Just got back from training in China

[Cody Mims]

So I just got back from training in china at the beijing sports university and the Army team. Some people asked for me to talk about my experience, but I think it would be easier if people just asked questions and I could try to answer based off how I trained there and what I saw.

[tdel]

Compared to a lot of American/European lifters, most Chinese lifters all tend to look pretty ripped with low body fat % on a consistent basis. Is there anything special they do in their training and/or diet to keep themselves in this condition? Or is it as simple as good genetics and athleticism amongst their dedicated lifters?

[Cody Mims]

Originally Posted by tdel

Compared to a lot of American/European lifters, most Chinese lifters all tend to look pretty ripped with low body fat % on a consistent basis. Is there anything special they do in their training and/or diet to keep themselves in this condition? Or is it as simple as good genetics and athleticism amongst their dedicated lifters?

You know it's funny cuz even the big fat boy there had visible abdominals, strangest thing I've ever seen! I honestly didn't see anything in particular that showed why they have such low body fat. One thing that was different was that while I was there, I only ate 3 times a day instead of 5-6 times. But they eat a lot of rice and veggies too when they ate. I'm leaning towards genetics, and who knows, maybe something behind the curtain. I did have a strange encounter while there with an American who has lived there since 92 that said he worked with the athletes. I asked what he did with them and he always walked around the question and never said what he did. Was just weird. Idk. They also do a lot of extra work after their training. It looked like their version of play time. They did bench press, dips, wrist curls, leg extensions, various rows. That can add to that ripped body building look I think.

[Cody Mims]

Also, even though I didn't see it, I asked my coach if they ran at all and he said yes. He said back when he was on the Chinese national and Olympic team he ran. He was also ripped back in his day too lol

[WhiskeyWebber]

I'd be interested in your take on the mindset of the Chinese lifter

[Jamie Crichton]

Im afraid I've got questions requiring long answers!

What teaching progressions or cues or other techniques do they use for the lifts?

How often do they train and what does their program look like?

[tdel]

Interesting... so I guess it's not anything special, just a combination of genetics & extra exercises. I know there's a picture of Lu Xiaojun walking on an inclined treadmill, apparently they do that 10-15 minutes a day when not peaking.

[paulie]

Also very interested in the program you did over there.

[PFerrari]

The most important question of all: do they high bar back squat or low bar back squat?

[Cody Mims]

Originally Posted by PFerrari

The most important question of all: do they high bar back squat or low bar back squat?

To my surprise most of them low bar back squatted!!! Lol just kidding. All high bar. But they also would do quater squats sometimes after regular squats.