By BFS

STRENGTH TRAINING AT THE OTe The philosophy of strength training at the Olympic Training Center is very much like the Bigger Faster Stronger philosophy. This is not surprising since the BFS philosophy originated from track athletes in the 1960's. We asked Coach Bielik what influence and role do the Nautilus principles and machines have in strength development of Olympic athletes. "Well, on a scale of 1 to 10 I'd say a one," responded Coach Bielik. "It just doesn't do the job." Our second question in a controversial area had to do with the one set of8 to 12 reps phi losoph y which is done by a small percentage of football teams.

Coach Bielik stated "We have never had any athlete come in and do one set of 8-12 reps, NEVER'" "We've never had ANY athlete come in and do one set of 8-12 reps." Strength Coach Bielik of the OTe. Ed BieJik: Strength Training Coordiniltor shown with BFS Vice President Rick Anderson doing the Clean.

The Olympic Training Center would not be complete, of course, without a facility for strength training The weight room is open in the morning from 9-11 <1.m, in the Clfternoon from 1-5 p.m. and ilgain from 6-9 p.m Also, Clrrangementscan be made for privCltc team training sessions. The weight lifting te,lm docs not train in this facility as they have their own sepiHatc facility. Each d,ly some 65-70 athletes will come in for their workout.

These athletes come from three types of groups Thl' first group is the permanent athletes which U5U,11ly consist of the sports of boxing, weight lifting, cycling, Judo, rClCe walking, and sometimes the rifle and pistol tl',lm Normally, the top seven in each \-wight CI,IS5 iHe elgible to stay on Cl permanent bJsis. Each ,1Ih lete ill the pc rm,lI1l'nt grou p usua II y has thei I' room ilnd bo,lI'd paid. At first observLltion, this seems Ii ke ,1 su ~1L' r gre<1t si tua tion.

Imagine, working 24 hours ,1 d,ly 011 being the best at your event without ,lilY fin'lnci'll problems This is good in theory but manv fl'el thl' ,lthletl's iHl' probably more productive ill the long run if thl'y (,In do some piHt-time work or t,lke some classes at the several universities nearby. The second group involves a camp situation. An elitl' ('lmp is forml'd for some athletes. A camp can last ,1 wl'ek or mort' perhaps even for all summer. The third group is a team camp situation. This type of C,lmp usually lasts for two vveeks. A tryout team is ilssembled beforl' an international competition and ,1 te,lm will be picked and te<1m members can become ilcquainted.

Strength coaches are hired to supervise 'lild assist all athletl's in all events. The strength coach ilt the time of our visit during the summer of 1983 was Ed Bielik. Coach Bielik is a masters degree candidate from the University of Kansas. At age 24, he demonstrated a remarkable degree of knowledge "Basica IIy, wha t the athletes do a re a core progra m of Cleans, Jerks, Squats and eitheran Incline Pressor a Bench Press depending on the diagonal or Lingle of the event or sport. That is, a shot putter would concentrate more on Inclines.

Some of the favorite assistance exercises of our athletes are sit-ups and abdominal work leg extensors and leg curls, stiff leg dead lifts, step-ups and dips," explained Coach Biclik. Some other general rules at the OTC Athletes are encouraged to always record their lifts. It's very important. You can't remember it, if you don't write it down; never work more than one lift more than once a week or body part heavy. "You'll be surprised how many athletes want to lift heavy every day when they lift on their own." If an athlete has onJy one hour to train, he must work on the basic power movements.

Obviously, we left impressed ilnd want to thank Coach Ed Bielik and wish him the best on helping athletes in their "Quest for Greatness."

STRENGTH COACH POSITION Ben Davis High School Contact: Dick Dullaghan Head Football Coach 1200 Girls School Road Indianapolis, IN 46224 (317) 244-7691 Biggest 3 year High School in Indiana Strength Coach - All Sports Pay $4,000.00 plus teaching salary. (Base beg. teachers salary $14,200.00)

From BFS Magazine — May/June 1984. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).