posted June 04, 2000 05:34 PM            

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I play tailback and need explosive power out of my legs so whats a good workout for power and speed
Thanks

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posted June 04, 2000 06:36 PM            

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Box squats, explosive squats should help with power. I ain't sure about speed, but I heard that calf exercises help it. If so then try standin calf raises, sitting calf raises, and a calf press (use the leg press machine and put the balls of ur feet on it and press the weight using your calves.

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The power to endure pain outlives the power to inflict it...the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. It is dearness that gives everything its value.

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posted June 05, 2000 05:35 PM            

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if speed and agility is what you are aiming for, then training with weights is a bad idea, weights make your legs, calfs, etc.. stronger and able to obsorbe more stress and weight, but it will slow down your speed and agility.you want to work your fast twitch muscle rather then you slowt witch, the way to do this is just explosive movement that really gets your heart racing; like suicide runs, jumping over consecutive objects or just plain sprinting. i know this from experience so believe me. just look at world class track athelets there legs are slim and lean. if stability and solidness is what your after then listen to REXIE 316. sorry but you cant have it both ways, your either born with it or not.

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posted June 05, 2000 10:19 PM            

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I beg to differ with you nobu. Dexter Coakley, line backer the Dallas Cowboys, is 5'10" 230, mostly muscle, and runs the 40 yd dash in 4.3 seconds. Pretty damn fast for a 230 pound man. Hes one example that being solid and fast can go together.

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The power to endure pain outlives the power to inflict it...the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. It is dearness that gives everything its value.

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posted June 06, 2000 10:16 AM         

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The best way to gain explosive speed for running,jumping etc.is to train by running and jumping.This may sound simplistic but when you want to improve at a specific activity, you must train by doing that activity, you can't replicate it by using weights.However if you want to increase your muscular bodyweight and generally strenghten up,combine both.Lean muscular body weight won't slow you down.

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posted June 06, 2000 10:21 AM         

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The best way to gain explosive speed for running,jumping etc.is to train by running and jumping.This may sound simplistic but when you want to improve at a specific activity, you must train by doing that activity, you can't replicate it by using weights.However if you want to increase your muscular bodyweight and generally strenghten up,combine both.Lean muscular body weight won't slow you down.

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posted June 06, 2000 03:23 PM            

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Rexie317, i did not at once say that big guys cant be fast, the only claim i made was that you are either born with it, or not,you can't get the best of both worlds.in Dexters case he is obviously a gifted athelete and was definatly born with it; he made the NFL didnt he?

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posted June 06, 2000 06:48 PM            

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I personally believe Dexter's got the best of both worlds, but acheiving that is one hard ass task.
Nobu as for me thinking that you said big guys could'nt be fast I apologize I misinterpreted what you meant.
Newbie if mass and speed is what you want then definatly listen to trihard. Speed + strength= power. The more powerful you are the better an athlete you'll be. Simple equation, yet so hard to solve.

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The power to endure pain outlives the power to inflict it...the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. It is dearness that gives everything its value.

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posted June 08, 2000 11:39 AM         

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I disagree with most everybody above, I believe you can get what you want by using weights. If you're trying for explosiveness, I recommend cleans. John Henry, the old US powerlifter weighed 410 pounds and could easily dunk a basketball...from a straight vertical jump...no running needed. I also recommend doing jump squats. However, keep doing the sprinting and box jumps, but I believe that the weights will not slow you down if done properly.

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posted June 09, 2000 02:08 AM            

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use the weights and sprint everyday..... also practice doing side ways shuffles, weight sled, running up and down stairs like the bleachers, and do box jumping everyday..... you do this shit and you will develop some super leg power and quickness, but you have got to stick to it religiously.

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posted June 09, 2000 06:22 PM         

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power can be defined as exerting a lot of strength and force at a rapid pace. I'm thinking this is whatt you want right?

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posted June 10, 2000 11:08 AM            

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I recommend doing plyometrics and weight training. Go out a get a plyometric book. It will help you more. I recommend Jumping Into Plyometrics, by Chu. I also recommend Periodization for Sports, by Tudor O. Bompa. It has plyometrics in it, but it's not as detailed in the first book I mentioned. But it has good weight training methods for explosive power and strength. I hope this helps.

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posted June 11, 2000 04:36 PM            

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i'm 5'5, i do weight training three days a week and plyometrics the other three days. i can grab the basketball rim with both hand if i jump all i'm worth. i can't seem to dunk, i keep missing it. should i lay off the weight training and just do plyometrics six days a week? does being Flexible help in jumping? should more Stretch exercises?

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