Periodization

I was inspired to write this because of a podcast I listened to recently by @reactivetrainingsystemsand a post made by @datadrivenstrength

There is a misconception that hypertrophy and strength must be or should be trained in different blocks throughout the year. If you follow a typical linear periodizaton model, you would perform a volume/hypertrophy block, followed by a strength block, and end with a peaking block. This is, more or less, how training is organized in a linear periodization model.

What some fail to acknowledge is that hypertrophy can occur at any rep range, as long as volume and intensity are dosed properly. A more modern approach to powerlifting training would include some degree of hypertrophy and strength training year-round for most athletes, at the same time.

This could be accomplished by having days of the week that are dedicated to higher repetitions and/or higher volume to promote greater hypertrophy and work capacity, and days that are geared towards higher intensities and practicing the skill of competition squatting, benching, and deadlifting. Both of the days I just outlined (a volume focus and a strength focus day) should improve hypertrophy and strength but to varying degrees.

Rather than relying on specific blocks of training and only accomplishing one goal at a time, powerlifters are able to gain muscle and strength simultaneously which, in my opinion, will lead to a better outcome in the long term.