Course overview
The Desert Barbell Strength Training Course is conducted over 12 weeks, with weekly online lectures. The course consists of three chapters and each chapter takes 4 weeks to complete followed by an exam.
Chapter 1
The practical side of coaching where we study the universal truths of the big three lifts and then learn how to coach them. In other words, if someone came into the gym without knowing anything about any of the three main competition movements, we outline a systematic way of coaching these lifts and problem solve real world scenarios using this system.
Learning objectives:
- Learn the universal truths of coaching and performing the squat, bench press and deadlift
- Learn how to apply the universal truths across a wide range of individuals
- Learn how to critique real-world lifting videos using the universal truths
- Learn how to correct movement faults with cueing and exercise selection
Learning outcomes:
- Understand the universal truths of the squat, bench press and deadlift
- Understand how to coach the squat, bench press and deadlift using to universal truths to a wide range of individuals
- Be able to apply the universal truths to correct movement faults and provide a rationale for exercise selection
Chapter 2
Strength training principles and variables. Now that we understand how the lifts are performed and coached, we study the principles that govern strength training and the variables we need to consider/manipulate in order to drive adaptation. We critique popular strength training programmes to better understand how these principles and variables are applied in various training scenarios.
Learning objectives:
- Learn the foundational principles that govern strength training
- Learn which variables can be manipulated through the programming process
- Critique popular powerlifting programmes through the lens of the strength training principles and variables
Learning outcomes:
- Understand the strength training principles and how they are all connected
- Understand the variables that can be manipulated through the programming process
- Understand that effective programming relies on providing an optimal stress stimulus
- Understand how popular powerlifting programmes can be adjusted using the strength training principles and variables
Chapter 3
Programming! Now that we have a strong foundation in the big three lifts, and we understand the principles and variables used to coach strength, we now bring it together and start to apply them within the Desert Barbell programming system. We show you how to build programs using the Desert Barbell programming sheet and take a deeper look in how to apply the strength training principles and manipulate the variables in a wide variety of training scenarios.
Learning objectives:
- Learn how to use the Desert Barbell programming template
- Learn about loading strategies and exercise selection
- Learn how to manipulate the strength training principles and variables to create training programmes for various case studies
- Learn how to track progress using RPE and e1RM
Learning outcomes:
- Use the Desert Barbell programming template effectively
- Understand how to appropriately choose loading strategies and exercise variations to suit an individual’s need
- Effectively apply and manipulate the strength training principles and variables to create sound training programmes
- Understand how to track e1RM throughout a training block and how to use this information to deliver better training programmes