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Matt Wenning Training Program
Matt Wenning has made an enormous contribution to powerlifting, not just because he broke the world record by squatting 1086lbs, but for his service in the advisory panel set up by the Pentagon to help the U.S Armed Forces, at 33 years old he also serves as speaker in the ASCA (Australian Strength and Conditioning Association).
Matt was born in in Muncie, Indiana USA in 1980 and started powerlifting at the YMCA in his little town at 13 years old. After completing a B.Sc. in exercise science he then completed a master’s degree on biomechanics. Matt stands 6'1" tall and competes at around 285-305lbs.
Matt has some radicle ideas on training and uses the most recent scientific research to develop his training strategy. For example, Matt says that squatting on a box should never be done permanently. He says boxes might be great for training, however the box has to be used correctly.
Lifters who always squat with a box will have a tough time at the very bottom of the squat, fumbling with their balance and their depth. Matt explains that the box should never be used to relax the hamstrings and the glutes, he says if you do that at a meet, you’ll collapse for sure.
Matt also explains in detail about the importance of training with gear and training raw. He explains that when training with gear year-round you’ll never improve your lifts, you’ll just increase your chances of getting injured. But if you train raw all year you’ll never get used to lifting heavy weights.
He says the answer is a happy medium where gear and raw are alternated periodically, so that you get the benefit of both worlds and are prepared when you go to a meet. Matt says that any serious powerlifter needs to invest in all the gear that is now legal to use at a powerlifting meet, like: a full squat suit, training briefs and a bench shirt.
He concludes his advice on gear by saying that all your training should always be raw with a belt and a pair of briefs only wearing wraps when you go heavy. But Matt explains that developing speed work when you lift a weight is a fundamental part of getting stronger. He breaks his training philosophy into four vitally important points:
1) Devote one workout day towards speed training, it will give your body the break it needs from lifting heavy loads using maximal effort while keeping your force production high.
2) Speed training will allow you to learn how to let the weight come down in a controlled fall, instead of wasting energy on the eccentric part of the lift.
3) You need to learn how to react to the weights lifted or pulled and not just straining yourself through them.
4) Doing 8-10 sets regularly will allow you to do more singles in any set so that you can concentrate on perfect form with a high force output. Example: doing 3 X 10 reps you will achieve a stronger 3- 1 reps max. If you do 10 X 3 reps, you will achieve a stronger 10- 1 reps max.
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DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
