I’d been trying to break into the semi pro basketball league over here for 3 years with no success.
The result (12 months ago): I was 6-2, 230 and trying to play point. My vertical leap was shit, my 40 yard dash was slow, my 3 lifts were relatively poor.
After I got cut at last years tryouts the team strength coach told me that I needed to lose 20 pounds and focus on the actual game. Ditch the bodybuilding, the isolation movements, the bodybuilding diet and focus only on strength, power, movement and the skills.
I went away upset considering the amount I had spent on supplements, steaks, chicken breasts and etc to put that hard earned size on.
I weighed it all up and the ball was still the number one priority.
I busted my arse for a year working on heavy compound exercises and a heavy focus on energy systems work.
The result: I lost the 20lbs, and improved every measurable performance indicator and made my way into the team this year.
I thought I would share this story with many of you out there so that you can learn from the mistakes I have made. Had I given up the bodybuilding training 3 years ago, I would have made the team at the ripe age of 18. It makes me wonder what could have been.
Would you characterize this site as being not helpful in your quest for your goals? What I mean is, this site is also for athletes, not just bodybuilders. Is this not so?
Good luck with your career. I wish you all the best.
Congrats on making the team, BigShow. Of the 20lb you lost, how much of it was muscle and how much of it was fat?
It’s good to see that you’re spreading the message, too. I’m sick of hearing that a lot of our young athletes are training bodybuilder style because they know no other way.
I’m glad that you have made the necessary adjustment. As long, as you make the most of your time right now, you will be successful in whatever endeavor you choose to pursue.
Absolutely don’t dwell on the past though. Every athlete needs to have a very VERY short memory of failures. Good luck.
[quote]kroby wrote:
Congratulations on your success.
Would you characterize this site as being not helpful in your quest for your goals? What I mean is, this site is also for athletes, not just bodybuilders. Is this not so?
Good luck with your career. I wish you all the best.[/quote]
Completely helpful. No site better than this. I have really worked on the Dave Tate and Defranco stuff where in the past I focused on the things that don’t matter in basketball like big bi’s a stuff.
[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
That’s a great thing to say…because like, this isn’t…you know…bodybuilding’s think tank or anything…
It was your own fault for focusing on the thing that would not help your goals. [/quote]
This was posted in the strength sports.
I was focusing on my goals. I was just chosing the wrong method such as 6 day splits and isolation exercises. I was young and stupid in thinking that traditional bodybuilding would make me a better athlete.
[quote]RagingBull wrote:
Congrats on making the team, BigShow. Of the 20lb you lost, how much of it was muscle and how much of it was fat?
It’s good to see that you’re spreading the message, too. I’m sick of hearing that a lot of our young athletes are training bodybuilder style because they know no other way.[/quote]
I’d say it was around 12-15lbm. Which was a lot of hard work.
Yeah, I was stupid. Just picked up a flex with “Ronnie Colemans 6 days of Hell” workout. Luckily he does work the heavy compounds like bench, deadlifts and squats so it wasn’t all bad. No olympic lifts though, which I believe do help.
[quote]jdavis2007 wrote:
I’m glad that you have made the necessary adjustment. As long, as you make the most of your time right now, you will be successful in whatever endeavor you choose to pursue.
Absolutely don’t dwell on the past though. Every athlete needs to have a very VERY short memory of failures. Good luck.[/quote]
I’m not too concerned about the time past. I’m a hell of a lot hungrier than the other guys on the team.
[quote]Big Show wrote:
Completely helpful. No site better than this. I have really worked on the Dave Tate and Defranco stuff where in the past I focused on the things that don’t matter in basketball like big bi’s a stuff.
[/quote]
Look no further than those two authors. You’re in good hands. Simple yet so damned effective.
Heads up: Beware the flaming for dissin’ bodybuilding.
[quote]Iron Beast wrote:
Big Show wrote:
Completely helpful. No site better than this. I have really worked on the Dave Tate and Defranco stuff where in the past I focused on the things that don’t matter in basketball like big bi’s a stuff.
Look no further than those two authors. You’re in good hands. Simple yet so damned effective.
Heads up: Beware the flaming for dissin’ bodybuilding.[/quote]
Posts like yours show you (and some others) just miss the point. Maybe you have a hard time reading. No one would throw a negative comment at this guy for finding what works for him. If he is now successful at his sport, more power to him. I hope he goes pro if that is his goal. The only thing that needs to be pointed out, is that many athletes still train for development, however, their performance takes top priority. Acting like “bodybuilding” held you back instead of noting your approach to lifting as a whole held you back is where the mistake is.
How many people who claim the title “bodybuilder” on this board even train like Ronnie Coleman? Didn’t Karl Malone train very much like a “bodybuilder” in his offseason while still training for basketball? It isn’t like he avoided “curls”.
Either way, Big Show, congrats on finding your own groove.
[quote]Big Show wrote:
FightinIrish26 wrote:
That’s a great thing to say…because like, this isn’t…you know…bodybuilding’s think tank or anything…
It was your own fault for focusing on the thing that would not help your goals.
This was posted in the strength sports.
I was focusing on my goals. I was just chosing the wrong method such as 6 day splits and isolation exercises. I was young and stupid in thinking that traditional bodybuilding would make me a better athlete.[/quote]
Just seemed like an odd thing to say here particularly, but I hear you. Good luck.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Posts like yours show you (and some others) just miss the point. Maybe you have a hard time reading. No one would throw a negative comment at this guy for finding what works for him.
[/quote]
Fighting Irish for one.
I agree with the Kudos.
The quote from his coach was to lose 20lbs. I see that as holding him back. The heavy lifting probably helped to an extent but the more I hear about these super strong and ‘built’ 2nd or 3rd rate players makes me think that these guys should spend more time practicing their skills and sport specific drills than wasting time in the gym bodybuilding.
Nobody said to avoid curls. He just said big bis weren’t a priority. Karl Malone actually used to even train on game days. I have an article of his where he said he would often to a light 45 minute shoulder session.
Malone was a workhorse and it worked for him but I doubt the majority put that sort of effort in. Or, I would suggest the majority use their time effectively to do the training that transfers best over to the court.
[quote]
Either way, Big Show, congrats on finding your own groove.[/quote]