Listen up guys, Matt knows his stuff. This is Dual Factor Theory explained. I got a feeling a large number of people on this forum won't be able to train like us 'young guns'...well, not to begin with anyway.
Core stability is important, but no amount of Swiss Ball and Bosu Ball work will give you the strength gains you get from a solid free weight training program. I’m of the opinion that you can't have a weak core (or Traverse Abdominals or whatever you like to call it) and still squat 300lb or power clean 200lb with proper technique. Those guys on the long drive tour are undoubtedly very strong species. Of course, all this isn't mandatory if you just want to have a knock about and stay injury free.
Thanks Leo. "Dual factor" meaning that you manage and plan around both 'fitness' and 'fatigue.' Versus "single factor" where you're only focused on the 'fitness' aspect and do not plan for overall lighter weeks where you drop weight across the board ('de-loading' in dual factor programs). If you're a beginning you really only need to worry about "single factor" because you'll see gains almost regardless of what you do.
As far as core work goes, all I really do are some assorted ab exercises. Like Leo mentioned, your core gets some very good stress from big compound exercises. You are forced to have core stability when you pulling 225 lbs. off the floor for a deadlift or squatting 250 lbs. This is why Leo has pretty much convinced me that wearing a lifting belt is more detrimental to progress rather than helpful because it lets you get away with having weaker abs (because it acts like strong abs by increasing inter-abdominal pressure and thus lower back support). It won't allow the same core development that lifting without a belt will.
Leo and I love this stuff so ask away with questions!
Threaded Mode
