Wednesday, 14 April 2010
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.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
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!!)
Monday, 12 April 2010
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.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
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.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
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...).
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
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.
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.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Loving the mis-load
I've had this happen a few times when I've trained. I remember taking my youngest brother Mike to a gym in Peckham (owned at the time by Gladiator 'Wolf'/Mick Van Wyck) and benching with dumbbells. I was capable of using, so I thought, 90's per hand. However, having managed to push up a rep Mike pointed out one was a 90 but the other... 105! I very nearly dropped it on my face in surprise.
Today, on what is my 2nd only session on one hand deadlifts with the thumb over style in many a year (2+) I thought I was pulling, one hand at a time, 130-kilos left and then 140-kilos right but one of the lads pointed out (always someone else ha!) I was pulling 160-kilos right which meant the left had been 140-kilos. I'm pretty sure my best previously was around those numbers.
In other words, as well as having a great session (rather than drop down I did 4 singles with the loaded weight) I also had proof of the adage - if your mind doesn't know what's loaded it'll pull whatever. Obviously if it had been loads more - not a chance. But a little more?
The only other aspects which MAY have helped was:
1) that the bar is very slightly, and I mean slightly, cambered.
2) I'd had 2 cups of coffee about 1 hour apart
3) I trained later than usual and
4) I was showing one of the lads some 'geeing up' techniques
Don't let your mind be the limiting factor when you lift.
Today, on what is my 2nd only session on one hand deadlifts with the thumb over style in many a year (2+) I thought I was pulling, one hand at a time, 130-kilos left and then 140-kilos right but one of the lads pointed out (always someone else ha!) I was pulling 160-kilos right which meant the left had been 140-kilos. I'm pretty sure my best previously was around those numbers.
In other words, as well as having a great session (rather than drop down I did 4 singles with the loaded weight) I also had proof of the adage - if your mind doesn't know what's loaded it'll pull whatever. Obviously if it had been loads more - not a chance. But a little more?
The only other aspects which MAY have helped was:
1) that the bar is very slightly, and I mean slightly, cambered.
2) I'd had 2 cups of coffee about 1 hour apart
3) I trained later than usual and
4) I was showing one of the lads some 'geeing up' techniques
Don't let your mind be the limiting factor when you lift.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Ronny Rockel
Thanks to IB on MT for a great find. Here's one of many photos of Ronnie taken 10 days after the Arnold (click on image to see full size photo):
Monday, 22 March 2010
Sunday, 21 March 2010
the worst website for advice I've ever seen
And to make it double - they're serious: http://www.creatine-monohydrate.org has so much mis-information it makes your eyes water.
Among side effects, according to them, is penis shrinkage... why and how is not explained. Another is that creatine 'takes water from the muscle cell' when in fact its action is to pull water in. Another comment was that the body uses amino acids for energy... remind me what carbs and fats are for then!!
They also contradict themselves left, right and centre.
Avoid like the plague.
Among side effects, according to them, is penis shrinkage... why and how is not explained. Another is that creatine 'takes water from the muscle cell' when in fact its action is to pull water in. Another comment was that the body uses amino acids for energy... remind me what carbs and fats are for then!!
They also contradict themselves left, right and centre.
Avoid like the plague.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Well that's embaressing
The latest issue of the UK edition of Flex has Jay Cutler on the cover and a 'a how he came back to tip top condition' article inside. Unfortunately he has been signed, as of last month, with Muscular Development. Can I say 'foot in mouth'? LOL
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Lee Priest getting back in shape
Originally set to compete in Australia last weekend he's now looking to do the Atlantic Pro later this year. But here's a sneak preview of his return to form from Oz.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Mindset of a champion
I've written loads on this but one aspect is we don't see limits the way some do. I've a few buddies in this grip stuff we do that are, at least by what they say, limited to 90-kilos/200lbs or under and, in their words 'not able to get past it'.
There in lies the rub. I can and do write out plans for increases in my 1 rep max (1RM) usually looking to hit an on-platform PB of 105% (5% more than my old PB). While right now I am using a longer type of program due to the frequency of competitions of about 1 per month I'd usually aim for a big number once a year (around the British).
Whether I'm doing 4, 6 or 8 singles and the more I do the higher the 1RM there's a small but obvious rise in what is added to the bar so that close to the competition, say a few weeks out, I'm doing multiple singles with what last years 1RM/PB.
You can see from that I am not limiting myself to some predetermined number, as in the above example 200lbs, but am constantly looking forward. If there is an upper limit among the elite grip guys at the moment it's 120-kilos or 264lbs. Like 500lbs overhead back in the 70's it MAY be our imagined limit... although I'm hearing hints of in gym numbers a little above. I also know, like the 500, that once it's done our aim will become higher. Equally those struggling with 200 should set out a plan for 205/210 and then I'd hazard a guess once it's done they'll add even more because 200 will soon become but a memory.
There are other aspects to the elite athletes make up which makes them so and I'll touch on one more today. Hunger.
Not the 'feed me now' kind but that which makes them want more, more, more when it comes to weights. At a certain level ALL sportsmen and women push their bodies to places they aren't normally seen to go. So the prevalence and likelihood of injuries rises. Be it a wrenched back or, for grip guys, hand strain, tendons aching or, more usually, torn skin. The elite knows this will happen and is, if not exactly happy when it does, willing to accept the toll. Others are not. They stay at under 200lbs.
Read into this what you will.
There in lies the rub. I can and do write out plans for increases in my 1 rep max (1RM) usually looking to hit an on-platform PB of 105% (5% more than my old PB). While right now I am using a longer type of program due to the frequency of competitions of about 1 per month I'd usually aim for a big number once a year (around the British).
Whether I'm doing 4, 6 or 8 singles and the more I do the higher the 1RM there's a small but obvious rise in what is added to the bar so that close to the competition, say a few weeks out, I'm doing multiple singles with what last years 1RM/PB.
You can see from that I am not limiting myself to some predetermined number, as in the above example 200lbs, but am constantly looking forward. If there is an upper limit among the elite grip guys at the moment it's 120-kilos or 264lbs. Like 500lbs overhead back in the 70's it MAY be our imagined limit... although I'm hearing hints of in gym numbers a little above. I also know, like the 500, that once it's done our aim will become higher. Equally those struggling with 200 should set out a plan for 205/210 and then I'd hazard a guess once it's done they'll add even more because 200 will soon become but a memory.
There are other aspects to the elite athletes make up which makes them so and I'll touch on one more today. Hunger.
Not the 'feed me now' kind but that which makes them want more, more, more when it comes to weights. At a certain level ALL sportsmen and women push their bodies to places they aren't normally seen to go. So the prevalence and likelihood of injuries rises. Be it a wrenched back or, for grip guys, hand strain, tendons aching or, more usually, torn skin. The elite knows this will happen and is, if not exactly happy when it does, willing to accept the toll. Others are not. They stay at under 200lbs.
Read into this what you will.
Friday, 12 March 2010
Mighty Mitts gallery up
The last few photos etc are still to be added and I'll (finally) get the write up done tomorrow (I've been catching up between rest all week. Go HERE Check the videos too.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
April 2010 magazines
Quick mention for the last/latest issue of Body Fitness as it had a at least 6, if not 8, page forearm training article for da grip boyz. Buy it. Also coming soon are...
Argghh!!
Bloody email. It's a royal pain in the ass sending large data via my PC as I'm trying to send a package of photos over. As and when I do there will be a gallery of the Arnold stuff for you to look at on my personal site.
If there's another 'arrggghh' in the works it's based on the 'paint not yet dry' breakdown of the only just taken place MM event. Mere days have passed and I'd guess some of us (me etc) have yet to fully recover and already it's being picked over. Yet, again as per my own nagging, where's the structure needed in the US? Let's not over analyze an event before we have in place the association needed.
If there's another 'arrggghh' in the works it's based on the 'paint not yet dry' breakdown of the only just taken place MM event. Mere days have passed and I'd guess some of us (me etc) have yet to fully recover and already it's being picked over. Yet, again as per my own nagging, where's the structure needed in the US? Let's not over analyze an event before we have in place the association needed.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Still recovering...
I'm not even to the end of page one of my Arnold write up and I caught myself having to NOT calculate just how long I was awake from Tuesday am through to Wednesday pm as a result of my hospital visit. Man... it was a LONG TIME!! I'm just about caught up on most of the rest, hence this post, and I'll get it done real soon. The photos have been loaded on picasa so it'll be show time any day now.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Last MM session today
Sunday
Tip of the day. Do not show boat on the last successful attempt and throw down a 200-kilo bar with what was meant to be contempt. Because it'll bite you on the arse by clipping you on the right knee as it goes past. It hurt (and still does) like a BITCH!! Fortunately not in a way that will prevent me competing, just in a 'oh that's gonna bruise nicely' and 'how much skin did I just peel off?' kind of way. Good grief.
@ GN
Double over hand thick bar deadlifts
Bar (35kg) x 12 reps - easy
75-kilos x 3 reps - easy
105-kilos x 1 rep - easyish
135-kilos x 1 rep. All the above done with support belt only
165-kilos x 1 rep. Lever belt as well from this point forward.
185-kilos x 1 rep.
200-kilos x 3 x 1 reps - see note above re whacking the hell out of my knee. I was giving the large one going 'all fucking day' etc only to give my right tear drop / quad muscle an almighty wallop as the bar went past on the throw down. Guess who's a dick. Regardless this is my best ever session pre-competition.
Oh if you've not yet checked it out check my new site Steve Gardener
Tip of the day. Do not show boat on the last successful attempt and throw down a 200-kilo bar with what was meant to be contempt. Because it'll bite you on the arse by clipping you on the right knee as it goes past. It hurt (and still does) like a BITCH!! Fortunately not in a way that will prevent me competing, just in a 'oh that's gonna bruise nicely' and 'how much skin did I just peel off?' kind of way. Good grief.
@ GN
Double over hand thick bar deadlifts
Bar (35kg) x 12 reps - easy
75-kilos x 3 reps - easy
105-kilos x 1 rep - easyish
135-kilos x 1 rep. All the above done with support belt only
165-kilos x 1 rep. Lever belt as well from this point forward.
185-kilos x 1 rep.
200-kilos x 3 x 1 reps - see note above re whacking the hell out of my knee. I was giving the large one going 'all fucking day' etc only to give my right tear drop / quad muscle an almighty wallop as the bar went past on the throw down. Guess who's a dick. Regardless this is my best ever session pre-competition.
Oh if you've not yet checked it out check my new site Steve Gardener
Saturday, 20 February 2010
W.O.G/BHSA Super Series Leg 2
Did ok. Tied for 1st with Loz here and 2nd overall by virtue of David Horne having a better days 2 hand pinching than Loz and I. We had success with 109.99kg and him 112 or so. All three of us attempted more than the current world record so that's a good sign. Loz beat me on the weaver (strapless is BRUTAL) and I pulled the most across both camps on the Rolling Thunder (I think I've only lost once in competition on that) with 107.9-kilos or around 240lbs'ish.
I've also just seen on facebook a guy who works for the company which makes equipment for the WSM (or at least the last one). I'll load some photos as and when he adds me as a buddy. Loving their axles and dumbbells.
I've also just seen on facebook a guy who works for the company which makes equipment for the WSM (or at least the last one). I'll load some photos as and when he adds me as a buddy. Loving their axles and dumbbells.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Inch walking and snow
Don't mix so tomorrow it is then LOL. It (the weather) has decided to snow, snow, snow (it's been going for a few hours now) so I've changed today into a rest day as opposed to my intended Friday chilling time.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Millennium Press
Dan Harrison, with Odd Haugen witness. Not too sure about the weight (mines 231lbs and he says that ones 229lbs) nor the 'First Deadlift' (one hand deadlifts only have to be above the knee and I did that years ago) but overhead is overhead.
Video
Quick aside: as I type this Robbie is singing 'Millennium' on Radio One!!
Video
Quick aside: as I type this Robbie is singing 'Millennium' on Radio One!!
Sunday, 14 February 2010
More Mighty Mitts training and associated stuff
In Wade Gillingham's Blog we have his Inch Farmers walk training and in 'associated stuff' we have Mark Felix mentioning training the axle today (please not mad heavy ha ha) but also a video link to his attempts at the Millennium (last months FitExpo in LA)... phew! Very low to the ground. The Mark Henry Bell come to papa!!
Wade
Mark
Wade
Mark
Friday, 12 February 2010
Pheonix Pro
Two of the competitors have let photos of them out for us to wow over. First up is a small but shredded Ahmed Ahmed and then super tall and vascular Toney Freeman.
Axle deadlifts.... my oh my
They don't get any easier but regardless I am in new territory as of today. Even though I am spending more time sitting in the hole getting my head right than will be allowed on stage I still managed 3 x 1 reps (all as ugly as hell) with 190-kilos/418lbs today. There's just enough time to get to the multiple reps with 200kg plus I think I'll need come the day.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Russian Grip events too
Yep. I'm not too sure about going shirtless (moobs ahoy!!) but here is Babelfishes translation:
Maxim Of [baruzdin], which is been the possessor of the title of the strongest athlete of the northern capital, signs participation in the tournament to the force of gallant. “In such competitions of participation yet it did not assume and greatly he would want to try his forces, and I am very glad, what is allowed this possibility” - it described max.
The championship, as information sponsor of which appears the journal “iron peace”, takes place on February 17, 2010. Competition to Maxim will compose champions of other power forms of sport. In particular their participation confirmed the conqueror of the World Cup of [armrestlingu] [Dzambolat] Of [tsoriev] and champion of peace to [popauerliftingu] among the veterans Alexander [Koblov].
“This tournament gives the unique possibility to bring together on one competing platform of the representatives of different power forms of sport - Vasiliy Kuznetsov spoke about the forthcoming battles, the director of periodical “iron peace”, completely to possible the competing platform will leave someone [topovykh] St. Petersburg [bodibilderov] - Sergey Sebald or Artem Ivanov. But those champions, who will arrive as the spectators, I am confident, let in the unofficial test, but nevertheless try their forces!”
Athletes will be able to verify the arms force of their in two exercises on raising of burdening; moreover projectiles are designed so that to maximally complicate this task.
Rolling Of thunder - thrust by one hand with the use of the revolving knob by a diameter of 60 mm. due to the rotation knob transfers basic load on the fingers of athlete.
Euro Of pinch - thrust by two hands of pancake with the burdening, the thickness of pancake 52 mm, necessary to raise burdening to a height 42 cm. pancake is retained only by fingers, pizzicato gallant.
Competitions will pass in the beer restaurant “beer 0,5” with the address: Novocherkassk [pr].33. Conqueror and the prize-winners of tournament wait prizes from the restaurant “beer
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Mighty Mitts post 307
Ok, 306 LOL (might be less he he). I see, having had a 'butchers' (hook = look) that Wade is umming and ahhing in his blog as much as I do in my training logs. Makes me feel better. No matter what level you are it's as much about analyzing your performance as anything.
I also see Mark Felix has posted a YT video of his Inch Farmers walk training.
Is it on? Oh yes IT'S ON!!
The more of this I see the more heat I feel.
Physio tomorrow and assuming she says nothing (or I don't tell her) I think I'm doing Inch walk work myself followed by heavy ass dumbbell deadlifts.
I also see Mark Felix has posted a YT video of his Inch Farmers walk training.
Is it on? Oh yes IT'S ON!!
The more of this I see the more heat I feel.
Physio tomorrow and assuming she says nothing (or I don't tell her) I think I'm doing Inch walk work myself followed by heavy ass dumbbell deadlifts.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Mighty Mitts... some big names with us.
I'm not much of a fan boy. I rarely if ever ask for autographs, get photos taken with people and so on.... but there are going to be some GREAT names on stage with us. I've just had another update (via Jan Todd this time) and we've also got Dennis Rogers reffing and doing a bit of what he does on stage too.
Given that we've Kaz, Sven, Vasily Alexeev and more... all on stage while we do our thing. Words fail me.
I'm about to do some Anvil stuff and the only black cloud today is it's now to the side and not straddle.
Given that we've Kaz, Sven, Vasily Alexeev and more... all on stage while we do our thing. Words fail me.
I'm about to do some Anvil stuff and the only black cloud today is it's now to the side and not straddle.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Double overhand 'axle' deadlifts
Good session and on target for the repped 200-kilos or more I want before I go.
185-kilos x 3 x 1 plus 1 rep higher off floor (same height as the bar we will use). I felt good for more.
185-kilos x 3 x 1 plus 1 rep higher off floor (same height as the bar we will use). I felt good for more.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Another step closer.... to Mighty Mitts
Today is a rest day. Tempted as though I was to make the journey to the gym to train I am biting the bullet and resting up. Yesterday the sense of urgency meant I did a morning session (Inch farmers walk work and thick handled dumbbell deadlifts) and an evening one (2 hand pinching).
The days rest will mean that tomorrow I'm that little bit hungrier to get in and get it done. I'm hoping to see air under 185-kilos/407lbs for a few singles (the plan is 3-4). In my head I MUST be pulling multiple singles with 200-kilos before I travel out to the US. With my first NHS physio session next week (and hoping to get at least one more before I go) I'll have started rehab work on my crooked back.
I see that today the post I was not too happy about and on which even the site admin was involved over on the GB has been removed. As is the way there, nothing is said. It was, as I said at the time, a knock to the ONLY promotion any of the grip guys has sorted. Yeah that's right - a metaphorical shot in the foot to a chance to 'big up' what we claim to love. Maybe sense was seen.
The days rest will mean that tomorrow I'm that little bit hungrier to get in and get it done. I'm hoping to see air under 185-kilos/407lbs for a few singles (the plan is 3-4). In my head I MUST be pulling multiple singles with 200-kilos before I travel out to the US. With my first NHS physio session next week (and hoping to get at least one more before I go) I'll have started rehab work on my crooked back.
I see that today the post I was not too happy about and on which even the site admin was involved over on the GB has been removed. As is the way there, nothing is said. It was, as I said at the time, a knock to the ONLY promotion any of the grip guys has sorted. Yeah that's right - a metaphorical shot in the foot to a chance to 'big up' what we claim to love. Maybe sense was seen.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Monday, 1 February 2010
RX Bro's Vs. Pro's
From this weekend: they did a 'who can rep the most with 315?' event. Video I enjoyed it, maybe you will too.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
The barbell at Mighty Mitts
I suspect that had I won the lottery and was filling my gym to the ceiling with every training tool known to mankind I'd be well up for something like this. Richard Sorin's tone when describing where it's at speaks of time and money spent well and long.
But as I type away at this keyboard I have only to think 'can I do a rep with 500lbs come the time?'. Nothing more. I am sure, in time, I may well feel honoured and so on to have been among the few and the first but right now - it's just a weight I need to pull off the floor.
But as I type away at this keyboard I have only to think 'can I do a rep with 500lbs come the time?'. Nothing more. I am sure, in time, I may well feel honoured and so on to have been among the few and the first but right now - it's just a weight I need to pull off the floor.
Chris James - 500lb doubleover hand axle
Chris, as is his way, does an out of competition but still world class 500lbs double over hand thick bar deadlift: YouTube Video
Pity it is, as I say, out of competition... or not at the Mighty Mitts... etc LOL
Still it proves it can and will be done more. Yesterday I was about 99% back to my best session and I've a few more to go with 3 x 1 with 180-kilos (396lbs). Come to papa!!
Pity it is, as I say, out of competition... or not at the Mighty Mitts... etc LOL
Still it proves it can and will be done more. Yesterday I was about 99% back to my best session and I've a few more to go with 3 x 1 with 180-kilos (396lbs). Come to papa!!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Getting ready for Mighty Mitts
So it looks like no help will be forthcoming (other than the opportunity to be up on stage etc etc naturally) from the other side. So I booked my flight Friday and I have a very nice GB buddy sorting my accommodation/ride to and from/catering (what a nice man!!).
A bigger issue, probably bigger for me because I have higher costs coming the furthest, is seeing what I can do to try and earn some of the cash I'll have laid out back. With 10 guys lifting and only 4 cash prizes (there's no 2nd, 3rd etc and at best we get to split the 1st place $1000) there will be at least 6 guys, possibly less, out of pocket.
So the obvious thing to do is try and get support or sponsorship. MHP are sponsoring the event (ie: putting up the cash prizes) so obviously we wear MHP shirts on stage. If I win a single event I am just about up over what it'll cost me. probably by around $100.00 or about £60.00 but I am looking to see if I can either win some goodies on other challenges some of the companies there have or work with another company (promoting them, running a challenge) much as I am to be at the Bodypower event @ the NEC in May.
The first to show interest, at least from a promoting the grip world (an aim of all the grip guys including myself) is Dave Palumbo of RX Muscle / Species Nutrition. RX, of which I am member, is a 100,000+ members forum. With some great videos, online radio shows and more even an edited down to a few minutes video will be seen by 10's of thousands of potential new grip freaks. Plus, who knows, some might wanna buy a Gripper e-book.... sweet :D
I also had a call from Chris (www.iharts.com) yesterday regarding the how and why of the 2 shows (1 on the 22nd May and one the day after) on the main power stage. It's all moving along.
So why, or is it just me, do I feel a little 'off' today? Hmm...
A bigger issue, probably bigger for me because I have higher costs coming the furthest, is seeing what I can do to try and earn some of the cash I'll have laid out back. With 10 guys lifting and only 4 cash prizes (there's no 2nd, 3rd etc and at best we get to split the 1st place $1000) there will be at least 6 guys, possibly less, out of pocket.
So the obvious thing to do is try and get support or sponsorship. MHP are sponsoring the event (ie: putting up the cash prizes) so obviously we wear MHP shirts on stage. If I win a single event I am just about up over what it'll cost me. probably by around $100.00 or about £60.00 but I am looking to see if I can either win some goodies on other challenges some of the companies there have or work with another company (promoting them, running a challenge) much as I am to be at the Bodypower event @ the NEC in May.
The first to show interest, at least from a promoting the grip world (an aim of all the grip guys including myself) is Dave Palumbo of RX Muscle / Species Nutrition. RX, of which I am member, is a 100,000+ members forum. With some great videos, online radio shows and more even an edited down to a few minutes video will be seen by 10's of thousands of potential new grip freaks. Plus, who knows, some might wanna buy a Gripper e-book.... sweet :D
I also had a call from Chris (www.iharts.com) yesterday regarding the how and why of the 2 shows (1 on the 22nd May and one the day after) on the main power stage. It's all moving along.
So why, or is it just me, do I feel a little 'off' today? Hmm...
Sunday, 24 January 2010
New website
One of the nice kind people here in Gloucester sent me a mail to tell me (and I quote) 'I'm in a good mood so I'm making you a website'. Stuff is still being loaded and I've literally only just sent over the admin info for the domain name so give it a day or two to look ship shape etc.
But here's the domain to bookmark ready: www.stevegardener.com
Baring in mind I've not actually seen it, but provided some of the content, and know the guy that's doing it... it'll be full on LOL
The idea is to big up the grip freak side of me, while touching on other stuff I do, so while there's a focus on me as an athlete there'll be other stuff on it too.
But here's the domain to bookmark ready: www.stevegardener.com
Baring in mind I've not actually seen it, but provided some of the content, and know the guy that's doing it... it'll be full on LOL
The idea is to big up the grip freak side of me, while touching on other stuff I do, so while there's a focus on me as an athlete there'll be other stuff on it too.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Bodypower 2010 @ NEC
2010 is turning into something else. I recently had a chat with a son of a mate who's looking to become the UK distributor for a US clothing line (Chris Hart, son of guru Mick and th company is Ironville). Anyway there's a big fitness expo here called 'Bodypower 2010' at the NEC Birmingham, England (google it). Could I do my nail bending etc on their stand? Sure, says I, I'll need transport, a bed and board etc (not always about money and I know I'll have fun so...).
He talks to the expo organziers, they like the sound of it, now it seems as though I may be on the main stage in front of 1000's! Better yet I know the main man, gives him a call... you know how this works by now don't ya. That I'd said no before when they were keen means they liked me before so this time, having changed the date of the British Grip to earlier in the month I'm up for it.
Another chance to promote grip (with the added bonus of the boss man suggesting space for my company banner). It's gotta be good.
And there was me talking about making 2010 my last competitive year
Dates: 22nd and 23rd May.
He talks to the expo organziers, they like the sound of it, now it seems as though I may be on the main stage in front of 1000's! Better yet I know the main man, gives him a call... you know how this works by now don't ya. That I'd said no before when they were keen means they liked me before so this time, having changed the date of the British Grip to earlier in the month I'm up for it.
Another chance to promote grip (with the added bonus of the boss man suggesting space for my company banner). It's gotta be good.
And there was me talking about making 2010 my last competitive year
Dates: 22nd and 23rd May.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Training for the Arnold
As I have said elsewhere training for such an event adds a certain dash of something extra to ons work in the gym. I pinned a poster to the wall which states 'you're going to the Arnold, bring your a-game!' to remind me to take things up a notch.
I am sure my contemporaries will being having the same sense or urgency. Key is, of course, not to over do it, but to use these feelings to get that extra rep, add another few lbs to the bar and so on. In my case and by way of example my best/PB on the double overhand thick bar deadlift is what I did at Chad's event - 441lbs. The official record is a little over 20lbs more. I know that Andrew Durnait has had air under 500+ but not in competition. Now Andrew and the rest of those chosen inc me have all pulled around 500lbs if not more in the usual style and with a normal bar so with work we can do the same again... but raising my effort from 441 to 500... it's another ball game.
Of course having a crowd of 8000 cheering you on, considering this THE opportunity of a life time AND maybe winning a $1000... I'm guessing I'll pull a good deal more than 441lbs come the time. As it's a fixed weight... get in I will do my damnedest in the gym to get at the very least a rep. That does mean that we all could have done this before as I think I wont be the only one.
Time will tell.
Pressure to perform? Oh yeah. Bring it on. I do my best under pressure. BRING IT!
I am sure my contemporaries will being having the same sense or urgency. Key is, of course, not to over do it, but to use these feelings to get that extra rep, add another few lbs to the bar and so on. In my case and by way of example my best/PB on the double overhand thick bar deadlift is what I did at Chad's event - 441lbs. The official record is a little over 20lbs more. I know that Andrew Durnait has had air under 500+ but not in competition. Now Andrew and the rest of those chosen inc me have all pulled around 500lbs if not more in the usual style and with a normal bar so with work we can do the same again... but raising my effort from 441 to 500... it's another ball game.
Of course having a crowd of 8000 cheering you on, considering this THE opportunity of a life time AND maybe winning a $1000... I'm guessing I'll pull a good deal more than 441lbs come the time. As it's a fixed weight... get in I will do my damnedest in the gym to get at the very least a rep. That does mean that we all could have done this before as I think I wont be the only one.
Time will tell.
Pressure to perform? Oh yeah. Bring it on. I do my best under pressure. BRING IT!
Friday, 15 January 2010
The Mighty Mitts competitors list...
Guess who's name has been included? Oh yeah... rock and fucking roll!
The list....................2010 Arnold's Classic Mighty Mitts invitations: Chad Woodall, Ode Haugen,Andrew Durnait,Steve Gardner, Wade Gillingham,Rich Williams, Jedd Johnson, Tex Henderson, Mark Felix,and Mark Henry. Mr. Henry if competing will lift as "exhibition" and Mr Felix depending on his involvement with the Arnold's Strongman show. The Final event the potentially unliftable 300lb Henry Inch bell will be an OPEN event to the Mighty Mitts gripsters and all the Arnolds strongmen.Good luck men. Richard Sorin
The list....................2010 Arnold's Classic Mighty Mitts invitations: Chad Woodall, Ode Haugen,Andrew Durnait,Steve Gardner, Wade Gillingham,Rich Williams, Jedd Johnson, Tex Henderson, Mark Felix,and Mark Henry. Mr. Henry if competing will lift as "exhibition" and Mr Felix depending on his involvement with the Arnold's Strongman show. The Final event the potentially unliftable 300lb Henry Inch bell will be an OPEN event to the Mighty Mitts gripsters and all the Arnolds strongmen.Good luck men. Richard Sorin
Thursday, 14 January 2010
The Great Mighty Joe Rollino
For my shame I see I'm late to read up on the death of Joe Rollino. Several sites have been covering it, it's been mentioned on TV and even the NY Times gave the grand old man of strength some space. That he, at age 104+, was a character seems to be agreed. That he was one of us - is also not in dispute. I never met Joe but did meet what was probably his British counterpart prior to his death, Joe Assirati. Both were as full of vim, vigour, wind and piss (in a good way) at the age most of the rest of us (90+ for Joe A) they still seemed ready to get down and kick some ass. Indeed at the end of my visit Joe Assirati was off to watch a big league football match. I think he was 94.
Monday, 11 January 2010
They must think we're morons!
So I'm reading an 'article' (in fact more of an ad really) in a well known glossy BB magazine. It's supposed to be a Q&A/Report. This months was on their 'hardcore' version of a very well-known and best selling Creatine loading product.
Now they quote 4 references to give it the air of a well researched and sourced statement. The article, written and published in late '09, quotes from published research dated 1996, 2000, 2001 2004 . So far so ok.
Now it has to be said, so you know where I am coming from, that the 'hardcore' version of their standard product contains 10g of Creatine, per serving, sourced from Mono (great), Creatine Pyrovate (?) and Creatine Phosphate. There's a bunch of other stuff, mostly well known, much of which is said to drive or help load Creatine well. It includes 77g (per serving) of Glucose.
My issue, such as it is, is that they quote from the references as follows:
1. One study (1996) they refer to used 5g (standard dose for most) and 93g of simple carbs. They say they used this as there starting point. It's arguable that this was the same as it was before they went and called the new product 'hardcore'. The mention the glucose tolerance test (for diabetics) uses 75g. Neither 93 not 75 are 77... I'm confused. Is the 77g used so they can claim, as many do (so they aren't the only ones making such claims) that theirs is a 'unique formula'. In other words not identical to another one.
2. They themselves say that they chose 10g as 'it's double what others use'. Not that it's better, just that it's more. They confusingly further add that it's 'a mega dose of the most validated form of Creatine'. Err no. The most validated is mono. You're using 3 different forms and only one is mono and the combined total is 10g. The mentioned purity etc I take no issue with at all. That's all good.
3. In another study (2000) which used mono and mono plus carbs etc it was as claimed) 26 times more potent. Err ok... but that it was the core formula of their product which did the trick. Let me see if I get this: it was mono and glucose/dextrose which was the super duper stuff and the mono was, unless I'm mistaken, at the 5g etc level. So no other form of Creatine and that which was used was at half the dose in the product as it is now. So why add two other types and why double the dose regardless of form?
Maybe it's just me but I can't see what makes the new version better than the old one, other than the name. Nor can I see why anyone would wish to quote from 4 references none of which offer a direct comparison to what's actually being sold. That they, as they do with other products in their line (esp protein and their fat burning products) use the words 'core formula' means that what was researched and found to work has been altered or added to but is by no means better. Doubling of the dose of Creatine, using three forms, altering (if just a tad) the carb ratio and then throwing in all the bells and whistles... why? The articles don't actually back up the need.
So tell me then, how is it hardcore?
The one thing this company HAS done previously and COULD DO again to back up their formula is to sponsor independent research into whether or not it's worthwhile doing what they did. Perhaps this has happened and it showed that what was done was no better than before?
The one thing which stands out for me is this idea that having said references somehow backs up what you're saying. That's the way they are used - either to prove or disprove a theory. But here and in the article they don't help at all. Bizarre. That's what prompted the title's question. Perhaps we weren't meant to ask?
Now they quote 4 references to give it the air of a well researched and sourced statement. The article, written and published in late '09, quotes from published research dated 1996, 2000, 2001 2004 . So far so ok.
Now it has to be said, so you know where I am coming from, that the 'hardcore' version of their standard product contains 10g of Creatine, per serving, sourced from Mono (great), Creatine Pyrovate (?) and Creatine Phosphate. There's a bunch of other stuff, mostly well known, much of which is said to drive or help load Creatine well. It includes 77g (per serving) of Glucose.
My issue, such as it is, is that they quote from the references as follows:
1. One study (1996) they refer to used 5g (standard dose for most) and 93g of simple carbs. They say they used this as there starting point. It's arguable that this was the same as it was before they went and called the new product 'hardcore'. The mention the glucose tolerance test (for diabetics) uses 75g. Neither 93 not 75 are 77... I'm confused. Is the 77g used so they can claim, as many do (so they aren't the only ones making such claims) that theirs is a 'unique formula'. In other words not identical to another one.
2. They themselves say that they chose 10g as 'it's double what others use'. Not that it's better, just that it's more. They confusingly further add that it's 'a mega dose of the most validated form of Creatine'. Err no. The most validated is mono. You're using 3 different forms and only one is mono and the combined total is 10g. The mentioned purity etc I take no issue with at all. That's all good.
3. In another study (2000) which used mono and mono plus carbs etc it was as claimed) 26 times more potent. Err ok... but that it was the core formula of their product which did the trick. Let me see if I get this: it was mono and glucose/dextrose which was the super duper stuff and the mono was, unless I'm mistaken, at the 5g etc level. So no other form of Creatine and that which was used was at half the dose in the product as it is now. So why add two other types and why double the dose regardless of form?
Maybe it's just me but I can't see what makes the new version better than the old one, other than the name. Nor can I see why anyone would wish to quote from 4 references none of which offer a direct comparison to what's actually being sold. That they, as they do with other products in their line (esp protein and their fat burning products) use the words 'core formula' means that what was researched and found to work has been altered or added to but is by no means better. Doubling of the dose of Creatine, using three forms, altering (if just a tad) the carb ratio and then throwing in all the bells and whistles... why? The articles don't actually back up the need.
So tell me then, how is it hardcore?
The one thing this company HAS done previously and COULD DO again to back up their formula is to sponsor independent research into whether or not it's worthwhile doing what they did. Perhaps this has happened and it showed that what was done was no better than before?
The one thing which stands out for me is this idea that having said references somehow backs up what you're saying. That's the way they are used - either to prove or disprove a theory. But here and in the article they don't help at all. Bizarre. That's what prompted the title's question. Perhaps we weren't meant to ask?
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Friday, 8 January 2010
Another scarey Khan pic
You know it's to put the cat among the pigeons in the US but there's no denying it'll do the job:
Thursday, 7 January 2010
'Haters'
In the modern parlance and for my purposes a 'hater' is someone who post what amounts to disrespectful comments on websites. So, as I just saw, a photo of an ahead of his time Arnold becomes 'so-so legs'. Equally, as per a post and later an article by Lee Priest when you're told of the latest pro being videoed and that said video will shortly be available for you to enjoy instead of thanking said site and the pro (training hard, dieting hard and not really wanting to be distracted) for said video instead, as per Lee's comment, you get 'where the fuck is it then?' and worse.
I even found myself having to ask on a well-known grip site for the over eager members, metaphorically speaking out loud (wondering who will be chosen and why for the MM event) to 'please not shoot us in the foot and killing off of those who might be chosen chances before it's actually been decided.
On one level it's annoying because the 'expert' making said snide comments isn't even worthy of the Brit title 'Back Room Lawyer' (would be expert who actually knows nowt but sounds good). No, 9/10 it's someone who at best holds an opinion but when pressed shows little or no knowledge. I've even had some experience of being told that I am 'not doing it right' when I'm the record holder on the event in question and in another case I was the one making up the rule to be followed. Less of an issue is some poor sod using every known exercise technique ever invented and then getting nowhere and me doing far, far less and kicking ass.
One point, in light of the above, is genetic freaks (I may qualify... I may not) being told 'you're not doing it right' yet who blatantly are far, far better than those making the comment. This often happens with said monster pro being questioned about 'no full range reps'.
There's examples of this all the time. It's annoying - give it a rest. At worst the constant negativity wears both parties down and can also end up damaging said sport. That works thus: member of a news program, paper etc, signs up to get a sound-bite or view of the sport and finds nothing but sniping, back biting and worse and goes away and writes to the world of how shit we are. Sometimes the world doesn't actually need your input. Think on.
I even found myself having to ask on a well-known grip site for the over eager members, metaphorically speaking out loud (wondering who will be chosen and why for the MM event) to 'please not shoot us in the foot and killing off of those who might be chosen chances before it's actually been decided.
On one level it's annoying because the 'expert' making said snide comments isn't even worthy of the Brit title 'Back Room Lawyer' (would be expert who actually knows nowt but sounds good). No, 9/10 it's someone who at best holds an opinion but when pressed shows little or no knowledge. I've even had some experience of being told that I am 'not doing it right' when I'm the record holder on the event in question and in another case I was the one making up the rule to be followed. Less of an issue is some poor sod using every known exercise technique ever invented and then getting nowhere and me doing far, far less and kicking ass.
One point, in light of the above, is genetic freaks (I may qualify... I may not) being told 'you're not doing it right' yet who blatantly are far, far better than those making the comment. This often happens with said monster pro being questioned about 'no full range reps'.
There's examples of this all the time. It's annoying - give it a rest. At worst the constant negativity wears both parties down and can also end up damaging said sport. That works thus: member of a news program, paper etc, signs up to get a sound-bite or view of the sport and finds nothing but sniping, back biting and worse and goes away and writes to the world of how shit we are. Sometimes the world doesn't actually need your input. Think on.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
BHSA and 2010 pt2
World of Grip Strongest Hands Series (Under aegis of BHSA)
The BHSA are going to run this innovative series of events early in the year, away from the major comps, as a tune up for all the British competitors. We hope to also include one of these at a particular arm-wrestling contest, and get some new blood involved. If the series is successful then we will run others.
There will be 4 contests, which will include 3 events in each contest.
Dates
May, BHSA Championships, prob Gloucester (not part of series)
Where there are two venues mentioned, you can compete at the nearest venue. The same events and apparatus will be used. We think it'd be fun to have a them vs. us attitude to these events.
All competitors will need to be BHSA members (single member or club member (see association rules regarding club membership).
Contest events will be chosen soon (likely to inc 2HP, V'Gripper, Old RT, weaver stick (no wraps). Although the championships will mirror the Euros with a small twist or so.
The BHSA are going to run this innovative series of events early in the year, away from the major comps, as a tune up for all the British competitors. We hope to also include one of these at a particular arm-wrestling contest, and get some new blood involved. If the series is successful then we will run others.
There will be 4 contests, which will include 3 events in each contest.
Dates
- January 30. Venue: Stafford, and possibly Gloucester
- February 20. Venue: Stafford, and Gloucester
- March 13 Venue: Rossendale, and Gloucester
- April 10 Venue: Stafford
May, BHSA Championships, prob Gloucester (not part of series)
Where there are two venues mentioned, you can compete at the nearest venue. The same events and apparatus will be used. We think it'd be fun to have a them vs. us attitude to these events.
All competitors will need to be BHSA members (single member or club member (see association rules regarding club membership).
Contest events will be chosen soon (likely to inc 2HP, V'Gripper, Old RT, weaver stick (no wraps). Although the championships will mirror the Euros with a small twist or so.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Stuff
Worth a thought was an article linking lack of sleep to depression and I don't mean being pissed off cos you didn't get enough. No this is a long term burning of the candle meaning that you're more likely to suffer than those getting what is needed.
Lol: Nope. No bench shirt for me. I wore a tight t-shirt and a Adidas support shirt (like 'under armour', very clingly but not like a bench shirt)
Lol: Nope. No bench shirt for me. I wore a tight t-shirt and a Adidas support shirt (like 'under armour', very clingly but not like a bench shirt)
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
ROLLING THUNDER MAX
Lets see what the upcoming (week after next) ''SUPER GYM ROLLING THUNDER MAX" on Saturday, January 9 at 1:00am brings us. Big numbers we hope!!
Sunday, 27 December 2009
BHSA and 2010
Grip events, inside and outside the BHSA calender, are looking good. With dates to be confirmed we already have Neil 'Twig' Belcher's ANGER comp in January (10th I think). I'm hoping to host a comp with the intention of raising the bar in the 2 hand pinch late Feb. I know that David Horne will hold something similar and then we have Mighty Mitts at the Arnold Sports Festival in early March.
That will be followed by April's annual Peter Horne memorial competition and then May's British Grip Championship's. Looking at the short list which takes us to more or less the middle of the year we have a little over one a month. David has a couple of promo events taking place at some of the bigger arm wrestling events and those will be followed in August by the 2010 European's being held in Madrid, Spain.
All of these are on this side of the pond (Atlantic) bar the Mighty Mitts. With the GGC, Chad Woodall event (if it happens again) and more in the US you can see that activity is high.
Go get to it!!
That will be followed by April's annual Peter Horne memorial competition and then May's British Grip Championship's. Looking at the short list which takes us to more or less the middle of the year we have a little over one a month. David has a couple of promo events taking place at some of the bigger arm wrestling events and those will be followed in August by the 2010 European's being held in Madrid, Spain.
All of these are on this side of the pond (Atlantic) bar the Mighty Mitts. With the GGC, Chad Woodall event (if it happens again) and more in the US you can see that activity is high.
Go get to it!!
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Grip events at the Arnold Classic
From Ironmind: Dr. Terry Todd has announced the events for the 2010 Arnold Strongman contest, confirmed some of the competitors and also described the grip events that are being added to the program. For the strongman contest, the Tire Deadlift and Manhood Stone will be unchanged. The Apollon’s Wheels will use a rising bar format with the weight increasing to from 166 to 206 kg, at which point it will be maximum reps in 90 seconds. The Circus Dumbbell will see a weight increase to 103 kg. The Timber Carry will be increased to approximately 450 kg, the ramp will be flat and straps can be used. Zydrunas Savickas, Derek Poundstone, Phil Pfister, Brian Siders, Brian Shaw and Travis Ortmayer have confirmed, Todd said, and Mariusz Pudzianowski has been invited. Mighty Mitts will be a new feature, featuring feats of grip strength. The events are: Jowett Anvil: deadlift the 163 lb. anvil by its horn Sorin’s Monster: deadlift a 500-lb. barbell with a 2-inch diameter handle Inch by Inch: walk for distance with an Inch replica dumbbell in each hand Mark Henry Bell: lift the 300-lb dumbbell with a 2.5-inch diameter handle out of its box Gama Club: lever an 80-pound Indian Club According to Todd’s press release, “The winner of each of these challenges will earn $1000 as well as lasting fame, and his name will be placed on a plaque at the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports at the University of Texas.” Yes this does mean grip guys could enter and win $1000 a pop (£626). I really like the Henry dumbbell lift.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Super gym Iceland deadlift comp
Just to confuse the staticians and iron game historians the heaviest deadlift of the day was done by another Benadikt Magnússon and not Gemma's hubby. Write up and results are here (in Icelandic). The new Benny pulled 320-kilos.
New British single lift 2 hand pinch record
In spite of an awful bad back and what was a freezing cold day I finally managed to pull more than 115-kilos on the two hand pinch. Taking 106.7 as my opener and pulled it no sweat (NB all unscaled). I added 5-kilos (what I thought was 111.7) and again made it. I took my time and added another 5-kilos (taking weights off and adding heavier ones) to what on paper should have been 116.7-kilos or about 700 or so grammes more than the current world record (approx a pound). The lift was solid as a rock and I had time to give it the large, while holding the pin solidly against the bar required, to a nearby camera. I then emulated Jedd's recent WWE style tirade asking 'who's No 1??' and more. Ahh but the scales said 'not you, not yet'.
In spite of my weighing the weight 2 more times it came out at 115.5-kilos or 254.63lbs (first reading was as per 2 videos 115.8). Now that's a British single lift event record but a teeny weeny bit short of the WR. I checked the skin on my thumbs and felt good enough for another 4th and final attempt. So I asked for a 1/2-kilo disc to be added to each side taking the weight to 116.5-kilos or 256.83lbs but alas not enough steam. I managed a few inches but that was it. Dark video here (having loads of problems getting a lighter version up)
In spite of my weighing the weight 2 more times it came out at 115.5-kilos or 254.63lbs (first reading was as per 2 videos 115.8). Now that's a British single lift event record but a teeny weeny bit short of the WR. I checked the skin on my thumbs and felt good enough for another 4th and final attempt. So I asked for a 1/2-kilo disc to be added to each side taking the weight to 116.5-kilos or 256.83lbs but alas not enough steam. I managed a few inches but that was it. Dark video here (having loads of problems getting a lighter version up)
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
The two 2HP record videos
Courtesy of the Diesel Crew... sweet.
Chads effort
Jedds WR
Jedd even says in his report the record could fall this weekend.
Chads effort
Jedds WR
Jedd even says in his report the record could fall this weekend.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Saturday, 12 December 2009
New 2 hand pinch world record
Subject to the final results of this weekends event Jedd just posted this:
I just jumped onto Climber's computer to let everyone know that I just broke the pinch record.
256
and some change!!
Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years. I could not do it without you guys.
Also, just before my round on the pinch at 54 mil, Chad Woodall also broke the record. He hit 255 and some change. It has been an awesome contest so far and Chad's outstanding lift pushed me even harder.
All the best everybody!
I just jumped onto Climber's computer to let everyone know that I just broke the pinch record.
256
and some change!!
Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years. I could not do it without you guys.
Also, just before my round on the pinch at 54 mil, Chad Woodall also broke the record. He hit 255 and some change. It has been an awesome contest so far and Chad's outstanding lift pushed me even harder.
All the best everybody!
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Monday, 7 December 2009
Benni deadlifting again
Gemma and Benni's Super Gym are holding their 'Super Gym Max Deadlift competition' the same day as our Whey Power Challenge (Saturday 19th December. I look down the list and there's Benni's name. Could he be going for some big numbers again? I do hope so.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
The closer I get the harder it gets
And so it was today... man what a hard workout. With less than 14 days to go to the 19th December 2009 Whey Power Challenge today was one of, I think, my last 3 chest 'n back workouts. These are testing times. I was in half a mind not to do it today but rest and go tomorrow. But decided the spacing of the final two workouts would be too close together so went today.
I worked to 155-kilos/341lbs for 8 reps on the wide grip lat pulldowns, 127.5kg/280.5lbs for 6 reps on the low cable row and to 182.5-kilos for 4 singles on the mind fuck that is my heavy bench. Brutal.
I worked to 155-kilos/341lbs for 8 reps on the wide grip lat pulldowns, 127.5kg/280.5lbs for 6 reps on the low cable row and to 182.5-kilos for 4 singles on the mind fuck that is my heavy bench. Brutal.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Top 12 hardest training
Written with a bodybuilding slant (as admitted by the author) nevertheless it's a good read. He gives you his picks for the 12 hardest workers in the gym.
Clicky
Clicky
Friday, 27 November 2009
America's Strongest Man event... some sense
Yes - a good result. The boo boo of having this event run the same damn weekend of the WSM finals has been changed. It's now been moved to the Mr O date of late September and so instead of sending their best overseas providing their not too worn out they can kick fellow Yank ass and compete for the title of America's Strongest Man.
More from Ironmind
More from Ironmind
World Weightlifting Championships 2009
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Your mind is your best ally
Those of you with any knowledge of sports psychology will know that in the simplest terms a positive mind is far more likely to help you succeed in your gym lifts than a negative one.
One of my habits when coaching others is to look into what 'hooks them'. I'll listen to conversations we have when not lifting, stories told and even to what is muttered by them when they are lifting big. Such things can be very telling in what makes a person tick and then, as I do, can be used to drive them harder when the time comes. I usually use it in two ways. One is max set / max weight time in training. A little dose, if you will, of a whispered comment and an extra rep is driven out of an exhausted body. The other time is in the psyching up portion pre a competition lift. Knowing what makes others tick, which while useful as a coach, means I also need to know what drives me as do you.
Now positive affirmations, words such as yes, power, success and so on and not at all limited to the usual gym phrases of 'hench dude!' or 'all you' when spotting but even open ended or non-negative comments. If 'you will fail' is full on negative and 'you will succeed' is full on positive then a neutral or open comment could be 'let's see what will happen'. Even a reply to 'how will you do?' such as 'I don't know... let's see' has something because it leaves a metaphorical door open for something successful to occur. Try to leave the BS of the world at the door. The boss, wife or whatever that is down on your ass. Fu*k them. They've never seen this you. Show them.
When talking to some new guys at Gymnation (the other gym I use) recently I said simple acts such as having a pre-written out workout, sets, reps and poundage included, will leave you with more opportunities to do well than an unplanned see how we go approach. It is because during the workout simply becoming knackered from the training will make it that much harder to recall the numbers from the previous workout. Having a simple number to aim for removes doubt and lessens the likelihood of failure. Look at the strongman event called 'the Hercules Hold'. Those that go last almost always do better than the earlier athletes. This is simply because the earlier guy acts as a pace setter and those that follow only have to do one second more. Just one second more. See how that phrase reads and sounds so simple. Unless you risk injury or death it is.
Another way I encourage guys to do their best is 'be in and of the moment'. I probably don't use those exact words (more 'now slag, now!!'). But the message is the same. For some the brutal onslaught to come, the pressure they will be under, can be daunting. They know that they might shake or feel nauseous and this can make them hold back. A reminder of what they are there for 'you want size don't ya!!' (or whatever) and a 'do this now, for this second, for this minute, then rest, grow and succeed'.
Most people hold themselves back from being what they can be. I've written before of the 'train with Arnold or Ronnie' lines people come out with. The usual guys BS thing where some wannabe will say 'if I trained with X' (chosen athlete they admire) 'I'd be all that and I'd train so hard'. I've even had it said about me - very nice but I replied 'why wait?'. Train like that NOW! The is no magic in Ronnie, Arnold and most certainly I have none. Do not wait for some golden moment, the sun, moon and stars in alignment, to train hardcore. Train as though that person is with you now. Perhaps imagine them in the corner giving you a thumbs up.
It has been said that the body does not care what it is asked to do. Sure we have nerves etc to protect ourselves but they all end at the brain. Separate the two and it'd do any old thing. Now add it back in and see what the body will do if you ask it. Don't have the man in the driving seat, your ID, sit there with cruise control or autopilot doing the job, drive that baby. Put the pedal down and see how fast it'll go.
Nuff - go do it.
One of my habits when coaching others is to look into what 'hooks them'. I'll listen to conversations we have when not lifting, stories told and even to what is muttered by them when they are lifting big. Such things can be very telling in what makes a person tick and then, as I do, can be used to drive them harder when the time comes. I usually use it in two ways. One is max set / max weight time in training. A little dose, if you will, of a whispered comment and an extra rep is driven out of an exhausted body. The other time is in the psyching up portion pre a competition lift. Knowing what makes others tick, which while useful as a coach, means I also need to know what drives me as do you.
Now positive affirmations, words such as yes, power, success and so on and not at all limited to the usual gym phrases of 'hench dude!' or 'all you' when spotting but even open ended or non-negative comments. If 'you will fail' is full on negative and 'you will succeed' is full on positive then a neutral or open comment could be 'let's see what will happen'. Even a reply to 'how will you do?' such as 'I don't know... let's see' has something because it leaves a metaphorical door open for something successful to occur. Try to leave the BS of the world at the door. The boss, wife or whatever that is down on your ass. Fu*k them. They've never seen this you. Show them.
When talking to some new guys at Gymnation (the other gym I use) recently I said simple acts such as having a pre-written out workout, sets, reps and poundage included, will leave you with more opportunities to do well than an unplanned see how we go approach. It is because during the workout simply becoming knackered from the training will make it that much harder to recall the numbers from the previous workout. Having a simple number to aim for removes doubt and lessens the likelihood of failure. Look at the strongman event called 'the Hercules Hold'. Those that go last almost always do better than the earlier athletes. This is simply because the earlier guy acts as a pace setter and those that follow only have to do one second more. Just one second more. See how that phrase reads and sounds so simple. Unless you risk injury or death it is.
Another way I encourage guys to do their best is 'be in and of the moment'. I probably don't use those exact words (more 'now slag, now!!'). But the message is the same. For some the brutal onslaught to come, the pressure they will be under, can be daunting. They know that they might shake or feel nauseous and this can make them hold back. A reminder of what they are there for 'you want size don't ya!!' (or whatever) and a 'do this now, for this second, for this minute, then rest, grow and succeed'.
Most people hold themselves back from being what they can be. I've written before of the 'train with Arnold or Ronnie' lines people come out with. The usual guys BS thing where some wannabe will say 'if I trained with X' (chosen athlete they admire) 'I'd be all that and I'd train so hard'. I've even had it said about me - very nice but I replied 'why wait?'. Train like that NOW! The is no magic in Ronnie, Arnold and most certainly I have none. Do not wait for some golden moment, the sun, moon and stars in alignment, to train hardcore. Train as though that person is with you now. Perhaps imagine them in the corner giving you a thumbs up.
It has been said that the body does not care what it is asked to do. Sure we have nerves etc to protect ourselves but they all end at the brain. Separate the two and it'd do any old thing. Now add it back in and see what the body will do if you ask it. Don't have the man in the driving seat, your ID, sit there with cruise control or autopilot doing the job, drive that baby. Put the pedal down and see how fast it'll go.
Nuff - go do it.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Pre workout products... are they needed?
I'm from the K.I.S.S. school of thought (keep it simple stupid). I make up a strong coffee (2 teaspoons of some instant and 3 of sugar) and neck it about 30 minutes or so before I intend hitting the weights. Now in the last few years we've seen a bunch of products hit the market. Some are pure pre-workout and some pump/pre-workout combos. What I'm seeing more and more is an over reliance on products being used to 'get one up' before the gym. Given that the majority of trainees the world over are not going to look like Mr Olympia any time soon why then do they seem to be incapable of a workout worth a mention without taking some inevitably over-priced concoction that will help them? There's an analogy which applies here. We know that anti-biotics, if over prescribed, eventually loose their effectiveness. Ditto a healthy dose of painkillers becomes less so and thus you need more to get an effect. The same applies to most stimulants. Yes, this includes coffee and caffeine (a common ingredient in said products). You need to dose yourself carefully so that you ONLY use when required. Try and have time off.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Confusing ain't it?
It ought to be quite simple. Creatine, in 99.99% of cases, works. I mean, in case there is any confusion, Creatine Monohydrate. Not the piss poor dissolving stuff (120 mesh = grainy, table sugar like) but the powdery 200 mesh kind sometimes called 'micronized'. The 200 mesh kind can be seen to more or less disappear and dissolve before it's reached the bottom of a glass and at worst requires a quick swish with a spoon and it's all nice and gone. So why is there, what at first glance appears to be, more than 20 other kinds??
A glance at an ad in MMI for a US based companies product (I'm not mentioning the name for obvious reasons... namely not getting my ass sued) shows that their list of ingredients includes:
Of the phosphate and citrate versions this article states that they are 1) more expensive and 2) of a 5g serving you'd get 3.2g (CP) and 2g (CC) absorbed where as the mono has a 4.2 rating (4.2g of every 5g serving absorbed). This makes a mockery of some 'better absorption claims). Why pay more, as they aren't manufactured in as large amounts as the mono, to get less bang for your buck??
Creatine Malate or Tri-creatine malate is a compound made from creatine monohydrate and malic acid. The substance is so named because the compound is made from three creatine molecules attached to one molecule of malic acid. A quick look shows claims of greater absorption but these seem to be from a repeated company product information release. I could not find, on quick inspection, a reference to a study showing the same in the three such bits of blurb I saw.
Creatine Leucinate: I can only find one product with it in. That says enough right there. If it was 'all that' the other rival companies would be all over it. Just googling the second part of the name makes it look like creatine has been bonded to an amino acid. Whatever for?? Indeed these are the exact kinds of questions you need to ask.
Creatine Ethyl Ester: My company used to sell this. We no longer do. I've even used it and recommended it previously. Again I no longer do. Why?? Because it's as unstable as they come. Once again it was all about bonding a creatine molecule to something else to enhance it. But in doing so two things came up. One was the acid MAY rot your teeth (mind you you'd need to be swilling it around) and secondly tests showed that the bog standard mono version is reasonable stable in solution (water) for an hour or so. CEE... not so much. It started to degrade quickly. Tests were carried out at pre-set intervals and the first was 20-seconds. It had already started to degrade noticeably then. Now, as per the way some studies don't make sense, I asked 'why would you at your creatine to solution and then just have it sit there?' but 20-seconds isn't that long. I add my mono to my tea and it takes that long for me to carry the cup back to my bed where I'll sip it. In the case of the acidic tasting CEE it'd have degraded before I got back to my bedroom.
Creapure: Info aimed at the newbs. Creapure Creatine IS CREATINE MONOHYDRATE. The Creapure name is a brand name. It is attached to a certain big Creatine producing German company who use what they call patented purifying process. In simple terms when Mono first hit the scene and even just a year or so back some of the cheaper Korean and Chinese versions were not quite as sterile as we'd might like our sports supplements to be. The German processors went out of their way to ensure a cleaner, purer product. Bog standard economy versions were tested and found to be 99.9% 'pure' and the Creapure version claims 99.99%. Those that favour the product argue that it's the 'what the hells the .01%' you need to worry about (toxins, heavy metals??). However, newbs seem to think that having the Creapure label means 'better results'. It does not. The makers of it do not claim that nor should anyone else. Even if it did, as I have said in the past, it's be only .01% better. That's like a 1mm improvement in size on my biceps. Un-frigging noticeable.
Doses. One of the Brink Zone articles (see below) is entitled 'more is not better'. I've previously written up some of the mistakes people make on my Whey Consortium forum Some are as silly as pouring powder into mouths then wondering why the subject gets dehydrated, headaches or stomach cramps (not enough water retard!!) to using as much as 50g a day - why??
If you don't mind the search and even with my accusing him (on MD) of being a bit of a one trick pony (he's not but he did go on about Creatine loads) then check out Will Brink's many articles and comments on Creatine. www.Brinkzone.com is the place. Use his search function.
Feedback appreciated
A glance at an ad in MMI for a US based companies product (I'm not mentioning the name for obvious reasons... namely not getting my ass sued) shows that their list of ingredients includes:
- Creatine Nitrate
- COP (Creatine-O-Phosphate)
- Creatine Leucinate
- Creatine Malate (aka 'Tri-malate)
- Creatine Ethyl Ester
- Creatine Citrate
Of the phosphate and citrate versions this article states that they are 1) more expensive and 2) of a 5g serving you'd get 3.2g (CP) and 2g (CC) absorbed where as the mono has a 4.2 rating (4.2g of every 5g serving absorbed). This makes a mockery of some 'better absorption claims). Why pay more, as they aren't manufactured in as large amounts as the mono, to get less bang for your buck??
Creatine Malate or Tri-creatine malate is a compound made from creatine monohydrate and malic acid. The substance is so named because the compound is made from three creatine molecules attached to one molecule of malic acid. A quick look shows claims of greater absorption but these seem to be from a repeated company product information release. I could not find, on quick inspection, a reference to a study showing the same in the three such bits of blurb I saw.
Creatine Leucinate: I can only find one product with it in. That says enough right there. If it was 'all that' the other rival companies would be all over it. Just googling the second part of the name makes it look like creatine has been bonded to an amino acid. Whatever for?? Indeed these are the exact kinds of questions you need to ask.
Creatine Ethyl Ester: My company used to sell this. We no longer do. I've even used it and recommended it previously. Again I no longer do. Why?? Because it's as unstable as they come. Once again it was all about bonding a creatine molecule to something else to enhance it. But in doing so two things came up. One was the acid MAY rot your teeth (mind you you'd need to be swilling it around) and secondly tests showed that the bog standard mono version is reasonable stable in solution (water) for an hour or so. CEE... not so much. It started to degrade quickly. Tests were carried out at pre-set intervals and the first was 20-seconds. It had already started to degrade noticeably then. Now, as per the way some studies don't make sense, I asked 'why would you at your creatine to solution and then just have it sit there?' but 20-seconds isn't that long. I add my mono to my tea and it takes that long for me to carry the cup back to my bed where I'll sip it. In the case of the acidic tasting CEE it'd have degraded before I got back to my bedroom.
Creapure: Info aimed at the newbs. Creapure Creatine IS CREATINE MONOHYDRATE. The Creapure name is a brand name. It is attached to a certain big Creatine producing German company who use what they call patented purifying process. In simple terms when Mono first hit the scene and even just a year or so back some of the cheaper Korean and Chinese versions were not quite as sterile as we'd might like our sports supplements to be. The German processors went out of their way to ensure a cleaner, purer product. Bog standard economy versions were tested and found to be 99.9% 'pure' and the Creapure version claims 99.99%. Those that favour the product argue that it's the 'what the hells the .01%' you need to worry about (toxins, heavy metals??). However, newbs seem to think that having the Creapure label means 'better results'. It does not. The makers of it do not claim that nor should anyone else. Even if it did, as I have said in the past, it's be only .01% better. That's like a 1mm improvement in size on my biceps. Un-frigging noticeable.
Doses. One of the Brink Zone articles (see below) is entitled 'more is not better'. I've previously written up some of the mistakes people make on my Whey Consortium forum Some are as silly as pouring powder into mouths then wondering why the subject gets dehydrated, headaches or stomach cramps (not enough water retard!!) to using as much as 50g a day - why??
If you don't mind the search and even with my accusing him (on MD) of being a bit of a one trick pony (he's not but he did go on about Creatine loads) then check out Will Brink's many articles and comments on Creatine. www.Brinkzone.com is the place. Use his search function.
Feedback appreciated
Friday, 20 November 2009
Grip Shit
One of our esteemed Grip nuts, Daniel Evans, has put together the eBay of the grip freaks world in the form of www.gripshit.com I've already signed up and need to add some more items. If you have grip stuff you're looking to buy, sell or swap get yer backsides over there and enrol.
Bench pressing... Whey Power Challenge
I am, it seems, on target for my 200-kilo / 440lbs December 19th Whey Power Challenge. A peruse back through old training logs showed me that my last session prior to last Decembers 190kg effort was a very nice 182.5-kilos for 4 singles. I managed 172.5-kilos for 5 x 1 as of this morning. As I attempted 200 last year but it got stuck 6-inches off my chest I aim to hit 182.5-kilos for 6 or more singles on this years last session and then go: 140 (last warm up), 160, 180 and 200 this year.
Hopefully the extra day or two has allowed the skin at the base of my thumbs to heal some more so tomorrows 2HP should be good. We shall see.
Hopefully the extra day or two has allowed the skin at the base of my thumbs to heal some more so tomorrows 2HP should be good. We shall see.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Magazines for December
Flex has the Jay cutler as Mr O cover we've previously posted.
Here's Muscle Mag Internationals December cover
Here's Muscle Mag Internationals December cover
Striking the right balance
I'm a member of many forums and, as many know, have now earned my stripes if only by virtue of being around a long enough time. On one forum posts are edited, members banned and so on almost without reason - at least one that the mods care to mention to those having their knuckles rapped. On others we discuss the ins and outs of AAS but pay a small monthly fee for the pleasure. But on what can quite easily be claimed as among the very biggest of forums inc Get Big, Bodybuilding.com and so on there seems to be one hell of a mess.
Now I get that many, if not most, of the membership of these sites comes from our younger brethren (15-18). So one can take some of the posts with the usual pinch of salt. Indeed said sites have their versions of what are called 'pits'. In such places you go play at being an ass and no one, or at least only the sensitive, takes what is said and done there too seriously. So someone calls someone else an ass-eater and they get the same and worse back. It's a slightly amplified and crude version of the sort of good natured joshing lads training give to each other.
But, as per a post on another forum recently, said ribbing - and not the good kind - is leaking across. RX had a post about a video they were going to put up and immediately the excited and somewhat immature demanded (yes that's correct) to know when and worse.
Obviously people will post up stuff some don't agree with so we do not all 'need to get along' but I feel people need to, using an old phrase, look at the bigger picture. Posts counts and attitudes don't mean shit. At some point you'll end up being seen in person. If you lack the 'skills' (strength, size, some muscle??) then you'll only ever be a legend on a PC. From fake photos, never buying a magazine, not training (yes some legends don't even work out) and just out and out lying... some of these morons don't realise that they damage they do to the sport they chose.
More...
Now I get that many, if not most, of the membership of these sites comes from our younger brethren (15-18). So one can take some of the posts with the usual pinch of salt. Indeed said sites have their versions of what are called 'pits'. In such places you go play at being an ass and no one, or at least only the sensitive, takes what is said and done there too seriously. So someone calls someone else an ass-eater and they get the same and worse back. It's a slightly amplified and crude version of the sort of good natured joshing lads training give to each other.
But, as per a post on another forum recently, said ribbing - and not the good kind - is leaking across. RX had a post about a video they were going to put up and immediately the excited and somewhat immature demanded (yes that's correct) to know when and worse.
Obviously people will post up stuff some don't agree with so we do not all 'need to get along' but I feel people need to, using an old phrase, look at the bigger picture. Posts counts and attitudes don't mean shit. At some point you'll end up being seen in person. If you lack the 'skills' (strength, size, some muscle??) then you'll only ever be a legend on a PC. From fake photos, never buying a magazine, not training (yes some legends don't even work out) and just out and out lying... some of these morons don't realise that they damage they do to the sport they chose.
More...
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Who's the calibrated gripper daddy?
Me!! I had a PM via the Gripboard yesterday asking what the rating was on the 'hard 4', as it was described, at the Chad Woodall event. It was, I was told, 205lbs and the hardest closed in competition. I'd been added to the list with my 1st post event gripper rated at 194lbs and another at 199lbs. But the 205lbs clinches it for now.
JTP wins 'Bros vs Pros' events
RX Muscles 'Jeff the Producer' (hence the JTP) beat IFBB pro Mike Libertore with 41 individual reps using the 80-pounders in dumbbell curls against a valiant 39 reps and took home the 1000 dollar prize.
Put me up against a pro in grip... I could do with the cash!
Put me up against a pro in grip... I could do with the cash!
Benny gets 180-kilos log
With the heaviest lift of the event, the Super Gym Log Lift competition, Benedikt Magnússon (in the 125kg+ class0 made the mark in the sand of 180kg which is also a new Icelandic record. 180-kilos is the weight which is now considered truly world class. Closest in the other classes was 110-kilos.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Proper gyms
I described a gym I use as 'spit and sawdust' and the one I run as 'just spit... we're not that posh!!' ha ha. Someone using the other called ours 'the bulky boys place'. All in all something close to the mystical, because no one ever agrees on exactly what it means, hard core gym. Some are clean and some are dirty, some have toliets and some do not. But they all have 'something'.
Here's the first of many: Iron Sport Gym
Here's the first of many: Iron Sport Gym
Thursday, 12 November 2009
No more lies
As a long time fan of the Iron Game (30+ years now) I'm as aware of the next guy of the history of our sport. We are as prone to exaggeration as any field. However, in the age when you can video stuff on your mobile and with the click of a button post it to a youtube account there is no more need for the 'claimed but no burden of proof' lifts we are still burdened with.
I'm fortunate in that a few of the fans of our beloved hobby know my name. Not everyone but a few. Because of that I can. on occasion, prod people into honesty or have them prod me right back if need be, so as to be more upfront and forthright when they claim a lift. I can say 'I know you and I hope you know me. Stop playing silly buggers with those that know bugger all and be honest'.
So, as has been the case, if I am aware of someone tampering with an Ironmind coC 3 gripper then, rather naughtily, placing a video of a claimed 'CCS 3 close' on youtube I can then remind them I'm aware that they are up to no good. Said video strangely disappears from view.
Equally doing an honest lift but failing to provide sufficient evidence of the same is also not much cop as we Brits say. A five minute history lesson shows the amount of exaggeration and outright untruths that took place many years ago. What is gained now? 9/10 we're not talking about some photo shoot with the 'wooden wheels' used in Flex magazine shoots but some typical Joe making a living from a normal job but looking, it seems, to make a grand claim.
Sure one can puff up the ego and feel good for a 1/2 hour. But, as I've often pointed out, these are genuinely strong guys who one day, if patient, will make the lift for real. It's as though they yearn to be part of some imagined elite so badly they are prepared to falsify their 'club membership' as it were. I've remind the same that they have come a long way in a short time and have some way to go. To ruin their rep early on means no one will take them seriously when they actually make their mark.
Don't screw it up guys.
Here's an example of a fake lift using wooden plates (done, I suspect for a laugh). The title says 735lbs when 6 plates a side is less and the guy does 15 reps...
I'm fortunate in that a few of the fans of our beloved hobby know my name. Not everyone but a few. Because of that I can. on occasion, prod people into honesty or have them prod me right back if need be, so as to be more upfront and forthright when they claim a lift. I can say 'I know you and I hope you know me. Stop playing silly buggers with those that know bugger all and be honest'.
So, as has been the case, if I am aware of someone tampering with an Ironmind coC 3 gripper then, rather naughtily, placing a video of a claimed 'CCS 3 close' on youtube I can then remind them I'm aware that they are up to no good. Said video strangely disappears from view.
Equally doing an honest lift but failing to provide sufficient evidence of the same is also not much cop as we Brits say. A five minute history lesson shows the amount of exaggeration and outright untruths that took place many years ago. What is gained now? 9/10 we're not talking about some photo shoot with the 'wooden wheels' used in Flex magazine shoots but some typical Joe making a living from a normal job but looking, it seems, to make a grand claim.
Sure one can puff up the ego and feel good for a 1/2 hour. But, as I've often pointed out, these are genuinely strong guys who one day, if patient, will make the lift for real. It's as though they yearn to be part of some imagined elite so badly they are prepared to falsify their 'club membership' as it were. I've remind the same that they have come a long way in a short time and have some way to go. To ruin their rep early on means no one will take them seriously when they actually make their mark.
Don't screw it up guys.
Here's an example of a fake lift using wooden plates (done, I suspect for a laugh). The title says 735lbs when 6 plates a side is less and the guy does 15 reps...
Monday, 9 November 2009
Stop faffing about
Inspired by another of Romano's scribblings (Enough questions - go train) I thought I'd add my own 2p's worth - UK style. On occasion I have been known to have a teeny weeny bit of an ego (I know, you're all in shock LOL). Sometimes said ego allows me to think 'you must be special cos you can do X, Y and Z and others cannot'. On my more modest days I think along the lines of 'you ain't doing anything that fancy so how come others aren't doing what you do or close to it?'.
I mean I do not abuse 'gear' (very low dose and a healthy (I hope) approach), I stick to the basics - what works, works! I eat sensibly but still enjoy the odd indulgence and so on. So how come the gyms are full of guys a million miles away from where they should be. Sure I understand we wont all have the same goals, life gets in the way and so on. But how come so many lack the ability to apply the basics in a consistent manner long enough and well enough to get some way towards what they set out to achieve?
I have, on occasion, coached people and John Romano has, like me no doubt, been asked a million times about this or that (as per his article). is the truth, eat well, train hard, don't over do it (guilty sir, sorry...) and rest... repeat, so complicated??
Perhaps the one thing lacking is drive. If I'm not so outstanding physically or genetically then perhaps the spark that's needed is that drive to succeed. Take my mind set pressing today - I wanna stack the machine so the idea of '60-kilos for 8, then 65-kilos' becomes in my head 'add weight BITCH, FILL IT RIGHT UP!!'. Or, as per Saturday, when I was doing heavy lat pulldowns and had a 10-kilo plate pinned to the 140-kilo stack my mind was thinking '180kg one day... oh yes... repped!!'. Do others think 'oh this burns... I'll do a few pumpers and I'm done??'
When I'm coaching and have the odd willing (as opposed to one-time wonders) I'm able to show them that they are capable of so much more then they think they are. I'm no 'rep counter' when I coach. I'm far more of a 'get it done NOW!!' type trainer and while that doesn't suit some it does others and those do a hell of a lot more when they walk through the door than they may have thought they could. I don't charge a huge amount so am of the opinion that I do not want to waste my time with those that, as per the title, faff about. Ron Harris, of MD, once alluded to the idea of training with a champ. Even he succumbed to this when he did a train with Ronnie weekend. I used his example by saying 'why wait until Ronnie's about, get it done now!!'. Sure it's damned hard work but that';s how to make it happen.
I mean I do not abuse 'gear' (very low dose and a healthy (I hope) approach), I stick to the basics - what works, works! I eat sensibly but still enjoy the odd indulgence and so on. So how come the gyms are full of guys a million miles away from where they should be. Sure I understand we wont all have the same goals, life gets in the way and so on. But how come so many lack the ability to apply the basics in a consistent manner long enough and well enough to get some way towards what they set out to achieve?
I have, on occasion, coached people and John Romano has, like me no doubt, been asked a million times about this or that (as per his article). is the truth, eat well, train hard, don't over do it (guilty sir, sorry...) and rest... repeat, so complicated??
Perhaps the one thing lacking is drive. If I'm not so outstanding physically or genetically then perhaps the spark that's needed is that drive to succeed. Take my mind set pressing today - I wanna stack the machine so the idea of '60-kilos for 8, then 65-kilos' becomes in my head 'add weight BITCH, FILL IT RIGHT UP!!'. Or, as per Saturday, when I was doing heavy lat pulldowns and had a 10-kilo plate pinned to the 140-kilo stack my mind was thinking '180kg one day... oh yes... repped!!'. Do others think 'oh this burns... I'll do a few pumpers and I'm done??'
When I'm coaching and have the odd willing (as opposed to one-time wonders) I'm able to show them that they are capable of so much more then they think they are. I'm no 'rep counter' when I coach. I'm far more of a 'get it done NOW!!' type trainer and while that doesn't suit some it does others and those do a hell of a lot more when they walk through the door than they may have thought they could. I don't charge a huge amount so am of the opinion that I do not want to waste my time with those that, as per the title, faff about. Ron Harris, of MD, once alluded to the idea of training with a champ. Even he succumbed to this when he did a train with Ronnie weekend. I used his example by saying 'why wait until Ronnie's about, get it done now!!'. Sure it's damned hard work but that';s how to make it happen.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
2HP World Record
So I mention yesterday my intention to, if need be, crawl over the road to do my best to break the world record (David's 115-kilos effort) with a target of 117-kilos. Now David and I, both in posting and via a chat on MSN had talked about my idea of retiring from competition following the Euro's in August.
David said, quite truthfully, that I might find it difficult to give up the competition scene come the time. So it was a little amusing (deffo eyebrow raising) to see a declaration of his intent to, and I quote, ''If you break my record, I will take it back, and very quickly. My training lifts right now are very strong''. Now if David is, as he says, capable that's all well and good. But I've also been thinking of the idea that at some point one has to give up the idea of a record never being broken by anyone else.
With the rare exception most records end up being broken. It is the lot of a former record breaker to see someone come along and take your record from you. It is what it is. If David has it in him to do more, then great, the bar gets raised and those that follow have some more kilos they need to add to their bars in order to beat him. But at some point David, myself and any other wanna-be record holder will have to take it on the chin. Our records will fall.
David said, quite truthfully, that I might find it difficult to give up the competition scene come the time. So it was a little amusing (deffo eyebrow raising) to see a declaration of his intent to, and I quote, ''If you break my record, I will take it back, and very quickly. My training lifts right now are very strong''. Now if David is, as he says, capable that's all well and good. But I've also been thinking of the idea that at some point one has to give up the idea of a record never being broken by anyone else.
With the rare exception most records end up being broken. It is the lot of a former record breaker to see someone come along and take your record from you. It is what it is. If David has it in him to do more, then great, the bar gets raised and those that follow have some more kilos they need to add to their bars in order to beat him. But at some point David, myself and any other wanna-be record holder will have to take it on the chin. Our records will fall.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
World of Grip awards
So David Horne has posted up his World of Grip awards and put some suggestions of his own. I'm doing ok with a few votes. But some of the guys must think it's a 'who do you LOVE the most' comp cos they're putting up names of guys who asses I WHIPPED. I mean Paul Knight, who is a great easy going guy and a good gripper man - have no doubt, I whipped his butt but good. Gabriel Sum, again a guy and a good all rounder, but I won 4 of the 5 events last time we met and Sam Solomi beat him on the other. Now my German buddies might love him but did he beat me? No. So what the hell??
And one guy chose Jedd Johnson as his best newcomer for 2009. Jedd is probably the US's best pincher, number 3 as an all rounder in the US and has been helping to hold as well as compete in the US nationals since, what, 2004?? So a new comer?? What are ya - morons??
Only cos I can't vote for myself did I add Chad Woodall, Andrew Durniat and Gabriel Sum for my top 3 in 09. Otherwise it have been a toss up between Chad and I for the first 2 spots then Andy with Gabriel in 4th.
All this is without getting into those that forget which country some of the guys come from - clue Sam Solomi is from Devon, England ya numpty!!
And one guy chose Jedd Johnson as his best newcomer for 2009. Jedd is probably the US's best pincher, number 3 as an all rounder in the US and has been helping to hold as well as compete in the US nationals since, what, 2004?? So a new comer?? What are ya - morons??
Only cos I can't vote for myself did I add Chad Woodall, Andrew Durniat and Gabriel Sum for my top 3 in 09. Otherwise it have been a toss up between Chad and I for the first 2 spots then Andy with Gabriel in 4th.
All this is without getting into those that forget which country some of the guys come from - clue Sam Solomi is from Devon, England ya numpty!!
Monday, 2 November 2009
Offering up old news as new
And this weeks favourite is a combination of 'BSN under fire' and 'news' about CEE (Creatine Ethyl Ester).
The BSN part relates to a story from February where someone filed a paper accusing BSN of making false claims about a form of Creatine they said was in one of their products. The result of which was they couldn't prove it even existed as they described it. So only 10 months old... do keep up people.
The CEE part relates to it degrading into a waste product, Creatinine, in solution VERY quickly. Far, far more quickly than mono. So even those products with bells and whistles added will do the same. You'll get more from the additives than from the CEE. This news is from... 2007!!
Both snippets came from the Brink Zone.
The BSN part relates to a story from February where someone filed a paper accusing BSN of making false claims about a form of Creatine they said was in one of their products. The result of which was they couldn't prove it even existed as they described it. So only 10 months old... do keep up people.
The CEE part relates to it degrading into a waste product, Creatinine, in solution VERY quickly. Far, far more quickly than mono. So even those products with bells and whistles added will do the same. You'll get more from the additives than from the CEE. This news is from... 2007!!
Both snippets came from the Brink Zone.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
What Steve did last night
Saturday
PM... as in 9.32pm or so. Just back from the 'Kingfishers Got Talent show' were I was a guest 'artiste' (on just before last years winner). Well what a shocker! It was amazingly professional. All 200 seats sold out, people standing down the sides, a full PA and professional lighting system... you get the picture. Combined with 3 local faces acting as Ozzy, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, 2 very good MC's and a little stage crew I was worried my 'put it together as you go along' plan was going to look absolutely rank. I need not have worried.
The 'talent' was very, very enjoyable. A great little rock band, a dance group, a Kate Bush impersonator, more dancers, more singers... all much better than whatever I'd imagined. I was due to go on before the youngster winner from last year (there was a youngsters winner and an adult winner) while the crowd voted for their favourite.
A quick word with the MC's about rolling the bell out and milking it as though it weighs a ton (was in fact a Baby Inch, a thick handled 53-kilo / 118lbs dumbbell), some background rock music and there help working the crowd... BOOM!! I rocked!!
I made sure to the get the crowd behind me with a 'wow, how good has it been thus far and you've all been great... don't let down cos I'll need your strength to get me through the act... he he' Baring in mind my back was aching even with painkillers right up to the walk on stage and then... nothing cos I was in the zone! I had the kids come to the front with a 'who wants a souvenir??!!' and bent a few nails to get them and the crowd going (usual ahhs for the kids he he), then broke (so much easier when the buzz and adrenalin is pumping) and tore 3 Argos Catalogs in twain. I then milked a one hand lift, either hand, of the dumbbell, then a clean pull to my chest and finally 'but only if you cheer loud enough' (much waving at crowd and me shouting like a stabbed bull 'C'MON!!!!!!!!!) I then pick it up, drop it and catch it in the same hand before it hits the ground, then switch hands (by throwing it across) and do the same with the left (also lets one side and the other of the audience see what you're doing). Huge cheer and me buzzing all night ha ha.
After wards I signed an autograph (on a portion of the catalog), bent loads more nails (inc one which made my palm bleed but that only made it seem harder - it also meant if I clapped the winners my hand got all bloody ha ha) and even posed for a photo or two with a special needs girl.
Gavin, one of the lads I coach, did me a huge favour of dropping off and picking up and taking back of the dumbbell etc. Cheers Gavin. All in all a good night and I think they liked it. As IFBB pro Lee Powell won it last year they must like zee muscle ha ha. Icing on the cake was a little gift back which include a bottle of Newcastle Brown which you know will not be touching the sides (as indeed the first Bitter already done did not ha ha). Pizza and Ben & Jerries will end the night nicely.
The 'talent' was very, very enjoyable. A great little rock band, a dance group, a Kate Bush impersonator, more dancers, more singers... all much better than whatever I'd imagined. I was due to go on before the youngster winner from last year (there was a youngsters winner and an adult winner) while the crowd voted for their favourite.
A quick word with the MC's about rolling the bell out and milking it as though it weighs a ton (was in fact a Baby Inch, a thick handled 53-kilo / 118lbs dumbbell), some background rock music and there help working the crowd... BOOM!! I rocked!!
I made sure to the get the crowd behind me with a 'wow, how good has it been thus far and you've all been great... don't let down cos I'll need your strength to get me through the act... he he' Baring in mind my back was aching even with painkillers right up to the walk on stage and then... nothing cos I was in the zone! I had the kids come to the front with a 'who wants a souvenir??!!' and bent a few nails to get them and the crowd going (usual ahhs for the kids he he), then broke (so much easier when the buzz and adrenalin is pumping) and tore 3 Argos Catalogs in twain. I then milked a one hand lift, either hand, of the dumbbell, then a clean pull to my chest and finally 'but only if you cheer loud enough' (much waving at crowd and me shouting like a stabbed bull 'C'MON!!!!!!!!!) I then pick it up, drop it and catch it in the same hand before it hits the ground, then switch hands (by throwing it across) and do the same with the left (also lets one side and the other of the audience see what you're doing). Huge cheer and me buzzing all night ha ha.
After wards I signed an autograph (on a portion of the catalog), bent loads more nails (inc one which made my palm bleed but that only made it seem harder - it also meant if I clapped the winners my hand got all bloody ha ha) and even posed for a photo or two with a special needs girl.
Gavin, one of the lads I coach, did me a huge favour of dropping off and picking up and taking back of the dumbbell etc. Cheers Gavin. All in all a good night and I think they liked it. As IFBB pro Lee Powell won it last year they must like zee muscle ha ha. Icing on the cake was a little gift back which include a bottle of Newcastle Brown which you know will not be touching the sides (as indeed the first Bitter already done did not ha ha). Pizza and Ben & Jerries will end the night nicely.
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