conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me a description for a book titled Powerlifting about with the genre: Health, Fitness & Dieting, Exercise & Fitness.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: This is a very informative guide for anyone seeking to enhance their powerlifting knowledge. This book will definitely give you the tools necessary to prepare for competition through a structured program.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first four paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Powerlifting
  Periodization is simply a plan of training. It isn't some mystical being that comes to make you stronger. It is just a plan of attack. At this point in the powerlifting career, failing to plan is planning to fail. Before it didn't matter what was done, you would still get stronger. Now, planning is necessary.
  The experienced lifter never wants to take time off, so going back to a simple progressive overload is never going to happen, unless the lifter has a meet with only 6 weeks of preparation. That being said, if you do decide to take an offseason, training will be different than in-season training cycles. It is perfectly fine to go from one competition to the next, starting one 16-week cycle after taking a week off after the meet. However, if you do only one or two meets a year, then an off-season is necessary.
  Off-season training consists of lifting lighter weights for more repetitions. This isn't to say that performing 40 percent for sets of 20 repetitions is a good idea. The goal of the powerlifter is to get stronger, and a good way to develop strength is through submaximal loads of 65 to 80 percent. Training in these percentages ensures that the central nervous system and muscles get a break from maximal loads. This training should never be done to failure. At the end of the set, you should have at least 1 repetition left in the tank, preferably several. A good way to judge what volume to do is based on Prilepin's table (table 9.1). Alexander Prilepin developed the table to determine what volumes to do at what intensity to allow maximal gains in performance.
  The work intensity listed in the left column is simply the percent of 1RM. Repetitions/set means how many repetitions are performed in each set. Optimal volume is considered the best total volume for that zone for a single workout, and the volume range is the range of repetitions performed for a single workout. For instance, using the chart and training at 70 percent for a given day, 3 × 6 (18 total repetitions) would fall right in the optimal zone. If you are beat and looking to de-load, then 4 × 3 (12 total repetitions) may be a better choice. If you are trying to gain base strength on that day, then 4 × 6 (24 total repetitions) may be the best option. For the same intensity, you can make three choices based on what you are trying to accomplish.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me five more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The right mentality is everything. When you step on the platform, you should know your goal and be in the proper place to achieve that goal. Step on the platform and know that you will do this weight. Whole-heartedly believe you own the lift, and now is the easiest part of the entire lift. You will be able to overcome whatever chaos may ensue during the lift.
  The lifter who approaches the platform with fear and apprehension, concerned because he has never done that weight before, his gear isn't exactly right, or the audience is staring, will never make the lift. He has already decided that isn't his day.
  The right mentality is to accept responsibility for actions instead of looking for someone or somewhere to blame. If you miss a squat, why did you miss it? It wasn't because of the judge, it wasn't because of the bar, it wasn't because of someone talking or taking a picture. You missed the lift. Winners look to fix it, losers look for blame.
  In powerlifting, many things will bother someone. From Hans Selye's work on stress, it is evident that all things, whether eustress (good stress such as a birthday, birth of a child, promotion, or vacation) and distress (bad stress such as the death of a family member, job loss, or relationship problems), affect the body the same way. Think about how many times people say they are more tired when they return from vacation than they were before they went on vacation. The positive stress and enjoyment of being on vacation drained the person of energy until he needed a vacation from his vacation.
  Many things concern people, including family issues, relationship issues, work issues, training, competition, food, shelter, academics, world issues, and the economy—the list of concerns is infinite. When people worry about the things they can't control, it takes time and energy away from the things that they can do something about. Constant worrying draws attention away from areas that can be controlled and turns toward areas in which no influence is possible. Nothing can be done by worrying about these things, so there is no point in worrying about them.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last five paragraphs.. End with the sentence ' Mann is recognized as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is certified as a strength and conditioning coach (SCCC) from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.'.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Austin earned his bachelor's degree in health physical education from Newberry College and a master's degree from Austin Peay State University. He has been a strength and conditioning coach for more than 20 years.
  Austin is certified by USA Weightlifting, the International Sport Sciences Association, the National Association of Speed and Explosion, and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He is also a level II specialist in sport conditioning. He is a masters collegiate strength and conditioning coach, which is the highest certification a strength coach can achieve.
  Austin has been powerlifting for 30 years and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Throughout his career he has won 9 world powerlifting championships and 15 national championships while holding several world records in the deadlift and combined total weight. He was voted the greatest 148-pound powerlifter of all time and was the first lifter under 148 pounds to deadlift over 700 pounds.
  As an assistant director of strength and conditioning at the University of Missouri, Mann is responsible for assisting with the player development program for football and baseball as well as for Missouri's women's basketball and soccer teams. In addition to these team duties, he is the director of research and development. While at Southwest Missouri State, Mann worked with great athletes such as Philadelphia Phillies first baseman and league MVP Ryan Howard, Texas Rangers pitcher John Rheinecker, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum, and NCAA basketball's all-time scoring leader Jackie Stiles.
  Mann received his degree in health promotion from Missouri State University in 2003, a graduate certificate in sports management in 2004, a master's degree in health education and promotion in 2006, and his PhD in 2011. Mann is recognized as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is certified as a strength and conditioning coach (SCCC) from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.