Doug LarsonMax Aita is the head weightlifting coach at Juggernaut Training Systems. He has spent the better part of 20 years in the sport of Weightlifting and Powerlifting. He draws his training methodology and knowledge from the many great coaches whom he has personally worked with including; Steve Gough (USA), Ivan Abadjiev (BUL), Boris Sheiko (RUS).
Max has produced over half a dozen senior national medalists in Weightlifting, Multiple All time World Record holders in Powerlifting, and has worked with CrossFit Regional and Games level competitors to develop strength and Olympic lifting technique. He also competed in Powerlifting himself.
We enjoyed recording this episode with our friend Dr. Andy Galpin in the backyard of Juggernaut’s founder, Chad Wesley Smith.
Bulgarian olympic weightlifting training
Max shared his experience training under an intense Bulgarian olympic weightlifting system, which he got into as a teenager. He lived and learned from Bulgarians to understand their training systems, which are very demanded. Athletes had to live under the same roof, and Max’s bed was in the dining room.
Bulgarian coaching was focused on winning. It didn’t care much for individuals. It was a system based on pushing hard, with the hopes that athletes will figure out and produce strong minded winners. The training environment was strong. The focus was on hitting 1 RM’s of all the olympic lifts, every single day. No accessory work.
Max also shared a lot of knowledge on training intensity, volume, recovery, variety, tapering, peaking, and more.
Max’s book: Weightlifting Technique Triad
In this book, Max breaks down olympic weightlifting technique into how high you pull the bar, time to get under bar to receive it, and trajectory of the bar. Beyond his assessment classification, Max also provides specific training plans and exercises to help you improve your olympic weightlifting.
Max teaching Mike olympic weightlifting tips for a better jerk
Tune in to the video podcast to watch Max teaching Mike how to improve his jerk. Watch the video podcast from minute 29:35.
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