Category: Training Tips and Routines
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The curl and press
It started with reading some George Jowett. What should you do with rounded shoulders? Jowett provided the answer. And a big part of that answer was the curl and press. Now, I’d stopped doing a lot of curls but kept strong through pull ups and stuff. But now that I’m doing the curl and press,…
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The benefits of knowing a routine
This morning I woke up and did Paramahansa Yogananda’s energization exercises. I didn’t need to consult any manual or video – I just did it. Routines in exercise are like systems in business. It takes some discipline to follow them, but once you uncover them, you can make faster progress. There is a pitfall with…
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Found myself moving some appliances today—this training saved the day
A friend needed some help getting old appliances out of the house. Found myself on the bottom side of the washer going up the basement stairs. The dude on top was pulling up with a dolly. On the last step, something happens. Who knows what. But the washer came falling into me and the other…
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Good naturedly using Pavel Tsatsouline’s words against him
There is a passage in Pavel’s Relax into Stretch book saying that American’s don’t think you can be too flexible. Pavel then says that you really only need a small reserve of flexibility above the demands of your sport. Yet on the strength side, Pavel himself seems to think that you should try to be…
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Steve Maxwell’s Thanksgiving Gift
Those who have read this site for a while (thanks, by the way!) know that I’ve taken a lot of training from Steve Maxwell and have been heavily influenced by him. Hey—take a look around. How many people do you see in their 60s who are in as good of shape as Steve Maxwell? Not…
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Walking, fresh air, and some random tech stuff
Temp is 27 but it feels like 18. We’re talking Fahrenheit here. Cold and windy – and the first cold of the season. Just went for a brisk walk, realizing quickly I was underdressed. It was a super intense walk—I had to move quickly. Jack Jalanne said to walk like really you mean it. Throw…
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The cult of the kettlebell
I’d say I owe a lot to the writings of Pavel Tsatsouline. I got in early—2003. Took the RKC, once as a student, another time as an assistant instructor for Steve Maxwell’s group. It was pretty great, although there were definitely some cult-like aspects to it. The kettlebell is the shit, we’re learning so much,…
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Super strength (strength along the spine) and key exercises
Summer class is hard fucking work. I’ve been in school awhile now. Part of me wants my life back. I’m able to see the impact it is making. I just want to get done. So I need to look at how my completion schedule looks. Do I need to take 6 credits in the fall?…
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A switch in the training program after reading Calvert’s Super Strength
I subscribe to John Wood’s excellent newsletter. Lots of good info there. When he was promoting Calvert’s Super Strength book, he said that Calvert listed in order the most important parts of the body to develop. Sucked me right in. What I’m interested in is most effectively training the body to be as strong and…
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Quality reps
I’ve been reading Calvert’s Super Strength and it really has me thinking about quality reps. It started with his description of the pull over. Don’t count reps—don’t focus on anything but the movement. Also he says a few things about exercising versus training. The pullover with 30 pounds in exercising. Attempting a pullover with something…