The lost art of respect in training and in life

Life in the midst of the human race can be challenging, even on a good day.

A lot of that has to do with how we see other people. How we treat others in the gym and in life  often depends on the filter we are viewing them through.

It is very common for people to rant and rage against this group or that group, especially on the Internet. If we see people only as a member of a certain group, it kind of anesthetizes us from the insults and hurt we might heap on them.

Think about it, do you see people only through a filters like these?

  • religion
  • race
  • politics
  • sexuality
  • appearance
  • age

There are certainly more filters used by people that affect how they treat others.

One of the best ways to get rid of the filters is to get to know real people in real life.

Yes, that means actually talking with them face to face in person.

What a concept!

Notice I said talking with them not at them. This includes actively listening to them, which is generally taken as a sign of respect.

At my gym, I have trained a wide variety of people; many of which have very different world views than my own. It is important to show respect and treat people like you want to be treated (kind of a Jesus idea isn’t it?)

Normally I won’t turn someone away except for them being lazy or too arrogant to learn.

Those are their own bad choices. I will not be an enabler to them by allowing them to bring those attitudes into my gym.

Over trained or just under recovered?

Over training can occur, of course, however many people do not train intensely enough or often enough to warrant undue fear of it.

You can hear all kinds of differing opinions on it, like anything else on the Internet, just keep in mind it is a possibility.

I am more inclined to think that people are not getting enough recovery time and quality sleep. The strongest people I know all stress the importance of those two things and they validate that by what they are actually  able to do.

Yes, proper nutrition is a vital part of the equation, but I want to emphasize the other aspects here.

In this chaotic world we live in, stress is at an all time high. It definitely can detract from

both the quality and quantity of your recovery and sleep.

Social media addiction, watching  TV (especially the news), playing video games late into the night all hinder your recovery & sleep. There are more things that could be added to this list, but you get the picture.

Serious athletes/lifters know how to dial in their recovery/sleep to maximize their gains.

If you want to take your training to the next level, take a good honest look at your recovery and sleep habits. Change whatever you need to in order to be the best you can be!

Building mass with bodyweight exercises

I love to lift barbells and other heavy things. That kind of training gets results!

However, my other training passion is bodyweight training.

Bodyweight exercises are deceptively hard to do. Most don’t look that difficult, but wait until you try them!

Here’s an excellent training resource on bodyweight training, which I have studied already.

I recommend what works, period! I partnered with this company to get the word out on this book. Click on the book cover to read more about it. C-Mass: Calisthenics Mass by Paul Wade Calisthenics Mass: How To Maximize Muscle Growth Using Bodyweight-Only Training By Paul “Coach” WadeKeep in mind that not everyone will get the same results since everyone is different physically and in their levels of dedication.

Ed Coan in action

Anyone who missed Ed Coan’s Powerlifting seminar on June 4 right here

“in our own backyard” will probably regret it for a long time.

Twice a year “fat panic” sets in, don’t be fooled

Summer is just about here and so is the next “fat panic” across America.

This occurs   around New Years also. It is very predictable.

The unreasonable fear of looking bad in a bathing suit suddenly hits those who have neglected their health and fitness all the rest of the year.

Here’s the main problem, though:

  • slick marketers know this and prey on the people caught up in the panic
  • every slick scheme imaginable will be promoted through the media, Internet, etc.
  • gullible, uninformed people will buy almost anything to get slimmer fast

You can help prevent your family and friends from getting suckered by  the con artists out there by making them aware of this. Some still won’t listen, but some might.

Remember:

  • No one can safely get a lean attractive body in just a few days or even weeks
  • Rapid weight loss scams are dangerous
  • Losing weight fast with a crazy diet usually entails losing muscle mass and other things your body needs
  • It takes good program design and a solid work ethic to get fit and lean

The people who will look great in a bathing suit his summer are already in excellent shape, they bare not in panic mode. They trained all winter. There are NO shortcuts or magic formulas!

My approach overall is strength and fitness are the main priorities

However, train the right way for strength and fitness and the improved looks are just a byproduct of that.

Don’t let the people you care about get suckered!

 

Possible class cancellations due to Tropical Storm on Monday

Depending on the severity of the storm, road flooding, etc. we might have to cancel some or all classes.

Call or text me at 941-228-8341 before driving to the gym to be sure!

Recap of Ed Coan’s Powerlifting Seminar on June 4, 2016

The heat index was 112 degrees today in southwest Florida, and nobody cared if there was no air conditioning. We were there to learn from the incredible Ed Coan. Most of the people who came were extremely strong already, but they knew the value of expert coaching, they knew they could get even stronger.

I was very humbled to learning alongside some very accomplished Powerlifters, like Billy “The Tank” Tutko,  at this event.

The cool thing was, no one came across as rude or arrogant today. I was the oldest one there and one the smallest. Everyone was supportive and encouraging.

I learned a lot there and added over ten pounds to my deadlift PR. It was a very productive day!

PRs were being broken all over then place as Coach Coan worked one-on-one with each person there. His vast experience and knowledge let him pinpoint problem areas rapidly and teach how to fix each one.

Coach Coan really focused on the mental side of lifting as well as getting your whole body as strong as possible.

This very cool training event was held in a place that many would think was very unusual for Powerlifting, a CrossFit gym. However, this is no ordinary Crossfit gym.

CrossFit Havoc is run by Jim Denofa, and his lovely wife, Natasha.  Jim was a Powerlifter before he started CrossFit and he is good at both.

The take-home points are

  • never stop learning
  • never put limits on what you can do
  • train with Ed Coan if you ever get the chance

 

Tendon strength–the missing link in training

The first time I heard tendon strength mentioned as a focal point of training was back in 2004 at a Russian Systema school here in my city. The instructor, Saulius “Sonny” Puzikas, had served in Special Operations (Spetsnaz) before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He knew what mattered in the real world when. it came to training, and I took his advice.

Tendon strengthening is part of our training here at the Cave.

Since that time I learned many others  focus on tendon strength, especially those who do Strongman training. While other strength sports also realize the importance of it; I have learned the most from Strongmen.

The latest issue of Milo has an excellent article on this subject by Dr. William Crawford.

He stresses building a solid  foundation of full ROM movements, then adding heavy partial lifts and carries. We use these often in our training, in fact, I increased their use after having some tendon injuries. I have not had any other injuries since that time.

Tendons do  not heal as fast as muscles, it is wise to protect them.

Strong tendons won’t make you bullet-proof, but they will definitely help you train safer and get much stronger.

 

What books I am studying now

CrossCore® Hardcore Revolutionary Resistance: How to Build Maximum Muscle and Extreme Strength Without Weights, Machines or Gyms

I continuously look for valid sources of training information from around the world. If the authors are credible and have lots of experience, I learn from them. This is my most current study resource. I have partnered with this company because of their high quality training resources and equipment.

 

The CrossCore® System
CrossCore®’s patented pulley system separates the device from any other suspended bodyweight product on the market. The CrossCore System represents a revolution in suspended bodyweight training.

Someone else being skinny didn’t make you fat