Periodisation is the manipulation of training variables like load and volume, over time, to manage fatigue and attempt to optimise training adaptations. It is often used synonymously with terms like ‘programming’ or ‘training programme’.

What is Concurrent Periodisation?

Concurrent periodisation refers to the development and training of multiple training qualities at the same time, within your periodised training programme. For instance, strength and power, alongside cardiovascular endurance.

This is essential for the majority of sports and also beneficial for the majority of the population, so it is very rare that any training programme won’t be somewhat concurrent in nature.

What About the Interference Effect?

The interference effect is the idea that training for one physical quality, like cardiovascular endurance, will debilitate your ability to progress other physical qualities, like strength or power.

While there is evidence for and against this, practically speaking, it is better to think of this in terms of time spent in the gym; the more time you spend training strength and power, the less time and energy you have to train other qualities like cardiovascular endurance.

This is an important distinction in your approach given that a degree of strength and power training can be very beneficial for endurance athletes, as can a degree of cardiovascular training for strength and power athletes; your periodisation shouldn’t be black or white and would be better to always be somewhat concurrent, but on a sliding scale, like shown above.

There are a million ways to apply this principle and the principles of periodisation, which is great because it means that we can make it work for anyone, so it is really important to apply these principles based on your current situation. But we can still use generalised examples to guide how we put together our programming.

X3 Day Per Week Concurrent Training Programme Example

Day One - Power Day

• Med ball slams 4x5

• Box jumps 4x5

• Broad jumps 4x5

• Barbell jump squats 4x5

Kit Required

Plyo Box, Med Ball, a Barbell, Bumper Plates (if more advanced) and a Power Rack

Day Two - Strength Day

• Barbell back squats 4x5

• Barbell RDL 4x5

• Chin up 4x5

• Dumbbell bench press 4x5

Kit Required

A Barbell, Bumper plates, a rack, Dumbbells and a pull up bar (depending on the rack you use)

Day Three - Endurance Day

• 2km Zone 1 Run- If you don’t have the technology to track your training zone, think about running at a ‘conversation pace’, where you’re working hard but if you had to maintain a conversation, you would be able to.

Kit Required

The great outdoors!

Take the knowledge gained form this article into your training, knowing that you can progress at multiple things at the same time. You do not have to choose between the multiple training methods that you enjoy, you might just prioritise one, slightly more than the other, depending on which is your favourite or which you want to improve the most, at the current time.

Get strong, get fit and get powerful!

Written by guest author Ewan Hammond.

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Tags: Exercise Type > Strength ; Misc > Workout