Maximal effort training is focused on training maxes. A training max is a lift that represents the athlete’s current level of absolute strength, affected by accumulated fatigue throughout the training cycle. These maxes do not reveal an athlete’s true absolute strength, considering we do not specifically peak to reduce fatigue and achieve a competition max.
Time is valuable, especially in the gym. Whether an individual is focused on strength or conventional sports, it is important to ensure that training allows for improvement as efficiently as possible. This is what max effort offers: improvement in absolute strength in the most efficient manner possible.
The standard Conjugate Method template calls for four training days per week, consisting of two maximal effort days and two dynamic effort days. Heavy effort training is a training approach that can be used in place of maximal effort training. This is because these two approaches focus on developing absolute strength.
To ensure that all we have previously discussed is understood, I will use this article as an opportunity to walk you through what would be considered an optimal max effort upper training day for a powerlifter. For the sake of this article, we will say this individual is a powerlifter who struggles with tricep weakness and has issues locking out heavy presses.
The Conjugate Method provides a coach or athlete with many different options when designing a training program. Whether we are dealing with a strength athlete or a conventional sports athlete, we can find ways to manipulate training further to bring about further training adaptations, allowing for continual improvement.
A common mistake many new to the Conjugate Method make is to place all of their focus on maximal and dynamic effort training and then go through the motions with their repeated effort work. While we, of course, want to place an emphasis on maximal and dynamic effort training, the repeated effort method provides a foundation of training volume that is critical to the ongoing development of strength and athleticism.
Safe execution of max-effort training comes down to two factors; properly planned training and properly educated players. You want your programming to expose athletes to different levels of volume and intensity while teaching correct execution of the various exercises. As long as these bases are covered, max effort training is no more dangerous than any other training method.
Do not fear max-effort training; fear having weak players who get embarrassed on the playing field.
Whether it be a sudden burden that causes fatigue-related issues to noticeably occur, or gradual wear and tear leading to decreased performance over a period of time, we must have options to go to so we can get training back on track. One option is what I refer to as the 3/speed/5/1 max effort plan.
Instead of achieving maximal motor unit recruitment by performing a lift at 100%, the main exercise is performed for three or five rep top sets that still reach suitable motor unit recruitment levels.
Essentially, we are losing the ability to achieve the highest level of motor unit recruitment with the reduction in intensity. Still, we are gaining a meaningful boost in recovery and decreasing the likelihood of programming failure or injury in the future.
Modified max-effort allows a lifter struggling with recovery to be afforded the benefits of high-intensity weight training while reducing the overall impact on recovery associated with an all-out max effort lift.
This accessory work is one of an athlete's most critical training tasks. Not only will this training help to improve work capacity, but it will also allow an athlete to develop optimal levels of muscle mass. While max effort work can certainly help from a tissue density perspective, our repeated effort training drives the volume that allows for meaningful hypertrophy.
The structure of a dynamic effort upper training day is similar to the structure of a dynamic effort lower training day in two ways; both follow a three-week wave schedule, and both follow the same basic order of exercises.
Here is how to properly structure your dynamic effort training.
Whether an athlete wants to improve their upper body strength, or a powerlifter seeks to improve their competition total, the bench press is an exercise that should be performed regularly. This exercise can be performed in various ways, including special exercise variations that utilize different specialty bars and accommodating resistance setups.
