However, while maximal-effort training is sustainable, there are times when PR lifts stagnate, and recovery is suboptimal. In this case, we must slightly modify training to ensure we do not reach a recovery deficit that impacts the sustainability of the training plan.
At Westside, we have used isometric training for many years. Whether we are training strength or conventional sports athletes, isometric training provides a meaningful stimulus to address weaknesses within a specific motor pattern. The use of isometric training has helped our athletes improve their maximal effort performance in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
Often, the folks who criticize our methods are those with little or no experience using them. You will have those who question the methods simply because some athletes are not using them. I would argue that no matter how good an athlete is, they would be even better if they chose to use the Westside Barbell Conjugate Method.
The Conjugate Method provides coaches and athletes with an operating system to ensure all necessary aspects of sports performance are addressed, both in-season and off-season. Using the maximal, dynamic, and repeated effort methods, we can construct training plans that ensure athletes make or maintain progress year-round.
The sport of Olympic weightlifting, of course, relies on explosive power and technical proficiency. However, this does not mean that the continuous development of absolute strength is unimportant. As a matter of fact, how much a training plan focuses on the development of absolute strength will define the trajectory of the weightlifter.
The Conjugate Method is the most optimal strength training method because it never puts the coach or athlete in a corner they can’t escape from. If a coach or athlete knows our method well enough, there is always a path forward to continue progressing. The only limitation to this training method is the mind of the coach or athlete wielding it.
As athletes age and improve their sport-specific skills, the level of competition eventually evens out. Meaning that all athletes at a specific level share similarities in sport-specific skills. At this point, a properly designed strength and conditioning plan must enter the equation to ensure the athlete continues to improve not only sports skills, but the physical abilities and traits that keep the athlete a step ahead of the competition.
Today, we continue to work with some of the best athletes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, wrestling, and lacrosse every week. We do not rest on history alone; our goal is to carry on the legacy of proving the Conjugate Method is the most effective approach to training, no matter the sport or athlete.
The dynamic effort method is a training method utilized with the Conjugate Training System that focuses on improving an athlete’s rate of force development and work capacity. This training method calls for athletes to train with submaximal weights, aiming to execute each rep at maximal velocity. When executed correctly, dynamic effort training is incredibly effective for both strength and conventional sports athletes.
The Conjugate System is a training system capable of addressing and improving all aspects of strength and conditioning. No matter the athlete, the sport, or the situation, the Conjugate Method can be manipulated to deliver optimal stimulus and rapid results. As we often say, the Conjugate Method is limited only by the intelligence and ability of the coach wielding it.
While the focus of maximal effort training is improving peak force output, dynamic effort training seeks to reduce the time to reach it. Whether we are working with strength or conventional athletes, dynamic effort training is a critical part of the training equation. We want strong and explosive athletes, capable of rapidly generating tremendous amounts of force to move a barbell, an opponent, or themselves.
As the name implies, maximal effort training is performed at high intensity. This means that athletes will work up to a top-set single (or a set of 3 with good mornings), aiming to lift the heaviest weight they can on that specific training day. As long as we meet or exceed 90% of training intensity, we can efficiently improve absolute strength.
At Westside, we utilize accessory exercises to improve the strength and physical composition of our athletes. These movements focus on building specific muscles and muscle groups involved in sport-related tasks and can be selected to address weaknesses identified throughout the training process.
The combined dynamic effort training day is a modification to the standard Westside Barbell Conjugate Method training schedule used when working with conventional sports athletes. Combining dynamic effort training into a single training day allows athletes to focus on practice, skill development, or recovery on the other four days of the week.
The Conjugate for Athletes series aims to provide knowledge and insight into our approach to training athletes, with the goal of helping coaches and athletes achieve success when using our methods. The Conjugate Method, when applied correctly, is the most effective and efficient approach to strength and conditioning.
What makes Conjugate so effective is the simultaneous use of three strength training methodologies: the maximal, dynamic, and repeated effort methods. While specialized training tools will, of course, enhance programming options, they are not what decides the outcomes of a Conjugate Method training program.
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.
While the Conjugate Method was popularized in powerlifting, the truth is that our methods work just as well for athletes in any sport. Why? Because we have the freedom to design comprehensive training programs that meet athletes where they are and elevate their performance to the next level, no matter the circumstances.
The key to success with exercise variations is to maximize the benefits of the basics before progressing to more advanced exercises. Doing so allows athletes to build strength, coordination, and competency in foundational barbell, dumbbell, and machine exercises before progressing to more complex exercises. This sets athletes up for consistent success in the weight room and helps to reduce injury risk due to incompetence or mismanaged training.
