Verkhoshansky Book Review

[Guest guest]

Yosef kindly asked me to review Dr Verkhoshansky's book

entitled " Specialized Strength Training " :

If there is a " weakness " with the various sports training books

available, it is the limited practical information presented.

However, in this book a multitude of practical training techniques

are discussed. Dr Verkshoshansky draws on his experiences as a

coach, athlete and as a researcher to bridge the gap between science

and practice. It is heavily influenced by Dr Verkshoshansky's own

research; very few other researchers or coaches are cited in the

book, hence one may feel that it is only one sided. Nevertheless,

the benefits of the book far outweigh the limitations.

Despite the popularity of plyometrics and the " conjugate method "

today in " Western " materials there is little emphasis on the

principle importance played by Dr Verkhoshansky, despite the fact

that he formalised these methods. Hopefully, this book can be an

important part of the process in informing and challenging these

somewhat " bastardised " training techniques. Some valuable

information will be gained concerning these methods and used in

conjunction with the Supertraining text it helps provide a more

comprehensive picture of how to plan and organise various training

stimuli.

The information presented will be of interest to a wide range of

disciplines including strength and conditioning coaches, sports

scientists, graduate students in sports and exercise science,

coaches, physiotherapists and those who want to understand how to

increase one's own performance.

My favourite quote from the book:

" If you feed a man with fish he will be satisfied today but if you

teach him how to fish he will be satisfied always. "

I hope readers of this book become better fishermen or women!

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Note: I have no financial or other interests in the book.

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK