TSG Podcast

The Strength Guys

Welcome to the TSG Podcast, your comprehensive resource for elite powerlifting education. Hosted by The Strength Guys, we trade social media snippets for deep-dive discussions on programming and performance. Join Arian and a lineup of world-class athletes, coaches, and other experts. From IPF rule changes to Sheffield reviews, we deliver timely news and technical mastery. This is a community-driven show where your questions shape our content, so be sure to share your ideas. Subscribe to the TSG Podcast and elevate your lifting journey beyond the platform. Quality information starts here.

  1. 24 Jun

    Episode 12: Egos, Upsets, and Attempt Selection: Unpacking the IPF Classic World Championships w/ Hendrik Becker

    In this podcast episode, Coach Arian and Coach Henrik analyze the recent IPF Classic World Powerlifting Championships, offering an elite coaching perspective on the event's results and strategies. They discuss the overall performance of national teams, highlighting Great Britain’s successful game planning and their upset victory over the USA in the women's team standings. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the technicalities of judging, specifically critiquing the inconsistency of the elbow depth rule in bench pressing versus the more effective implementation of the new heaving rule. The coaches examine specific weight classes, noting that while top-end world records are plateauing, the overall depth and competitiveness across all categories have increased drastically. Through detailed play-by-plays of athletes like Tiffany Chapon and Austin Perkins, they illustrate how attempt selection and psychological resilience often determine the difference between winning and losing. Ultimately, the source serves as a deep dive into the strategic nuances of professional powerlifting and the evolving landscape of international competition. TSG Powerlifting Coaching: https://thestrengthguys.com/coaching/ TSG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrengthguys Coach Arian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachariank/ Coach Hendrik Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hendrik_ksc/

    2h 30m
  2. 10 Jun

    Episode 11: The Best Way to Peak for Powerlifting Meets

    Welcome back to the TSG Podcast! Building directly on Episode 10’s discussion of tapering and game-day strategies, this episode dives deep into the vital process of *peaking* for powerlifting competitions. Whether you are preparing for a local meet to hit a qualifying total or aiming for the World Championships and Sheffield, peaking is essential to prepare your body to perform its absolute best on a specific day. In this episode, we explore the core variables of a successful peak, including how to safely handle high intensity, meet competition standards, manage psychological stress, and balance maximal skill practice with necessary fatigue reduction. **Key Topics Covered:** * **The AMRAP Method:** We break down how testing an AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible) at around 90-92.5% intensity can help assess a highly reliable opening attempt. We discuss why this method builds confidence with lower psychological stress, making it an ideal choice for less experienced lifters, while also covering its specific downsides, such as lower specificity and potentially higher recovery demands. * **The Top Single / RPE Method:** We explore the benefits of working up to heavy, conservative one-rep maxes or RPE-based singles to maximize competition specificity and build extreme confidence under heavy loads. While highly effective for athletes who like to get hyped up and focus on single-rep execution, we also discuss why this method carries a higher risk of overshooting and emotional fatigue for beginners. * **Real-World Case Studies:** Listen in as we analyze the exact peaking programs and data of TSG athletes. We break down a 3-week AMRAP peaking schedule, and review the top single approaches used by open lifter, Kwaku Nyarko, at SBD Austin and Masters lifter Jermaine Williams, showing how individualized adjustments—like accounting for deadlift fatigue—lead to massive PRs on the platform. If you want to learn how to perfectly time your strength for meet day, you won't want to miss this breakdown! Be sure to listen to Episode 10 for our 50/60/30 tapering rule, and drop a comment to let us know what topics or guests you want to hear on future episodes. TSG Coaching: https://thestrengthguys.com/coaching/ TSG Mentorship: https://thestrengthguys.com/powerlifting-coach-education/ TSG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestrengthguys

    55 min
  3. 13 May

    Episode 9: Full Time vs Part Time Powerlifting Coaching w/ Urban Mur

    Welcome to another episode of the TSG Podcast! In this episode, host Coach Arian Khamesi is joined by Coach Urban Mur to discuss the balancing act of juggling a professional career alongside powerlifting coaching. Coach Urban shares his unique background, transitioning from natural bodybuilding to becoming a pioneer for powerlifting in Slovenia and helping create the country's IPF affiliate. He also explains how his professional background as a physicist helps him structure programming and deeply analyze training data. The core of this episode dives into the pros and cons of being a part-time versus full-time powerlifting coach. Coach Urban explains how keeping a smaller roster of 10 to 15 clients while working full-time in academia helps him prevent burnout and allows him to keep highly detailed mental notes on each athlete's training needs. Conversely, Coach Arian discusses how full-time coaches managing 40 to 55 clients need highly structured workflows and athlete management systems to ensure consistent, high-quality communication without falling behind on programming. They also explore this dynamic from the athlete's perspective. A part-time coach may offer more focused attention and a coaching style driven purely by passion rather than income. However, the coaches warn that part-time coaches who are not heavily involved in the powerlifting community might struggle to stay up-to-date with rule changes and federation qualifications. To avoid these pitfalls, the coaches stress the importance of athletes doing thorough research when selecting a coach, advising them to interview multiple candidates and ask tough questions rather than just picking someone based on social media popularity. Finally, the coaches highlight the immense value of in-person meet-day coaching, noting how critical it is for a coach to be present from weigh-ins to warm-ups to better understand their athlete's mood and movement for attempt selections. The episode wraps up with Coach Urban discussing his upcoming plans, including competing as an athlete at the Classic Worlds in Lithuania and organizing the Junior European Championships in Slovenia later this year. https://thestrengthguys.com/coaching/ https://www.instagram.com/thestrengthguys https://www.instagram.com/urbanmur/ https://www.instagram.com/coachariank/

    1hr 24min
  4. 29 Apr

    Episode 8: Online vs In-Person Powerlifting Coaching w/ Jaime Cortes

    On this episode of the TSG Podcast, Coach Arian is joined by special guest, Coach Jaime, to break down the pros and cons of having an online powerlifting coach versus an in-person powerlifting coach. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, there’s valuable insight here about the distinct advantages and challenges of each coaching style. Key Benefits of In-Person Coaching 1. **Enhanced Communication**: Being physically present allows for better communication. Coaches can demonstrate exercises, correct form, and provide immediate feedback. 2. **Personal Connection**: In-person interactions foster stronger relationships between coach and client, making it easier to motivate and inspire. 3. **Rehabilitation Support**: Jaime particularly enjoys helping clients with sports injuries. Being able to assess and assist clients in real-time enhances the recovery process. The Benefits of Online Coaching - **Flexibility**: Online coaching offers clients greater flexibility in scheduling and allows coaches to reach a broader audience. - **Diverse Learning Resources**: Coaches can utilize various digital tools and platforms to enhance the learning experience for clients. - **Broadening Horizons**: Jaime discusses how online coaching has allowed him to connect with clients beyond local boundaries, making fitness accessible to more people. The Future of Coaching Jaime believes that the future of coaching lies in a hybrid model that combines both in-person and online methods. Why a Hybrid Approach Works - **Meeting Diverse Needs**: Different clients have different needs and preferences, and a hybrid approach allows coaches to cater to each individual effectively. - **Adapting to Change**: As the fitness landscape continues to evolve, coaches must be adaptable and willing to learn new skills. About Jaime Cortes Jaime Cortes is a dedicated powerlifting coach with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He has transformed his life from being overweight to becoming a competitive powerlifter. With a background in sports science and a passion for helping others, Jaime now runs his own gym in Cadiz, Spain. His journey and expertise make him a credible voice in the fitness community. https://thestrengthguys.com/coaching-services/ https://www.instagram.com/thestrengthguys https://www.instagram.com/jaimecorher/ https://www.instagram.com/repbyrepcenter/

    1hr 25min
  5. 1 Apr

    Episode 6: Golden Microcycles vs. True Progression w/ Hendrik

    How to Optimize Your Powerlifting Training: Insights from Coach Hendrik Discover key strategies for effective powerlifting training, including the golden microcycle and fatigue management. Essential insights for athletes and coaches alike. In the world of powerlifting, optimizing training is crucial for success. What does a well-structured training plan look like? In this episode, we’ll explore vital insights from powerlifting coach Hendrik, including the concept of the golden microcycle and effective fatigue management. With years of experience in coaching and competing, Hendrik shares practical advice that can help elevate your training. About Coach Hendrik Hendrik is a powerlifting coach from Germany with a rich history in the sport. Since 2019, he has been coaching athletes, leading them to national championships and world records. With a deep understanding of both the physical and psychological aspects of training, he is well-respected in the powerlifting community. Understanding the Golden Microcycle The golden microcycle refers to a meticulously structured week of training designed to maximize performance and recovery. - **Why This Matters**: This approach allows athletes to focus on their key lifts while ensuring they are adequately recovered for peak performance during primary sessions. - **How to Implement**: Identify your primary sessions in the week and arrange your training around optimizing recovery and performance for those days. For instance, if you have heavy squats scheduled, plan lighter sessions the days leading up to it. - **Common Mistake**: Many athletes focus solely on optimizing each week without considering the long-term effects of their training. This can lead to accumulated fatigue and potential overtraining. The Role of Fatigue Management in Training Fatigue management is an essential component of any successful powerlifting program. - **Understanding Fatigue**: Fatigue isn’t necessarily a negative aspect of training; it can indicate that the body is adapting to stress. However, too much fatigue can hinder performance. - **Finding the Balance**: The key is to determine what level of fatigue is productive and when it becomes counterproductive. Some athletes feel they must perform at their peak every session, which can lead to burnout. - **Practical Advice**: Coaches should monitor their athletes’ performances to identify when fatigue may be affecting their lifts. Developing an intuitive understanding of an athlete's condition can help in making necessary adjustments to their training plans. Setting Athletes Up for Success To ensure athletes perform their best, it’s essential to create a supportive training environment. - **Avoiding Pitfalls**: Athletes often make decisions in the heat of the moment, such as pushing for a PR during a session when they should stick to their plan. This can lead to injuries or setbacks. - **Creating a Structured Environment**: Encourage athletes to adhere to their training plans, even when tempted to push limits during casual sessions with friends. Setting clear goals and maintaining accountability can help mitigate these issues. - **Long-Term Planning**: Coaches should emphasize the importance of sustained progress over short-term gains. Training shouldn’t just focus on immediate performance but also on building a strong foundation for the future. Key Takeaways - The golden microcycle is a powerful tool for structuring training effectively. - Fatigue management plays a vital role in maintaining performance and preventing burnout. - Creating a supportive training environment is crucial for athlete success. --- https://thestrengthguys.com/coaching/ https://www.instagram.com/thestrengthguys https://www.instagram.com/hendrik_ksc/ https://www.instagram.com/coachariank/

    1hr 38min

About

Welcome to the TSG Podcast, your comprehensive resource for elite powerlifting education. Hosted by The Strength Guys, we trade social media snippets for deep-dive discussions on programming and performance. Join Arian and a lineup of world-class athletes, coaches, and other experts. From IPF rule changes to Sheffield reviews, we deliver timely news and technical mastery. This is a community-driven show where your questions shape our content, so be sure to share your ideas. Subscribe to the TSG Podcast and elevate your lifting journey beyond the platform. Quality information starts here.

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