according to pavels book naked warrior, russians use lots of high tension bodyweight stuff and kettlebells, but i think its kind of unrealistic to say that all russians train that way, just like all americans dont train the same. www.dragondoor.com
kettlebells were used before, there was shortage of decent equipment. dunno about wrestling but here min requirements for candidates in sambo national teams, so you will have a general idea Weight category: 63, 70, 80, 93, 93+ kg Strenghth 1. pull ups: 28, 26, 25, 24, 18 reps 2. Cleans: 90, 100, 115, 125, 130 kg 3. Squats with bodyweight barbell OR partner on your shoulders(same weight category)!: 40, 40, 40, 40, 35 reps 4. Dunno how u call it, olympic movement, barbell press standing above your head: body weight + 30 kg Speed. 1. Running 30m 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.1. 4.2 sec 2. Running 30m (3 interwals 10m each back and forward): 7.3, 7.3, 7.1, 7.1, 7.3 sec 3. Long jump from standing 276+-6 cm for all weight categories Endurance. 1. Running 3km (min): 11.0, 11.0, 11.0, 11.15, 11.30 2. have no idea how to translate so skip it : 50, 50, 50, 47, 45 3. Pulling youself on the 5m rope, 3 times without rest 4. Sparring for 15 min with partener change: have to get 5 points or more. once again those just min norms to qualify, i knew some people who were running 10km every time before training just for warm up easily.
During my interviews with former soviet wrestlers they all mentioned tons of rope climbing, running hills, playing soccer and basketball for conditioning, and the use of resistant tubing (AB Bands). Very little was done with weights most of their strength and conditioning came from grappling, kettlebells, and ropes... Mike www.grapplersgym.com www.grapplersnutrition.com - The grapplers Guide to Sports Nutrition
