*Before I get started: this article is NOT meant for someone who has an appreciable amount of fat to lose. If you're 30% or more body fat...you NEED to go full on Tony Montana. At least for a little while. Pull out all the stops, up the cardio, cut the cals, etc. However, if you're in pretty good shape, but not as lean as you'd like to be, this is more up your alley. We need to all agree on ONE basic premise before we start. The body ADAPTS to the stress(ors) applied to it. That means, the body follows this model: General Adaption Syndrome So think of everything (stressor) that promotes fat loss is like a bullet in an old time … [Read more...]
Why I Love Zerchers and You Should 2
May 10, 2016 by
Do you know where Zercher Squats came from? Prison... Supposedly the Zercher squat came about because there are weights, but no racks, in the joint. They needed a way to squat and figured out that they could pick up a lot of weight off the ground in the crooks of the elbow. Zercher Squat. Ed Zercher came up with this squat variety many years ago. In 1966 or 1967, I read about a prisoner by the name of Robert Barnett, who had just pulled a 675 deadlift at 165 BWT. He related that the Zercher squat was responsible for his success. He reported that his best was 395 x 5 reps done off the floor.- Louie Simmons I don't know if that's the truth, but it's a hell of a … [Read more...]
Lumbar Hyperextension, Fake Lockouts and The Pillar Position.
March 31, 2016 by
Booty, Booty, Booty, Rocking Everywhere... https://youtu.be/znUS2KqPYCw IDK if this is NSFW or what, it's kinda hilarious. That line of literary genius was "spit" (that's what the cool kids say these days) by Bubba Sparks circa 2009. With the rise of Instagram "Glute Building Experts" (aka. soft core porn veiled as fitness) and Pintrest 30 Day Butt Challenges there's a whole lotta hyperextension, ie sticking your ass out, getting passed off as "technique". I guess that's what happens when your "fitness expert" is just a model with a big butt who likes to workout.... This "Duck Butt" position that you see a lot of these "experts" exhibit is actually just jamming … [Read more...]
One is Greater than Zero
February 2, 2016 by
As I've said before, I think, we have developed into an excuse based culture. Instead of finding a way, we've learned to look for a way out. In that vain.. We're one month into the new year. Hows that Exercise and Eat better resolution working for ya? If you're like a lot of people, it's not. You probably started strong but fell into the perfection trap. <---I made that term up, I think. Personally, I think the "perfection trap" is an excuse veiled as an actual reason. Kinda like the false sacrifice.. Here's how this works: "I'm going to work out for 60 minutes 5 times a week." And while motivation is high and you're prioritizing exercise, it works … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: Modified Rope Climb
December 9, 2015 by
This may be the most deceptive exercise EVER. I saw it on Onnit Academy and thought... Ehhhh, that's probably hard on the grip, but not much of a challenge really. WRONG. The first time I did this I had to re-learn a valuable lesson: I SUCK.....BAD. Here's what you need: Battle Rope (or any rope for that matter) Rack (or anywhere to attach it for that matter) Vice Grips for hands Modified Rope Climb: Youtube Version Key Points: Tight line, ears through ankles or knees (if bent) Abs and Glutes on. Shoulders in the joint (tension on the back side) CRUSH the rope...<---this is of the utmost importance if you didn't figure that … [Read more...]
Spoon Bending, Physical Capital and Being Injured!
November 23, 2015 by
"I got hurt doing: insert activity that I associate with the pain I'm currently having" Actually...it's not that simple. That's probably not the case. At least not entirely.... You're just not that fragile. There's a good chance that the activity that you associate with the pain you're currently having wasn't just from: THAT Swing THAT Lunge THAT Pushup Picking up THAT couch... It's more insidious than that. I've Got a Snowball, I Need to Throw it...... From: capt_tain Tom When someone’s back hurts they don’t want to blame their lifestyle, fitness level, or daily patterns. Instead, they want to blame their back pain on starting the lawn … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: Battle Rope Row
November 11, 2015 by
Pulling, we all need more. Like a lot more. Like on a set per set comparison, 2:1, pulling to pushing is a good start for most people. IF you've ever been a client you already know that I'm VERY partial to the TRX/ Ring row. I think it's the best rowing exercise going. It's scalable and basically fool-proof, plus and best of all, it's self-limiting. You can do an ugly rep, but you, and everyone else is going to know it instantly and hopefully that's when you stop. So I was looking for new stuff on the Onnit Academy website and saw Battle Rope Inverted Rows and was like whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa? So I did them and they're sick nasty.....that means really … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: McGill Side Plank With Band
November 3, 2015 by
Planks are really good for you. IF you do them correctly they can help teach and train a few very important concepts.. 1. Pillar Strength/ Bracing 2. True "Core" Activation 3. Core Endurance Abzzz 101: The "core" isn't just meant to look all awesome on the beach with your bros when your tan is banging and you're trying to pick up bitches.... bro... It's also supposed to stabilize your spine and protect you from hoop, compressive and shear forces. You know, keep you from breaking the first time you pick up a kid, have to carry groceries, or push a car out of a snow rut...<-----all of these are secondary to the more bro(ish) use listed above, … [Read more...]
