Idaho Weightlifting:Programs/Documents

Idaho Weightlifting:Programs/Documents shares a bunch of documents on programs, etc at their site here.

Building a Platform

In helping a local gym construct two lifting platforms, we found the classic plans described on Ironmind to be a great resource:

http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Main/homesweathome6.html

The primary modification we made was the narrowing of the centerpiece from 48" to 40". Our reason for doing so was to prolong the life of the centerpiece, as we predicted the amount of lifting --and lifts dropped from overhead -- would be pretty high. To compensate, we used two 4'x6' stall mats per platform, each cut into two 4'x28" pieces.

Overall, the platforms are great to lift on. If there is one thing I would change, I would prefer using a thicker matting, like the 'Super Mats' Dynamic Fitness/Eleiko sells. These are the same type of mats used in commercially made platforms, and are also the mats used in the lifting platforms at LBH.

Not too long Ago..

Antonio Krastev trained at Lost Battalion Hall in Queens...where I go every once in a while. He would train twice a day six times a week. His methods are in the Weightlifting Encyclopedia (pages 305-306). You couldn't hear a pin drop when Antonio went into that start position...the long delay...the silence...and the the pull with head tilted off to one side..then he's under it and up on his feet in a flash. What I liked best was the celebrity of it all: the entourage escorting him to and from the platform, the coaches, the water guy, the expediter, the guy holding the smelling salts (that was me!)...everybody involved.