Gary has not exactly had an easy time the last few years. He destroyed his hand with a hedge clipper he has sleep problems, and something else which has made his life fairly shitty at times…but he is still getting better every single day.
Gary owns Kettlebells 4 U in suburban Philly, and if you’re on the East Coast I want you to visit him. Now.
Gary- lets see X3BW this year brother
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Very strong, dude. Excellent work.
Thank you Steve
Awesome
Thank you Dave but you’re awesomer
Fulgo like USA baseball.
Fulgo like strong sleepy American and big weight deads lift.
Fulgo no like Cowboy Slimski. Nyet. Fulgo like Sarge. American women healthy!
Also, Fulgo alter egos Big Will and Eric Williams Juniors likes to watch Gary crush a deadlift.
I was training MelMac, who PR’d in double kettlebell push press volume, density, and no funny faces.
Fulgo like grass fed New Zealand Cow milk sharp cheddar too
Super pulling Gary! Congrats man.
Thank you Ben
Thanks Adam, Steve and Dave. For the record, I’m crushing the scale at 165 right now. Too much ice cream, not enough exercise.
What makes this really cool for me is that I’ve got a bunch of things going on right now that are pretty big roadblocks to my training.
1. I have narcolepsy and sleep apnea
2. I just opened a new business
3. My wife and I just had our first baby
4. A year and a half ago I mistook my left hand for a bush
5. As a Russian Chiro I trained a couple times put it so elegantly “…but, but, but your small”
6. I probably have Lyme Disease, been having weird neurological problems including peripheral neuropathy, Bell’s Palsy, gait disturbance, dizziness, falling and unexplained muscle weakness. That’s going to turn into a separate post.
7. I have tendonitis in my right elbow from sawing off 20 dumbbell handles to make blobs and blocks.
8. Finally and most detrimental, as pointed out by the gentle giant Will Williams….
I was born in New Jersey
Seriously, I’ve barely been able to train much for the last two months. I started feeling better two weeks ago, but I feel whatever it is creeping back up again. This is not an environment where I would expect a 20lb deadlift PR.
I tested my first lift, saw a 10kg increase in my grip strength, told Will this was going to be a good day and I knew that I was going to get it today. I had a headache, was nauseous and tired (normal for me). It tested exceptionally, I listened and I improved.
I’m preaching to the choir here, but on the off chance that there may be some lurkers here looking for ammo. Probably not because you know we are ridiculous and there’s no reason to pay attention.
Yes I am stronger sometimes with butter in my pocket.
I am also stronger with iodine on my skin.
My range of motion improves when I’m wearing a copper bracelet.
Frozen yogurt with fruit and walnuts makes me feel like a god, even when whatever
the hell is wrong with me may have me drooling on my feet.
I test every exercise I do, I test every weight I lift, I stop when I’m trying too hard, I stop when I slow down, I rest as long as my body needs (today’s lift was not the norm, I don’t yell at the weight nor do I look that stressed out when I lift)
It’s crazy that someone would try that. Instead I should just take whatever fucking pills doctors give me in a “shotgun approach” (a real doctor’s term) to fix whatever problem they can’t diagnose. I should listen to a trainer on a DVD or in a book who has never met me. I should pay someone to scream at me and push me towards injury.
Excellent Gary!
Thank you Josh, I heard about your pull in the breakroom. Khaki’s and a polo are the way to go when deadlifting. Give James a hug for me.
Beautiful. These are the moments that validate and motivate. And inspire!
I didn’t see any butter in your khakis; however, it might have melted cuz you were on fire!!
Thank you Amy,
no butter this time, it was all me
awesome gary!!!
Thanks Frank,
In response to your question on twitter, Will picked up the dynamometer used from a medical supply place. I think he payed about $100 for it. It’s similar to this one (http://www.jansenmedical.net/smedley-type-hand-dynamometer.html). I can show you how to make one that won’t give you a calibrated measurement but will be able to show you a positive or negative change. It will cost about $20.
All I can say is, “Wow!”
Thank you Demond
great job gary ,
Thabk you Mike
Great pull, especially in the polo and slacks!
Thanks Casey,
I can’t believe how many people are impressed that I did that wearing pants and a polo. I can’t stand exercise clothing. Most of the time the pants are too long for my short legs and they’re made from some creepy synthetic material that I can’t tolerate on my skin. I’m completely comfortable training in “street clothes” and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Great lift Gary! Keep up the great work!
Amazing story, Gary.
More info on the dynamometer you mention, please: “I can show you how to make one that won’t give you a calibrated measurement but will be able to show you a positive or negative change. It will cost about $20.”
You’re right, of course, that all we need is a more-or-less indicator. So, how do we make one for $20?
I’ll write a description and send it to Adam so everyone can enjoy.
Guys, we have successfully tested and used these:
http://bestofferbuy.com/Exercise-Hand-Dynamometer-Grip-Strength-Meter-p-17405.html?currency=USD&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gbase
Did they hold up under Adam’s grip? I’ve seen them pretty cheap on e-bay.
Believe it or not, yes. I don’t know if he tried to gorilla torque it, but he gave it a pretty good squeeze and just barely didn’t max it out. It has been a great indicator for me. Over 90: go. Under 90: no go.
Doesn’t matter much though, unless you’re hiding a clone of Adam in the closet.
maybe one day I’m gonna be as strong as Adam…..
first I have to get stronger than you.
p.s. only trolls go in the closet, not ogres