OCS question: beefcake only?

[Connie Brown]

I noticed the new rules dropped the lower CB weights for both men and women.

Coincidentally, I noticed that the competitors in the Senior division were bulked up (hypertrophy), and the competitors in the Junior division were not necessarily.

Does this mean that OCS is a hypertrophy-only sport? on average I mean. Not counting outliers who are freakishly strong at small mass.

Or selfishly speaking - if I want to compete someday - in order to win will I have to get as big/strong like the women at World's Strongest Women http://www.jillmills.com/events/wsw2002/wsw2002_strongwomen.htm or could I do it with the size of someone like Holly of CST promo fame.

Or is it too soon to say.

Or could I say: can we invent events where sheer mass is not automatically a competitive advantage.

[Dan Chomycia]

Connie,

This is a great question, :)

There were many factors at play,

Each competitor found a congruent strategy for their body type and level of endurance. :idea:

In training for OCS the competitor will gain some muscle mass, but it will be in direct poportion to their training strategy or goal.

Coach Szolek, and Coach Sonnon were using a Muscluar Endurance Strategy during training which was about 12 reps per set( set = 1 min) which in the earlier parts of training during reps 6-12 they were creating hypertrophic mass.

The competitors in the Junior division Casey and Scott were using more of a Cardiovascular Endurance Strategy about 25+ reps per set,
which naturally lended itself to their body type.

Other factors include the weight of the clubbell and the weight divisions of the sport.


Does this mean that OCS is a hypertrophy-only sport?

There is no such thing as the above, OCS is meant to be a strength or muscular endurance event.
A certain amount of mass will be accumulated during the training process for such and event but it is not required for someone to already have mass to compete in it. :shock:

If you are worried about too much mass then you will have to program your training to compete in OCS accordingly to that goal.

:idea: Use the Clubbell Book Page 163, The BASIC Training Goal Chart to guide you.

[Doug Szolek]

Hey Connie :)

I think the biggest thing being missed here is that Extra Body Weight works against the Olympic Clubbell Sport competitor. Just look at the numbers get higher and higher for heavier competitors. This means that guys who like to grow and grow have to swing the Clubbells faster than those lighter than them.

I think this confusion stems from the comparison of OCS (A Strength Endurance Sport) to Power Lifting (A Strength Sport).

In Strength Sport more size usualy lends direct carry over to more weight moved.

In Strength Endurance Sport more size will lend you to better control of the weight but believe me when I say, the higher and higher numbers feel like a punishment for being big :oops:

One other thing to consider is that at this particular event we only saw 3 of the 9 weight classes represented. With Brandon and I in 220+, Coach Sonnon in the 198, and Casey and Scott both in the 163.5.

For guys the 25s are very difficult animals to learn how to control but with dedicated training it happens.

I understand your concerns about not wanting to "bulk" up like the individuals in the link you posted, but keep in mind, it is a rare thing for a women to be able to get to that size. It's not sexism, it's genetics.

I've watched your training logs and have seen your dedication. The numbers you'd need to put up in competition may seem daunting now but we've all seen the incredibly fast learning curve of CST coupled with PHASE IV. When I got my 15s for the first time I was scared of them and just tonight (1 and 1/2 years later) I did 20 Swipes with each arm with the Bruiser. The information Barriers will just keep breaking with the help of dedicated Knuckledraggers like yourself.

So to answer your question, OCS is and will remain open to everyone willing to accept the challenge, no matter their size or shape or style.

In Faith,

[casey]

Connie,

What do you mean I was not bulked up??

Just kidding. But I plan to compete with the 25s at this size and I think Scott H will too. The larger competitors were just built differently than us. Also there are alot more technical nuances that a smaller competitor could use to swing the clubs but which a larger one might not need to, like a deeper bend for instance.

Casey

[Connie Brown]

Thanks! this is premature for me, because I must recover basic fitness before beginning training for this sport. A girl can dream though.

I am actually not as worried about the shape that emerges, as, how many years are we talking about, or - gasp - if I want to be that sort of athlete, perhaps, ahem, it is time to think about upping the training time.

[Flatland]

Yes, I am actually looking forward to the challenge of the 25s. I was going to try to compete with them next time, anyway.

I am sure some mass will be gained during my training (I can hope, anyway :wink: ), but this really will depend on how I eat during this period, as well. OCS being a strength endurance sport, I suspect that one could put up good numbers with the 25s, and still be of fairly slight build. I think technique will be more important than mass. (time to shrink the arc of my swipes and mills, perhaps?)

I actually usually weigh at least 10-15 pounds more than I did at the contest. I have been doing some gymnastic training this last year(mainly rings and other strength holds), so I dropped some weight to have a better strength to bodyweight ratio. I am curious to see if this weight will come back during my OCS training.

Even if I eventually put numbers like Doug's, I'm sure my arms won't be half that big! :wink:

Scott Hagnas

Connie

Holly is a good example. No doubt she would kick ass at OCS. If you train as an endurance athlete, gaining strength slowly, refining techinque, and get as lean as Holly i bet you'll be REAL happy not just at the end, but along the way too.

I did 300+ reps w/ the 15s ant 6'1' 184.

May want to check out Scrapper's Mod 1 (Hollys boyfriend) great calorie burning compliment to OCS.

Bill

[Connie Brown]

Thanks for the heads up Bill. Mod 1 looks is the best-looking bodyweight stuff I have seen yet.

[Doug Szolek]

Even if I eventually put numbers like Doug's, I'm sure my arms won't be half that big! :wink:

Just call me "Double A" All Arms (http://homestarrunner.com/sbemail77.html) :wink:

[Cilian McHugh]

Mod 1 Kicks Ass.

[jonas2]

Hey Coach, any ideas as to how i could work my cloits and dloits? :)

Jonas