squats
Analysis – Weight Training Program for Long Sprinters
Preamble: I posted my weight training routine from 1985-1992, followed by a lengthy discussion on how to calculate your 1 rep max (1RM) and weight percentages. Here's another weight training program for discussion. This is a 15 - 30 week weight training program. Each phase is 5 weeks … [Read more...] about Analysis – Weight Training Program for Long Sprinters
Interval Circuit Training Examples and Routines
The limitation of the 400 meters is not lactic acid, or lactate for that matter. Rather, it's acidosis, or the increase of positive H+ hydrogen items that limits the muscles. How can you tolerate this? How can you build up a resistance to this, other than typical extensive tempo workouts or … [Read more...] about Interval Circuit Training Examples and Routines
Maximum One Rep Max (1RM) and Weight Percentages
A reader asked me how did I calculate my weights from the past article Weight Training Routine from the Archives? Basically, you need to know your Maximum One Rep Max (or "1RM" in short) and the approximate percentages at the lower weights. Below are my guidelines on weight percentages that … [Read more...] about Maximum One Rep Max (1RM) and Weight Percentages
Other 30 Minute Circuit Training Workouts
If I was a comic book hero, I would call myself Lactic Man. To train for the 400m, one has to tolerate huge amounts of lactic acid. Earlier, I posted a 30 minute workout. 31.5 minutes to be exact. Here is the other workout. It comprises of 9 continuous exercises (3 non-stop sets of … [Read more...] about Other 30 Minute Circuit Training Workouts
Sample Weight Training Routine from the Archives
People won't believe this story, but when I first started running track at McGill University, I could not do 3 sets of 10 reps Bench Press with 70lbs (7, 10 lb plates) on the Universal stack machine. Being a machine and not free weights, you can argue it wasn't even 70 lbs. I will try to post a … [Read more...] about Sample Weight Training Routine from the Archives
