Aug/080
Impeccable Technique
Last night saw the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. And what a Games it was!
Sad to say its all over now. But at least I’ll be getting more down now that I’m back to not watching several hours of TV every single day.
Anyway, I was watching a bit of the weightlifting the other day. Putting over 500 lbs. up in the snatch is amazing.
The form of these athletes is of course as close to perfect as possible.
And that is born by doing thousands of reps and masterful coaching.
It got me to thinking. Just how much weight could I put up in the snatch IF my form was perfect? Then it would just be a matter of strength.
The number is probably twice what I can currently do.
There are two ways to put up bigger numbers. Get stronger physiologically or to improve your technique. That’s simplifying things but in general a good way to look at it.
The truth is the second way is much faster, but in the end it has a cap on how much it can do.
Though even then, great technique allows you to push harder at actually getting stronger. Plus it reduces risk of injury.
I have limited experience with the Olympic lifts. That’s simply a choice I made, and perhaps in won’t always remain that way.
One thing I do have much experience in is kettlebells. I didn’t start out that way. When I got underway I was nothing special. So I went to learn from the best.
One of the best is Master RKC Brett Jones. And he knows much more then kettlebells too.
He’s going to be teaching a RKC Prep Course at Iron Core in San Diego, California.
If you’re in the area and are interested in learning from the best check it out – Brett Jones RKC Prep Course. Today’s the last day to get on the early bird discount.
Now this isn’t for everyone, but as a favor to Brett and my friends at Iron Core I wanted to let you know about it.
In the near future I may be doing my own workshop down there.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Aug/080
Old-Time Strongman Seminar Part 4
Just a few pictures left from the Oldetime Strongmen University.
Have you ever tried to drive a nail through a board using your hand as the hammer? Dennis shows us how. I hadn’t really done this one before hand but if you want to learn how Dennis has got the DVD on it, How to Drive a Nail without a Hammer.
How about a little bending. Pat destroys JUST a Red Nail. Piece of cake.
My friend Tyler with a little scrolling action.
And myself levering a sword down to my nose. Usually I use sledgehammers for this feat but the 27 lb. sword had to be attempted. A little more awkward but since all the weight is not only on the tip its much easier than a 27 lb. sledgehammer would be.
That’s my conclusion of showing you a bit of what happened. What’s important is what comes next though. Applying the lessons and feats learned to the present and future.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Aug/080
Old-Time Strongmen Seminar Part 3
Here’s a few other people from the seminar performing various feats of strength.
First up, we have Aaron McKenzie doing one of the feats he’s best at. Tearing a deck of cards in two. It pretty amazing that he’s now one of the best, probably second only to Dennis, when not all that long ago he got started tearing just 9 cards.
Big John McGrath of Ireland. After a valiant struggle against this monster bar. Unfortunately I don’t remember the exact size at this time but no doubt is was a big and tough bend. If you’re ever in Ireland stop by Waterford Martial Arts.
And then there was Greg Matonick. An old-timer (and of course I mean that in the best possible light) who shared many, many great stories with us youngins. Here he is doing one of his specialties. Using his strong jaw as a vice to bend a horseshoe. He also mangles quarters the same way, believe it or not.
Of all the feats this is one I don’t recommend you try at home. Your dentist would not be happy.
As you can see the field of what’s possible and doable is far and wide. What can you become one of the best at?
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Aug/080
Having Fun, an Integral Piece of Training
Something important in training is to do what you enjoy doing. You won’t make the same kind of progress you if you just go through the motions of a workout you dread, that’s if you train at all.
But when you love what you do you’ll never miss a day plus you’ll be training harder because you enjoy it.
That’s why a lot of the guys at the top of the game are at the top. The Olympic athletes that I’ve been watching late every night. The strongmen I’ve been showing you pictures of and will continue to show.
One of the things I’m best at is kettlebell juggling. People keep telling me how impressed they are with my skills (now if only it was an Olympic sport I’d be golden).
It’s a little surprising to me. For one thing it didn’t even take long to get as good as I am. And two, it didn’t take any real effort. No effort to toss around large weights?
Yes its true. Simply because I have fun doing it. I have fun testing my endurance and coming up with new stunts. While it may be physically demanding my mind is playing around like a kid.
Not everyone wants to throw kettlebells around. Not everyone wants to even use kettlebells. Its a highly personal thing.
But if you are interested my new DVD set covering everything kettlebell juggling has just been released. Go check it out.
Whether you lift barbells or just your bodyweight, you have horseshoes bent across your neck or swim laps in the pool, toss around heavy weights or just swing them is your choice.
Whatever you choose, make sure its something you enjoy, then push yourself and the levels of what’s possible.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. The DVD’s are at a special introductory pricing and I’m not sure how long it’ll last. Get in on the even sweeter deal now. The Definitive Guide to Kettlebell Juggling
Aug/080
Old-Time Strongmen Seminar Part 2
Today we feature two rising stars in the small world of performing strongman. You may never have heard the name Chris Rider before. But you will now and definitely more in the future.
In just over a year of practicing these feats he is already one of the top guys. Here are a few pictures of him destroying a big horseshoe. This thing was a beast.
Pat Poviliatus is known as the best horseshoe bender in the world, but that title may soon fall to Chris. You can see the determination of his face. But you don’t get to see the full effort he put out in order to complete this bend. Or hear his yells.
It was awe-inspiring and gave a glimpse of why these guys are so good. They’re willing to push themselves to levels that would scare most people.
He also has strong hair. Although there’s no picture we all witnessed him snap a chain in half using his hair.
Mike ‘the Machine’ Bruce is the other. He has the World’s Strongest Neck but that’s not all. Here we have Tim Fox jumping off a ladder onto his stomach. Yeah, he’s got strong abs too.
But one of the most amazing feats involved both Chris and Mike. Combining their abilities as only they could. Chris bending a horseshoe across the throat of Mike. Another picture of intensity.
These guys were good, no doubt. But they’re also some of the friendliest people I know (everyone at the event was). It was a pleasure to meet and get to know them.
Check out their blogs at the following to find out more about them and their feats:
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Aug/080
Old-Time Strongmen Seminar Part 1
Where do I begin?
How about a brief synopsis. I was in Houston to learn from one of the strongest men in the world, Dennis Rogers. Even among the students there we had some very strong guys. Like ‘The Human Vise’ Pat Povilaitis, Mike ‘The Machine’ Bruce, and Chris ‘As of yet no real nickname’ Rider.
And everyone else was strong too but these men stand out. When you get around this caliber of individuals you’re pretty much expected to tear phonebooks and decks of cards in half. To mangle various sizes of steel with your bare hands.
Today I share a few pictures of the materials in the strongman trade. Here’s a few prize pieces signed and kept by Dennis.
It’s hard to tell the size of some of the objects but the common objects (like the coffee cup) should give you a frame of reference. Here’s a close up of the ‘S’ wrenches.
Here’s a hammer done by Chris Rider in the same manner. Very cool looking.
And now for a before and after shot of tearing through many phonebooks. And no, we weren’t quite done yet. I believe everyone was destroyed. One great thing about the seminar was we all had the opportunity to not only do a feat but get one-on-one attention and all our questions answered.
That’ll give you an idea of some of the feats the best can perform. Next time I’ll show you a few feats as they’re being performed.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. This kind of training isn’t for everyone. But if you want to do be able to do any of these feats or similar there is one man to turn to, Dennis Rogers.
Aug/080
Dennis Rogers’ Strongman Seminar
Just flew into Texas. Here to learn from one of the strongest men in world. Dennis Rogers is putting on a seminar to teach the art and business of strongman.
He is labeled as pound-for-pound the strongest man in the world at the feats he performs. Having seen videos of many of his feats, this is no joke.
I’ve learned a great deal from Dennis already through his various videos but have yet to meet him in person or see him perform. In just a few hours that will change.
It was his DVD that got me first into ripping phonebooks in half. And since then, roughly two years ago, I added a number of other feats to my repertoire from card tearing to bending horseshoes.
But something tells me that all that won’t compare much to even this single weekend.
Of course I’ll be reporting to you from the front lines. Depending on how much time I have available, if any, to write to you and get setup online.
In any case you’ll get a full account after its over.
Here’s to an exciting weekend. Although you may not be doing anything so grand, you can still put together a few great workouts.
And if you’re feeling it, add in a few old-time strongman feats.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Aug/081
Double Progressive Training
People like to make things more complicated than they have to be, especially when it comes to training.
I can understand calculating percentages and cycles and whatnot for the competitive athletes at the very top, but what about for the rest of us? In my opinion none of that’s necessary.
All you need is the simplest of arithmetic. Adding.
Adding weight, adding reps, adding time.
Nothing crazy and you don’t even have to remember anything if you keep a training journal. (You do keep a training journal, don’t you?)
Simply look at the last time you did the workout and shoot for adding weight, reps or time. However you plan on progressing. Just stick with it.
Now watch out I’m about to make this slightly more complicated.
Here’s the extra step that can add so much to effectiveness. Make it doubly progressive. Meaning you take two factors to progress with instead of just one.
So instead of always striving to do more weight you shoot for a target number of reps. Once you reach that number than you increase the weight and work back up to that number of reps. Then you’ll increase the weight again and so on.
The double progressive system works for all things but it’s especially useful when you can’t easily progress in one dimension.
For example, I’ve been adding weight to chinnups recently. I use kettlebells because I like the feel of belting them on vs. a backpack full of weight. Now I could increase the load little by little with the backpack but instead I shoot for 5 sets of 5.
When I reach the 5 x 5 I up the weight which will bring me down to about 5 x 3. From there I work up again.
That’s just one example of many I could give you. Without a doubt the double progressive system of training is effective. Use it and gain.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Aug/080
Purposeful Primitive Conditioning
I’ve been reading the Purposeful Primitive, a newly released book by Marty Gallagher.
Now before I go on, this book isn’t for everyone. Mainly it’s for power lifters and those people who want to follow a power lifting template to get strong and in shape.
That being said, there is much of interest to someone like me who hasn’t benched pressed in years. From the mini-biographies of some very strong men to the articles on mind power there is lots of gems in this 400+ page tome.
One thing I found very interesting was in the section on cardio exercise.
Of course I do anything but your conventional cardio. I haven’t stepped on a treadmill in even more years than since the last bench press.
But this confirmed a bit of my experience. In essence, anything that involves the use of four limbs rather than just two is going to make your heart work all the faster.
This is common sense if you think about it, but you know that common sense ain’t always so common.
Not that it just makes the heart work faster, but it’s easier to raise your heart rate higher. It feels like less of an effort overall to attain the same rate with two limbs as opposed to four.
If you take something like running, it takes a lot of work to jack the heart rate through the roof. Like sprinting all out for a distance or running up a hill.
Just a normal jog or run, if you are in good shape, isn’t enough to really test your heart.
But take something like a burpee. Something that uses the whole body. Even if you go at a relatively slow pace, you’re going to get out of breath faster.
Simply because your heart needs to pump oxygenated blood to all the limbs rather than just two (for the most part).
And if you add in a bigger muscular component you’re going to be even more out of breath.
Just something to think about. And if you want some more check out the Purposeful Primitive.
In strength,
Logan Christophe
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