Strong is STRONG. You can't fake strong. Some athletes / people might LOOK strong but when it's time to perform, they can not perform. How do I know? I was there myself in my high school years as a wrestler - I followed too much bodybuilding work and I LOOKED strong, but I was NOT able to perform with dominating power. When I began getting heavily into strength & conditioning, the industry was really pushing the "functional training" craze. Back in the early 2000s, this meant you had … [Read more...]
Training In Your 40s VS Training High School & College Athletes
The older you get, the harder the training gets! It's tougher to make gains and you can forget about that "maintenance" BS program. If you're not getting better, you're getting worse. I NEVER use the word "maintenance" when training anyone, including in season for athletes. Think about it, how weak does it sound when you say I'm just trying to maintain. It sounds like you fear the work. It makes me wonder, how long can my message of hard work and consistency on the basics live on … [Read more...]
Strength Training: Consistency VS Intensity?
I'm starting something new, where I Vlog my thoughts and expand on them beyond the typical 2 minute video you see on youtube...... This episode I get fired up when I think about all those who quit strength training in season as athletes. I talk about those who don't vs those who don't. Some gold training advices here, prepare to get fired UP! … [Read more...]
SPARTAN Life Wisdom; Adapt, Overcome & Improvise
In this Spartan Video from The Spartan Wrestling Camp, I join with Joe DeSena, Col. Nye and Charlie Pritchard to share Spartan Success Tips and Wisdom on "what it takes". The different between good and great. The ability to adapt, overcome and improvise. Whether you wrestle or not, doesn't matter. Success Leaves clues. Dig in and enjoy the video, but, more importantly, take ACTION from the lessons you learn from these Spartan Life Lessons. … [Read more...]
WHY I Refuse To Bend for Mediocrity, Fads & Gimmicks
STRONG Life Episode 115, QnA from Instagram. This episode unfolds in a unique manner as each and every question keeps bringing me back to WHY we must stand our ground for Excellence. None of this "good enough" BS and figuring out how to make things easier for everyone. I am at a point where I am not going to refuse for wanting excellence. My ability to accept weak excuses has dwindled to nothing. Your excuse is your excuse. ALL in, ALL the time. Here's some of the Questions I … [Read more...]
Russian Wrestling Training
Around 2003 I read the book 'Secrets of Soviet Sports & Fitness Training', today is called 'Russian Secrets.... Dr. Yessis wrote the book in the early 70s, before I was born I believe. I was amazed at how The Russians were doing smarter things 30 and now 40 years ago compared to The USA today. Here is some insight of Russian Wrestling Training. Whether you wrestle or not, there is MUCH to learn from these videos. Enjoy..... … [Read more...]
Animal Warm Ups & Upper Body Training for Wrestling Strength (Bodyweight & Kettlebell Workout)
Anytime you think you're too busy to warm up, think again. Regardless of your age, it never pays to be "too busy" for a proper warm up. Give yourself 5 minutes to hit a warm up specific to your workout and mobilize 1 or 2 areas of your body that need attention. The "I'm too busy" excuse is never acceptable. Even for myself. When I say this BS excuse in my own mind or to others, I deserve a punch in the face. Whether or not you wrestle is also irrelevant. Although the Video below shows some of … [Read more...]
Does The Bench Press REALLY Matter?
I train a high school Football Player / Wrestler who broke his hand / wrist in 8th grade. Now, he's a sophomore and strong as hell (naturally :). After his hand and wrist were fixed via surgery, it wasn't quite fixed. Ironic, right? Benching and holding horizontal weights in the hands is tough, the wrist deviates big time & causes pain no matter how strong we work the hands, wrist, grip, etc. Neutral grip barbells and dumbbells feel somewhat better and stronger. But, when it comes … [Read more...]
A TOUGH Wrestling Conditioning Workout (Even If You Don’t Wrestle)
Last night I went to the neighboring downtown with my family as everyone got some ice cream. In case you're wondering, I skipped the ice cream part :) Don't worry, I'm still human, I eat ice cream, but I'm on a mission, and that will require doing what others don't do. This time around, I won the ice cream battle. On the way home, about half way there, my wife dropped me off on the side of the road so I could run the rest of the way. I was fired up and even a bit disappointed in myself. I … [Read more...]