Hey man,
I have a question regarding martial arts, what’s your opinion on developing both left and right handed skills? I bet it’s useful but is it worth the extra time and work?
Thanks man and good work as always.
As far as the bands, those are the minis and they’re doubled, so they add some 40ish lbs in the bottom and close to 90 lbs at top. But because of different things going on, it’s not even exactly the same from rep to rep for the same person much less the same for each individual.
[quote]Tim_Tom wrote:
I think ice figured out why you were passing out on front squats a little while ago. The carroted artery has pressure sensors in it, which if they are pressed on can alter your blood pressure, making your heart beat faster or slower. This means that you don’t have to cut off the blood supply to your brain for the supply to stop - your body is given false signals and reacts to bad information.[/quote]
I’ve been experiencing this as well. While I’m nowhere near Alphas top weight… when I get a top weight for me, unracked…just standing there I get that same feeling. …but so far I’ve gathered my self… got my air , got tight and nailed the rep. No actual passing out… but like you said a full false signal. . …
Barbed: it doesn’t have to even be especially heavy. Doctors can bring about a change in blood pressure by just gently massaging the area with their fingers. Wearing your collar too tight can cause a bad signal. Try moving your neck around so the bar lies in a different place
I was thinking the same about the front squats. If you can make your receptors think your blood pressure is way too high, it makes your body drop your blood pressure level drastically. Because your brain doesn’t wanna pop a vein and your hearth can only handle so much pressure.
Thing is, your blood pressure isn’t really that much, or not at all, elevated, so now your dealing with a far to low pressure level. Equals oxygen deficit upstairs equals lightheadedness or even unconciousness.
Same concept demonstrated here:
Cheers pan, couldn’t (and didn’t) put it any better myself.
Regev: 100% Yes. I cannot tell you how many times being proficient on both sides has helped me out. If you are only good on one side then you are literally cutting your option in half. Plus, being able to use both sides equally in most things makes you a more balanced and athletic individual. Muscle imbalances are much less likely, your overall coordination increases and there are even some studies that show your brain works better and builds new neural pathways when you do things on your “dumb” side (this is why people recommend you start by brushing your teeth with your less dominant hand first thing in the morning. It “awakens” new parts of your brain and better primes it for the day).
I wasn’t always ambidextrous, but once I started training martial arts seriously, i started doing everything with both hands/feet. Then in college I had a compound fracture in my right hand but was still able to write fine with my left, so it didn’t set me back at all. (yes, i went to college back when you actually had to write down your exam answers in a little blue book…I’m old)
Fletch: That actually makes a lot of sense. I would estimate that is just about exactly how it felt. It was no joke brother! i liked them and think I will keep them in my programming for a while. Thanks for the help!
Barbedwired: Yea man, the responses below are much more educated than mine, but the way i have been able to remedy the feeling is to flex my butt in the front rack. This seems to light up my posterior chain enough that it is no longer a problem.
Tim_Tom: That makes a lot of sense as well. Whenever I wear a tie and have to button that top button on a dress shirt I get a mild version of that feeling. Maybe I should just buy better fitting shirts! Thanks for all of your input on this!
Pano: Yep, we are trained in that same type of strike at my work. The powers that be call it a “brachial stun” I have personally never seen anyone get knocked out by it, but I have seen similar reactions.
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“Life has no victims. There are no victims in this life.
No one has the right to point fingers at his/her past and blame it for what he/she is today. We do not have the right to point our finger at someone else and blame that person for how we treat others, today.
This life makes no room for cowards.” --C. JoyBell C.
MONDAY, 14SEPTEMBER2015 - Work For Today (Morning)
Wave 2/Week 4/Day 1
CONDITIONING - “Bring Sally Up” Burpee Broad Jumps
Follow the Lyrics on the song. Every time it cues you to “Bring Sally Down”, Drop into the bottom portion of a push-up (Nothing but your hands and feet touching the ground!) and remain there until the song tells your to “Bring Sally Up”. Every time that happens, recover to your feet and broad jump as far as you can.
STRENGTH
Deadlifts against a doubled up red band: 135x3, 225x3, 315x3, 405x3, 455x3, 500x3
Then
Deadlifts against a doubled up red band: 315x10, 335x10, 365x10, 405x10
150lb Kettlebell Swings: 10, 10, 10, 10
Weight Cut
Walked for about 30 Minutes with a 50lb weight vest
NOTES:
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Today was the first time I have ever pulled against bands. Wow. It makes a difference! I never would have believed that it would be that much harder! Worked up to a heavy single then went into the rep work.
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I got some video footage of the deads and the 150b KB Swings but need some more stuff before I make the video.
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For those of you who have twitter accounts, I started one for my gym and my training as of yesterday. If you are interested in seeing what my day to day will look like as I get ready for Nationals and Maryland’s Strongest man, you can follow me at @NEVERsate.
I really appreciate all of you who have supported me so much in all of this, it means more than you know!
MONDAY, 14SEPTEMBER2015 - Work For Today (Evening)
STRONGMAN EVENTS
10 Muscle -Ups
50 Foot Zercher Yoke Walk @ 360lbs
10 Muscle -Ups
50 Foot Zercher Yoke Walk @ 450lbs
10 Muscle -Ups
50 Foot Zercher Yoke Walk @ 540lbs
10 Muscle -Ups
50 Foot Zercher Yoke Walk @ 600lbs
NOTES:
- I wanted to test out my foot for one last time on a heavy Zercher yoke walk before I rest it going into Nationals. I hit the competition weight (600lbs) and it definitely hurt, but it was sustainable.
Here is a video of today’s training. It has a set of my speed deadlifts against the bands, one of my 150b kettle bell swing sets, a set of my muscle ups and my last 2 percher yoke walks of the day.
Giving hell on the zerchers!! Man, handling 600 lbs, I would shit a kindey! Awesome work.
About the brachial stun, seems like something great to learn. Chop to the throat is pretty much a mood killer in every way since there is so much important stuff taking a blow.
Tbh, not to sound like some BDSM bottom-bitch, but I kinda like the pressure on my throat like when you’re wearing a tie or button shirt (although I put up a fight before some gets me wearing a button shirt or tie, cassual for life). It feels like a good fitting belt or tightly tied shoe laces. Seems to give extra awereness and gives a feeling of power weirdly enough. I know for sure I run faster with tight laces, it gives this mix of security and slight discomfort.
Good luck on the weight cut and at Nationals! Your log has been pretty exciting lately. I’ve been trying to keep up but my house lost internet connection for the last week and school has been busy.
I also realized I never said thanks for the help on my stone lift last time I was there. 200# is not at all a big lift but it had been a personal goal of mine for awhile. “Just do your job” was probably the best lifting cue I’ve ever gotten haha.
Your chops are razor sharp man. I don’t even need to look at the other competitors when I say you’re gonna kick ass.
Tim_Tom
Sorry for forgetting the bro high five.
high five
Pano: Yea man, not gonna lie, Zercher yoke carries that heavy are absolutely miserable. There is absolutely nothing fun about them. Thanks for checking in man!
Roran: Hahaha thanks man! As far as the “Do your job!” lifting cue, that is something I use with most of the athletes at my gym. Once you know the technique of a lift, know what cues work for you and have built a routine that you follow before each and every lift, then how the weight feels or how heavy it actually is no longer matters. You are going to do what you do and the weight is going to do what it does. All that you can do is hope that the work you have accumulated will beat gravity. I don’t use the “Do your job” very often, but when someone is getting ready to hit something big, sometimes I will break it out to snap them from psyching themselves out or trying something they normally would not do. A PR attempt is nothing more than just another lift. If you follow your cues and execute properly, then all that is left is to see if you have put in the time being uncomfortable. If you have, then you will have something to celebrate. You did a great job that day, hopefully someday we will live close enough to each other to train together regularly.
By the way, the guy Dave you met just turned 50 2 weeks ago and hit an all-time Deadlift PR of 500 last night. I think i was more stoked than he was! Hope the shirt fits well!
Vinny: Thanks man, that means a LOT coming from you! It IS Nationals, so i know there will not be any slouches and everyone earned their ticket to be there, but I really, really hope you are right! Who knows, if i do well enough, i won’t even be able to compete at this year’s Maryland’s Strongest Man…That would be the best thing ever…
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Hope all is well out there! And thanks to those of you whom have showed interest in my twitter page (@NEVERsate)! If you have any suggestions of content you would like to see, please feel free to give me ideas, being new to social media, I feel like a little fish in a HUGE pond!
Hi Alpha and fellow patrons. So I’ve had an opportunity to go to a gym a few times with strongman equipment. The atlas stones are really a thrill to work with. I don’t know the ins and outs of the technique. But by watching your vids, I feel I did exceptional. You are correct in stating it’s about technique, because I out did my bud, who is considerably stronger than me, on upper body movements anyway. Moving on to the log, mmm, gonna take some getting used to. I damn near killed myself attempting to clean n jerk it. Lost my balance backwards, probably went to fast to soon. More will be revealed.
So I have a couple of questions, which you’re always so gracious to answer, and I appreciate your sharing of knowledge. Concerning atlas stones, a trainer at the gym says that bicep injuries are very common in strongman, and I should do curls. Now I haven’t done a curl in years, what are your thoughts on that? Second, and this is kinda a corny question. But when jerking a weight, what leg should go back? My friend says just have someone push you, and whatever leg goes forward, that’s your forward leg. I find it doesn’t work if you know someone’s going to push you. Maybe I just think to much. Either way, your thoughts please.
Now if I could throw my hat in the ring on the ambidextrous training bit, I would like to add my 2 cents. For people who are starting their training with the goal of competing, I think they should be focusing on getting to the level where they’re competitive first and then add the other side. If you’re spending 1 hour on each side and your likely competition is spending 2 hours orthodox then you’re going to be at a disadvantage in your technical skills.
That’s sort of the backbone for the time to train thing. If you only have 2 hours then getting great at attacking and defending from one side is better than getting okay at attacking and defending from both sides. The advantages of being average from 2 sides don’t outweigh the advantages of being pretty good from 1.
Of course, if time to train isn’t an issue and immediate competition before you’re good at both sides isn’t an issue then absolutely learn both.
Having said that, I’m aware MT and bjj both have a bit of ambidextricity involved anyway, and I believe mma will have more both way fighters in the future. My training knowledge is mostly boxing oriented, so take this with a grain of salt. I just feel the pros don’t outweigh the cons.
In closing, awesome vids as usual, motivation in a minute I call them! Contemplating eating challenge. Congrats on the Twitter, you sir, are exploding!!! Once again, thank you.
Yeah, I actually saw the picture of him on twitter, and was wondering if that was him. That was amazing! I can’t wait to come up again.
BetaBill: Thanks man, i really appreciate the kind words! As far as bicep curls…I would agree that the bicep is the weak point in most strongman positions and where most of the injuries come from…That said, I don’t do curls. Maybe it principal, maybe it’s pride, I dunno. All I can say is that if you are doing heavy rows, plenty of pull-ups and a ton of strongman work then I think your biceps are getting plenty of work. I am not sure that giving them more to do will be the X factor. It may help, it may not. All I can tell you is that I don’t subscribe to that philosophy.
About Jerks…Well, I am new to that game as well. I shoot my left leg out in front/Right leg back because that is the way I have stood in fighting for so long, so it feels more natural and faster for me to default to that. I’d say give both a try and see where you feel faster. Whichever that is, I’d start developing it.
As far as the ambidextrous discussion. I would agree with you when it comes to boxing/stand-up. The way i took it was being able to attack with both arms and legs, not switching stance. I think switching stances is usually a bad thing to do and agree with you. But on the ground, being good at attacking/defending with both sides is an absolute necessity. I think we both saw the question and took it different ways. I looked at it from the perspective from being able to use both of your sides effectively in terms of individual movements (have a good left side jab/hook with a good right straight and uppercut..etc) and ground positioning. You took it as a switching stance kind of thing (I think, I don’t want to presume to know your thoughts). I totally agree with what you said, i just hadn’t looked at it that way. But on the ground, i think having a dominant side puts you at a massive disadvantage.
Anyway, good post man, and thanks for the questions!
Roran: Yep, that’s him man! I am super proud of him! And I cannot wait for you to make it up again as well!
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“We believe in bravery. We believe in taking action. We believe in freedom from fear and in acquiring the skills to force the bad out of our world so that the good can prosper and thrive. If you also believe in those things, we welcome you.” --Veronica Roth
WEDNESDAY, 16SEPTEMBER2015 - Work For Today
Wave 2/Week 4/Day 3
AM: Did my coaching sessions with a 50lb weight vest on and then rucked for about 20 minutes with it.
PM:
CONDITIONING - 3 Rounds, As Fast As Possible
15 Kettlebell Swings
100 Foot Bear Walk
15 Kettebell Swings
100 Foot Gator Walk
Run 400 Meters Carrying a Medicine Ball
STRENGTH
Front Squats: 135x5, 225x5, 315x3, 405x2, 455x1, 475x1, 500x1 (PR vid)
Strict Axle Presses: 135x3, 185x3, 225x3, 245x3, 265x3, 285x1
NOTES:
- So there it is. a 500lb Front squat. Honestly, it really didn’t feel that bad. I guess the Zercher Yoke Carries had some good effect. I am pretty happy on this one since it has been a while coming!
Awesome work on the PR mate. It looks like you have a lot more in you, that went down and up so smoothly. Useful to see your grip on that too, as I’ve been struggling to get comfortable with the rack position. I notice your hands are much wider apart than I’ve been trying, when flexibility has previously been an issue. At the moment I pretty much balance it across my shoulders, get my elbows up high, and cross my arms so that my fingers touch the bar, but it feels as though by rotating inwards, I’m making a narrower platform for the bar, and that the lift is therefore less stable, which could cost me some extra lbs as I get closer to the 3’s month.
@Alpha Damn! Upper back gainz fo shizzle!
@Alpha @ Betabill
Hate to disagree with you, but I think switching stances has great potential.
If you have no clue what to do in the opposite, don’t get there! But spending some time learning to fight out of both stances can greatly benefit you, mostly offensive. It really fucks with your mind if one moment a right hook isn’t that much of a threat (ortho/ortho), and the next moment it is coiled just inches from your jaw (ortho/south).
Kinda a game of those mystyrious angles Joe Rogan always tells about.
It’s getting pretty common with high level strikers in the ufc. Demitrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, Max Holloway. And in kickboxing the disciples of the great coach Lucien Carbin, Tyrone Spong and Andy Ristie are masters of switching stances.
On the flip side, if you’re pressed for time, 1 stances is the way to go IMO, better 10 techniques at 100% than 100 techniques at 10%.
Incredible PR! That looked really smooth, not at all like a max attempt.
LondonBoxer: Thanks brother, I appreciate that! And I agree that the arms crossed position is kinda inferior, but many people do it because of mobility issues. That said, there are some absolute monsters out there that can front squat way more than I can doing it, so I could be totally wrong. One thing that some of my athletes do if they have the same front rack issue is to tie lifting straps around the bar and then hold onto them since they cannot get their wrists/shoulders back into position. This seems to work fairly well, but if you choose to go that route, continue working hard on your mobility because that same front rack position is VITAL for push-pressing/jerking big numbers over your head. Some people will also only put 2 fingers on the bar to get into position, then work up to three and eventually 4. Right now, I can usually keep all 4 in contact with the bar although none of them are wrapped around it. (in that last PR I started with 4 but then my pinky’s slipped out as the bar started to slide forward) My hands just kind of cradle it and I use them for stability, kind of like outriggers on a boat. And you will like going into he 3’s with front squats. There is a WORLD of difference between doing 3 reps of front squats compared to 5. I’m excited to see how you do.
Pano: Thanks for the kind words man! I have too much to say about the stand-up discussion and the points you brought up to write them all down right now at the moment. I appreciate your opinion.
Roran: Thanks man! Strangely enough, that rep looked better than all of my others above 400lbs. I’ll take the 500 for now and just wait and see how things progress from here, but I appreciate your faith in my shoddy front squat strength!