By Jason Filmore
The bodybuilder who has been most closely associated with eccentric training is Arthur Jones, who is also well known for his eccentricities. Alligator obsession and a love of African safaris are two things that helped Jones gain a following. He was also a marketing guru who contributed to the success of Nautilus and MedX. Of course, eccentricity is not a natural trait that everyone possesses. Before Jones became one of the fitness industry's most successful members, no one labeled him as weird.
People don't label someone as quirky unless they've done something truly remarkable. In a similar vein, you must adequately condition your body if you wish to use eccentric exercise.
This is an advanced training strategy, therefore someone just getting into fitness and strength training may not be a good candidate for it. Jones didn't invent eccentric training; he just raised awareness of it. This was merely a concept that Jones promoted, similar to the variable resistance cam that he fitted on Nautilus machines. You can find comprehensive instructions for eccentric training in European strength training publications.
Here are some advantages of eccentric strength training.
The amount of force generated as muscles lengthen is referred to as “eccentric strength.” “Concentric strength” is produced when muscles shorten. Why devote time to eccentric exercise? These are just six of the many benefits it provides.
– It Increases Strength: Eccentric exercise is able to produce a lot more tension than concentric training would. Muscle fibers are stimulated by this strain. This promotes the growth of muscles. Strengthening athletes should engage in eccentric exercise.
– It's a Successful Way to Gain Muscle: People frequently believe that building muscle mass occurs as a result of weightlifting. The hypertrophic reaction, however, is actually brought on by weight reduction. Equipment like isokinetic gear is not the best for building muscle mass since it lacks eccentric stimulation. Although isokinetic apparatus is frequently used in North America, it is far less common in Europe. This apparatus isn't made to aid athletes in gaining muscle bulk. It is preferable to concentrate on eccentric contractions during exercises.
– It Can Help Athletes Increase Power: An athlete's ability to produce rapid force is constrained by their neuromuscular system. Researchers have shown that eccentric training can help an athlete perform at a higher level or preserve the body's power.
Weightlifters will perform every other session that simply consists of eccentric contractions in the nations that have produced some of the greatest weightlifters. The first workout would be typical. The second exercise session, which emphasizes eccentric contractions, enables the athlete to exert more effort than usual.
It Can Be Customized for Athletes: Although eccentric training is frequently associated with bodybuilding, it can be beneficial for a variety of athletes. Eccentric strength is important in a variety of sports. Muscles must slow down after accelerating to maintain the health of their joints. Athletes can improve their level of control over their own motions by developing eccentric strength. Athletes can use it to jump, pitch, and do many other things.
-It Can Lower the Risk of Injury: As was already noted, athletes who lack eccentric strength may find it challenging to fully control their motions. Injury risk may significantly rise as a result. In order to lessen the strain exerted on their joints, athletes must develop stronger lower body muscles. While eccentric strength training can aid athletes in injury recovery, it can also serve as a means of injury avoidance.
– It Can Aid Athletes in Getting More Out of Workout Sessions: Exercise requires excellent technique. This is particularly valid when it comes to strength-training exercises like the bench press and squat. Athletes that use eccentric training may find it easier to workout under more control. Technique can be improved in this way. Later outcomes are probably going to be better as a result of method improvements.
Things to think about
Strength can be developed very well with eccentric training. To get the best outcomes, it must be done correctly. It is vital to get assistance from a training partner for several workouts. Eccentric training could be harmful or even dangerous if the spotter is not paying attention or has insufficient experience.
People frequently underestimate how demanding eccentric training can be. As was previously said, eccentric exercise is intended for individuals who are in excellent physical condition. It's possible that people who haven't had the required training won't be able to withstand these demanding training sessions. Strength training should be the first thing athletes concentrate on. Without establishing that foundation, individuals risk damaging their connective tissue and suffering catastrophic injuries if they begin eccentric training.
Long recovery times are also associated with eccentric exercises. Eccentric training is normally advised to be performed no more than three times each week, according to experts. Many athletes may find even that to be too much. The body's recovery from an eccentric training session can take longer than a week.
Therefore, if you wish to gain from eccentric training, it's critical to apply the appropriate procedures. These recommendations can assist you in exercising effectively and safely.
The Various Eccentric Training Levels
Professional personal trainers advise that the ideal loading for eccentric exercise is between 100 and 175% of your maximum. How do you calculate the weight you use for eccentric exercise? You should consider the tempo you wish to keep throughout the exercise. How long do you intend to decrease before finishing your set? The best approach is to choose a time and a weight that will enable you to keep up that rate. Also keep in mind that if you correctly do an eccentric workout and your muscles fail, you can expect your muscles to shudder as you decelerate.
Your attention should be on properly decelerating the weight when you experience this form of muscle exhaustion. It can be problematic to decelerate more quickly than the time limit you've chosen. If such occurs, it is advisable to end the show. You should consider the lengthier lowering time if the exercise has a greater range of motion when choosing a preset time.
Athletes can't develop force as quickly when eccentric exercise is done slowly. It's a good choice for athletes who prioritize their training. Fast eccentric training, sometimes referred to as plyometrics, is best used when an athlete is getting ready for a competition.
One strategy to integrate multiple eccentric training techniques is to lower large loads slowly. Lifting heavy objects quickly is another strategy that many sportsmen use. Bodybuilders may use this method to develop the kind of muscle that elite rowers and bobsledders possess. An illustration of this would be to alternate between performing four to six sets of hurdle jumps and four to six sets of four to six reps with maximum weight. This type of workout is advised since the heavier sets might assist the body accomplish more during the jump sets. Due to the damage it does to the fibers, it can also be a means of achieving hypertrophy. Many athletes have this as an aim.
Athletes who concentrate on eccentric training are prone to sustain more connective and fibrillar tissue damage. Athletes should be proactive and make sure their bodies obtain the nutrients they require for tissue repair. Antioxidants and supplements like glucosamine sulfate are both great choices. Additionally, eccentric training might boost the body's production of cortisol. Increase your vitamin C intake as a means to combat it. You might also want to talk to your doctor about taking aspirin. More phosphagens can be stored by the body in muscle tissue, according to some research. The body's capacity to process cortisol may be enhanced by this.
Strength training should ideally increase gradually to give the body time to adapt and recover. You can follow these guidelines as a general framework if you want to get started with eccentric training. Working with a personal trainer who specializes in eccentric training may be another option for you. You'll then have a training partner that can provide you the level of assistance you require.
Level 1:
Athletes who have been training for no more than two years should start at this level. Eccentric loads are not required for athletes to employ during training. Athletes can instead concentrate on retaining control as loads are decreased. Athletes shouldn't go to the next eccentric training level unless they have completed at least two years of training.
Level 2:
According to this protocol, athletes must exert 70% of their maximum effort until concentric muscle failure. Athletes should perform two to three repetitions with the same load after that. Two to three sets should be performed after this. A single forced rep could also be performed by athletes. Athletes should strive to stop the weights for four seconds as they are descending. Three times should be done this.
Level 3:
When concentric muscle failure is reached, continue to apply 70% of your maximum load. After that, add 15% more weight and perform two to three repetitions. Two to three sets should be performed after this.
Level 4:
raising the maximum load to 80% until concentric muscle failure is reached Before performing two to three forced repetitions, increase the weight by 20%. Three to four sets of this should be performed. Alternately, a training partner can apply pressure to the weights to add additional resistance during these movements' eccentric phases. It should be done this way rather than adding more weight. The additional negative repetitions should exhaust your eccentric strength once you've reached concentric muscle failure.
Level 5:
Perform four to six eccentric reps with a maximum load of 110 to 100% for four to six sets. Athletes should take a four to five minute break in between sets. The weights should be lowered at a predetermined interval of 8 to 10 seconds.
Level 6:
Athletes should do two to three eccentric reps with a maximum load of 125 to 140 percent. With four to five minutes of relaxation in between each set, this should be done for five to six times. Weights should be lowered gradually over a period of four to six seconds.
It's better to steer clear of any particular single exercise tempos during eccentric training for expert athletes. For instance, you shouldn't attempt to decrease a weight more slowly than you would raise it. In the short term, this might be effective, but long-term success is improbable. If you concentrate on the above-mentioned training program, you'll get far better outcomes.
It's critical to keep in mind that the name of eccentric training refers to the idea of pushing athletes beyond the bounds of conventional training. Only serious athletes should use this effective training strategy. Don't feel compelled to start eccentric training right away. First, concentrate on strength training.
