History of the Soviet System

Often, many US Strength coaches are unaware of the history of the Soviet System, and, hence, the foundation of modern weightlifting training. For example, look in any NSCA articles citations and non-western sources are a rare occurrence.   In effect, the purpose of this post is to provide a brief history of the Soviet System and to make strength practitioners and western researchers aware of this body of knowledge.

The modern Russian Weightlifting System was founded by Arkady Nikitich Vorobyov (born 1924 -) and Alexey Medvedev Sidorovich (1927-2003). As you read on, Vorobyov and Medvedev took two different perspectives- a classic case of good cop - bad cop.

Arkady Vorobyov was a weightlifter and a remarkable scientist.  Simply put, he was a very successful weightlifter.  He won Olympic golds  in 1956 and 1960 and was World champion four times (1954, 1955, 1957, 1958).  He  also won silver in 1959 and bronze in 1961. Vorobyov was also three times European champion (1954, 1955, 1958), while taking silver in 1959 and bronze in 1961. He also set 21 middle-heavyweight world records – nine in snatch, three in clean and jerk, two in press, and seven in the total.

Vorobvov's book and photos of Vorobvov,
 Source: Dr Alfredo Herrera

Just as stunning as his sports career was his high level of scientific achievement.  During  Vorobyov's his sports career, he graduated from the USSR Medical Institute and defended a dissertation for the Candidate of Science degree, afterwards, in 1962. In 1970, he defended a dissertation for the Doctor of Medical Science degree at the Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine in Moscow. Since 1977, Vorobyov was the Rector of the Moscow Oblast Institute of Physical Culture and Sports. In 1995, was elected to the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame. 


So, you may be wondering, "Why did he get a degree in Medicine at the Aviation and Space Institute?" 
Answer:  The Soviets applied Olympic weightlifting research to astronauts training to survive the harsh conditions of space flight.

Medvedev the Lifter and Coach
Source: Dr Alfredo Herrera

Alexey Medvedev Sidorovich (1927-2003) was also a weightlifter and scientist.  In 1957 and 1958,  Medvedev wons the world title in the heavyweight category. Alexander Medvedev was the first Soviet Weightlifter, and third man ever, to total 500 kg in the Triathlon of the snatch, clean and press, and clean and jerk. By trade, Medvedev was a very accomplished carpenter.  In  1962, Medvedev became the coach of the national team of the USSR in weightlifting. In 1964, for the preparation of 3 Olympic champions (A. Vahonina, R. Plufelderand , l. Jabotinsky), Alexander Medvedev worked as head of the weightlifting at the Russian State University of physical culture, sport and tourism. Under his leadership, the Department was prolific in preparing weightlifting specialists, not only for Russia, but also from other Communist countries at the time, such as: Cuba, China, Poland, Bulgaria, DPRK.

Medvedev 

Likewise, Medvedev was invited to many countries. He traveled to China many times, lecturing at the Beijing University of physical culture.   His work in China received the title of Honorary Professor of Beijing University of physical education.  Even as late as the early 2000's, he provided practical assistance to China's weightlifting squad.   Most notably, China won gold in every weight class that their women's team entered in 2000 and was, likewise, dominant in their men's classes.

Medvedev and Vorobvov laid out the scientific groundwork for the Soviet System.  The two men had different philosophic views of science.  Additionally, in the 1950's he came to the USA to study the American system.   He became good friends with American weightlifting legend Tommy Kono.   Vorobvov focused more on biochemical research on recovery.  This preference was due to his work on the Soviet space program.  Medvedev's research was empirically based on the training of weightlifters.  His focus was foremost HIGH VOLUME.  By observations and experimentation, he found that high volume training lead to better results without injuries. Together, the body of research from Medvedev and Vorobvov, and their colleagues, formed the modern Soviet System.

From Dr Alfredo Herrera of Risto Sports
www.ristosports.com

Dr. Alfredo Herrera, formerly of Cuba, was a key scientist who worked with Medvedev.  Herrera worked side by side with Medvedev-- to the extent that Medvedev quoted Herrera in his landmark text on the training of weightlifters. Needless to say, they both had long scientific debates in the Russian sauna.  Dr. Herrera’s doctoral thesis's scientific results were applied to the National Russian Team and the Russian Army Dynamo.  

In short, the Soviet System or the "Russian System" was developed on rigorous scientific studies. ** ie, when I mean rigorous, I literally mean that the results were even applied to the training of Cosmonauts (Soviet Astronauts), so please do not take my words lightly**  The Soviet System was not something that was created overnight. So, be very weary of snake oil salesman who sell weightlifting certifications claiming to make you the next Ilya Ilin or Alexeev (-- e.g. anyone who has not been trained in the system, only been lifting a few years, and just pastes some photos of Olympic Gold medalists on their websites, as if , by some miracle of internet osmosis, they will magically become as credible as the Olympic gold medalist that they never met.  Thank you for reading my mini-rant =).

If you would like to get a good, credible foundation in the system and an understanding of how Soviet Programs were written, then go to the Soviet System I Certification given by Risto Sports, of which Dr. Herrera is Technical Director. Risto Sports' goal is to spread the truth of the Soviet System and to help develop weightlifting competencies in the Western World.

Risto Sports is holding certifications at their headquarters October 27, 2012 outside of Boston/Portsmouth/Portland  and in Anchorage, Alaska on October 14, 2012.

Register here for October 27  at the Risto Sports Headquarters:http://www.ristosports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=135

Register here for Alaska Fitness Expo weekend Seminar, October 14: https://guestlistapp.com/events/124572