GPP: General Physical Preparedness

My time as a trainer and international competitive powerlifter I have talked to top strength athletes from around the country and overseas. Often athletes will remark on how well there training is going or how many hours they put into their training per-week. They will say the body is in “great shape” But to ask them to go for a walk is another story. The comment is that a strength athlete is not a fit athlete is very true in most casers. It comes down to balance; Strength, Fitness, bringing up week points and active recovery. This all can all be achieve with GPP.

Most common is Sled dragging for distance 60 meters for 5 to 6 trips (Louie Simmons) With a rest period of 30 seconds between lengths. Attach a power belt or a strap around your waist, which is attached to the sled and drag. The sled dragging should be done by walking not running. We do not want to delay recovery or stress any joints. Sled can also be pulled for time or steps.

What weight should I use on the sled?

This weight depends on your weekly training structure. If for example you perform your heavier workouts at the start of the week, the sled will be at the heaviest then. With a reduction of 40% each workout. i.e Monday Max effort squat day , sled weight 100kg Tuesday sled weight 60kg, use this structure for 3 days and then back to the heavy sled drag (100kg) on the 4 the day and so on.

How often should I do my GPP work?

GPP training can be performed all year round and 7 days a week. I recommend that you cycle GPP training though out the year.In the next article ” Periodization of GPP with Maximal force strength training” I will go into detail on planning your weekly and yearly cycle on GPP training, based on different phases in your strength cycle.

Basic Sled Drag

Standing very upright you should take a very dramatise step, tightening the abdominals and snapping the hips through. You should be driving yourself into the belt or strap. This well help with development of the glutes and hips. This movement can be preformed backwards as well.

Backwards sled drag

Ankle sled dragging

Step inside the strap loop in a split stance, strap just above your ankles step out to side keeping strap tight at all time go from left leg to right leg snapping the sled as you walk. Focus on tightening the abdomials and isolating the hip flexors. Used to bring up hip flexors and hamstrings.

Strap behind knee sled dragging

Main objective of this drag is to tax the hamstring. Preformed in a bent over position with the strap behind the knee’s and the foot stance narrow.

Side ways walk

Step inside the sled strap loop and take long strides side ways, keeping the body in a upright postion at all times. Used to target hips

Front Raise

The front raise sled drag is used for the rehabilitation of the shoulders or simply to speed up recovery from heavy shoulder movements.
Hold the loop out in front, while walking with the sled you are preforming a front raise movement to drag the sled.Can be preformed by walking backwards with a rear raise.
The benefit of the sled drag front or rear, is that the eccentric phase of the movement is completely de-loaded. Which means there is no recovery from movement needed.

For more info on GPP training email : info@getstrength.com

Getstrength provides top of the range sleds and straps for all movements of GPP Sled training.

References
(Medvedeyev, 1988) A system of Multi-Year Training in weightlifting. Sportivny Press Livonia, MI
Louie Simmons (Westside Barbell)
Dave Tate (Elite FTS)