Andy and Dan discuss the role of barbell training for athletes in sports ranging from power-based contact sports (football, hockey) to agility and high kill sports (baseball, soccer, golf). As detailed in Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training by Mark Rippetoe, strength is the basis of all human performance. Thus, getting an athlete stronger will have a positive impact, usually a big impact, on their performance.

Nevertheless, the athlete is NOT a powerlifter or weightlifter. Their sport doesn't consist of lifting barbells. Therefore, their training probably won't look much like the powerlifter's training beyond the novice phase of programming. After the basic barbell movements have been introduced, there may be sport-specific needs for variants of the big lifts as well as accessories. Andy and Dan break down how you can better use barbells to train sport athletes.

Andy Baker

Blog: www.AndyBaker.com

IG: @bakerbarbell

Owner of Kingwood Strength & Conditioning

Co-author of Practical Programming for Strength Training

Co-author of The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40

Dan Flanick

IG: @coachdanflanick

Gym: https://www.skaneatelesstrength.com