My Original Goal with the Complex exercises was to find an efficient and aggressive method of performance enhancement that saves time and makes the program more enjoyable. If you choose to use these (in some form) with your atheletes, be honest and call your new complex exercise “Variation to Javorek’s Complex Exercises

Advices for young coaches:

Never be satisfied with your performances and training methods. Always could be better!

Gather as much detailed information as possible about your “new ideas”

Select and Classify the Information.

Implement new ideas gradually into your program.

Record daily information about the athletes’ reaction, etc.

If it is possible, try the new elements or programs on your own or on small number of athletes.

Follow up! Discuss with the athletes about the program. They have the best and most sincere feedback.

Explore and experiment with new programs, but never put the athlete at risk.

Who I am and what I am doing here?: My athletes at Johnson County Community College call me “coach Javorkian”. At University of Texas A&M my athletes called me ?coach Pop”. Several college and high school conditioning coaches are calling me the ”Dumbbell King”. Back in Romania I was just “coach comrade” and for the very intimate athletes “Pista bacsi” (uncle Pista : which is the Hungarian nick name of Istvan-Steven).
I started my sport career as a violin player. At sixteen years of age my body weight was forty-five kilogram(99 lb.), and of course, like every East-European kid I played soccer, and all kind of little town’s “street given” fitness possibilities, but I did not practice any given sport. I was a skinny, and far away from being the strongest child of my neighborhood. Then one day coming home from the violin practice, walking on the streets, my sister, (who was a master level gymnast and able of beating me in wrestling) Eniko’s friend ambushed me on the street and coerced me of pressing my violin bow overhead. I felt very embarrassed. That was the turning point of my life. I went home and on my mom’s biggest surprise I officially announced that I give up my bright violinist future and I will become an athlete.

Javorek's Barbell and Dumbbell Complex # 1, Complex # 2, Complex # 3, Complex # 4, Complex # 5,. Complex # 6, Complex # 7, Complex # 8 Conditioning Exercises.

As the head coach of the Clujana Sports Association in Cluj (Kolozsvar, Klausenburg) Romania, I personally experienced two very efficient exercise combinations which I presented for my first class coaching board examination (the highest coaching level in Romania). This experiment took place over a three-year period involving more than three hundred different preparation level athletes.
The main purposes for these exercises were to figure out an easier way to do an exercise complex, which would change the monotony of a workout, and at the same time have a greater influence on the neuro-muscular and osteo-muscular system. The two exercises I am referring to be called Javorek's Complex #1, and Javorek's Complex # 2, with barbells or dumbbells.
These exercises can be used as a general warm-up in the first part of a workout using lighter weight and only two-three sets, or as a complete part of a workout with a specific purpose.
What is interesting is that the first two complexes have the same exercises in their circuit, the only difference being the number of repetitions of each and the number of exercise cycles. However is a difference between the Barbell and Dumbbell Complex Exercises, which I will explain later.
My determination for doing this experiment with these two complex exercises it was to try and give more variation to a workout; to try and change the same day-to-day workout routines; to "shock" an athlete's musculature after a hard competitional season and to stimulate the muscular growth or endurance in the preparatory period; to try and build up a specific endurance and cardio-vascular capacity, a specific muscle tone, a good muscular coordination, and a perfectly balanced, well-developed, harmonious musculature. Being an athlete, I learned that the coaches do not give too much time and attention for rebuilding an athlete muscular-tendonal system. Also I learned, that after each competitional season I had a greater improvement if I introduced in my workout some unusual, non-specific exercises, which were stimulating my whole physiological system. My personal belief and the other sports conditioning coaches, who tried with their athletes my Complex # 1 and # 2, exercises, is that they can influence considerably any athlete's improvement.
One of the athletes from this experimental group was Dragomir Cioroslan, USWF Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Co. residence program head coach (bronze medalist in 75 kg. weight class, 1984 Summer Olympic Games, Los Angeles), who, from the beginning of his career as a weightlifter regularly practiced these Complexes. He showed an incredible rhythm of improvement from a beginning body weight of 37 kg in August 1969 to 63 kg in the spring and 65 kg in the autumn of 1972. His snatch improved from 35 kg in August 1969 to 100 kg in the spring and 107.5 kg in the autumn of 1972. In the clean and jerk he went from 50 kg in August 1969 up to 137.5 in the spring and 142.5 in the autumn of 1972. Another example could be Aurel Sirbu, who is still a member of Rumanian National Weightlifting Team, and I started working out with him at age of three, under strict medical supervision, practicing six times a week. His program of course was different from the other older athletes, but still Complex # 1 and Complex # 2 (executing with 10- 20-30% of his body weight) was a big part of his program.
I could continue with several examples because I had such a very good overall improvements in all the athletes tested. I do not mean to imply that my athletes improved and still improve only due to these exercises, but I can say that I am convinced about of their benefits. What is most important to remember is not to abuse these exercises, but to figure out the best period to utilize them as a special preparatory and conditioning exercise. It is also very important to find the optimal weight for each athlete to have the required benefit of these exercises. Like for any other combined exercises the intensity must be taken from the most difficult exercise in the combination. For example, in the Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 1, which contains upright row, high pull snatch, squat push press and bent over row, the most difficult exercise for an average athlete is the upright row. Therefore, the intensity for the entire Dumbbell Complex # 1 must be taken from the percentage (intensity) of the upright row. In the back squat push press combination; the push press is usually the most difficult, so the intensity should be taken from it and not from the back squat.
One other thing to remember is that it is essential to have perfect body posture, perfect technique of execution, and full range of motion, when performing these exercises. It is important not to change the order of the exercises or to do them with too fast a rhythm.
The upright rows should be performed with knees slightly flexed, especially with beginners and children. If necessary, bending the knees will allow the legs to assist an athlete when raising the bar or dumbbell to the chin.
The Complex exercises could be a very good test-guideline for a coach. It is a certain correlation between performance and the best result of Complex # 1 or # 2. For example, Istvan Tasnadi from A.S.Clujana (silver medalist in the 110 kg. weight class, 1984 Summer Olympic Games, Los Angeles) did his best Complex # 1 with 120 kg, snatching 175 kg and Clean and Jerk 225 kg. Wesley Barnett, 1992 US National 100 kg weight-class, weightlifting champion, being my athlete at J.C.C.C between the years of 1988 - 1990, performed Complex # 1 with 85 Kg for a 142.5 kg snatch and 172.5 kg clean and jerk.
During the preparatory phase, these exercises can be performed every day for two to three sets or the recommended five to six sets three times per week. Throughout the competitional period, these exercises should be used as a warm-up, performing two sets every day plus three times per week with a heavier weight for three sets. Four week before the main competition, the heavy weight complexes should be omitted from the workout altogether.
For sport of weightlifting, all exercises are done on flat foot, but for other sports the athletes should rise up on his/her toes on last phase of high pull snatch, and of the squat push press.
During my coaching years at Texas A&M, College Station, Tx. and my teaching and coaching years at Johnson County Community College, I tried to invent a new complex exercise with dumbbells, being more specific in all sports conditioning and more suitable working with a big number of athletes at the same time. After different tries I got on conclusion that just I need to adjust my Barbell Complex exercises to dumbbells. Upright Row, High Pull Snatch, Squat Push Press, Bent Over Row, it is possible and easy to do with dumbbells also. I needed to change only the Good Morning Exercise. From that reason I considered as necessary to modify the chronological order of the exercises, working out different body segments. In the Dumbbell Complex exercises instead of Good Morning, I introduced High Pull Snatch. To give to the exercise the necessary fluctuation after Upright Row, High Pull Snatch and Squat Push Press, is Bent Over Row and the last exercise is High Pull Snatch again.
As a general recommendation for both, Barbell and Dumbbell Complex exercises is to do without a break in the motions. For example after the Upright Row is done, do not stop at the hip level but continue with the bend over phase of High Pull Snatch; or after the last High Pull Snatch, to stop with the barbell or dumbbells over head and get into the next exercise which is Squat Push Press.
Complex # 1 & # 3, is designed for muscular hypertrophy, basic strength improvement. Complex # 2 & # 4, is designed for endurance sports, with a remarkable cardio-vascular benefit. Both Complex exercises are improving an athlete will power, determination, but Complex # 2 & # 4 is which from psychological point of view develops the most a fighting spirit, the "never give up" notion (conception).
Barbell Complex # 3, # 4, # 5, and Dumbbell Complex # 3, and Complex # 4, I developed in 1995. For very tall athletes and the ceiling is low or for persons who are working out at home in a basement, I added an extra choice of seated variations of certain exercises in order to be able of performing the Complex exercises properly. Also persons with back injuries feel more comfortable with Complex # 3, and # 4, Barbell Complex # 5. I developed for specific endurance sports like cycling, cross country, wrestling, etc.

Javorek's Barbell Complex # 1. Exercise:

Barbell Upright Row                                                 x 6
Barbell High Pull Snatch                                           x 6
Barbell Behind the Head Squat Push Press           x 6
Barbell Behind the Head Good Morning                 x 6
Barbell Bent Over Row                                             x 6

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above:
- 5 exercises x 6 repetitions = 30 repetitions/set. The number of repetitions can be changed in order to satisfy different goals. Long distance runners, skiers, bikers, wrestlers could gradually increase the number of repetitions and the weight, to achieve a higher quality specific endurance and power in domain of endurance. On the beginning should be practiced just partial or the integral Complex I, but with less repetitions. Is up to the coach's decision to practice the full exercise and to increase the weight also. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.

Javorek's Barbell Complex # 2 Exercise:

Barbell Upright Row                                               x 3
Barbell High Pull Snatch                                         x 3
Barbell Behind the Head Squat Push Press         x 3
Barbell Behind the Head Good Morning               x 3
Barbell Bent Over Row                                           x 3

These five exercises executed in a non-stop, continuous order by three repetitions constitutes a Cycle. Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises once for beginners, then gradually increase the number of cycles to two, to three, and for different endurance sports could be the coach decision to increase to four cycles in one set. Also for a prominent cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be increased gradually. For example: first just for the third cycle, then for third, and second, and finally for all three cycles in one set. Never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions. Always to keep in mind the perfect technique of execution, wide and full range of motion. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.

Javorek's Barbell Complex # 3, Exercise:

Barbell Regular (Supinated) Curls                              x 6
Barbell Upright Row                                                      x 6
Barbell High Pull Snatch From Hip                                x 6
Barbell Behind The Head Press                                    x 6
Barbell Bent Over Row                                                  x 8
Barbell Behind The Head Squat Push Press or           x 6
Barbell Behind The Head Seated Press                       x 6
Barbell Behind The Head Good Morning                      x 10
Barbell Behind The Head Quarter Squat                      x 10
Barbell In Front Of Thighs Special Good Morning        x 10

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.
Five exercises x 6 reps = 30 reps/set + 1 exercise of 8 reps +
3 exercises of 10 reps = 68 reps.

Javorek's Barbell Complex # 4 Exercise:

Barbell Regular (Supinated) Curls                                  x 3
Barbell Upright Row                                                          x 3
Barbell High Pull Snatch From Hip                                    x 3
Barbell Behind The Head Press                                        x 3
Barbell Bent Over Row                                                      x 3
Barbell Behind The Head Squat Push Press or              x 3
Barbell Behind The Head Seated Press                           x 3
Barbell Behind The Head Good Morning                          x 5
Barbell Behind The Head Quarter Squat                          x 5
Barbell In Front Of Thighs Special Good Morning            x 5

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises twice for beginner, three times for more advanced athletes. For different sport the number of repetitions for each exercise and the number of cycles (the 9 exercises in a non-stop, continuous order is equal with one cycle) could vary, determined by the coach or personal trainer. For a remarkable cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be gradually increased. For example: first just the third cycle from three to four reps, then the third and second cycles from three to four reps, and finally all three cycles' repetitions to be increased up to four. But every coach could find out which is the best combination for every individual athlete at a given time. But never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions, and always keep in mind the perfect execution. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.

Javorek's Barbell Complex # 5, Exercise

Barbell Upright Row Medium Grip                                  x 6
Barbell High Pull Snatch Medium Grip                            x 4
Barbell Back Squat Push Press                                       x 4
Barbell Alternate Leg Step Up On Box                           x 8+8
Barbell Upright Row Medium Grip                                   x 6
Barbell Bent Over Row Medium Grip                              x 8
Barbell High Pull Snatch Medium Grip                             x 4
Barbell Behind The Head Quarter Squat                        x 10
Barbell Good Morning                                                        x 16
Barbell Back Squat Jump                                                  x 6

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above:
10 exercises with a total of 80 repetitions/set. The number of repetitions can be changed in order to satisfy different goals. Long distance runners, skiers, bikers, wrestlers could gradually increase the number of repetitions and the weight, to achieve a higher quality specific endurance and power in domain of endurance. On the beginning should be practiced just partial or the integral Complex V, but with less repetitions. Is up to the coach's decision to practice the full exercise and to increase the weight also. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.

Javorek's Barbell Complex # 6, Exercise

Barbell Upright Row Medium Grip                                          x 3
Barbell High Pull Snatch Medium Grip                                    x 2
Barbell Back Squat Push Press                                               x 3
Barbell Alternate Leg Step Up On Box                                   x 3+3
Barbell Upright Row Medium Grip                                           x 3
Barbell Bent Over Row Medium Grip                                       x 3
Barbell High Pull Snatch Medium Grip                                      x 2
Barbell Behind The Head Quarter Squat                                 x 4
Barbell Good Morning                                                                 x 4
Barbell Back Squat Jump                                                           x 2

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises twice for beginner, three times for more advanced athletes. For different sport the number of repetitions for each exercise and the number of cycles (the 10 exercises in a non-stop, continuous order is equal with one cycle) could vary, determined by the coach or personal trainer. For a remarkable cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be gradually increased. For example: first just the third cycle from three to four reps, then the third and second cycles from three to four reps, and finally all three cycles' repetitions to be increased up to four. But every coach could find out which is the best combination for every individual athlete at a given time. But never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions, and always keep in mind the perfect execution. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated

Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 1 Exercise:

Dumbbell Upright Row                                   x 6
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch                             x 6
Dumbbell Squat Push Press                           x 6
Dumbbell Bent Over Row                               x 6
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch                              x 6

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.
Five exercise x 6 reps = 30 reps/set

Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 2 Exercise:

Dumbbell Upright Row                               x 3
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch                         x 3
Dumbbell Squat Push Press                       x 3
Dumbbell Bent Over Row                           x 3
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch                          x 3

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises (a cycle) once for beginners, then gradually increase the number of cycles to two, to three, or as much the sports conditioning coach or other specialist considers necessary and adequate. Also for a remarkable cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be gradually increased. For example: first just the third cycle from three to four reps, then the third and second cycles from three to four reps, and finally all three cycles' repetitions to be increased up to four. But every coach could find out which is the best combination for every individual athlete at a given time. But never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions, and always keep in mind the perfect execution. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.

Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 3 Exercise:

Dumbbell Regular (Supinated) Curls                            x 6
Dumbbell Upright Row                                                    x 6
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch Regular or From Hip          x 6
Dumbbell Parallel Press                                                   x 6
Dumbbell Bent Over Row                                                x 6
Dumbbell Squat Push Press                                            x 6
Dumbbell Bent Over Kick Back                                        x 6
Dumbbell Squat Upright Row                                          x 6
Dumbbell In Front Of Thighs Special Good Morning      x 10

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.
Eight exercises x 6 reps = 48 reps/set. + 1 exercise x 10 reps Total 58 reps/set

Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 4 Exercise:

Dumbbell Regular (Supinated) Curls                           x 3
Dumbbell Upright Row                                                   x 3
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch Regular or From Hip         x 3
Dumbbell Parallel Press                                                  x 3
Dumbbell Bent Over Row                                               x 3
Dumbbell Squat Push Press                                            x 3
Dumbbell Bent Over Kick Back                                       x 3
Dumbbell Squat Upright Row                                         x 3
Dumbbell In Front Of Thighs Special Good Morning    x 3

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises twice for beginner, three times for more advanced athletes. For different sport the number of repetitions for each exercise and the number of cycles (the nine exercises in a non-stop, continuous order is equal with one cycle) could vary, determined by the coach or personal trainer. For a remarkable cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be gradually increased. For example: first just the third cycle from three to four reps, then the third and second cycles from three to four reps, and finally all three cycles' repetitions to be increased up to four. But every coach could find out which is the best combination for every individual athlete at a given time. But never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions, and always keep in mind the perfect execution. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated

Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 5 Exercise

Dumbbell Squat Under Upright Row                            x 6
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch From Hip                            x 6
Dumbbell Supinated Curls                                              x 6
Dumbbell Alternate Leg Step Ups On Box                   x 8+8
Dumbbell Parallel Squat Push Press                             x 6
Dumbbell Parallel Bent Over Row.                                x 6
Dumbbell In Front of Thighs Special Good Morning    x 6
Dumbbell Incline Bench Press                                        x 6
Dumbbell Squat Upright Row                                         x 6
Dumbbell Squat Jump                                                      x 6

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.
Nine exercises x 6 reps = 54 reps/set. + 1 exercise x 16 reps Total 70 reps/set

Javorek's Dumbbell Complex # 6 Exercise

Dumbbell Squat Under Upright Row                           x 3
Dumbbell High Pull Snatch From Hip                            x 3
Dumbbell Supinated Curls                                             x 3
Dumbbell Alternate Leg Step Ups On Box                  x 3+3
Dumbbell Parallel Squat Push Press                            x 3
Dumbbell Parallel Bent Over Row.                              x 3
Dumbbell In Front of Thighs Special Good Morning   x 3
Dumbbell Incline Bench Press                                        x 3
Dumbbell Squat Upright Row                                         x 3
Dumbbell Squat Jump                                                     x 3

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises twice for beginner, three times for more advanced athletes. For different sport the number of repetitions for each exercise and the number of cycles (the nine exercises in a non-stop, continuous order is equal with one cycle) could vary, determined by the coach or personal trainer. For a remarkable cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be gradually increased. For example: first just the third cycle from three to four reps, then the third and second cycles from three to four reps, and finally all three cycles' repetitions to be increased up to four. But every coach could find out which is the best combination for every individual athlete at a given time. But never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions, and always keep in mind the perfect execution. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated

Javorek's Dumbbell Shoulder Recondition Complex # 7 Exercise

Dumbbell Hands Bent To Chest Inward-Outward Circle                x 6+6
Dumbbell In Front Of Chest Inward-Outward Rotation                  x 6+6
Dumbbell From Hip High Pull Snatch                                                   x 6
Dumbbell Lateral Pronated Arm Raise                                               x 6
Dumbbell Bent Over Fly                                                                        x 6
Dumbbell Bent Over "Kick Back" Triceps Curls                                 x 6
Dumbbell Breast Stroke Imitation                                                      x 6
Dumbbell Bent Over Parallel Straight Arm Forward-Backward Raise   x 8
Dumbbell Frontal Pronated Arm Raise                                               x 6
Dumbbell Javorek's Shoulder Routine                                                x 6+6

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated.
Six exercises x 6 reps = 36 reps/set. + 3 exercises x 12 reps (6+6)= 36 reps/set. Total 72 reps/set

Dumbbell Hands Bent To Chest Inward-Outward Circle                     x 3+3
Dumbbell In Front Of Chest Inward-Outward Rotation                      x 3+3

Javorek's Dumbbell Shoulder Recondition Complex # 8 Exercise

Dumbbell From Hip High Pull Snatch                                               x 3
Dumbbell Lateral Pronated Arm Raise                                            x 3
Dumbbell Bent Over Fly                                                                     x 3
Dumbbell Bent Over "Kick Back" Triceps Curls                               x 3
Dumbbell Breast Stroke Imitation                                                     x 3
Dumbbell Bent Over Parallel Straight Arm Forward-Backward Raise    x 3
Dumbbell Frontal Pronated Arm Raise                                             x 3
Dumbbell Javorek's Shoulder Routine                                              x 3+3

Perform in a non-stop, continuous order as listed above. Go through the exercises twice for beginner, three times for more advanced athletes. For different sport the number of repetitions for each exercise and the number of cycles (the nine exercises in a non-stop, continuous order is equal with one cycle) could vary, determined by the coach or personal trainer. For a remarkable cardio-vascular stimulation of this exercise, the number of repetition for each exercise could be gradually increased. For example: first just the third cycle from three to four reps, then the third and second cycles from three to four reps, and finally all three cycles' repetitions to be increased up to four. But every coach could find out which is the best combination for every individual athlete at a given time. But never hurry in increasing the number of repetitions, and always keep in mind the perfect execution. If low ceiling, certain exercises perform seated

DO NOT FORGET:PERFECT BODY POSTURE; FULL RANGE OF MOTION; PERFECT TECHNIQUE OF EXECUTION; STABLE RHYTHM OF EXECUTION; ALWAYS CHOOSE THE WEIGHT PROPERLY; ACCOMMODATE TO THE MOST DIFFICULT EXERCISE; INCREASE THE WEIGHT FOR EACH SET, BUT MANDATORY FOR THE LAST SET.

       Specificity In Sports Conditioning

In modern athletics preparation and conditioning are involved more and more with free weight exercises. Weightlifting with its auxiliary exercises has became the most important sports conditioning factor worldwide. Exercises are unlimited and with some imagination and knowledge every coach can “compose” an efficient workout program.
My philosophy is that using more exercise variations avoids monotony, injury, excites higher level motor functions, the neuro-muscular coordination, and achieve a more complete athletic preparation.
A coach since 1964, I have always gathered as much information as possible about strength and conditioning and even created an “idea” notebook still in use thirty years later.
Before making a judgment about any program, I test the program and experiment on my own. After I am convinced of the program’s value, I decide whether it is worth introducing into my program, and I stick to the following rules:
1. Gather as much detailed information as possible about the program.
2. Select and classify the information.
3. Implement new ideas gradually into your program.
4. Make daily observations.
5. Ask the athletes for their reaction to the new exercises.
6. Try the new elements on your own, or on small number of athletes, usually freshmen. Remember, it is harder to change the attitude of older athletes who already have confidence in a certain routine, than it is to influence freshmen.
7. Follow-up. Positive feed back from the participants give a coach the necessary peace of mind and confidence to proceed into a program with a larger number of athletes. Actually, the athletes determine the success or failure of a program.
8. Learn and master new exercise techniques. Never teach an exercise you can not demonstrate properly. (Heavy weights aren’t necessary for a demonstration. A broom stick or light dumbbells work, too.) It is very important to know the theoretical and biomechanical description of new exercises, which should enable coaches to spot and correct improper exercise technique.
9. Explore and experiment with new programs, but never put the athlete at risk.
10. Discuss with athletes improvements in the program, the desired benefit of the improvements and related problems.
It is satisfying to receive positive feedback about a program. It is even more satisfying when other strength and conditioning coaches implement my techniques into their programs, especially when those coaches have success.
In a scheduled, scientific exercise classification the guidelines for selecting programs for all-sports conditioning are summarized in the following 13 points:
1. Regardless of the sport, the conditioning program must begin with general conditioning.
2. Make a list of the primary movements of a specific sport, including specificity of energy consumption and biomechanics.
3. Make a list of the exercises that are biomechanical close to a sport’s primary movements, but do not imitate them exactly.
4. Combine the general conditioning exercises with specific conditioning exercises for each sport. Code and subdivide the exercises into groups according to motion and muscle group involvement.
5. Include all possible conditioning variations in the program: free weights, medicine ball exercises, stair work, sand stair boxes and court, up and down hill activities, other plyometrics exercises, acrobatics, etc., which supports my before mentioned statement about the importance of exercise variations.
6. Avoid monotony in the conditioning program; make the program more enjoyable. Include general and individual exercises in the program, regardless whether the program is designed for individual or team sports. In case of a team sport, follow the group’s main goal, and in the mean time a coach should have the freedom of designing an individual part into the program, which must be module to a particular athlete’s physical and psychological particularities.
7. Teach “in detail” perfect technique of exercises.
8. Introduce the exercises gradually into a program.
9. Do not imitate a program because a world or Olympic champion used it. Could be detrimental on your athletes’ preparation. Remember, your athletes are probably not world champions. Understand your team’s physical and psychological capabilities and the limitations of the conditioning center. Gradually implement what you consider the most appropriate.
10. Never be satisfied with your program. Observe during the season and draw conclusions after the season is over. Try to improve your program continuously.
11. Respect the rules of periodization.
12. Keep in mind the athletes are human being like us. My personal belief is, that because of human being, do not let us to be influenced in a hundred percent by computers in each area of our daily activities. A workout schedule is for a soul-sentimental-blood and nerves people with several senses and feelings, and should not look like a machine printed daily menu. The conditioning program must reflect this relationship.
13. Take into consideration the sex and age regeneration capability.
14. The training frequency depends on the athlete’s age, technical knowledge, training (preparation) level and preparation phase. The result of training’s load is the accommodation to the given programs. The desired performance shows up if the training stimulus achieves necessary intensity and magnitude.
15. The athletes must accommodate with a program. The accommodation means the organism physical, psychological and functional systems’ capability of adopting a higher standard of physical and mental requirements in order to be able achieving higher performance levels.
The method of selection of exercises for any given sport is very simple: respect the before mentioned criteria, and then in relationship with time frame, sport equipments, gym’s condition (space, temperature, safety tips, etc), make a list of exercises which as a conditioning coach you consider the most appropriate for a respective sport. Try to organize the exercises in a certain order and groups. After defining the exercise groups any coach could easily select one or maximum two exercise from each group, depending on goals for a respective period of preparation, and to build up a schedule of preparation without computer. This is the part of the scheduling where the coach must give his feelings, and sentiments into the program, which no computer is able to do it. This will give the taste, the character, the style of a program which must be a mirror of a coach’s philosophy.
As a coach when I start to define a workout program I respect the correct ratio of repetitions, sets, intensities and exercises.
There are several possibilities of intensity variations. Just a few example I would like to enumerate:
50% 50% 55% 55% 60% 60% 70% 70% or
50% 60% 70% 80% 50% 60% 70% 80%
50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80%
50% 60% 55% 65% 60% 70% 65% 75%
50% 50% 70% 70% 60% 80% 70% 90%, and so on.
The goals could be different: muscular endurance with twelve to twenty repetitions and 30% to 70% intensity, muscular hypertrophy with six to ten repetitions and 70% to 80 intensity, muscular strength with three to six repetitions and 80% to 90% intensity and absolute strength with zero to three repetitions and 95% to over 100% intensity. Of course as a coach I never define between these limits my program because I keep in mind that regardless of sports and preparation phase I do need to overload and to stimulate the muscle fibers and the aerobics capacity of each athlete in order to achieve the goals of preparation.
As a general rule in my philosophy of program writing: I do finish every exercise with the highest intensity of that day for a respective exercise, considering as waste all the sets with lighter intensities after that.
How many times to workout? It depends on several factors: times, goals, specificity, rules, etc. Conditioning workouts depend on stage and period of preparation and the specificity of a respective sport.
Every conditioning program I start with a two-week introductory program in which proper technique is emphasized. In addition, I determine each athlete’s 1 RM (one repetition maximum) for each exercise. However, to avoid injuries, athletes don’t perform an actual 1 RM test. Instead, they test for 5 RM and add 10 kg to that figure to determine the approximate 1 RM. That gives the coaches peace of mind while avoiding injuries. For dumbbell exercises of course we divide this 10 kg plus weight in two equal part (5 kg for right and 5 kg for left hand). For combination exercise like Back Squat Push Press, Dumbbell or Barbell Javorek’s Complex # 1 & # 2 the intensity must be taken always from the most difficult exercise, in order to be able of performing properly the whole exercise.
After the approximate 1 RM is determined for each athlete, the remainder of the two-week introductory program is devoted to adapting the athlete’s to the increased effort necessary in the program. That is accomplished through emphasizing cardiovascular conditioning and explosiveness.
The next step is the preparatory phase of the conditioning program. The first goal of this phase is to prepare the athletes for competition, not to increase strength. Not until (spring or for several sports fall or winter) the preparation begins for the next season, does increased strength become a priority. However, during the two-week introductory period, and during the preparation period, athlete’s still achieve very good muscular development. Due to negative effect of an increasing volume of training a coach must select with consideration the exercises, repetitions, sets and intensities. The result of a mathematical-statistic calculation indicates the degree of correlation between aim and effect (the desired goals and the achieved performance), which is the reflection of efficiency of a method used in preparation.
In the conditioning center (weight room) enough dumbbells are available top allow thirty athletes to workout with four sets of dumbbells, all different weights. Other equipment includes twelve squat racks and benches, sixteen barbells and sufficient plates, from 1.25 kg to 25 kg, for all squat racks and benches.
In my conditioning programs I use more than ninety percent dumbbells, because I consider them in contrast with barbells or especially with machines, more practical for the majority of the sports. My opinion is that exercising with dumbbells is more dynamic. The range of motions is large, and the range of exercise variations is almost unlimited. Stimulates the balance muscles, which with machines totally, and with barbells partially are eliminated. It is easy to teach, and are very safe exercising with. The specific arm and leg movement and the coordination are also better achieved with dumbbells. My main arguments are, that does not need a large and special practice are, and being cheap, are much more affordable for every team.
All of these arguments are not eliminating the barbells from my programs. I use in my programs several times for squat exercises, and in off-season general strength programs.
Starting a program with dumbbells and barbells must begin with an inventory of the equipment, which must be in a good workout ratio with the number of athletes.
The athletes line up with three or four pairs of dumbbells, different weights. In case of limited number of dumbbells the team must be organized in groups of two or three for each set of dumbbells in order to workout in a rotational system. On command, the athletes begin and finish each exercise at the same time, allowing ten to twenty (for certain exercises up to sixty) seconds break between sets. Athletes take ten to sixty second breaks between sets, depending of a specific exercise’s difficulty or upon their level of conditioning and the goal of the workout. The last five seconds of each break are counted to ensure that the athlete is prepared for the next set. After each exercise is completed, I inform athletes of the next exercise. When the weight training session is completed, athletes perform conform the prescribed program brief abdominal and plyometrics exercises, including medicine ball, stair, sand stair boxes or uphill exercises.
The program is very efficient and athletes perform a complete workout in fifty to sixty minutes.
In-season athletes perform maintenance work and harder workouts when the team needs a “shake-up” or during longer breaks between competitions. In case of physical or mental fatigue among athletes, the program shifts to “active rest” that emphasizes recovery while maintaining conditioning levels.
In contrast, the strength, off-season program is individualized, based on the athletes’ strengths, weaknesses, conditioning levels and goals for the next season.
During the preparatory phase, regardless of the sport, dumbbells are used extensively because how I mentioned before they are more time efficient. With the time constraints on athletes and conditioning programs the efficiency of the program is critical. With some imagination, dumbbells can be successfully incorporated into conditioning programs for every sport, including football, volleyball, boxing, wrestling, judo, baseball, swimming & water polo, tennis, track and field, ice hockey, softball, basketball, gymnastics, golf, figure & speed skating, cycling, fencing, team handball, skiing, etc.

Combined Dumbbell and Barbell Training

                    Dumbbell and Barbell Complex Exercises

In recent years, I have seen the term “combination lifts” used more and more in sports conditioning circles, and I published an article about combination lifts, “General Conditioning with Complex # 1 and # 2”, in 1988 in the NSCA Journal (volume 10, No. 1, 1988, pages 34-37)..First, a definition: combination lifts comprise two or more free weight exercises that are combined in a non-stop, continuous movement. Although some conditioning specialists believe these lifts consist of just a few exercise combinations, like mostly a power clean and another exercise, or a power snatch and another exercise combination, in reality, the list is much larger. (While the barbell combination exercises of the Clean & Jerk are technically Weightlifting exercises, they still are combination lifts because they are being executed without rest.)

The main purpose of combination lifts is to improve and stimulate neuromuscular coordination, increase the workout load and intensity, stimulate the musculoskeletal system, increase the free weight program’s cardiovascular quality, and make a program more dynamic and efficient.

The number of combination exercises is unlimited, depending on the coach’s knowledge and creativity, the gym’s equipment and apparatus, and the goals of the coaches and athletes. In my training programs, I make a distinction between the major lift exercises: snatch, clean, jerk variations, pulls, squats, and auxiliary or assistant exercise combinations, and I categorize them as follows:Categories of Combination ExercisesA.  Simple two major lift exercise combination

B.  Complex multiple major lift exercise combinations

C.  Auxiliary or assistance lift exercise combinationsHere are some variations of these three categories:

Here are some variations of these three categories:

A. Simple Two Major Lift Combination Exercises (Four Major Groups)

Variation 1. Simultaneous repetition of two major lift exercises.

Example: BB from platform snatch grip pull x 4 + BB from platform split snatch x 6

Variation 2. Alternating repetition of two major lift exercises.

Examples:

BB from platform wide, snatch grip pull x 3 + BB from platform split snatch x 2 + BB from platform wide, snatch grip pull x 3 + BB from platform split snatch x 3, etc.

BB from the rack back squat x 4 + BB behind the head squat jump x 4 + BB from the rack back squat x 4 + BB behind the head squat jump x 4

BB from the rack back squat x 10 + BB behind the head wave squat x 25 + BB from the rack back squat x 10

Depending on the goals and a coach’s imagination, these combinations-variations are probably unlimited

I. Clean (power, squat or split) and other exercise combination - the clean can be executed from platform, from hang or from box:

BB from platform power clean + BB from the chest overhead press

BB from platform power clean + BB from the chest push press

BB from platform power clean + BB from the chest push jerk

BB from platform power clean + BB from the chest split jerk

BB from platform power clean + BB from the chest front squat

BB from platform power clean + BB from the chest front squat push press 

II. Snatch (power, squat or split) and other exercise combination - the snatch can be executed from platform, from the box or from hang:

BB from platform power snatch + BB overhead squat

BB from platform power snatch + BB behind the head press

BB from platform power snatch + BB behind the head push press

BB from platform power snatch + BB behind the head squat push press platform snatch (power, squat or split)  

III. Pull and other exercise combination B the pull could be:

Single knee bent pull

Straight knees (dead lift style) pull

Regular so-called double knee bent pull

Clean grip pull or wide, snatch grip pull

From platform, from box or standing on box:

BB from platform single knee bent wide, snatch grip pull + BB from the  ******

BB from platform single knee bent clean grip pull + BB from platform clean (power, squat or split)

BB from platform single knee bent clean grip pull + BB from above the knee up and down shrug

IV. Squat and other Exercises:

BB from rack front squat + BB from rack, from the chest press

BB from rack back squat + BB from rack, behind the head (different grips) press

BB from rack front squat + BB from chest push press (various grip width)

BB from rack back squat + BB from rack, behind the head (different grips) push press

BB from rack back squat + BB from rack, behind the head (different grips) squat push press

BB from rack back squat + BB from rack, behind the head good morning

BB from rack back squat + BB from rack, behind the head squat jump

BB from rack wave squat + BB from the rack back squat jump

BB from rack back squat jump + BB from the rack wave squat

BB from rack back squat + BB from rack wave squat

BB from rack wave squat + BB from rack back squat

BB from rack front squat + BB from platform squat clean

BB from rack front squat + BB from platform power clean

BB from rack, from the chest single leg (or alternate leg) step back, lunges + BB from platform split clean

BB from rack behind the head toe raise + BB back squat

BB from rack, behind the head toe raise + BB wave squat

BB from rack, behind the head toe raise + BB quarter squat

BB from rack, back quarter squat + BB toe raise

BB from rack, back quarter squat + BB back squat

BB from rack, back quarter squat + BB wave squat

BB from rack, back quarter squat + BB back squat jump

B. Complex, Multiple Major Lift Exercise Combinations

Variation 1. Pull + clean (squat, power, split) + press variations (military press, push press, squat push press)

Example: BB from platform clean grip pull + BB from platform squat clean + BB from the chest push press

Variation 2. Pull + clean (squat, power, split) + jerk variations (push jerk, split jerk)

Example: BB from platform clean grip single knee bent pull + BB from platform split clean + BB from platform power clean push jerk

Variation 3. Pull, wide, snatch grip + snatch variations (squat, power, split) + press variations (wide grip behind the head press, wide grip behind the head push press, wide grip behind the head squat push press) + overhead squat + behind the head push jerk

Example: BB from hang below the knees wide, snatch grip pull + BB from platform power snatch + BB wide, snatch grip overhead squat + BB wide, snatch grip behind the head push jerk

C. Assistance Exercise Combinations

I have always believed that the order of exercises in a combination should be chosen in a way that avoids interruption, providing a smooth, continuous motion. I also think it is very important to finish this smooth progression of the drill with the combination’s most dynamic movement, thus stimulating the athlete’s explosive qualities. It is really very simple to combine several assistance exercises to provide this smooth progression.

Depending on the goals of the individual athlete, the numbers of variations are probably unlimited. To satisfy my own coaching goals, I personally developed five BB complex exercises that I use in all sports conditioning. These complexes are included in the following two groups that I consider the major assistance exercise combination groups:

1. Complex Combination Lift Assistance Exercises with Barbells

* Javorek BB Complex exercise # 1 and # 2: BB upright rows + BB high pull snatch + BB squat push press + BB behind the head good morning + BB bent-over row (Complex # 11 is just one cycle performed with 6 repetitions of each exercise.  Complex # 2 is performed with 3 repetitions of each exercise, repeating the five exercise cycle two or three times from the beginning in a non stop continuous order.)

* Javorek BB Complex # 3 and 4: BB Supinated curls x 6 + BB upright row x 6 + BB from Hip High Pull Snatch  x 6 + BB bent-over row x 8 + BB behind the head press x 6 + BB behind the head good morning x 10 + BB behind the head squat push press x 6 + BB Supinated curls x 6 + BB upright row x 6(Complex # 3 is one cycle performed of each exercise.  Complex # 4 is performed with 3 repetitions of each exercise, repeating the five exercise cycle two or three times from the beginning in a non stop continuous order.)

* Javorek's BB Complex # 5 : BB medium grip upright row  x 6 + BB medium grip high pull snatch x 4 + BB medium grip bent-over row x 8 + BB back squat push press x 6 + BB upright row x 6 + BB behind the neck alternate leg step-ups on box x (14+14)  + BB high pull snatch x 4 + BB good morning x 16 + BB back squat jump x 8

*  BB wide, snatch grip upright rows + BB wide, snatch grip high pull snatch + BB wide, snatch grip overhead squat + BB behind the head squat push press + BB back squat jumps

*  BB wide, snatch grip upright rows + BB bent-over rows + BB wide, snatch grip high pull snatch + BB behind the head good morning + BB wave squat +  BB behind the head push press + BB back squat jumps

2. Complex Combination Lift Exercises with Dumbbells:

(a) With one-hand

*  DB one-hand high pull snatch + DB one-hand power clean + DB one-hand squat push press + DB one-hand power snatch

(b) With two hands

*  Javorek DB Complex exercise 1 and 2: DB upright rows + DB high pull snatch + DB squat push press + DB bent-over rows + DB high pull snatch (Complex 1 is just one cycle performed with 6 repetitions of each exercise.  Complex 2 is performed with 3 repetitions of each exercise, repeating the five exercise cycle two or three times from the beginning in a non stop continuous order).

.........And so on. This is just a very small part of my 36 chapter book. The rest of the

information you can find in my new book :

Javorek Complex Conditioning

    www.istvanjavorek.com