Magazine covers for June

This first one is one of 4 possibles (I chose this one) for the next issue of Flex (thanks to IB of MT):

Moments

Did you miss it? Have you had one? is there ever a time in your training when you are prepared to bust a gut, bleed and lose skin to make the lift. I'm not talking after when you noticed it had happened but a conscious thought on your part along the lines of 'damned if I do so screw it - if it happens!' then you pull or push anyway.

If the answer is no then your not getting all that you might get from yourself.

We've seen it happen to others. The athlete, obviously in pain, maybe bleeding, but carrying on. They don't have to be the winner but the winner turns, sees them ready to die to make it and starts leading the applause for what even he sees as something special. A well known middle distance runner (Colin Jackson I think) appeared in an ad for a soft drink for years where his dad ran on to the track and helped him make the finish line after he pulled a hamstring 100metres out. Obviously that immediately disqualified him but the crowd as one rises to their feet and cheers him the last few meters.

Any athlete worthy of the title MUST have moments like these. I've told the story of pulling 200-kilos in the one hand deadlift with a hook grip and everything fazing out and my only focus was the refs down signal. After both my big toes, having lifted in socks, turned black for months. If the strongest man you know (maybe it's you) has never had this feeling then he has something more he could have given.

Reality bites as NO ONE has these often. But of you apply much of the advice given in the other articles on this site, especially the peaking and cycling ones, then when and if it is needed you can hope to have a few of these a year.

Enjoy them. They're special.

me want!!

Nowt to do with training but what a treat!

Loz joins the elite

If you're on facebook check Loz's page for a video of his 400kg deadlift. It's a small select club.

Dunkster shows true dedication

Some photos from Leg 4 W.O.G super series...

Thanks to 'G' for putting these up on my personal site - click

Zuluglove wrist wraps... updated review

Well I went to the other gym I use this morning and gave the wraps a road test. Part of that included allowing some of the other members to try either one or both wraps on. Without fail ALL stated this are 'full on/brutal/hardcore' (select one of choice). In other words proper, proper, pro level wrist wraps. They are now my new favourites.

Zuluglove wrist wraps... initial review

Well yesterday they said 'there's a sample of the latest wraps in the post' and today they're here. Nice speedy service.

I put one on and compared it to my current favourites, the Titan 'greens' I won as part of the prize package back in 09 at the Chad Woodall event. The Titan's are stiff and very supportive and, if worn for more than a set, uncomfortable so how much more hardcore could a Zuluglove set be?

The answer is VERY! Zulu have said of their products before that they are to be worn ONLY during competition/record breaking/PB attempts. The Zulu 'Defcon' branded wraps are definitely in the 'wear for VERY short periods' class. They are positively brutal.

Now normally such a comment would be seen as a negative but those of you who, like myself on the odd occasion, push the limits of what they can lift to the extreme world record level will know that that actually makes these wraps the new 'Mutts Nutt's. Sure you wont wanna wear them for much more than 2-3 minutes at a time but you'll know that they will offer more support than any brand wrist wraps you care to mention to date.

Recommended (but for PB's only!!)

Zuluglove new range

My old muckers at Zuluglove are back with a new range of kit. Check them out at www.zuluglove.com. Apparently I've a sample of their new wrist wraps to look forward to (3 feet long). I'll be reviewing those here within days.

Me no like 2nd place

Yep, another 'not first place'. Yesterday in what was the 4th and final leg of the W.O.G. Super Series I came 2nd and 2nd overall in the series. But I don't like 2nd. I much prefer first and so will be motivated to, as the saying goes, 'bring game' for the next events or three.

And while I am at it...

Ironman's next cover

Next Muscular Development cover June 2010

Thanks to IB (of MT) here's June's (mind you I had May's arrive last week and we're still in April but...).

Silly headlines 1

Much as I love my bodybuilding magazines they do publish some crackers. Take this month's issue of Body Fitness; according to their headline you can now 'grow while you sleep, yes now it is possible!'.

Wow! You mean to say it wasn't possible before and, as science may have told us before, most growth and repair takes place while we're asleep. Not exactly headline grabber of the century then. I'm sure I'll have a few more 'exclusives' in time.

Motivation - know theyself

From one of my forums an article 'wot I wrote'.

Motivation

Supplement 'brands'... learn to read the label!

I'm not gonna spend two many lines explaining what's what on labels... least ways not today. But if you possess some common sense you'll know what is what and be able to see the value of what's been included and whether or not it is of greater value than another product.

Inspired by a similar thread on a well-known forum I replied that more often than not the greater costs was not down to better or more potent additives but due to said brand names great running costs. These can include more staff, more marketing revenue required and so on.

Learn to read what is included and make your decision not, as many do, on 'me likee label' or 'me likee choc flavour' but on what it'll do. It's only better if you get better, by whatever value that means to you (bigger, stronger, leaner and so on). Higher cost does not always equate to high values.