Category: Precision Powerlifting Systems

Written by: Kevin Cann The max effort method is the best method to build absolute strength.  This is undeniable due to the specificity of heavy singles for the sport of powerlifting.  The max effort method builds the inter and intra muscular coordination, technical efficiency at heavy weights, and psychological strength.  It teaches lifters how to compete. The Bulgarian sports scientist, Angel Spassov, admits that the max effort method comes with a higher injury risk and may shorten careers, Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann I have been a very vocal proponent of direct hypertrophy work in powerlifting.  I think my argument against it gets misunderstood.  I never said that hypertrophy is not important, it most definitely is.  However, hypertrophy is built over a large number of rep ranges, but strength is more directed and developed with higher loads and lower rep ranges. Hypertrophy is developed from a well-organized plan and more direct work is probably unnecessary.  We take a Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann We seem to be in a fad of “evidence based” coaching right now.  I also see a lot of coaches touting that they follow general principles in their programs, but when you see their programs there is a definite misunderstanding of those general principles of strength training. Training needs to be individualized for sure, but this pendulum has also swung a bit too far into the direction of over-individualization.  Small adjustments in the Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann I saw a video last week where a coach was taking questions from followers.  One of these followers asked about a conjugate program for raw lifting.  The coach then said it was not a program that is useful for raw lifting and only one high level lifter uses it. This statement is incredibly ignorant and incorrect.  We need to first identify what the term conjugate means.  Conjugate is synonymous with concurrent periodization.  This means that we Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann This is a message that I am really trying to send to Precision Powerlifting Systems right now.  We all can train harder than what we have been.  There is a current trend in powerlifting that seems to tell us that we need more. We need more frequency, more comp lifts, and more volume.  This I find to never really be the case.  If you are a lifter in the top 1% of the sport, and Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann Ever since I got into the field of strength and conditioning around 2005, I have been told that profiling athletes or giving assessments on clients is the way to go.  This has evolved into every little variable in training needing to be profiled and then individualized into a training program for the athlete. Testing an athlete, or performing an assessment, is used to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to structure a Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann This is often the most difficult question for a coach to answer.  I have literally tried everything from high frequency, to higher frequency, to all singles, in search of the perfect volumes and intensities of training.  I am sure many reading this have experienced the exact same thing. I think as a coach, the impatience of lifters has sometimes driven my haste decision making.  At the end of the day this is a performance Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann I made a post last night explaining the reasons why I do not use auto-regulation to dictate day to day training loads.  I titled it “Why I am not a fan of auto-regulation.”  Perhaps this title was a bit misleading?  I am not sure. I went on to explain my thoughts and reasoning for it within the contexts of our programs. I think alot of people assume that auto-regulation is the adjustment of in Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann There are many different methods to get strong.  Most lifters and coaches are aware of a few different models.  Block periodization is probably the most popular.  This is when the coach prescribes each block to focus on one particular aspect of development while maintaining the others. An example would be a hypertrophy block followed by a strength block and finishing up with a power block. Another popular model is linear progressive overload.  The lifter takes their Read More

Written by: Kevin Cann I see this statement a lot on the interwebs, “Technique is not a one size fits all approach.  You should lift how you are comfortable and strongest.”  There are some truths to that statement, but it is taken much too far from the majority of the population spewing it. It seems to mostly come from younger and less experienced lifters and coaches who cite research that is performed on even less experienced lifters.  In Read More