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.
If you did one, and only one, muscle control exercise, this is the one it should be.
It’s commonly known as the abdominal vacuum, because that’s just what you’re doing. You’re creating a vacuum of pressure inside.
This vacuum is great for the lungs as you expel a greater amount of air then you normally do. I heard a story about smokers that do this exercise, often times, even if they haven’t smoked in hours, smoke will come out! Its acting like wringing a sponge.
Also your other internal organs get massaged in a way that can’t be replicated by any other exercise. Great for keeping you regular in elimination too. But because of all this I wouldn’t recommend you do this exercise on anything but an empty stomach.
Now you may not get as pronounced of a vacuum as me on your first try. Don’t worry. Just keep working at it and you’ll improve just like any other exercise. Of course from here there are more advanced variations that include “The Rope” and Single Sided Abdominal Isolation. Fun stuff.
There are many other great benefits to adding muscle control practice into your routine. For the full details oh how and why to do it, plus tons of exercises, beginner and advanced, from head to toe, check out the new Master Muscle Control Course.
You’ll get plenty more details on the proper execution of this one move plus so much more.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. In the video on this page you can see many more muscle control stunts performed.
Filed under Bodyweight Exercise, Health, Videos by on Nov 6th, 2011. 5 Comments.
Here’s a short clip from the New Energy Drills DVD.
Much of this comes from Chinese Medicine and different sources that involve the different acupressure points, meridians and other energy systems of the body.
The kidney meridian runs from the bottom of the foot up the legs and body into right under the inside of the collar bone.
The kidney meridian has been called the battery for the other meridians of the body. When you thump or massage kidney point 27, known as K27, as shown in the video here you can jumpstart your energy systems.
Just think of it like you’re jumpstarting your car when you’ve left the headlights on all night long. That’s what it can do for you.
A great drill to do every single day and as you can see it won’t take even a minute to do.
This is one drill of at least 20 found in the new DVD Energy Drills for Strength, Flexibility and Athleticism.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Energy Training, Health, Videos by on Nov 5th, 2011. 1 Comment.
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.
This is a model I came up with on the three areas you can focus in on to increase your performance. I call it the Peak Performance Trinity.
The question to ask yourself is what area are you lacking in and what can you do to make it better?
1. Physical Training
2. Health and Nutrition
3. Mental and Energetic Training
Most people aim to help you in one area but I’m seeking to do all three. And on that note I have something very special I’m unleashing for you later this week.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Strength Training Concepts, Videos by on Oct 11th, 2011. 2 Comments.
I have to share this with you. This is Matti Marzel doing 304 snatches with the 24kg kettlebell in 10 minutes and multiple hand switches.
Yes, these are not completely locked out snatches as I believe is necessary to maintain this pace. That doesn’t make it any less of an amazing test of endurance, speed and mental toughness. Anyone that gets in the ‘300′ club has some phenomenal wind power.
Earlier this year Matti contacted me and said he had a goal to beat 300 snatches. He worked on it, got help from someone who had done it before, worked on it more and accomplished his goal.
Amazing!
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If snatching kettlebells is your goal then I recommend you pick up Kettlebell Snatch Domination. The name says it all.
Filed under Conditioning, Kettlebells, Videos by on Sep 2nd, 2011. 25 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.
