Since studying Arthur Saxon I’ve been doing a number of the exercises he outlines in The Development of Physical Power and Text Book of Weight Lifting.
One of them is the bent press done Arthur Saxon style. Considering he put up more weight then anyone else in the bent press I think it’s a good idea to listen to him about this exercise.
Here is my newest personal record, a 135 lbs. bent press.
Watching the video I still see lots of room for improvement in my bent press technique. The hardest part by far is going from the arm resting on the side to a complete lockout. I could have gotten lower instead of just struggling to press it out a little bit. But hey, I was successful.
If you look closely you’ll see me firing an anchor before commencing with the lift. After using this tactic this lift actually felt easier then my previous reps with 125 lbs.
I have to say, having been doing this regularly, I understand why so many of the oldtime strongmen loved this lift. Go ahead and try it out yourself. Just start light and realize that this is a very technical lift. Of course using a kettlebell for it makes it easier to do.
If you want lots more details on the bent press and many other “oldtime” exercises I highly recommend you check out the Arthur Saxon Power Pack.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I’m going to start training with the two hands anyhow as well. When I break 200 lbs. in total I’ll post a video of that too.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Feats of Strength, Oldtime Strongmen, Videos by on Jan 23rd, 2012. 18 Comments. 
The Jefferson lift, also known as the Jefferson deadlift, Jefferson squat or straddle deadlift, is not a commonly seen exercise. In fact, I would put it as something that is forgotten or unknown by 99% of the population.
According to my research it was named after Strongman Charles Jefferson.
But since I’ve been introduced to it, I’ve absolutely loved it. Let me tell you why.
First off, let’s talk about how to do the Jefferson lift. It is like a conventional deadlift except you’ll step one foot over the bar so that you are straddling it.
At first glance, men are going to be scared of this lift as I‘ve heard it been referred to its nick-name the “nut-crusher”. Let me say that I’ve personally never had this particular problem. I suppose it does depend on several factors though including arm length, torso length, and how its hanging. For that reason it may not be appropriate for everyone. Anyway…
The great thing about the Jefferson lift is how you can find your own personal groove with it.
- You can hinge at the hips more to incorporate more back. (more like a regular deadlift)
- Squat down more, making it similar to a sumo deadlift, and use recruit more quad involvement. (more like a squat)
- Move the feet closer of further.
- Change your hand position closer or wider.
- Turn more to the side, or stay facing straight forwards.
- And of course you can switch what foot is facing forwards.
There’s a lot of variation here. If you’ve ever looked for something that is same but different this is a great one. If you do biofeedback training, this exercise alone is a testament to what can be done. And on that note its note surprising the results David Dellanave has gotten with it. Here he is lifting 605 lbs. in the Jefferson.
It has been instrumental for me in increasing my conventional deadlift up to 505. And now I’m working to go even further.
Here is one more important point. The Jefferson is similar to the trap bar deadlift in that the weight is centered under you, unlike in a conventional deadlift where the weight is slightly in front of you. For this reason alone I find the Jefferson lift is actually a safer variation for many people.
Of course there is some unique core work involved, which could be great for you, or not so much. After doing a set of heavy Jeffersons you’ll feel your rib cage on one side perhaps unlike ever before.
Go ahead and try this deadlift out if you never have.
Here’s your question for the day. If you’ve done the Jefferson deadlift before “what are your experiences of it?”
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you want to learn a whole bunch more similar “oldtimer” exercises I suggest you check out the Arthur Saxon Power Pack.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bio Feedback, Lifting Technique, Oldtime Strongmen, Strength Training Concepts, Videos by on Jan 18th, 2012. 7 Comments.
Can you even comprehend it? 370 lbs. overhead with one hand!.
It boggles the mind.
Just pick that weight up off the ground (if you can!) and feel how heavy that is.
Just try to shoulder the weight into place. Much harder than you might think.
Since diving into the Saxon material I’ve been doing a whole bunch of new exercises. I honestly feel like I was missing out on something big in my training, and these forgotten exercises provide just what I needed.
Plus I’m having a blast doing them. Today I was doing 120 lb. dumbbell clean and jerks followed by press lockouts. What fun!
You see the one of the main principles I gathered from studying the Iron Master was that overhead lifting is one of the big keys to overall strength. That’s why at least two thirds of his recommend exercises involved just that.
There’s two more major principles I gathered as well just as important at that one, which brings me to something I hadn‘t done in years.
Yesterday I was working on the bent press. Set a new record for myself of 115 lbs. which I did pretty easily.
Taking it slow as I improve my technique (Though I’m not a stickler for “correct” technique, the difference here is this is a highly technical lift). By the end of the year I plan to hit at least 135 lbs.
Arthur claims that this is the best lift, and he says his success in it did not sway this opinion.
If you‘re looking for something new and different for your workouts…
If you want to handle barbells and dumbbells in ways that will stop most others cold…
If you want to broaden your shoulders and beef up your back and arms…
If you just plain want to become FREAKISHLY STRONG…
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. The Arthur Saxon Power Pack is one of my new favorite courses.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Feats of Strength, Lifting Technique, Strength Training Concepts by on Nov 2nd, 2011. 2 Comments.
Was working on a new soon to be released project the other day and I did this move which I though was lots of fun.
Try it out but be sure to do it outside and start light.
This come from the new Arthur Saxon Power Pack course.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Videos by on Oct 26th, 2011. 7 Comments.
I entered the gym, later than normal, as I had got caught up in a bunch of work earlier. I was feeling pretty good and wondering what exercises I would do today.
Then it popped into my mind…
“You can deadlift 505 today.”
Deadlifting more than 500 lbs. has been a goal of mine for over a year now. I’ve made progress on it only to get sidetracked a number of times over that year.
But now I was more serious about it. I had run my 17 Steps to 100% Goal Setting Success so I knew it would happen sooner or later.
And now my intuition was telling me today could be the day…
But I didn’t believe it. Not at first.
Two days ago I had done 225 lb. Jefferson deadlifts for a total of 74 reps in just over 9 minutes. Then yesterday I was doing partial deadlifts on the plateau buster. Four doubles of 615 lbs. in 8 minutes.
Surely I can’t set a new 20 lb. lifetime max (previous max of 485 on 6/10/11) after doing some forms of deadlifts the past two days.
But I decided to at least give it the benefit of the doubt. I grab 135 on the bar and pulled it up. Felt good. Okay. 225, same thing. 315 was good too.
Maybe it is possible?
Since I’ve been deadlifting a while I’ve noticed a pattern. Whenever I set a new max I first pull lighter weights for more reps than I’ve done before.
At 405 I only did 4 reps but could have easily done 6, if not more.
At 455 I did a triple.
Wow, I think it actually will happen.
I loaded the bar up to 505.
This was only the second time ever I’d be attempting this weight. I had tried it once before at the Tactical Strength Challenge. It didn’t budge off the floor then.
I don’t psych up in the normal sense but I started to do some advanced mental and energy training tactics on myself. Its what my friends Bud Jeffries and Chuck Halbakken affectionately refer to as “voodoo” or “black magic”.
Specifically I was using what I’m calling the ‘Holy Sh!t This Is Powerful Technique’. I’ve still got more testing to do with this before I unleash it to the world but I think the name says a lot. 
I set the camera recording. Used a energy power installation and anchor to stack even more strength on top.
Then I got ready to do the lift…
Here is the video and I’ll give you a play by play below.
It started moving so I was off to a good start.
Once I was past my knees the involuntary shaking began. I’ve only had this happen twice before in my life when it comes to deadlifting. One time before I missed a new max back at 455. The second time I was successful with 485. Usually if the weight is too heavy I don’t get it past the knees.
At this point, it being a goal for so long, I was thinking in my mind, “You’ve gotten this far, just finish it!”
It was more than my body wanted to handle. But in this case my mind forced it and I locked it out.
Sure, I would have liked to have done it easier, and I will in the future. But true maxes seldom are pretty. (And I’m sure to get all kinds of hate mail about my form. At this point I’m used to it, but it works for me.)
There were a lot of things that went into making this possible. I’ve briefly outlined some of them here.
But right now I want to highlight the mental training aspect of it. No one is teaching this, yet it is one of the most powerful allies you have that can be added on top of whatever you’re currently doing.
And if a skinny guy like me, who grew up so weak I couldn’t do a pushup, can now deadlift over 500 lbs, you can accomplish your goals too.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to deadlift. If you want to excel at kettlebells, bodyweight training or feats of strength…
If you’re looking to shed some fat, or add on muscle…
If you just want the added edge in your sport…
This package deal will be pull down shortly. In fact I only have 5 left in stock.
There are techniques to unlock the powers of your mind, which will allow you to better unlock the powers of your body.
Use them and you will become more powerful. I guarantee it!
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bio Feedback, Lifting Technique, Mental Training, Recovery, Videos by on Aug 8th, 2011. 7 Comments.
Back in April was the Tactical Strength Challenge. This was the first time I competed in the event.
Just the other day I looked on the main website and found the results were finally up. Take a look.
I’ve reposted the video of my events here.
If you look at the scores and then the video you’ll notice I was short changed two pullups. Not sure how this happened, but I don’t think it would have changed my rank at all. I know David Dellanave, but have never heard of Raymond or Derek. But one thing is for sure…they’re all strong!
Overall I’m quite happy with it. The next Tactical Strength Challenge is coming up in September so its time to start preparing.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. As a special bonus you can get How to Kick Ass at the TSC for free along with Kettlebell Snatch Domination. Check it out.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bodyweight Exercise, Kettlebells, Videos by on Jul 29th, 2011. 1 Comment.
The other day while training I decided to shoot this video for you of a new personal record in the partial deadlift.
Now you might be wondering what I’m using to do this pull. It’s the Strongergrip Plateau Buster Swing Handle which you can read more about and see another video of here.
I really like doing heavy pulls on this thing, even more so than the barbell (and since my barbell recently broke I don’t have that option until I replace it). I feel this one a bit more in the quads but especially in the upper back.
Considering the last time I max out on this I did 685 and I needed straps for that I’m quite happy. Now all I need to do is buy some more plates so that I can lift more.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Partials, Videos by on Jul 29th, 2011. 4 Comments.
I wanted to share with you an exercise that is not that popular these days – The Kettlebell Hack Squat.
The hack squat is a great exercise to work predominately with the quads. There are several other versions of this exercise known as the hack squat. There is the machine that makes you do a squat at an angle. Not a big fan of that. There is the barbell hack squat version where the bar is behind you. I just call that a behind the back deadlift. Good exercise too!
Anyway, by watching the video you’ll see the version I’m talking about.
The majority of the work I do is hamstring dominant, working the opposite side of the thighs. So this exercise is good for me to create balance with all the deadlifts, swings and snatches I do.
If you’re doing the biofeedback method of training, test this exercise out. If you’re anything like me, and do more hamstring work, this may be just what you need.
I include a steady diet of high reps with low weights on some days, and then heavy weights on others. And right now I’m doing this exercise about three times per week!
In the video I talk about staying upright. While you do want to stay mostly upright you will have some lean as you counterbalance the weight. If you stay too upright the weight will pull you off balance as occurred the first time I did the 70 lber. in the video.
Have you used the hack squat before? Give me your thoughts in the comments below.
Oh, and please don’t say I’m going to destroy my knees because they’re extending past the toes. I do believe that myth has been dispelled by now right?
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I have a special announcement coming later this week. Watch your email…
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bio Feedback, Kettlebells, Lifting Technique, Videos by on Jul 24th, 2011. 5 Comments.
I just had an awesome weekend in Minneapolis at the Smarter Strength workshop. What I learned there will have some big changes for the future. Look for a full review later on.
There I taught others the basics of hand balancing as you can learn in the Secrets of the Handstand Quick Start DVD.
People were loving the progressions and different movement patterns then many aren’t use to. I even taught Adam Glass how to do a cartwheel (look for a video sometime soon).
I’m extremely happy about this video where I juggle a 70 lb. kettlebell behind my back.
Now I plan on getting back into juggling kettlebells regularly. Want to join me? Then I recommend you check out The Definitive Guide to Kettlebell Juggling.
I hit several other big PR’s. A 485 lb. deadlift. A 645lb partial deadlift.
Holding back levers easier than ever before.
Tearing a Mini Deck of Cards in half for the first time ever.
Doing a bridge lockout of 325 lbs. as is described in the Advanced Bridging Course.
I don’t say this to brag. I say this to inspire and show you that you too can achieve great things if you put your mind to it.
And if you want to get there faster having quality instruction is the best way to do so. That’s why I put together all my programs. To help you achieve your goals faster.
I taught Dave the progression I’d been using towards a one arm chinnup, described in the Advanced Bodyweight Training Course. Considering he’s busted out a chinnup with 56kg of added weight for two reps I predict he’ll be able to do the real thing soon.
Whether your goal is holding a handstand, lifting heavy weights, snatching a kettlebell for 10 minutes or anything else.
I’ve received 57 orders from people all over the world looking to get stronger and gain more crazy skills. Everything from my $1 digital video offer to the whole package for $997.
There is a lot to learn.
But this sale won’t be around long. Just a few more days then its gone for good. So grab what you want right now.
Sincerely,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Plus everything on the sale still comes with my 3 month guarantee. So you can try it and if you don’t like it for any reason just let me know and you’ll get all your money back. There’s no risk.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bodyweight Exercise, Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Kettlebells, Strength Training Concepts, Videos by on Jun 14th, 2011. Comment.
The Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC) is a strength competition consisting of three events:
- A three-attempt powerlifting deadlift
- Pullups for max reps
- Kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period
You can find out more at tacticalstrengthchallenge.com
I had the opportunity to participate in my first TSC last weekend. I had meant to do it the previous year but it always fell on days where I had prior commitments.
This time I was definitely going to do it. I had to drive 2 1/2 hours to the nearest place it was held, in Sacramento, CA at Midtown Strength and Conditioning.
And I’m glad I did. This video shows me in all the events. (Thanks to Nick for filming for me.)
Deadlift
First was the deadlift. This was my first time competing on a lift like this. I’m use to the ‘do it however you want’ in the gym approach to training. Being limited to three attempts is quite a different beast.
I opened up with an easy 425. Then I moved up to 455, which felt solid. But then I got a little greedy. I thought the competition would help me so I set my sights on 505. In hindsight I can of course say it was too much as I didn’t budge it much. With my personal record currently at 475 I should have been more modest and gone for that or 485.
Pullups
Oh well, next event. Bodyweight pullups for reps. Here I hit my expectations. My goal was to break 20 reps, which would be a first. I think my previous best ever was 16-18. I cranked out 21 and was pleased. It looks like my recent one arm chinnup work has some good carryover.
Snatches
The last event was my best. The kettlebell snatch. To be honest since hitting 301 I had fallen out of practice on this a bit. (That’s something I do pretty often. Hit a big goal and then don’t want to do it again at least for a while.)
My grip was tiring out at the end. It could have been from the previous lifts. It could have been the slicker then normal kettlebell. Still I managed 146 reps. A little slow for my but I was also striving for a harder lockout then before.
Overall it was a great time and I got to meet some great new people. Competition is fun and something I plan on doing more of. There is a big difference in what you can do on the gym and having to perform on demand back to back events.
I’m still awaiting the final results as this is an international competition. Judging by last years results my deadlift was average, pullups above average and snatch right near the top.
Did any of you compete? What were your results?
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I’m thinking of redoing the video and making it a standalone product but right now as a special bonus you can get How to Kick Ass at the TSC for free along with Kettlebell Snatch Domination.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Bodyweight Exercise, Conditioning, Kettlebells by on Apr 14th, 2011. 35 Comments.
