general physical preparedness

Definition

Building a broad foundation of fitness qualities (strength, endurance, mobility, work capacity) rather than specializing immediately. It's the 'learn to walk before you sprint' phase that impatient athletes skip, then wonder why they're always injured.

Example Usage

The off-season focused on GPP with varied training modalities before returning to sport-specific work.

Origin

From Soviet sports training theory popularized in Western strength and conditioning

Fun Fact

GPP is the training equivalent of eating your vegetables—boring, unglamorous, but foundational to not falling apart later.

Source: Strength and conditioning methodology and periodization theory

Related Terms

Advanced

functional movement screen

A standardized assessment of seven movement patterns to identify limitations and asymmetries. Physical therapy's report card that tells you exactly how dysfunctional your movement really is.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

Beginner

drills

Repetitive practice exercises designed to bore a skill into your muscle memory through sheer monotonous repetition. Whether you're in the military, on a sports team, or preparing for emergencies, drills are the universal language of 'do this boring thing over and over until you can do it in your sleep.' Athletes particularly love complaining about them while secretly knowing they're the reason they don't trip over their own feet during competition.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

Advanced

max effort

Training with maximum possible intensity, typically near or at one-rep max loads. The Westside Barbell principle that separates the brave from the smart.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

Beginner

farmers walk

A functional strength exercise where you grip heavy weights in each hand and walk a distance, mimicking a farmer carrying feed buckets, except farmers don't Instagram their buckets afterward.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

Beginner

walking lunges

A lower body exercise where you lunge forward continuously across a space, combining strength training with the awkward gait of someone who vastly overestimated their abilities. Guaranteed to make tomorrow's stairs a philosophical challenge.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

Advanced

conjugate periodization

A training method where multiple qualities (max effort, dynamic effort, repetition method) are trained simultaneously in the same week rather than in sequential blocks. It's the Westside Barbell approach that treats periodization like a mixed plate rather than a tasting menu.

⚽ Sports / Fitness

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