I remember a few years back, training 2 wrestlers, 2 of our strongest wrestlers pound for pound.
They had to wrestle against one another and when I asked how it went, one of them told me that he had the most unusual strength he ever experienced. A grip that stopped him dead in his tracks and along with power and conditioning that would be the envy of ALL wrestlers.
That "unusual" strength came from our unique bodyweight exercises, kettlebell and odd object lifts.
My training is becoming more of a self expression, but, this is MY personal workouts. When I train my athletes, everything is carefully planned and calculated. For myself, things are a lil' different, more to come soon so hang tight!
Question for You: Do you ever just say "F**k it!" & train how you feel or do you prefer to be organized and calculated with your own workouts? Drop a comment & let me know.
In Strength,
--Z--
PS: The next Underground Strength Coach Cert is fast approaching, I am psyched and KNOW this 2 day event will change your life. Look at what others say about The USC Cert HERE
I train by feel every day. Combining BW movements, HEAVY lifting, and sport training is what its all about.
I must admit though…
I did not realize this until I found this webSite.
Thanks Zach,
B. Black
I have realized that the busier I am in life in general, the less I feel like experimenting in the gym.
Right now I’ve had 4 weeks of doing nothing between studies and work over summer. All workouts have been planned right before. But when I start working next week I am sure I’ll need something more specific and calculated for some reason.
Nice Bent-Pressing Zach.
I stick with 90% organized strength training. But every so often, you’re right, you just have to go with a “Gut Feel” session.
But I do find I’m doing a lot of fitness sessions like this. More art than science.
Bova
Hey Z,
You’ve hit the nail on the head there. Sometimes the pressures of performing ever stronger in the big power lifts (squat, bench and deadlift) just gets to my head in all the wrong ways. I train the power lifts, I dont compete but I just love the challenge at 37 years of age, of trying to get stronger. My powerlifting peers and guys in the gym dont get that I dont compete… but WTF, why should I. I dont care how strong I am compared to others. I know I’m not close to being a competitive lifter although I am surely stronger than some.
What I train for is to be stronger than me… to better myself… to get over all my imbalances, past injuries and turn myself around from a skinny 70kg cyclist (my previous professional sport)and prove that age is not a limiting factor to improving strength.
But, hell, as much as I love the big lifts they piss me off sometimes and that’s why I choose to work over a 4 week cycle. Weeks 1-3 are progressive overload powerlifting weeks and after attempting new PRs on week 3 I follow this up with a so-called down week.
This is no ‘down tools’ down-week. Far from it. Yes, I rest from the big lifts but I love nothing more than working with the odd lifts, sandbags, kettlebells, tyres, Oly lift complexes, ropes and whatever else I just FEEL LIKE… and it’s great, liberating and although pretty random, it just feels great to get all neanderthal in the gym.
Planning sorts out the organising of specifics, but random sorts out the head, makes me feel free, strong and proves to me that I can still chuck about everything else apart from a barbell.
Good luck to you in your endeavours and thanks for keeping a rain check on reality for the rest of us.
Keep leading from the front Zach.
Jay
Hi Zach,
I used to train alone using various movements, always challenging myself with new workouts, which worked, but I think was a bit too advance for me as I was constantly learning new movements.
Now, at the recommendation of someone at the gym (I had to go to an actual gym just for the squat rack), I started Starting Strength, which focuses on improving just a handful of big movements every workout and I must say its working brilliantly and I’m deadlifting my old 1 rep max for 5 reps after less than 2 months! It also means I’m training with other stronger people who inspire me and hold me accountable.
So I plan to stick to it for as long as it works, then gradually take away and add movements until it includes odd objects and more bodyweight. So in this way I think the calculated approach works.
However, on the mental side, I do occasionally need a break. So I run to the nearest woods, practise rolling, hand balancing, tree climbing, sprinting, picking up logs/rocks, throwing them etc. Feeling like a beast is awesome too! It’s just hard to track progression like that.
I also found a log once that I couldn’t lift overhead, so I said to myself “I’m not leaving till I press this b***h overhead!”. An hour later it was easy!
Keep on inspiring Zach, I watch a video of yours every time I need some motivation to train!,
David, 19, UK
I train my people with careful thought out program design.
When It comes to me; I keep the primary lifts consistent, progressive and heavy (unless I am deloading).
On accessory work I have a idea of the movements I want, and I go for it. Sometimes Bars, Tires, Ropes, Stones, KB’s, Logs, Sledges, Sleds, SB’s, BW, or BW with chains.
Tearing it up and being aggressive gets the job done.
Get farm strength, then up it. You will be a HARDY BEAST!
Yo Coach Z et al,
It’s been time still since I dropped some feedback on this page and it’s well overdue to reconnect – and, what better post to reconnect on than this.
I think as we learn more about training we also learn more about how to read our bodies and know when to “pump the breaks”. This relates to earlier posts that you made Coach about being a “soul-lifter” – recognising the turning tide in our bodies and riding that wave and then when it changes yet again being able to catch that next wave.
In scientific terms I believe this is a reflection of kinesthetic self awareness and proprioception. I recently read an article on muscle, specifically fascial, plasticity and aging and how most injuries associated with aging – hip fractures, hip dislocation and broken bones in general, are the result of poor flexibility and lack of quality in the range of motion when we move thereby causing rigidity in fascial tissues which contributes to immobility and ultimately injury.
I have seen this first hand with my grandfather, my idol, who now at the age of 85 is having to use a walker to move around – this is the same man who at the age of 67 first took me into the gym and put me under the iron 18 years ago.
He was a beast – benching 250# for reps, squatting 225# for reps and deadlifting over 200# and keeping up with guys 20 years his junior. However, poor benching technique and not enough attention to ancillary muscle groups led him to require shoulder replacement surgury at the age of 73 (I believe) and once that happened it was downhill in terms of activity for him and his condition progressively got worse over the next 18 years.
From that experience I have learned to encorporate yoga, SMRT, PNF stretching and joint mobility work and a proper warm-up / cool down into my own training. In terms of the lifts themselves I always try to train to create balance. Every day for me is a day to “tune the strings” – loosening the chords that are tight and tightening the chords that are loose.
Training, when experienced internally, can be a journey of self discovery and I believe that the very best trainers get to experience this joy. Sorry for the rant – anyone else feel me on this posting? How many of you out there lift by feel? or Spend a day or entire workout just concentrating on flexibility and quality in your range of motion?
I look at both my training and the training of my clients as equal parts planned and creative to the needs of the day. It’s kind of like how we have a planned frame work and we can fill in that frame work depending on a number of things that can change through the day. So the workout is based on planning and structure but it’s not so strict that we can’t react and go with the flow of life and self expression.
I draw up a plan to my workouts (warm up and exercises) and since I keep a log of every workout I can look back at weights lifted, but that is it. Seems structured, but the content and extent of the workout is not “normal”. Since I stay home with my boys we are outside all day long so to break up the walks, bike rides, fishing etc we will use our swing set as a training area. Playing games that entail push ups, pull ups and sprints. I have stones in the front of our house for “functional” decorations, which means they look nice, but I use them for training. So while out front I will lift them. If we go for a hike at the park (old rock quarry) I will stack stones, or do stone relays. No set or rep requirements just do what I feel like doing and then a little later do some more.
I find it to be more stressful and less fun to be so structured with my workout and nutrition. If I am hungry (which is all the time) I will eat. What I eat is very structured but when and how much is up to the moment. I use to calculate everything I did to the minute and failed to sit back and enjoy the moment. Now I enjoy the moment and try to keep moving.
I personally have everything planned earlier. Just to make sure I won’t quit too early. That way I’m never tempted to end workout prematurely.
It’s always different. Some weeks I just pull tires all week or keep it all pushups or pullups. Then other times I just create as I go. Like a painter with a blank canvas.
Soul Lifting, that’s it.
I love training how i feel, keep some basic structure, but i think i get what you mean about soul lifting thanks you have great stuff
I have to have everything planned and calculated. I am currently doing 531 with a random “strongman” day (sled/prowler variations, atlas stone work, farmers walks, tire flips, etc.). I even keep a journal and log everything. One reason I do not “Soul Lift” is because I am not knowledgeable enough. You are an advanced lifter. Me, not so much. Maybe someday though. But I love following you. It helps that I am within a year of your age. For me, following some 20 yr old guy whos healing reflects his age would not work for me. Even though you train hard you strain smart too. That is the type of info and direction I need. I have been really lazy about properly working in more BW training. It is something I have to fix. Peace.
He Zach,
i agree!
Evolving means getting stronger and fitter. So yeah bra get it on!
On the flip side it can also inspire you once more if your in a bit of a bad patch.
When training others i tend to stick to the program unless the situation needs altering for a variety of reasons.
As far as my own training goes, sometimes i do find myself saying F**k it! Get into a gut session and go with the flow!
Keep it up Dude!
Greetings from Utrecht!
I always train how I feel Zach. I have never really enjoyed traditional barbell lifting, although I know it is very effective and we have the wrestlers use them. But for myself I use the bells, bags, BW or whatever. Thinking about adding clubbells. Looks like fun.
I plan my workouts and set goals(must maintain or improve), but intensity is based on feel. eg. I may have planned to do 15 pull ups per set but if I’m feeling good and strong I might do 25 instead. Depending how that workout went, I may plan a change for the next one whether it be exercise order, rest, progression, etc. My workouts are constantly evolving.
Hey Zach, being relatively new to this style of training I follow a structured work out. I am.trying to be creative though. I’m.sure this will become easier as time passes. I am 43. Question is there a specific way to train for a guy my age to become the beast I aspire to be? I hope I haven’t missed the boat.
I go through stages, some stages, i just move anything I can, max reps, super sets, drop sets etc. however atm im on a focused progra, 6 weeks same workout, and the increase ini strength each week is great.
@B Black, I am f**ing honored, my man!!! BOOM!
Anton, excellent point my man!
David, awesome bro, yes, SS and 5 3 1 are GREAT for developing the foundations, I NEVER said to remove the BIG lifts, some people think I did, but U r on the right path, bro!
Chris Reed u r the shiz bomb, son! I agree my man, I’ve been rocking a lot of indian club work into my shoulder and warm up training and have felt GREAT!
Technique is # 1
Dustin, that is awesome, bro, leading from the front 110%
– Michael – very true, soul lifting comes with time, some are drawn to it, others are not, do what you feel and attack what you are connected to for best results
If you’re not connected it won’t work 4 u
I spent 2 decades on regiment 🙂
Olaf thanks, brutha, never heard of Utrecht! I am HONORED!
Marc NO way bro, NEVER 2 LATE!
Start with http://ConvictConditioningWorkout.com and studying the various articles, e books and info at http://UndergroundInnerCircle.com
You will gain knowledge and inspiration while also following a set program
Don’t sweat the number, my man!
Thanks for the response Zach, I started doing mike and Elliott LHM Reloaded recently. Should I put that on the back burner for now? Or start with the convict conditioning?
Sometimes I mix it up by adding stuff in between planned sets, such as a set of pushups to failure, or some core exercises. Boosts the intensity, particularly the pushups.
Yeah, I say f**k it all the time. Unless your coach can read your mind you’re pretty much guaranteed to crave something else every now and then. I always do my gym’s workout during the week and my own thing on the weekend. For a while that meant a lot of MovNat inspired stuff, at the moment its a lot of gymnastic and olympic lifting. Listening to your body and following what comes out is a beautiful thing. With that said, if you have a specific (goal such as a competition) and your not constantly working your weakness than your are going to fail. However, for those of us who lift for…well life then I think you should just go with whatever gets you excited.