What brings the most improvement?

I read an article in T-Nation last year that really stuck with me.

During yesterday’s Deadlifts for Disaster Relief  event, one of our lifters had gone from a former PR of 235lb  a few months ago to a new PR of 355lb.

That is a big jump! He was pretty strong already when he came to the Cave and  needed to focus on improving his technique.  His technique improved and he could handle more and more weight.

While it is common knowledge among coaches that untrained,  new people improve very fast in the beginning; his progress was still notable.

Some would ask if he got stronger or just got  better technique.

I would say both.  He is a very dedicated, disciplined guy who will go far in his training.

I have the link to the  T-Nation article here if you want to dig deeper into this.

Let me know how you see it, okay?

 

 

Pursue excellence one reps at a time

Happy Thanksgiving

100% or not at all

I have heard quite a few people say this to me about  training over the years, and it sounds like they are really motivated.

I used to believe them when I was  just starting out. I would  think, “That guy is going to do really well. ” Here’s what he was really saying (between the lines),”I’m not going to any of this but I don’t have the guts to tell you.”

The  focus was on the “not at all” part of the statement in his statement, not the “100%” part.

It is beyond me why anyone would not want to be healthy and strong. It makes absolutely no sense.

Is being sickly and weak a  better deal in life?

If I have a person come to discuss training and he tells me he doesn’t really know how to lift, but he wants to learn, and is humble and hungry for solid training advice, he is one who will probably take action and train consistently.

No big ego, no big talk, and maybe not even in decent shape at all (yet),

he’s the person I want to work with! He will listen and apply what he learns.

“I’m freezing!” Really?

I grew up in Massachusetts, but I escaped to Florida as soon as possible.

Since I did a lot of hard physical labor for my work, I adapted well to the change of environment.

So today, we got our first “chilly” day here in this beautiful beach town I already know I’m going to see people wearing hooded sweat shirts, jackets, etc.. I almost have to laugh, because it’s not really cold out.

The bad part is that they won’t adjust to the cooler temperatures because they don’t give their bodies the chance to naturally.  Why should your body adapt when you are smothering it with warm clothes? It doesn’t have to.

In like manner, many people who move here from up north never adjust to the heat. They are always staying in air conditioned environments. Their bodies are being kept from adapting to the heat.

How healthy do you think it is to over react to slight temperature changes like this?

In my opinion, it’s not healthy  at all. It’s just another example of weakness.

People just refuse to toughen up unless they are forced to. Why not just choose each day to toughen up a little more voluntarily?

You will not regret it!

 

schedule changes

There  will not be any more 6:30 am classes until January

Also, the Cave will be closed this Friday (Nov. 13)

Deadlifts for Disaster Relief–helping those who help others

I personally know these people and they are legit!
check them out for yourself right here

“no rules” outdoor training

The power of consistency

Powerlifting can make your stronger than you’ve ever been

I love all forms of heavy lifting!
Many people, especially from other training disciplines, don’t seem to appreciate how strong Powerlifting can make a person. This is to their own detriment.

People who may never have the desire to compete in Powerlifting, should still include Powerlifting in their training anyhow.

My gym, the Cave, started off as one of the first CrossFit gyms in the country in 2005 but I never pursued that alone. The Cave is not like other cookie-cutter gyms,
I use what works and I don’t give a rip about trends or fads.I have included Strongman training and Underground Strength training for quite a few years, and in the past few years I have added in Powerlifting.

This was one of the best things I have found for getting a person just plain strong!
Bench press, squat, and deadlift can build serious strength. Just those three lifts are a formidable arsenal.

If a person already does Strongman or Olympic Weightlifting, they are on the right track. Those will also make you crazy strong.

Powerlifting can still be a huge asset for anyone who wants to improve their overall strength. Don’t limit yourself! The results will speak for themselves!