meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic

#235 - Conjugate vs Concurrent Training: Demystifying Modern Westside Training

Beast over Burden powered by Barbell Logic

Barbell Logic

Nutrition, Fitness, Health & Fitness

4.7 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 23 September 2019

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Matt and Scott discuss the commonly misunderstood concepts of "conjugate" and "concurrent" training, which come from the efforts of Soviet coaches like Verkoshanksy, Siff, Bondarchuck, and others in trying to understand how to best prepare athletes for competition (and beating the West, of course).

 

Concurrent training refers to training multiple skills and attributes at the same time. Crossfit is perhaps the ultimate sport with concurrent demands (although interestingly high level Crossfit athletes don't necessarily train concurrently). The Crossfit training practiced in most gyms is concurrent in nature, with any given workout incorporating a mix of weightlifting, conditioning (HIIT and longer-term cardiovascular work), gymnastics, and other elements.

 

Conjugate training on the other hand involves training one specific skills or attribute at a time, with the aim of tying each individual attribute together for a performance event at the end of a block of training. Interestingly, the word conjugate comes from the Latin words con-, a prefix meaning with, and iugum, a noun meaning yoke or chain; in other words, to chain together. Block training is a form of conjugate training in which a lifter begins with high volume, high rep programming, possibly with accessory lifts and conditioning, and transitions through phases which gradually taper the work toward the specific demands of the strength meet -- single rep max attempts performed entirely in the anaerobic ATP energy system.

 

The Soviet coaches recognized that exposing children to a wide variety of sports and physical activities -- soccer, gymnastics, swimming, etc -- developed broad, general athletic skills which translated well to other sports and activities as the children aged and became more focused and specialized. Training these various skills at the same time, or concurrently, was an important aspect of the early development of any athlete in the Soviet system. For the Russians, only at more advanced stages of training should an athlete hone in very specifically on a single sport, training singular skills on at a time in a conjugate method.

 

Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at questions@barbell-logic.com and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! 

 

Discounts

  1. Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details.
  2. Need a(nother) lifting belt? Dominion makes the best belts in the business, and Barbell Logic listeners can save $10 off any purchase by using the discount code LOGIC.

 

Connect With Matt

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hey listeners this is normally when we would talk about a holiday sale or how

0:07.4

now is the right time to start with online coaching because of how much money

0:10.5

you can save however as I met with our marketing team

0:13.8

earlier this month to discuss promotional ideas,

0:16.5

we found ourselves focusing on the ideal outcomes

0:19.4

for people who want to work with a coach.

0:21.4

And that call to mind how many of our clients got into

0:24.4

this for the form corrections and ended up making real life

0:28.1

transformations through strength training. We realized that the ideal Barbel logic client is not afraid of hard work.

0:35.0

They don't just have goals, they are driven by continual self-improvement.

0:39.4

They pursue strength because they care deeply about the people who they love who depend on them.

0:44.8

We know that price is always a consideration when it comes to deciding to sign up for something.

0:50.0

But our successful clients tell us that in addition to carefully deciding where to invest their money,

0:55.2

they're also very intentional about how they invest their time.

0:58.8

And when you care about your time that much, there is fear that you could waste your time and not see the results you want.

1:04.4

If any of this sounds like you I'm here to make you a promise. You give us six months

1:09.7

of two to four workouts a week and if you don't see changes in your strength or form,

1:14.5

we will give you all of your money back. That's all six months. The worst case scenario

1:20.1

is it ends up costing you nothing. The best case scenario is you invest in yourself

1:24.9

and you get exactly what you want out of your training. The only risk is a bet on

1:28.8

yourself. It's time to place that bet and put your money where your goals are.

1:34.0

Get matched with your coach now at barbell logic.com.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Barbell Logic, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Barbell Logic and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.