Winter Throwing Equipment for Athletes
BY THROWERS UNIVERSE
Winter training is the ideal time to make large changes to your training. Whether these changes are mental, physical or otherwise, it is the only time in the year when you do not have to worry about any competitions coming up. You are free to experiment.
Today we will speak about some potential changes you can make and what equipment you can use to make these changes to get you throwing at the highest level possible!
UNDERWEIGHT OR OVERWEIGHT THROWING IMPLEMENTS?
Light and heavy implements have been under the radar over the last generation or so. There are many benefits to using shots that are lighter than competition weight. For example, Reese Hoffa has famously stated that he used the 15lb (6.8kg) shot for most of his training compared to the standard 16lb (7.26kg). Of course, it goes further than this, though. Male Shot Putters across the world have been known to use implements as light as the 5kg.
WHY DO ATHLETES THROW LIGHT IMPLEMENTS?
Take a look at Dane Miller from Throws University/Garage Strength’s take on this training method:
THROWING IMPLEMENTS FOR SALE
You can shop for all kinds of weighted implements on the Neuff website, such as the ones you see here...
TURNED OVERWEIGHT OR UNDERWEIGHT TRAINING SHOT (BY NELCO/ATE)
These overweight or underweight training shots have been turned to the same size as competition-weight shot to enable accurate throw training. They have also been engineered in the same style as the Neuff-Nelco Classic shot.
OVERWEIGHT TRAINING SHOT BY NELCO/ATE
An overweight training shot manufactured by Nelco and ATE with standard diameters.
WOODEN OVERWEIGHT TRAINING DISCUS BY ATE
A robust solid wooden-sided training discus with a steel rim. This is an excellent training implement for club throwers!
LO-SPIN OVERWEIGHT/UNDERWEIGHT TRAINING DISCUS BY NELCO & ATE
A low-spin training discus with strong plastic sides and a steel rim. It's also competition size, making it ideal for winter training!
USING DIFFERENT THROW IMPLEMENTS
Another extremely underrated way of developing special strength within the throw whilst simultaneously improving technique is by using various types of equipment in your training. From med balls to javelin balls, the possibilities are endless. See Kristjan Ceh below throwing a metal bar rather than a disc in his training…
You can apply this principle to all of the throws. Do standing throws with heavy rocks or dumbbells instead of shots, throw or drill with metal bars, discus tools or bowling pins for discus – and the list goes on!
You can shop for alternative implements as mentioned above on Neuff's website...
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT FOR THROWING ATHLETES
Along with improving technique, working to improve physical ability can pay off massively. To do this, you should come up with a training plan for out of the circle or runway with your coach. Ben Hawkes has done a great blog on this, which is called Winter Training for Throwing Athletes. He gives you an idea here of how you can approach training to improve massively this winter!
As a beginner, you will always want to familiarise yourself with different techniques and movements in the gym rather than focusing on other goals which may not directly benefit your event if not applied and integrated correctly - this could include lifting heavy. This long-term vision will serve you well in the future.
Once your movement is efficient, begin to build from there.
As well as this, Neuff offers some great S&C equipment to up your athletic ability! From working on your core strength to explosive movements to assist the throwing movements, training with strength and conditioning equipment is something to consider if you haven't already!
ABOUT CHRIS DYRMISHI
Chris is an accomplished shot putter who also runs Throwers Universe, a group dedicated to celebrating all things throwing-related!
This year, Chris had a great season by coming 1st in Shot Put at the Watford Open Graded Meeting and 2nd in the Loughborough Open.
Make sure to take a look at his blogs on our website, as well as his Throwers Universe channels!
Instagram: @throwersuniverse
Twitter: @ThrowersUni
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