A brief glimpse at their training

Yesterday Pál Németh's son, Zsolt, was able to explain a little about the typical training program for Dobó Se. Zsolt was the silver medalist at the 1999 World-Championships, but this season was cut short by knee surgery. This past week he has been gradually starting training again by doing some lightweight weight training to strengthen his knee and a few occasional throws with light hammers. While we were weight training he explained the basic outline of their training system. Normally they will train six days a week, with Sunday being a rest day. Throwing is done every day. Traditional weightlifting (olympic lifts, squats, etc.) are done on the first day of the week. The next day is reserved for "special exercises." These consist of more specialized lifts like twists, step-ups, and other core lifts. The third day is reserved for specific strength training typically done by throwing short and heavy hammers (which are longer and lighter than the 35# weight throw). The main lifts, which include snatch, front squat, step-ups, pull machine, twists, and a few others, are done the entire length of the season. The number of reps and amount of weight done are varied, but these exercises are always present in the training program. Other auxiliary exercises are changed throughout the season.

This overview is just that, and overview. The training system is more complex and includes more exercises. However, there is not time to get into here. Harold Connolly is currently compiling information from reports written by Boldi and Nate and it will be available online soon. Before I finish, I would like to thank Pál and Zsolt Németh for their hospitality and help. Zsolt was very helpful in finding accommodations for my visit. Pál was more than happy to give me technical advice even though I cannot understand Hungarian and his English vocabulary is limited. He would stay after his athletes were finished to give me advice on the rest of my throws. Hopefully I will be able to return to Hungary again in the height of their training.

-Martin