Alpha V

Training Training Logs
382

Yep, I’ve actually convinced 3 of my close friends to join me in doing the 30 day eating challenge from NEVERsate, beginning at the end of the month.

Lots of great information over there!

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383

@littlesleeper That is awesome news man! and Thanks for the support! If you have any questions or I can help out in any way, just let me know!

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On a side note, For one of my next videos, I would like to do a Q&A…Now all I need are some questions! If you guys have anything that you would like answered, it can be training related, diet related, or just general, feel free to post it here. It can be something you have asked in the past…If it is a good question, I might be able to use it in the video.

I really appreciate it everyone!

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Cool idea!

  1. I have asked this before and you have answered but I think it might still be good for a video: How do I get more explosive (in the powerlifts)? And connected to that - how do I use accommodating resistance to its fullest potential? How to incorporate bands, chains (and maybe plyometrics) into my training?

  2. What are your favorite movements to increase strongman performance? Like things you would recommend if you aren’t preparing for a specific contest. Staples, maybe besides the powerlifts and OHP.

  3. How to design your strongman program? Or specific recommendations. - This one might be a little too much for a Q&A video though. But maybe as a separate video.

  4. A classic: Favorite accessories for powerlifts + OHP and their importance.

  5. Importance of nutrition for performance (not for being lean but actual strength and power; not including drugs here)

  6. What did you do for a living in the past, how did you progress to owning an awesome gym and doing online coaching?

  7. What are your plans in strongman (and other sports) in the future?

  8. What is your favorite lift?

  9. What programs have you done in the past and what are your favorites? For what kind of athlete/ lifter would you recommend the conjugate method?

Pick the ones you like or think might be interesting for your subscribers (besides me :smiley: )
Yes that is quite some “fan-boying” right here. :smiley:

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385

Yes.
Yes to all of that.

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386

As a few extra suggestions:

  1. If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
  2. What music style(s) do you prefer, and why?
  3. I heard you play guitar. How long, how did you get into it and…play some tunes?
  4. What is the key to a great workout program for you?
  5. What is your advice to the rest of the lifting community out there? Is there a often overlooked factor?
  6. Lifter vs fighter, who will win? (classic internet firestarter)
  7. Why did you pick strongman? Why not another strength sport?
  8. Do you have a idol, and if yes, who?

I might at more, this is just what came up to me right now.

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387

I’m pretty sure there are a lot of questions out there waiting for you just that most of us just can’t think of it at the moment.

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388

Yeah I got a question.

What’s your favorite food?!?!

Also, [quote=“Panopticum, post:386, topic:212840”]
3) I heard you play guitar. How long, how did you get into it and…play some tunes?
[/quote]

more on this!

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389

Thanks for all of the questions guys! I just taped the first Q&A video, but I am sure i will be using a lot of these if this one gets likes. We will see, but I really appreciate you guys providing me with so much stuff to talk about!

========================================================
“The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy…but where are they.” --Plutarch

FRIDAY, 13MAY2016 - Work For Today
Wave 1/Week 2/ Day 5

DYNAMIC DAY…

At the top of every minute for 10 Minutes:
3 Banded SSB Box Squats @ 220lbs + 300lbs of Band Tension.

Then, at the top of every minute for 10 Minutes
2 Banded Deadlifts @ 335 + 270lbs of Band tension

Then, at the top of every minute for 10 Minutes
3 Banded Bench presses @ 205 + 90lbs of band tension

Then, at the top of every minute for 10 Minutes
3 Banded Axle Presses @ 135 + unknown amount of band tension (Doubled Blue Minis

ASSISTANCE - 3 Rounds
12 Banded Glute Ham Raises
12 GHD Sit-Ups

NOTES:

  • Lots of timed work today, but it all felt good. My deadlifts feel awesome right now…my presses do not. I will figure it out though.
  • Tried a new banded set-up with the overhead stuff and even at light weights, the lockout was pretty tough. I hope this will lead to bigger numbers!
390

So here is my first attempt at doing a Q&A Video. Thank you all very much for your questionsI I tried to keep the video around 10 Minutes and actually recorded quite a few more questions than I included in the first video, but I wanted to see how this one goes over before i spent more time on. If you asked a question and I didn’t answer it, please don’t worry, I will get to it. Please let me know if you would want to see more things like this from my channel. I really appreciate it everyone.

8 Likes
391

Hey Alpha,

I’ve been silently following along (or catching up as time allows). One of the few stops on the T-Nation train I make these days. Thanks for always keeping this log so filled with amazing content.

I had a quick question may you or T3H PWNISHER (just using caps so he might see his name) could help me out with:

  • I am looking to expand on my small-but-mighty home gym and a quality pair of dumbbell handles are the next thing on my list. Do you have any at your gym you use that you could recommend? Where did you get them? Every pair I find online has mixed reviews and I want to get a pair I know have been battle tested by the kind of guys I know are using them in a manner that stands up to punishment.

Thanks for your help and time,
Lonnie

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@T3hPwnisher

20 characters

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Appreciate the consideration on this one. In truth, I’ve got a set of Walmart’s gold’s gym olympic handles that I’ve had for years that do the job, but they’re nothing special. I also got a set of powerblocks which I really enjoy, but I’ve only had them for about a year so I can’t talk about putting them through the paces. I also have a Westcarry barbell DB row handle, but it’s only function is for DB rows.

I suppose I could make recs depending on what specifically you are wanting DB handles for. On that note, are you looking at standard or olympic?

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Olympic handles with clips that won’t go loose when I’m lifting essentially

395

Some semi-serious questions for your Q&A buddy:

  1. Toughest thing you’ve ever done physically? Training and non training.

  2. How much muscle do you think you’ve gained in total over your training journey? (Impossible question I know, but I’m curious if you have any idea or could make an educated guess.)

  3. Your last meal on death row?

  4. Training coaches who you respect the most?

  5. People generally (living or dead) who have made the most impact on you?

  6. Stories or qualities/descriptions of some of the real badasses you worked with/encountered in your previous job? (I know you have some disclosure limits here, but love to hear about tough guys who push the boundaries.)

  7. Three things you would tell your 10 year old self.

Am sure you’ll get plenty more, so will leave it there. Thanks as always for the info and inspiration dude.

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396

Hey Alpha,

Im just checking in. Long time no speak. Just letting you know Im really enjoying your videos. Since we last chatted I have followed your advice and I have taken up BJJ. Been at for 6 months and I am starting to “get it”.

A question for Q&A videos: What’s the worst injury you have ever had? Im asking this as I am going through another lower back injury relapse. I need some inspiration on getting over this and getting back on the mat and under the bar.

Uncle Bird.

tweet

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Also as a few other questions:

At what point does strength become a ‘game changer’ for you (relative/absolute/a formula/what you find fit)?

Best experience in your life?

Worst experience in your life?

What are your preferred ways to build mental toughness?

If you could give 5 guidelines to follow when strength training the rest of your life, what would they be?

Some you answered before, but perfect Q&A staples:

If you could do 5 exercises the rest of your life, what would they be (quite close to what Koestrizer asked)?

Your 5 favourite foods when eating clean, and your favourite cheat meal?

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You are doing great work! Keep it up! :slight_smile:

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@Lonnie123 Thanks for checking in brother! I hope all is well! When it comes to loadable dumbbell handles, the only one I have is a loadable axle handle that used to be Mike Jenkins’. It is about an 18" long solid pipe with plumbers clamps as collars. It is the same diameter as an axle so it works really well for taxing your grip and can be used as a circus dumbbell. The only issue is that it is next to impossible to hold onto when the weights get really heavy. But in those instances, you can always just use straps. Unfortunately that is the only loadable dumbbell handle that I have, so my knowledge on the subject is pretty limited. I wish i had a better answer for you brother!

@justrob Great questions man! I will definitely be using some of them in my next Q&A!

@theBird That is awesome news about BJJ man, it will change your life. No lie. And thanks for the question, I’ll definitely try to get to it in my next Q&A!

@Panopticum Thanks for the questions brother! I may just have to dedicate a Q&A to just the questions I have gotten from here in my log. They are some awesome ones!

@artex Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!

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“We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and disappointment.” --Jim Rhone

MONDAY, 16MAY2016 - Work For Today
Wave 1/Week 4/Day 1

MAXIMUM EFFORT LOWER
Paused Deadlifts
135
225
315
405
500
585
615
635 (PR)

VOLUME - 3 Rounds
5 Paused Deadlifts @ 505lbs
10 Toes To Bar

ASSISTANCE
Sumo Stance Stiff Leg Deadlifts: 315x10, 405x10, 405x10
10 Toes to Bar
Reverse Hyper: 270x12, 270x12, 270x12

NOTES:

2 Likes
401

I think you have to do a apart Q&A just because of the amount of questions asked here. Hell, these are enough questions for a full 10 episodes of Q&A!

Just a quick question to shoot, not per se for the Q&A: You still are increasing most of your lifts almost weekly. Do you notice common everyday things getting easier and easier as time passes by? Like picking, shoving, using stuff (groceries, wife, friends, opening jars)?