I got several comments after last weeks article on hill sprinting. Since I just got back from the hill this morning I’ll address the comments. And in case your wondering how this sprinting session went, I dropped my time from 30 seconds down to 29 for the first two sprints.
“I’m all about hill sprints but 6-8 reps of a REAL 30 second hill sprint would require the use of PCP or some kind of religious ritual”
Having never done PCP I can’t specifically comment on that. 
Of course, you will not be able to attain and maintain full speed the entire time, especially as you get tired. At least not in the beginning. By why limit yourself to thinking you can’t improve up to that level?
An all out sprint for 30 seconds is doable. Where you are actually going as fast as you possibly can go the entire time. And if you can do one, provided you have excellent recovery between reps you could do more.
After all, isn’t the point of training to go beyond what people think is possible? And isn’t training in some regards, similar to a religious ritual?
Don’t limit yourself by thinking it can’t be done.
“I’ve recently started normal cardio (i.e., running, swimming, biking) compared to lifting at an aerobic pace or kettlebell. Sprinting up hill sounds pretty good. I’m treadmill bound for stuff like that since I am in SW Florida and we are a basin (below sea level). Thanks for the inspiration as always.
“Oh, here is a little food for thought. Since I am new to “normal” cardio. Isn’t it amazing how we can be good at one thing and another sport tires us out? Training in Capoeira for over five years now. I consider our discipline the most cardio/aerobic intense out of the other Martial Arts (in general). I can “play” for hours, yet put me on a treadmill and I am dead after two miles at a decent pace jog. Just the opposite, I have a friend who runs marathons, but she tried Capoeira one day and she was done after five minutes of the basic move, ginga.. …. Do you have thoughts on that to share with “the class”? ”
Nick
I’ve run into this happening many times. You think the man, a conditioning machine, from swinging and snatching kettlebells all the time.
But then you go and play a game of soccer, for example, and just a few minutes of running around gets you out of breath. You think to yourself ‘Why is this happening?’ since you know you are in good shape.
Its mostly because the body is just efficient at one form of movement over another which is why even if you’re conditioning is good, something new can throw you off. While you can swing around kettlebells like a champ, your body may not be adapted to running. So it takes much more energy to do so.
Once you get into the groove of the new movement though you should find you’ll be doing much better. And your conditioning from one exercise will transfer over.
For this reason it would be best to practice a variety of conditioning methods if you wanted to be the best all-around athlete you could be.
That just about wraps it up for today. But before I go I wanted to let you know about a certain project in the works.
It’s unlike anything that has been seen in the strength training arena before. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just spinning your wheels in your training, not making progress, or not making enough progress, this is something you’ll want to pay attention too.
And because of the format you’ll ‘get it’ 100 times better than you would just reading a book or watching a video.
I know those are some bold claims, but I plan on backing them up. And if everything goes to plan it’ll be ready sometime late June or early July.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Conditioning, Kettlebells by on Jun 3rd, 2009. Comment. 
There are bodyweight guys. There are kettlebell guys. There are clubbell guys. There are barbell guys.
Some of its marketing but I think the biggest reason behind this sticking to one system is exactly what happened me.
I use to go to a commercial gym like most people seeking to get fit. And I never got much by way of results. Then I found out about bodyweight training. After a little testing I went full force into that.
This was good and bad. The good was that I focused on that training and saw lots of benefit from doing it. The bad was that since I was now getting results I thought anyone who did anything else was wasting there time.
Over time I started using some other training implements and saw the benefits in doing so. The fact, is each tool has its own unique advantages and drawbacks.
Bodyweight exercises are great because you can do them anywhere. They quickly get you in tune with your own body. And you really should have some mastery over you body before doing anything else. But sometimes in life you have to pick something heavy up, and there’s no way you can recreate that with bodyweight exercises.
Barbells are great because they are balanced, actually the perfect tool for lifting maximum weight. With plates you can incrementally use more and more weight. But for the most part the training is one-dimensional. And that balanced tool can act against you when you have to lift something that’s not made for lifting.
Clubs are great because they offer real three-dimensional training. You can hit the arms and shoulders in ways that can’t be replicated. But for building maximum strength levels they may not be your best choice.
I could go one but I think the point is clear.
In my training I use bodyweight, kettlebells, clubbells, Indian clubs, trap bar, barbells, thick handled dumbbells, block weights, grippers, the formulator, sledgehammers, nails, bands and I’m sure there are a few other items I’m forgetting.
Each tool has its purpose and that’s why I use it. In the end that’ll make you stronger and a better athlete.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Making good headway on the big project I mentioned last time. Next week I should have an update, the first details on what it is.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bodyweight Exercise, Kettlebells, Odd Objects, Strength Training Concepts by on Jun 10th, 2009. Comment.
Meet the Vibram Five Fingers. These relatively new shoes are made to recreate the barefoot feel while still offering the protection of shoes.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCssDob8FAw]
Vibram Five Finger Shoes Review
It took a couple times being exposed to them, but I decided I had to get a pair. And boy am I glad I did. Now I wear them whenever I train, and many times when I’m not.
Even took them hill sprinting. Though there isn’t much padding I had absolutely no troubles. My feet felt fine even running all out on concrete.
But then the next day rolled around. Wow were my calves sore. You see the natural way to run is with your whole foot and more towards the ball. This is opposed to the regular running shoe with its inches of padding that makes you heel strike.
It’s a different way to run and how its suppose to be done. And maybe its just progression but I have gotten faster since switching from shoes to the Vibram Five Fingers.
I recommend you check them out.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Flexibility/Mobility, Health, Videos by on Jun 17th, 2009. Comment.
