Watch, listen and learn

Strongman videographer and strength training aficionado, Garrick Daft, posted this two part interview with Zydrunas Savickas and Andrus Murumets on YouTube. It's not riveting as such but the nuggets of true training are in there if you listen carefully. Here's my comments on interviews.

Andrus Murumets

The Best thing from Murumets is him saying that training grippers makes your hands weaker. David Horne and I have been saying that for years. Grippers are good for grippers. Can we please stop training them if you want strong hands!!!

Also, his training routine is BIG and BASIC with virtually no events! The man is incredible but what I think we forget sometimes is that the events are not the be all end all. Train them but the main thing is to get stronger. That means a BIG squat and Big Deadlift and Big overhead lifts. The rest will follow.

Zydrunas Savickas

Zydrunas is a quiet, determined individual. He says he has strength in reserve and that he saves his best for competitions. Many strongmen and athletes could learn from that. There's no point getting all fired up in training week in week out. Save the big psyche for competitions.

He loves the iron! I mean he loves lifting heavy. He may not get super excited like some guys but deep down you can tell he loves it. Do you?

See how he gives props to Kazmaier. Pure class. Young lifters could learn a LOT from that alone.

Here's the videos...

Nick

Comments

[Mike]

I think I need to start scooping more dog poop!

In your estimation, what is the best type of protein for fitness: soy, whey, or milk-based? And why?

[James]

Can you please explain further the comment about grippers weakening handstrength?

I know that they do not involve the thumb but it is the 'weakening' aspect that I can't understand.

thanks

James

[Christian D]

Thanks for posting that up Nick. Great interviews.

[Nick McKinless]

Mike,

With regards to protein. I tend to vary the ones I use just like I vary training. This is mainly for taste reasons. Soy protein would be for those who cannot tolerate the casein or whey. For the majority though I believe whey is the best.

Nick

[Nick McKinless]

James,

Grippers use one type of grip motion - crushing strength. This type of movement is not used all that much in everyday life, strongman and in weightlifting in general. You need to be able to hang onto heavy objects. In the past I have trained the grippers heavily and found that many other types of grip strength (pinch, support etc) suffer in terms of strength. This is just an observation by myself and others. The grippers tend to have one use - grippers. Training them exclusively will get you good at grippers but not at overall grip strength. Therefore in the long run your getting weaker rather than stronger.

Nick