Spike
Full Member
Lot's of armchair S&C coaches in here.
Lifting heavy (92%+ 1RM) with low numbers increases neurological firing leading to increased strength without adding mass. Lifting heavy is the only way to do this. The team most likely uses the conjugate system to develop speed/power and explosiveness, this requires lifting heavy. Tendons/ligaments grow 3x slower than muscles do. They need a [ steaming pile of Orgeron ] ton of stimulation to grow. How do you do that? Lift heavy.
How do you strengthen ligaments and tendons? Lift heavy.
How do you get stronger without adding unwanted mass? Lift heavy.
Padding on the bar only puts the back at a mechanical disadvantage and increases lower back injury risk due to moment arm extension. Use your natural padding (traps/delts) to protect the bone.
Literally no chance of "blowing a knee out" by lifting heavy. What happens is you lift light, don't stress the tendons/ligaments enough, then try and cut full speed and screw yourself. Or worse, you use a machine (leg press) to go heavy and be "safe" where you don't activate the stabilizers, go to cut, then rip half your [ steaming pile of Orgeron ].
FYI Don Sommer interned under Louie Simmons who consults for multiple NFL teams including the Patriots and pioneered the conjugate system. Leave the S&C work to the experts.
Thank you!!!!!