I would be willing to bet that 99% of you who read this blog could not train like me. Lance and Cullen don't train like me. Actually, I don't know of anyone who actually trains like me. Most of the experts and gurus would tell you NOT to train like I do, but then again, most of the so called experts and gurus can't out lift me in the gym or on the platform, so I would say I am on the path to righteousness. At least for myself.
What do I mean with all that babble? Well, I am the only person I know who squats to a max single and deadlifts heavy in the same workout. Week in and week out, I hit a max squat single, either off a box with a special bar, or in full gear with a straight bar, and always follow it with heavy deadlifts off the floor. ALWAYS. Then I follow that with reverse hypers, seated goodmornings, glute-hams, abs, etc. I would venture to guess that most of you would burn out with this kind of training. Cullen and Lance would. I don't. And, 3 days later I do close stance squats, hack squats, and lower back and ab work. When I skip this, I feel worse. When I do it, and do it fairly heavy, I feel stronger then ever.
Why does this work for me? I wish I could tell you. I have experimented and found the formula for me to continue to add pounds to my total. You need to do the same.
What does this have to do with education? Everything. The single worse thing you can do in the gym is search the net to see what a top lifter is doing, and mimic it. This is the reason when someone asks for advice, I often tell them #1-pull of the floor once a week, #2-squat, and #3- do a assistance work, then I give them a list. I never actually like to lay out routines because I don't know you as an athlete, and without being with you in the gym, I cant tell you what you need to do. You need to figure it out on your own.
Squat wise, pick your poison: are you falling forward? Backwards? Weak out of the hole? Knees coming in? Weak at lockout? Weak midway? Back bowing over?
Deadlift wise? Are you weak off the ground? Lockout? Do you bow over? Is the bar slow? Where is your sticking point? Where is your starting position? Hips to high? Too low?
The list is literally ENDLESS. And there is no one fix all. So educate yourself. Use film, competent training partners, constructive criticism, etc. There are plenty of places to start, but read everything in context, don't assume who ever wrote it has your secret to platform success. I don't suggest anyone squat and deadlift heavy in the same workout. I do it because it WORKS for me. I learned this through TRIAL AND ERROR not reading someone else's training book or log and deciding it was a good idea. Think for yourself!
With that in mind, keep your eyes on the BEYOND STRONG main page, as well as the other blogs here. Shaf has been posting some good stuff if you are into kettlebell training and Oly style lifts. Theo tied the knot and it now among the married folk...regardless of what the bachleors say Theo, married life is as sweet as pecan pie. Also, check out the following places:
http://napalmjedd.blogspot.com/
http://www.appliedstrength.blogspot.com/
Do I agree with everything these guys say? Nope, but I recognize quality training info when I see it, and these guys are telling it like it is.
Tomorrow I travel to the pit of hell for straight bar squats in full gear and deads. I will fear no evil, for thou art with me-
-Rick
Rick,
Thanks for putting me on that list and I wholeheartedly agree with you - having a group of friends you can train with, trust and progress with is a great thing and in the end it is an individual journey.
Brett
Posted by: Brett | January 21, 2008 at 11:24 AM