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. 
It is now 2011.
I’m not big on resolutions. It’s something like 97% of people have dropped their resolutions by the time February rolls around. I don’t want to be a part of something that has that pitiful of a track record.
Instead I do believe in goals. I do believe in review and planning. And I do use this time of the year as a catalyst to improve my life in many different ways.
A long time ago I starting writing a journal of what I did every single day. Soon after I begin reviewing each week and month writing down my thoughts on the previous one and planning out he next. While I made a conscious decision to cease the daily journal I continue on with the rest. It has been instrumental to my success.
I also do this for the year. And when I do it its very insightful.
Why Looking Back is Helpful
They say hindsight is 20/20, (looking back its still a bit fuzzy, sorry couldn’t resist the Megadeth reference, bonus points if you name that song!). This means when you look back you can see clearly. The thing is, this does you no good if you don’t look back. And simply remembering is seldom good enough.
By having a written record you can analyze, you can find things you wouldn’t expect.
I do this for every area of my life. But since this site is devoted to strength and fitness I’ll stick to what I’ve learned there and how you can learn from it and apply it to yourself.
A Revolution Happened to My Training this Year
That was biofeedback training as is taught in the Grip & Rip DVD’s put out by my friend Adam Glass.
It was a dramatic change from what I had been doing. When I started I had some difficulty not getting the fast results or feeling I was doing it right. Listening to your body is a skill that must be practiced. Sadly it’s a skill that few people have.
Yet my persistence paid off. Now I am better in tune with my body then ever before and the results are coming fast.
During the summer I was blowing my records out of the water. I added about 100 lbs. to my deadlift in the span of two months. My kettlebell snatches were nearing record numbers Everything was going up fast.
But I stalled out.
Why?
A Big Lesson
By looking back I was able to see the answer. It seems obvious now. I started going back to a gymnastics class. While I think weightlifting and gymnastic skills can be balanced you need to be careful in how you do it. I was making some progress in other fronts, but I was giving the priority to gymnastics.
So the days before and after classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays I couldn’t really lift well as I’d either be sore from class or want to be well recovered before I went in so I could perform well. If I wasn’t I couldn’t seem to do much there and it felt wasted so I avoiding training the days before.
And perform well I did. Some of my new accomplishments there included aerials, repeated back handsprings, a backflip holding 20 lbs, some basic moves on the parallel bars, a back lever and much more.
Then on Thanksgiving I was involved in a game of tackle football with friends. It’s a tradition, something we do every year. This year happened to be a rougher game then most. Beyond the regular stiffness and soreness, though I don’t know how it happened, my left wrist was injured and I couldn’t flex it back without pain. This made doing handstands and the majority of gymnastics out of the question while it healed.
Add in the fact that I just started my gym up and was excited to train there, I stopped going to gymnastics and have been back to focusing on weightlifting almost every single day (only taking a day off when I feel its necessary).
Now I’m back on track for my dead lifting, kettlebell snatching goals and everything else.
The big takeaway from this is that you not only need to have goals but you must prioritize them. Figure out what is more important to you. This is common sense, but as they say, it ain’t always so common. And in any case a reminder is always useful.
Setting the goals is important. Knowing you priorities is in some ways just as important.
At the time going to gymnastics was important. I had big reasons to go back. I just didn’t realize how much it would affect my other goals. Taking this information into consideration I have to make certain choices that reflect my priorities.
Possibly Even Bigger…
Another big revolution of 2010 has led me to studying the best ways of unlocking the minds powers to aid in these goals.
I’ve been working on some crazy stuff that is delivering results. A little technique that made a bolt twice as easy to bend. A different technique doubled the reps I got in a press from two to four while making it easier to do so, and without trying changed my technique in doing so.
This isn’t your average stuff. And I’ve only begun to see the true power of it. Lots more on this later.
So this is what 2011 marks for me. Because I have the best of everything I’ve ever had in place I plan to make faster progress then ever before. And it should only accelerate because I’m getting better at the skills I need in order to do it.
And with it I plan to share my techniques. In two days I’m going to be sending out a survey, as I’d like to see what most interests you in what I can offer.
There is lots in store for 2011. I hope you make the decision to come with me.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. And of course I wish to thank everyone who has supported me in the past by buying my products or even just reading what I write and visiting my websites. Thank you!
Filed under Bio Feedback, Mental Training by on Jan 3rd, 2011. 8 Comments.
The following is a guest post from Jedd Johnson. If you’re not familiar with Jedd you should be. He’s the co-founder of DieselCrew.com which is one of the best strength site out there. He’s also a CSCS through the NSCA, and recently got his RKC through Dragondoor. Here he’ll be talking about the benefits you can gain from bending nails (something I love to do as well).
Over the years, my favorite facet of strength training has been Grip Strength and I compete in several competitions every year. Grip Competitions involve Crushing, Pinching, Support lifting and other forms of hand and lower arm strength.
One of the coolest parts of the sport of Grip is Nail Bending. Bending nails, spikes, bolts, steel stock, drill rod, and other things is one of the most exciting and obsessive types of strength training you can do.
Up until now, Nail Bending might be one of the last things you would ever think of doing in your program, but there are actually a ton of benefits that you can get from Bending. Check these out…
1. Forearm size
Nothing has built my forearms over the years like Bending
Nail Bending involves a great deal of tension in the hands, wrists and forearms which leads to major forearm muscle development. Often, forearm work at the gym involves movements like wrist curls and other simple variations.
While wrist curls and similar classic forearm exercises bring about results, they pale in comparison to the bulk build by bending. The sustained tension of nail bending causes growth in both the flexor side of the forearm and the extensor side of the forearm, creating an impressive look of balance and control.
In short, your forearms will probably BLOW UP!
2. Mental and Physical Toughness
Bending nails, bolts and other items involves taking a perfectly good nail and twisting it into a shape that makes it completely useless for any of its normal industrial applications. You’re doing something that was never meant to be done, and to do this requires you to focus all of your strength and your mental power into the bend. A lack of commitment from either end of the spectrum will end up in your inability to finish up the bend.
In order to Bend Big Nails, you have to work hard and be mentally strong
When you become proficient in harnessing your mind’s and your body’s power in nail bending, imagine the results you will see in your other lifts or in the sport you play. You’ll be unstoppable compared to everyone else who has never truly tested themselves in the ways you have after taking on the challenge of bending.
3. Make an Impression!
Take Note: Nail bending is NOT some form of trickery or slight of hand like magic is.
However, it DOES bring about much the same reaction from a crowd.
Imagine talking about this new sort of strength training you are doing and when they ask you to show them, you bust out a nail, wrap it in a towel and bend it right before their eyes.
How awesome will that be?!?!
You could use this classic feat of strength of Bending to set yourself from everybody else at school, at the gym, or at your place of work. Instead of just blending in with the rest of the people, you will automatically be set apart from everybody else.
Instead of just somebody in the crowd, you’ll become the Strong Guy/Gal (Yes, ladies bend too!!!), or The Nail Bender.
Every time people see you, even if it’s only occasionally, you’ll be burned in their mind as somebody with a strong grip – nobody to mess with, that is for sure.
4. Get Your Name “Up in Lights”
Nail bending has been growing in popularity exponentially. In fact, you can now get certified for Serious Nail Bending.
The first widely known certification system for Bending was the IronMind Red Nail, a 7-inch long, 5/16-inch thick round piece of steel bar. This bar takes over 450-lbs of strength in order to bend.
Other sites have come on board with certifications of other pieces of steel stock, including Fat Bastard Barbell and Bender’s Battlefield. The numbers of people bending challenge bars steadily increases each day.
5. Fun
Isn’t one of the reasons you train in the first place to have fun? Well, the best thing about nail bending is that it is good pure fun. You are able to test yourself and see improvement in your technique and strength while seeing increases in confidence and mental edge.
You can crank up the music and go for a new personal best.
Over the course of time, all of the nails, bolts, and stock you bend can be saved for posterity. You can see how you progressed over the years.
One day, you’ll be able to tell your grand kids about when you first dominated the 60-penny nail or the grade-5 bolt. And maybe you can even log them onto one of the certification sites and show them the certifications you were able to acquire.
In short, nail bending is one of the most exciting parts of the sport of Grip Strength. For me, the physical and the mental benefits I have seen from nail bending are outstanding, not to mention the friendships I have made with some of the top nail benders in the United States and around the world. I
In fact, I love the challenge of Nail Bending so much I recently put together a DVD showing you everything you need to know in order to get started. This DVD contains info on Bending Techniques, Strength Building, and Hand Health so you can continue to bend and enjoy it for years to come.
This DVD is coming out soon. Look for an email from Logan very soon because he will going to tell you when it is available.
Until then, all the best in your training, and get ready to bend some steel!!!
Jedd Johnson, CSCS, RKC
Red Nail Certified – 2007
The Diesel Crew
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Mental Training by on Nov 29th, 2010. Comment.
Thanks to everyone who has snapped up the Keys to Successful Training Online Course.
It’s is going off the market for good this Wednesday. Get it now for half price or never get it again.
One of the things I talk about in the course is whether or not to listen to music.
For well over a year now my workouts have been silent. With no music there are no distractions. It allow you to go deep inside, to concentrate better at the task at hand.
That was my reasoning behind it. And I still believe it.
Yet a couple of things I’ve read recently are making me do a switch.
In a little book from 1945 called How to Relax: Scientific Body Control comes the following:
“A few years prior to World War II Mussolini engaged Boyd Comstock, the University of Southern California’s well-known track coach, to work with Italian athletes. The object was to improve their performances at the Olympic Games. Comstock worked tirelessly at the task. But is seemed almost hopeless, until the canny American trainer hit on an idea.
“He had observed that these Italian youths were passionately fond of music. Could the natural rhythm they show in singing, for instance, be applied also to track? At least it was worth a trial. So Comstock told his protégés to sing as they ran, hurdled and jumped. Almost miraculous improvements resulted, Comstock reported.”
There is other information and stories in the book along the same lines. It makes sense that rhythm in music can be of useful effect in athletics.
My thought is that listening to music with the right tempo could be a big help especially in conditioning tests. Whether it’ll help in singles and low rep exercise I know not. Also the wrong tempo could possibly throw you off.
But then music can help you in another way. If its music that you enjoy, that gets you going, it can turn on the radiant circuits and put you in the right state for training.
So here is where I’d like your input. Plus a little experiment.
In the comments below, tell me if you listen to music, and what kind, when you train. Then for the next week or so (if you have control over it, meaning you don’t workout in a commercial gym) workout without music to see what sort of difference it makes.
And if you don’t listen to music write that below and try the opposite. Put on the tunes and train along with them.
I’ll be doing this and report back next week with any differences I notice.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Mental Training, Strength Training Concepts by on Oct 25th, 2010. 16 Comments.
No not me, but one of my products.
The Keys to Successful Training Online Course will be going away permanently in just a few days.
I have to tell you a bit of story about it to get to why.
First of all, it was to be the culmination of everything I do in my training. The why’s and how’s of the way I train. This was all addressed in 6 modules including, Goal Setting, Progression, All Around Fitness, Keeping Healthy, Pushing the Limits and Psychological Tactics.
This wasn’t the basics of ‘this is how you do a squat and you should do it for 3 sets of 10 reps‘ that the majority of fitness programs are.
Instead I aimed to give the keys to being able to make your own training plan and to make rapid progress with it.
Not only that but how I delivered it was unique. I thought this was awesome (if I didn‘t I wouldn‘t have spent so much time working on it). Using a special software platform I was able to make a multimedia portal with text, video and audio to learn the lessons. And once you finished them you were quizzed to make sure you comprehended the material.
But it was a flop!
Although I believe it carried my best information at the time and was cutting edge, the market was not there with me. I can guess as to why this was, but it doesn’t really matter.
I’ve left it open but it hasn’t sold more than a handful of copies over time, especially without me ever really mentioning it anywhere.
Those that did buy it seemed to love it…
“After learning the first tip in the first module of “Keys To Successful Training” I feel like I got my entire money’s worth for the course.”
-Najeeb Siddique
“This course is a gold mine of information. If you came up with this yourself, you’re a very intelligent individual.”
-Mighty Joe
Since that time, some of my ideas on training have changed. Not the least of which, biofeedback training, in particular. But that’s certainly not all.
Still the vast majority of what is in there is solid gold. If you truly understand and use the material in just modules one and two you will get stronger. There is no doubt about it. Add in some of the advanced stuff like in module 6 and you will get stronger faster.
I’ve been thinking about doing this for a little while. Now I have decided to do so. The Keys to Successful Training Online Course is being retired.
But as always I wanted to give you a last chance offer.
For today you can get the Keys to Successful Training Online Course for half off. From $49 to $25.
This offer only lasts a couple days. If you want it now you can get it for just $25.
If not, not a problem.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I am serious about this retirement. After this offer you will never be able to get it again. Click over to read more details and even see a little video showing how the course is laid out.
Filed under Bio Feedback, Mental Training, Strength Training Concepts by on Oct 21st, 2010. Comment.
My friend Doug Fioranelli invited me once again to his gym, Rise Above Strength, for their anniversary party. To support my fellow trainers and have some fun I drove out to Belmont and I’m glad I did.
To start with there was a competition. This was different from last years in that it was team completion instead of individual. This was simply because so many people wanted to join in the fun.
The first event was a double kettlebell deadlift with two 40kg kettlebells. These were to be lifted as many reps as possible with no time limit. The reps among the team members where totaled for the team score.
I’m hit 64 reps before the grip on my left hand when out. While I’ve been training the deadlift steadily, its never with kettlebells and never this high reps! I’m happy to report I hit the highest total among all the guys (some of the ladies, who were lifting 20kg kettlebells, were hitting 70 and 80 reps).
The second event was a team race with the prowler. In the video you can see one of three legs I had to do.
The third and final event was a medley with each team member having to complete one section. It involved 5 exercises.
1. 20 Pullups/Chinnups
2. Tire flips for a set distance
3. 70lb. Keg Press for 20 reps (30lb. Sandbag for women)
4. Walking lunges – 40 lbs. each hand for men and 20 for women.
5. Sled Drag forwards and backwards for a set distance.
As you can see in the video I did the tire flip which I was quite good at in last year’s competition.
The best part was Dan John, showed up and joined our team for this last event (manhandling the keg press with ease) as we were short a member. This was the first time we had met so it was one more pleasant surprise for the day.
After the competition I did a little oldtime strongman show bending nails, horseshoes, shredding a phonebook followed by a little kettlebell juggling.
Finally it was time to eat and what a BBQ it was.
A little later on I was showing some of the guys some of my techniques on kettlebell snatching. Its amazing how a few small things can make a big difference. (On that note, I should be hitting one of my main snatch goals very shortly.)
My main point in sharing all this is two fold. The first is to let you share in the fun. I like to keep this site personal and show you what I’m up to.
The second point is to encourage you to do the same. I’ve said this many times before and I plan to continue saying it. You need to get out there and compete. For those of us who have the luxury of a well equipped home gym we may not always get out and mix it up. For those without training partners its even more necessary.
An event like this gives the opportunity. It is a way to test how your training is going. It’s funny to note that everyone of the exercises in this competition was not something I regularly did. The deadlifts were close but I use a barbell or trapbar and 20 reps is a high rep set for me let alone 64.
(And in case you’re wondering, yes I am sore.)
The prowler and tire flip I haven’t done since the same party the prior year!
So when you go out and compete, in one form or another, you get to really put the pedal to the metal and see what you’re made of. Doing so is a lot of fun. I highly recommend doing it when you can.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Be sure to sign up for our 10th and final call on Super Human Training. This week features Peter Ragnar and you won’t want to miss it.
P.S.S. Also I’m going to be hitting the road soon for the Longevity Conference. I’ll try to get you an update on a few things I learn while I’m at the event, but no promises. It’ll be a crazy busy and fun time.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Conditioning, Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Kettlebells, Mental Training, Oldtime Strongmen, Videos, Workouts by on Sep 20th, 2010. 33 Comments.
Yesterday I ran in the Wharf 2 Wharf race that is held annually here. It’s a 6 mile or 10K race from the wharf by the Boardwalk in downtown Santa Cruz to the wharf in Capitola (hence the name).
I’m not a runner. I know there are much better ways to get in shape, not to mention less boring, then to run miles upon miles. It’s fine if that’s something that you enjoy doing. If that’s you, all the more power to you in doing it.
But the majority of people in the world think running a marathon is the epitome of health and fitness. That’s where I have some issue. Anyway…
My brothers were doing it (one of them IS a runner) and they convinced me to join them. In my regular training I don’t run much. In the past two months I did a little running on the trails near my house twice. Probably a total of 3 or 4 miles. Not really steady pace but sprints and walking. Basically some form of intervals. That’s it as far as what I did to specifically prepare for this event.
But I’m almost always up for a challenge. I knew I wouldn’t even come close to my previous best time of 38:Something but was there just to have some fun.
Going Barefoot…sort of
And to add to the challenge I ran the race in my Vibram’s. (I have three pairs of shoes – my Vibram’s, my regular everyday Van’s and a pair of dress shoes so I didn’t have much choice.)
For those who have not heard about these shoes or barefoot running I’ll give a short recap. The human body is not meant to strike the ground with the heels on each step. With over-engineered running shoes and their thick cushions they allow you to do just this. Instead running is meant to be done on the balls of the feet.
Heel striking results in a complete biomechanical change to the way running should be done. And this results in pain in the low back and/or knees of many people.
Vibram’s are made to mimic being barefoot while still giving you some protection with a thin rubber sole.
Let’s get to the race. With over 15000 people running this race it’s no easy start unless you’re at the very start. For me the first mile was spent dipping and weaving through people trying to get ahead.
By the second mile the area had opened up and I was free to run at my own pace.
Running Into Problems
On the third mile I ran (no pun intended) into problems. Without the prior training my feet were not prepared for this run. Even if I had done more, running on trails is different then running on asphalt.
The pad right below my big toe was getting sore. As the race went on I figured blisters would be forming.
And my calves were getting fatigued. Staying on your toes does take muscle. Once again the lack of preparedness stopped me from going.
These two things combined meant I had to ease up on the running on the toes. My run became flat footed. And as I didn’t have much cushion this caused a dramatic slow in my pace especially in miles 5 and 6. More of a shuffle than a run.
I kept trying to pick it up but every time I tried I just suffered more. I decided I’d just finish the race without stopping, even if I was only moving at a slow jog. I did and came in at the finish line at 50:50, my slowest race time ever.
I was planning on going all out on one of the miles to see how fast I could do it, but was held back. Because I ended up going so slow I didn’t even come close to testing my conditioning and wasn’t even tired after the race.
My takeaways:
- Barefoot running is great. It works more musculature and is in general better for your body. I recommend you trying it if you haven’t.
- Barefoot running is also self-correcting. If you can’t do it correctly anymore its time to stop running (of course unless you happen to be one third of the way in a race).
- Going all out in a race without the preparation is a good way to hurt yourself. Part of me was worried it would end up worse than it did.
- Sometimes its fun to test your mental toughness. Sometimes its stupid. Often times its both.
Writing this the day after I’m happy to report no blisters. Just a little soreness in the feet and a lot of soreness in the calves and ankles.
And in case you were wondering I did see about five other people in the race running in Vibram’s as well. Didn’t get to compare experiences with them though.
My brother, the one that does run, decided to go actually barefoot taking of his shoes and socks for the last mile. And he says next year he’ll go completely barefoot for the entire thing. Maybe I’ll join him…Maybe I won’t…
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Conditioning, Mental Training, Running by on Jul 26th, 2010. 10 Comments.
Oh no, here it comes again.
Every single time I train for this, right before the pull, I’m swearing like a sailor. Its because its painful, very painful. And as I get ready I’m thinking about how painful its going to be.
I’m talking about pulling vehicles by my hair. As mentioned in a recent post, Strongman Picnic, I’m set to perform in less than two weeks from know.
I’ll be pulling a fire engine. Its big. Much bigger than what I’ve been pulling. So in training for it I do what you do in any other training. I make it progressive. More weight at first then I had do switch to more of an incline when I was pulling the biggest vehicle I had available.
I’ve also played around with the setup and my technique as its not likely something I’m going to get coached in.
Back to the pain…
This is an area familiar to strongmen. Pain tolerance.
Bend a piece of steel or a horseshoe across your leg? That’s going to hurt. And the first few times you do it, it’ll leave bruising (sometimes massive amounts). You’re might even be strong enough to bend that steel if only your leg could take the drive.
One tip I received in learning to bend nails is once you get to the point where its starts to hurt and you want to quit, that’s where you need to double your efforts and crush it. That’s the point were the nail WILL bend.
You’re not seeking this pain. In some feats of strength its not so painful. But in some it is. Many feats can cause rips in skin, various bruises, just plain pain or much more.
Dennis Rogers once drove a nail through his hand…backwards. Usually the feats works without much effort. In this case it was not so.
It comes with the territory.
This is just the first batch that came out after the pull. I lost more in the shower later.
Whatever the reason this one hurt more. And I lost more hair. I always lose some when doing this stunt. (I like to think that all the weak ones must go.) But this time there was more. Here I could hear the hair rip from my head at one point in the pull.
When I finished a few large chunks came out. Nothing noticeable as far as how I look is concerned and I seem to have plenty left. But certainly not comforting.
Such is the life of a strongman.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I wrote an article over at Straight to the Bar. Lift weights? So what? Check it out.
Filed under Feats of Strength, Mental Training, Oldtime Strongmen by on May 3rd, 2010. 10 Comments.
The kettlebell snatch is one of my favorite exercises. And the kettlebell snatch test is one of my favorite tests of endurance and mental toughness.
Several minutes into a kettlebell snatch test
I didn’t stop there.
My next goal was 250. I hit that a couple months back (actually got 251).
Now my goal is 200 with the 32 kg. Its tough work. My best so far is 160 and I’m making my way up step by smooth step.
Of course, I’m not trying to brag. If I was I wouldn’t tell you just how hard snatching was for me in the first place. But I’ve come a long way. I no longer tear my hands up doing this and I make progress each and every time I set out to do it.
I know there are many others out there who want to add numbers to their snatches. And believe me there is a lot that goes into that, from techniques to pacing, programming and more.
I’m thinking about putting a DVD together that shows you everything I know about the kettlebell snatch test in its many forms. And I mean everything.
So here’s what I want you to do. I have a two question survey.
Kettlebell Snatch Test Survey (survey is closed).
Even though its tiny I still want to give you something for completing it. I shot a video showing you two tips that you can start using right away to increase your snatch numbers.
If you want it all you have to do is answer my easy questions and you‘ll get access to it.
Sound fair?
Kettlebell Snatch Test Survey (survey is closed).
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Conditioning, Kettlebells, Mental Training by on Apr 12th, 2010. 2 Comments.
Sometimes you have to push the limits.
I didn’t plan this workout ahead of time. I just started bending and kept going.
In the end I had bent 50 60D nails in just under 30 minutes. This video shows the aftermath.
Now I know I’m a bit crazy for doing this. My hands have open wounds on them right now where the skin tore and blistered in many places. (It ain’t the first time and won’t be the last.)
Looking back in my records my previous best was 22 nails in 42 minutes. That was one year ago. That means I did over twice the volume in just over two thirds the time. That’s improvement.
Do I recommend doing this for everyone? No.
But sometimes you have to push the boundaries of what you’re capable of, even if that’s through comfort and pain. In your training and in life.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you’re interested in bending nails, get this must have resource from the Diesel Crew.
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Mental Training, Oldtime Strongmen, Videos by on Nov 28th, 2009. Comment.
