Wilfred: This is my new favorite show. I believe it’s comedy rivals mighty South Park as the funniest shit I have seen. In a nut shell, a guy is crazy and see’s his neighbors dog as a man who he befriends. Wilfred is of course a dog to everyone else. To Ryan he is a pot smoking, obnoxious friend who seems to get him in to trouble daily. I think this show has the greatest one liners to come out in 10 years. My favorite episode so far is the one where they go to the hospital. It’s on Hulu, you will sort it out.
Monster Rehab: Have you tried this yet? It’s a Monster lemon-aid tea drink. Words best used to describe it include “seriously fucking awesome” and “delicious” for those who know me. It’s not good enough to replace my ever present Monster Khaos, but it is on my list of shit to buy on any given Sunday motor miracle marathon. I think that’s what the rest of you would call a “Sunday workout”.
The Thomas Inch dumbbell: In one weekend I went from having one replica to having four of them at the gym. I have an actual replica, property of Jedd Johnson, a shot loaded Atomic athlete version, the 182 lbs Glass bell, and a 220 lbs strongergrip version. That one has never been lifted. I figure I will get it in the next 4 years. I am strongly compelled to lift them daily. Kaz clean and pressed the Inch, which was labeled by many as one of the greatest feats of strength they ever saw…I don’t see it that way. I see it as a heavy fucking dumbbell which needs a good clean and press. Take this how ever you what to- I will clean and press it. Today I did my first farmers walk holding the Glass bell and the shot loaded bell. It was for 3 steps, and it was hard. Before Halloween I will walk them across my gym. It’s not a big deal either, because it’s just another goal.
Squats: I do a bunch of them now. In the last two weeks I have had two days of over 100 reps with body weight on the bar. My first goal is 500 for 1, and 400 for one hundred in under 25 minutes. I know 500 is not a big deal, but it is for me. For years I was unable to squat for shit due to shitty mobility. Training with the RKC high tension techniques from 2005 to 2009 only made that worse. Now I can squat daily, and deeply, very comfortably. While I do not think high volume squatting is appropriate for everyone, I do think it maybe the fastest solution to most people’s strength and hypertrophy problems. I am growing like a weed. If you consider yourself a “hard gainer” I would be interested to hear what happens when you add 75-100 reps in the back squat to your routine 2-3 days a week. Mechanically speaking it seems improbable you wouldn’t add mass fast.
Worlds Strongest Hands: I’m pleased with my placing this first leg. The scores came back weird as most of the US contest sites had some pretty severe humidity and the pinch numbers flat out sucked. I was very happy to set a new record for the Griptopz Half penny lift, close pinching is a strength of mine. I was very impressed to have the 82.5 kg class two hand pinch record broken on my apparatus in Movement Minneapolis, and I believe Bob will pull out big numbers in legs 2 and 3. I also believe my big brother Jedd will further break his own World Record in the THP, as he did lift 271 lbs off the floor at nationals in July. My agenda is to finish this series in the top three. I do not know if I can out lift Juha or David, but I know I will try.
On the topic of grip contests…The Movement Minneapolis Grip Decathlon is a full green light. I know a few guys are committed to being here from out of state. Go ahead and get that vacation time, because the second weekend of the month in November we are rocking out. I will likely shuffle events to ensure the contest goes fast. As a promoter I want to offer the best possible experience, and one of the ways I can do that is have a contest that flows fast and easy. I will do a post on this in the coming weeks breaking down how the day will go.
Merril Pace Gloves: my new favorite shoe. Vibram sole, and essentially a barefoot technology shoe that doesn’t make you feel like a total dumbass out in public. I haven’t worn my five fingers this summer and I do not miss them. If you are due for new kicks, these are a must to investigate. They are light weight and appropriate for nearly all fitness activities.
TSC: That would be the tactical strength challenge. I can’t fully express how sad it is to be in the city where the RKC started and have so few participants. Minneapolis/St Paul has nearly 100 registered RKCs and who knows how many HKC’s and yet no one shows up for the TSC. This problem has nothing to do with my popularity in the community and everything to do with the easily observable fact that most of them are pussies and they refuse to compete. Brad Nelson, a Senior RKC has had such bad attendance over the last few years that his gym doesn’t even hold one anymore. I would like to say I am calling all of you out in Minneapolis, but I know that is a waste of time. Luckily the Crossfit community always has a few brave souls who show up….than I remember how there are over 10 affiliates in the area and only a handful show up. If any of you Sally’s would like to lift we will have a TSC the third weekend of September for the international competition. If the TSC is too hard for you, I will throw a 12kg Turkish Get up contest in November. If that is too much I am down for a movie night where we sit around watching Pavel DVDs and talk about being hard living comrades. Mostly however I just want to lift and I think you candy assess would have more fun if you actually lifted weights rather than just made others do that at cost. My disgust for this situation is rivaled only by my arrogance. I am game to have some people show up to 2075 East Center Circle in Plymouth to kick my ass in competition….now go blog/tweet/post about that.
YOU and your fitness program: In the last 14 days have you improved in every lift, every training day? If not I want to know why you think that is. I will tell you it is likely associated to using a fitness model which is centered on something other than your body and it’s feedback. There is no man, women, or guru on the planet who is better equipped to run your body than You are. I do not care how many certifications they have, whose ass they have licked, or how many forum posts they have accrued over the years- you are still top dog to run your shit. I am so invested in this belief that I am going to put out a webinar series to my email list breaking down the most important things you need to know in order to challenge any fitness system on the market. I will start with how most of the fitness industry is a total fucking joke designed to keep selling you supplements which you don’t need. It will go on from there, blah blah blah. The point is I will give you the data points to run your own experiments and come to your own conclusions. And its not for free. You need to be on my email list. That shit is kinda free, you get an ebook and Ohsum messages from me weekly with tips to make you more bad ass. Every now and again I may advertise a product or affiliate link. I need to eat too. I’m launching the webinars in the next few days. Sign up now. Look on the side of this page, get the free ebook. If you don’t like it than unsubscribe.
My clients: they rock. I want to acknowledge the following people: Nick you are a Sherman Tank. I can’t imagine running a biathlon than showing up to a grip contest and going all 5 events. I have a medal for you on my desk BTW for your third place finish in your weight class. Tiffney well done on your assessment today. Roxanne I am very proud of you for embracing your weight loss goals, even though secretly you doubt my mighty diet methods. Alicia you are awesome, and I want to see you film the damn KB lifting so we can get you ranked with the stupid assholes at the AKC. Jo N you need to get your ass back in to the gym, because I miss working with you. Jeanette N I don’t care how busy you are, you need to get in too. Laura J I know you hate the new gym you’re at, come on back and return to your favorite place to lift kettlebells. Jake W you have incredible potential. Mark L you make all us young guys look bad with your dedication to your goals. Lyndsy G you better tell me the next time you hurt yourself doing stupid shit, I can help you shorten the curve on getting out of pain. You know that but you are stubborn. Erika I am glad they did that thing for you, I think you will crush it as soon as you heal up. Kristin get your ass back in, I know it’s summer time but you still got to lift. Besides with you gone I have no one to talk to about dinosaurs. That’s like a living hell dude. Sarah G I want you to quit your day job and run your own shit, I will bug you about this weekly until you do. Jodie N if you stick with the mighty sport of grip you will dominate one day. Josh F keep that fat loss moving. You have had the best results out of anyone I have met in a long time. Slow and steady wins the race. Everyone else- keep it up.
Diet plans in America: what a fuck up. Ask ten people and you get ten answers, and they all are retarded in their own way. Here is a useful, actionable metric for diet. Does this diet (whatever you are doing) allow you to feel the way you want to feel, look the way you look, and play the way you want to play? If the answer is no than throw it away. I will promise you this, if your current diet plan is not sustainable from today until the day you die (and you WILL DIE home slice) then you need to get rid of it and find out that is. If you are currently doing anything now that you can not or will not keep doing it is likely to be a big flop. Like I already said, there are three simple markers for success: You feel the way you want to feel, you look the way you want to look, and you play the way you want to play. If not all three than failure is coming.
Dumb shit: the word “should”. Stop right now and think about how often you say should. I do it too. I believe saying the word should is an automatic fuck up in a lot of ways. If you think you should be doing something, yet you’re not…you are obviously wrong. If you are currently thinking about all the shit others should be doing, you are probably wrong. Should’ing all over yourself is a completely avoidable situation. Sean this is one of the things you and I will be discussing in detail shortly. If nothing else, find a different way to think about the situation at hand. The less I should, the better I feel at the end of the day.
How I feel most days: pretty fucking shitty. my god damn head is killing me. My sleep schedule sucks. I “should” fix this shit since I think I’m so damn smart, but so far the answer eludes me. I really don’t know what the proper intervention is. I have a piece of bone tissue deformed and now it needs to move more. I find myself doing a lot more weird shit to try to resolve it, but thus far nothing is working well. Frankie has made some pretty incredible progress with his omni-contextual pain resolution and that gives me hope that a solution exists within my control. If I am wrong the fix will be pretty damn simple. I am currently on day #6 of a consistent migraine and I’m all out of sumatripatin.
All of you: I really have no idea who reads this shit. I’m just some fucking dude who is tired of the way the world looks right now. I really do think that we have a lot of untapped potential as human beings, but we fuck it up battling over table scraps. What I do know is I have a thing or two that maybe of assistance in your life provided you are willing to ask for it. I have days where I skip writing, I have days where I write for hours. My question for you, who are you? Why do you read this page? What are you looking for? Can I better help you out? Only you know the answer to that.
I started this page, for my own entertainment. I have continued to contribute to it, now for years for my own entertainment. According to google analytic’s a lot of people drop in but you mother fuckers are mum. So I have a simple request- speak the fuck up. I probably value your opinion.
Static X: I listen to these crazy bastards a lot. There music is shitty metal, but for now it is really good to my ear. On the topic of music I must share a story with you. So about 9 months ago I decided I do not get out enough and I need to hit some more concerts. I subscribed to all of the bars and venues I know of in St Paul and Minneapolis. On a given week I get between 3 and 6 emails detailing various bands and acts coming to town to perform. If I have to summarize what bands come here, it seems to be the ones who can’t play on the East or West coast. This morning I woke up and after reviewing two of the said band emails I realized the only name I recognized was Hed PE. Now if you have ever heard Hed PE, you know they sound like complete and utter shit. I was pretty disappointed. So I have two requests, no maybe three. #1 I would really dig it if Tool would come to Minneapolis. Even if the show sells out in 10 minutes and I end up having to buy tickets at the show for double the price. #2 I would like Hed PE to stop coming to Minneapolis. You guys serious suck ass. I have had the unfortunate experience of seeing you assholes live and honestly you are the worst band I have ever heard. I have a System of a Down CD too, so I know shitty music when it’s played. #3 Please god damn ticket master tell us when a show is coming in advance, instead of when it’s sold out. I believe this is a reasonable request.
I do believe this wraps up things on my mind nicely. Lesson learned: fuck Hed PE.
This shall run unedited, as it was conceived in a free flow of thought in about 27 minutes.
{ 45 comments }
Okay, I’ll speak the fuck up
I’m a metal singer and a bad ass vocal coach from Finland. I read this blog for inspiration and stuff to try out. Why? Simply because, if you think the fitness industry is fucked up, it’s even worse with teaching singing. I periodically visit singing forums(mostly when I feel masochistic) and leave disgusted and frustrated. I’m not sure how much you’d be interested in the specifics. I mean, you move heavy shit with your body and I move air molecules with my vocal chords. The parallels are pretty obvious, and listening to your body IS about 95% of singing technique.
I’ll be happy to discuss more, if you want, either here or by email, but since I don’t know if you’re interested I usually just don’t post. I mean, I don’t want to be the asshole who is constantly tooting his own horn, even when nobody’s listening
Tell me about the vocal training, how do you do It? Also can you post a link to any tracks from your band? I’ll check you out today.
I’m really crappy at computers, so I’ll just send you a couple of tracks from one of my bands’ upcoming album, if I can have your email address.
If my students are professionals, they usually come for specific reasons(I’m going on tour in two weeks, we have 30 gigs in a row and my voice can only handle 3 in a row. Going to the studio next month and I need to hit that note/make that sound and I can’t) and I start with my motivational speech( WHY THE FUCK DIDN’T YOU CONTACT ME 6 MONTHS AGO!!!) and then we start working on those specific issues.
If they are beginners, we start working on the basics( range, power, ease, uniting registers etc.).
In both cases I have exercises that are designed to teach the singer to observe themselves and their voice in action(for example sing through all the vowels of your native language as slowly as possible and observe what is happening. What happens when you go up and down in range, what happens in different registers, what happens at different volumes? etc.) and build from there.
The reasons should be quite evident for followers of GM
Of course, since singing is such an internally governed action there’s an added thingy to the gym movement. Not only are YOU the most competent person to run your body, no-one but you can really know how anything you do feels like.
I mean, many times two singers might be doing exactly the same thing, but explain it/feel it/ approach it completely differently.
I hope this clarifies things a bit. If not, I’ll explain more
I like it. Yeah I would like to hear your stuff, Adamtglass@yahoo.com
That sounds Awesome, Aleksi. Is there anywhere decent online to learn to sing better or somewhere that you’ve found is a good starting point?
Well, I have a website and a dvd coming out by the end of this year, so obviously MY website is the best
Other than that, I do like Mark Baxter’s approach a lot(voicelesson.com).
There’s plenty of articles and videotips. Of course, true to principles of gym movement, you should test all those exercises with all the vowels and consonants and their combinations. And unlike him, I do recommend involving your whole body from the beginning, again as a test. Twist your body and make funny faces in the beginning.
Once you can hit the transitions, sounds and notes you want, you can lose the extra contortions
Obviously, do anything extra ONLY when it helps and/or feels better than not doing it.
If your looking for distorted vocals, Melissa Cross is a good starting point. While I don’t agree with her aesthetic views and blahblahblah, she has good and concrete exercises to produce a basic growl. Again, all I said about applying Mark Baxter’s exercises, applies here also.
Hope that helps
Wilfred… I checked this out, some funny shit, but I still prefer South Park!
I totally hear you with the whole band touring situation, I have tickets to see Red Hot Chili Peppers soon, that is some of the more mellow stuff I enjoy. I want to see Iced Earth but they are playing nowhere close to me, also Rammstein… again nowhere close to me… I think I need to move to another major city so I can enjoy more concerts!
My main problem at the moment is I have some serious sleep issues that I cannot resolve, I have tried exercising less, exercising more, tried all sorts of supplements (more omega3, ZMA, zinc, multi-vitamins, magnesium), hot baths… going to bed earlier, going to bed later, not eating too late, not drinking too late, not drinking alcohol or caffeine…. starting to run low on ideas now but my lack of sleep is really affecting my recovery and its pissing me right off!
If you have any thoughts on sorting that problem out I’m all ears, I want to spend more time in the gym but I just totally lack the energy to hit the gym 5 days a week any more due to sleep issues. This upsets me because I want to crush my Vulcan more and lift more heavy shit and put it back down again, this makes me happy inside!
I think my next experiment will be to take a day or two off work and just try and stay awake for 48 hours, maybe with a long fast too, totally mess up my bodyclock and see if it resets itself, that seems like the sane approach right now.
Kris, have you messed around with any shorter rest periods/taking more naps? Something that worked well for me was only sleeping for as long as I was able to maintain a comfortable position, which for me was flat on my back. Once I felt any discomfort or resistence to being able to fall back asleep I’d just get up, whether that was 8, 5, or 2 hrs. An issue I found was that things like the internet or TV would mess with my sleep schedule, I’d be tired at 11pm until I turned on the TV, then I wouldn’t go to bed to 2, and that would mess me up for the next day. Best of luck.
Kris
if you remember from our time in the coaching problem I also suffer sleep issues.
The best thing which worked for me was a prescription sleeping pill. I know that is not the answer most people want to hear, but it really worked well. I have learned a lot about better sleep practice, and I have taught a lot of people to use them. For me however, the Ambian was the best way.
A logical starting point- If you can’t sleep more at night, is there any way for you to get in a nap in the day? Even a 20 minute nap can be very helpful. This is one I use during the middle of the week when I dragging ass. Maybe swing one at lunch, or immediately after work?
Regarding sleep
Some times the dose of melatonin is not correct and it will vary from person to person. If you find you fall asleep and wake up in the middle of the night, try first to REDUCE the dose as it may be pushing blood levels too high and then rapidly dropping off, thus signaling your body to wake up. Common dose to start is at 1.5 mg or 3mg. Over time, titrate down to find the mEA. I think Age Force has a transdermal melatonin patch now too, but I have not used it.
Let us know how it goes!
Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
I have a really hectic life. I read this blog because it amuses/educates me in a positive way. I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Glass a couple times and he has the focus of a laser beam (the opposite of me, lol) so I feel I need his guidance in my life.
btw Monster’s “Mean Bean” coffee drink is great too, but hard to find.
I’m Jeff. I’m an ultimate frisbee player and coach. I am trying to find a balance between The Movement and Z, both in my own training and when I train others.
Z actually tends to be more of a supplement, while the majority of my training is sort of more Movement based. The bonus from Z is mostly the visual and vestibular (balance) drills.
Speaking of which, Adam, for your headaches has Brad had you test some visual or vestibular stuff? I wouldn’t be surprised if that time in the army of yours caused some inner ear problems…
I read this because I’m a scientist during the day and it all makes perfect sense. I also like learning about grip stuff. It helps throwing a disc like nobodies business. Funny enough, I’ve been teaching “Grip it and Rip it” far longer than I’ve known about the DVD. The more it spin, the farther it flies. Physics, bitches.
p.s. Been rocking the Merrell Trail Gloves since they hit the market and am in total love with them. There’s nothing I don’t use them for (cleat work aside).
I’m an EX level 4 Z-Coach. Mike Nelson was an EX Master Trainer, so hopefully he’ll chime in too.
Z is not supplemental to the Movement, including the ear and eye drills. The way they do their ear/eye drills and the way we TEND to do them are completely different. Many of theirs are non-specific and isometric; ours tend to be specific to task and movement related (as in up/down, side/side, diagonals, circles).
The point of Z was not just do a bunch of drills and bam you are a god. The point of Z was to apply the concepts, outside of just known Z drills to make everyone better. A point that wasn’t well understood, even from many of the Z trainers I see coming out. Z used mobility as a tool, similar to how the RKC used the kettlebell as a tool, but for some reason the mobility stuck. People would tell me they just do “Z” and I was like “Huh, how do you just do Z?”
Z was a means to an end, not the end itself.
The movement breaks down every Z principle and extrapolates in a much clearer, concise, and APPLICABLE way. Z’s application of things wasn’t nearly as Physiological as they appeared to be, especially when you really start breaking down the Movement and Z applications.
It’s similar to how some have tried to mix Z and RKC together, when there truly isn’t a mix when one is based on relaxation and another is based on tension. The guiding principle, changes the following application.
The easiest way to put it is the Movement is where Z-Health should have gone, but didn’t. Z-Health veered off course by trying to only understand one part of our body, but not the others and their power on our ENTIRE body. Z took on just Neurophysiology, but their saying was “All the body, All the time.” One part of the body that commands thing sure, but isn’t the limiting factor.
When I had a long talk with Frankie before I started the Movement – I new Z speak, but that’s it. He schooled me on what was actually going on and how to better help my clients and myself (The Movement stuff helps 5x quicker).
One big thing to remember, is everything we do is Movement. If your eyes, ears, etc can move, they should. It’s up to you and your body when they can move or need to move. In general R-Phase drills, I-Phase etc, aren’t just Z just micromovements of how the body moves. But just using those movements won’t necessarily mean you get better.
I think we actually both view these ‘systems’, if you will, in more of a similar light than you think with TM being the main driver behind our training. The two points I want to discuss as I’m more curious than anything. Thanks for the dialogue in advance.
1. RE: ‘Z is not supplemental to the Movement’
Warning: Delicious analogy ahead.
TM is an apple, Z is an orange. As you said, at least in relation to RKC (a banana, if you’re curious), you can’t compare them. I guess I’m confused, though, as to why we can’t eat ‘em both.
For now, let’s leave the banana out of this, even though maybe he deserves some space in the bowl.
I tend to use Z as a recovery tool. We all push ourselves at competitions past the point where it would test well. In the days after that, most of my strength training just does not test well. To get back to normal, I do mobility drills. If something hurts, I can target it (or its opposing joint, blah blah) and fix it.
I don’t use it as much to gain progress, just get back to a state where the most progress can be made.
It may be a good time to point out that I don’t teach/coach Z stuff, only applied ideas and watch for tension and all that good stuff.
*deep breath*
2. RE: ‘including the ear and eye drills’
To at least start in agreement, there is much to be gained from just Moving and if done correctly and in the right progressions will lead to better vision and balance.
With those systems being such prominent forces in the brain, why not at least get rid of major issues with them? You’ve taken the certs, you know the tests and quick fixes. Those are huge payoffs with little effort.
It may be a different story with trying to make progress past that with said drills, but why not throw them in with everything else you’re doing? If it tests well…
Good discussion.
In short, the WHAT is greater than the WHY. I remember Adam tell that to me again at a concert awhile back and I totally agree.
Clients want to know WHAT to do more than they want to know WHY.
I’ve found the Movement protocol’s to be easier and faster with myself and clients. Eye movements tend to help more than vestibular and / vision for more pain related things. I know at one point, Adam, myself, Frankie and Craig compared notes and there was only a handful of times that vision or vestibular alone helped with pain; and between us we have done over 1,000 one off sessions on clients.
The key is to test whatever you are doing and then find the most efficient path.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
Hi Adam, I read this page for training advice and the humor. I’m looking for improvement in physique transformation, the TSC events , and grip work. I am much better off now than I was at the beginning of the year because of the coaching I got from you, thanks Adam. Are the Merril Pace gloves easier to get your feet in than VFF ?
Steve I think you would like them. They fit like normal shoes, but are extremely light weight and flexible.
Adam,
I read this blog everyday because it rocks. I’m just an everyday working schmo who doesn’t buy all the workout/eating/whatever hype. It’s nice too see a different view point.
Adam,
I’ll admit to being one of your uncommunicative lurkers but some of that is because I read blogs on my lunch hour/breaks at work and that doesn’t leave a lot of time for commenting.
Also, I am most definitely NOT in your normal “target market”. I am a 59 yr old woman who is 50lbs overweight, hasn’t exercised regularly in years and is in constant pain from osteoarthritis most everywhere but especially my knees and hands.
But … I think your grip stuff is cool and interesting, your attitude is refreshing, and you have cool friends who visit periodically. Also I believe that your testing, PR everyday and movement stuff is the shit and I have just recently started to listen to my Grip n’ Rip DVD again in preparation for actually DOING something physical.
Just knowing that you are out there and still doin’ even if you have physical issues yourself and don’t get much feedback from us lazy lurkin’ louts is helping me move forward my little fractions of inches.
What city are you in? Maybe I can point you towards a gym which is more like mine and less like the normal buffoonery of the industry
St Petersburg, FL – but I am seriously poor right now so I think the gym thing will have to be put on hold. And I DID have access to one more like yours in the past so I have a pretty good idea of what it could and should be like. Thanks for the offer and please do pass it along if you hear of anyone down this way – you never know, I might win the lottery this week!
I have just started walking again after a couple of years of doing basically nothing since I now have a nice little lake and park in my neighborhood. Going full barefoot this time and getting out of the shoes really seems to be helping my knees. I tried the Merrells you like, but that rocker part on the sole just behind the toes drove me NUTS! I just have to be a little more careful of the dog and goose shit. (grin)
Anyway, once I get used to moving again and work out the pain in the knees a little more I should be able to start with some basic stuff like wall squats, planks and pull-ups since I have a decent-sized patio and the Florida humidity will be more bearable in a month or two. Fortunately, I have a pretty good grounding in non-bullshit bodyweight strength training (some of it from you!) and between that and testing, I should be OK working on my own for a while.
Thanks again, I’ll be lurking …
Love the flow of conscious. Answers to three very specific questions:
Who am I? Fitness Enthusiast determined for better, hope for mankind’s survival, evolution of the self, in short- “Super, Amazing, Better, yup-pretty much a tiny bad ass”
Why do I read this page? Point blank-cause I give a shit
What am I looking for? By “look” if you mean “search” – I search for “better”
Can you better help me out?
- I have dropped more body fat in the last 3 months after reading “9 things You can do” than in my whole life- strength increased-Industrial Grip Strength encouraged me to introduce grip into my training–Now I am pinch rowing a 45lb plate–BAM!
All of my fitness goals are truly significant; however the most essential lesson you taught me was I have the power to make myself better in all avenues of life, not just fitness–To know that power lay in my small hands to lift myself over the obstacles of life and persevere with no fear has been the greatest gift of all–
If you can do better than that you tell me-
Haven’t caught Wilfred-
Energy drinks “Khaos” tests the best for me-when I drink them which is on rare occasion lately
12k TGU I kill- TSC not too hard for me-Just not available on that day anywhere in the world- I do that shit in my sleep
Squats I’ll test it out
I already own a pare of the Merril Pace Gloves
And lastly “should” pops out of my mouth out of habit it was bred into me–but when it does I bitch slap the “should” and tell it to lay down–
All other thoughts agree-especially the ticketmaster b/s
Never stop learning, Never Give up, Never look back-trudge through
Hey Adam,
I read your stuff because I like your take on things in general and your humor.
I am an overweight independent/loner type looking to find my way to fitness with my trap bar, bowflex, power station, and t-handle (for swings). At 5′ 6″ and 225 lbs, down some 20 lbs from my heaviest of 247, I am considering having a go with super-setting upper/lower body exercises to help promote fat loss and general fitness. Also, you put a bug in my ear with your high rep squats; I hear a voice from another room, is it my trap bar calling?
Love the trap bar. From a raised platform you can do squats without spotters or expensive rack, it’s great for deads and works for rows too.
Anyway, the success you are having with your method inspires me and I enjoy watching ya’ll pursue grip sport. I purchased your “Grip and Rip 2.1″ dvd, but I don’t yet feel motivated to test movements.
Looking to take control over my infatuation with tasty food and sitting in order to become a former fat-ass, and enjoying your output,
Danny
Danny, what if you just test for the stuff you already like? Not testing for new stuff, but to select the movements which you enjoy and often do?
I also enjoy the trap bar. I do not use it for deads as often because I now pull sumo most times, but I do like it for farmers walks and for breaking in newbies for deads. It seems many people learn the mechanics for a deadlift better with a trap bar compared to learning with a standard BB.
On the diet, i am going to send out a few videos to my news letter group which maybe helpful for your current ideas and beliefs about food.
I could try testing some things, Adam.
I select my exercises, sets, and reps each workout based upon what I feel like doing that day; am I fooling myself that this good enough and I don’t need to test movements? ;^)
My love for the trap bar is not based solely upon its own merits but two side points; one, there is no gym in my town set up for doing deads, and two, I don’t have the money or space for a good rack. With the trap bar and a platform to increase range of motion for the squat I have a great home gym on the cheap! Still limited on overhead work though.
I am looking forward to more diet info as this is where I am currently most challenged, thank you for that! I limit carbs and portion size and use intermittent fasting for a weight loss cycle, then focus on maintaining the new weight until I feel like tackling another cycle. I definitely need to evolve on this.
I dont watch much T.V so I have no idea who “Wilfred” is, sorry bro. I read your blogs and watch your Videos because the shits inspirational PERIOD. I am adopting much of your lifting advise, the best one being just straight up LISTENING to my body. I had some douche at the gym come up to me the other night and say “damn dude, you just squatted 2 days ago and tonight your at it again AND your deadlifting, whats your “Routine”. I simply replied that I dont reallly have a routine, I just listen to my body and do whatever the hell I want too and my body wanted to hammer squats and deads that night, pretty simple”. That blew his mind and then he popped out the coin phrase “well dont overtrain bro”. This coming from a guy that I have 50 lbs on and could out lift anyday of the week in ALL lifts and HE wants to tell me to watch out of overtraining………….I wanted to tell him that he’s most likely UNDER-TRAINING and thats maybe why he lifts the same weight and looks the same as he did 6 months ago. Anyway, keep this shit rollind Adam, your a crazy motherfucker and some of us appreciate it.
Spencer
you are on the path man. Since you began the testing how much would you say your training frequency and volume has increased?
Adam,
Your blog is entertaining, and I read it because I enjoy your perspective. I exercise to relax, and my favorites are the turkish getup and bent press. Nothing focuses the mind like potentially dropping some iron on your head. I train alone due to my work schedule, so reading your blog is the closest thing I have to going to a gym on a regular basis. I’m not one for energy drinks, but I do already own two pairs of the Merrells because they’re the most comfortable shoes ever.
Diets fail. Lifestyles don’t. I finally figured out what foods my body likes best, and I’ve been super happy for almost 10 years because of it. As far as workouts go, I quit powerlifting and I quit Crossfit. Powerlifting killed my joints and took up too much time, and Crossfit made me hate pullups. I used to really love pullups, but Crossfit burned me out. I don’t want an exercise plan that I resent. And I don’t like the subculture that Crossfit has developed.
Sorry to hear about the migraines, hope you can get good help to sort it out. Neurologist? Migraine specialist? Definitely not my area of expertise, but I wish you the best.
Bought some Fat Gripz on your advice, and they’re great. Gotta love how they elegantly turn an otherwise easy lift into damn-near impossible.
Looking forward to the webinar.
Charles
I think its hard for me to nail down an exact opinion of CF at this point. I like how they have gotten a lot of people in to fitness, I like how they have (for many people) made training fun again. What I do not like is the do or die bullshill attitude which SOME (not all) affiliates promote, and the do it til you drop jerk off shit which is getting a lot of people hurt.
IDK what will happen with the dome. I have seen some specialists in the spring, I will schedule some follow on appointments soon. If it can be resolved mechanically I know how to do it, provided I can find the right lever point.
I think fatgripz are dope, maybe one of the best pieces of equipment to come out in a long time.
Wow… what a fun read, that was great!
In no particular order:
I’ll check it out
Merrell’s are great
They are all scared of you
You are a BEAST
Worlds Strongest Hands was a blast! Thank you for pushing me to compete.
Sucks about your head, but normal people don’t set PR’s under the influence of migraines, just saying.
Looking forward to the new stuff.
To the people mentioned in this post, please understand and appreciate what a good coach you have, don’t take it for granted.
I read your stuff because i trust you. I trust you to say what is on your mind. I know that when you call something shit, you are not dismissing it because conflicts with some long held belief, you have tested it and proved it to be shit. And you understand that just because something works for one person does not mean it will work for another, and vice versa.
Also, I enjoy sharks and dinosaurs.
[III]
J
I’m an unmotivated youth, trying to figure out what the heck I want out of my life and the best ways to achieve it, while struggling with my tendency to constantly shoot myself on the foot by way of doing absolutely nothing.
I’ve spent my life thus far taking other people’s opinions for the truth, with my behavior being motivated by delusional fears and the many defense mechanisms used to nurture them. As you might imagine, at some point I pretty much imploded and shit started going downhill. Sometimes I feel like another winy teen, especially comparing my problems to tangible stuff like yours, but the matter of the fact is, I’m not in the place I want to be. Hell, I’m not even sure where that place is, but I know it’s not where I am or where I’m going right now.
I find the concepts you promote, such as testing everything, facing reality through tracking, coming to your own conclusions through experimentation, and making a point of improving every single time, if only by a bit, liberating. Both as far as working out and life in general are concerned. Also, I still procrastinate and tend to go through prolonged ruts, but for some reason I am more likely to act with the methods you promote as compared to pretty much anything else I’ve tried.
I find this blog to be a combination of enlightening, hilarious and motivating, as well as a positive influence, overall, towards nearing the place I want to be, so I keep reading. I think you’re a cool guy and I hope you keep writing. Sorry if the post was kinda ranty. I tend to be all over the place, all of the time.
Cheers
Adam
I’ve been reading your blog for maybe a year now after seeing a sick video you put out on bottom pressing some big kettlebells.
I keep coming back to your site cause theres an integrity to your writing that is absent in alot of workout stuff I read, and cause its awesome to see the videos of the stuff you’re doing (pinch pullups) that nobody else can do.
I’m a college student and planning on the military after I graduate. I workout because its the way to live, and thats that. I go to the gym to deadlift and squat once a week and do other deadlift improving activities. Besides that my other workouts are outside; sun, rain or snow ( especially snow). I got a couple kettlebells I like to play with, a fatty bag of gravel that humbles me everytime I pick it up, and my own bodyweight.
Keep up the awesome training info, its appreciated.
Sam
How can you people drink anything “Monster”? Its caramel flavor is as bad as a nuclear holocaust. I’d chew on NoDoz rather than drink “Monster”. I like “Amp” because it is Mountain Dew-based. Obviously people, you can do whatever you want, I’m just saying.
I think Merells are ugly. I prefer Terra Plana Aqua – the most versatile shoe ever. I also own 5 pairs of different Vibrams, so I guess I’m biased. New New Balance barefoot shoe looks promising though.
I can’t stand “Wilfred”. To me it is just another show promoting mediocrity as a way of life. However, I have not seen a single episode, but I’m repulsed by its commercial.
Adam, you ought to try listening to “Combichrist”. Just saying. I think such amazing tracks as “Sent To Destroy”, “Fuck That Shit”, “I want Your Blood” and “Today (I woke to the Rain of Blood”) should give a nice impression of Andy’s talent.
I read this blog for entertainment and to see what else Adam is up to. I don’t comment, because I don’t have much to say. I’m certain I don’t need to tell you how awesome your progress is (if I do, let me know).
My problem is that I don’t care for much lately. I find that I need to force myself to workout. Things test well if I get to it, and Adaptifier shows progress, but getting to working out is a serious problem. Once again, I’m just saying.
I mean I’m a GM candidate and the system itself is pretty self-explanatory. Thus, I have all the answers in my disposal, I just don’t seem to bother to look for them. I assume it is a phase that will pass.
I also like Adam’s perseverance despite feeling shitty and having headaches.
Hey Adam,
I’ve been following your progress for a while now and it’s inspiring to say the least. Inspiring to such an extent that I am busy convincing my wife that it is imperative to human existence that I visit your gym within the next two years. The plane ride to the States is expensive but I’m thinking it’ll be well worth it. You seem to have a great community of people around you and your no-bullshit outlook is refreshing. (I also wanna gawk at all your cool grip toys.)
PS- Static X is a guilty pleasure of mine too, expect the Cult of Static album, which is a steaming pile of herbivore dung. I prefer Wisconsin Death Trip and Start a War for bit of mindless indulgence. (As a side note- We can’t buy music via iTunes here in SA without having a degree in computer hacking so I have one HUGE Metal CD collection. Looking at all the shit I DON’T listen to I sometimes wish I could have spent the money on gym equipment instead.)
Here’s a short list of some bands you might like (or loathe):
Full Blown Chaos (Tough guy hardcore – perfect training music)
Meshuggah (In my humble opinion the TOOL of heavy music)
Throwdown (The good bits of Pantera; without the pregnant cousin side-effect)
Demiricous (Makes Slayer sound hackneyed. Oh wait, they’ve been doing that on their own for years…)
I read this log because it has lots of good information for improving grip strength. Lots of great articles.
I have been training grip for some years now the best improvement have been in the last year, when I was able to mms my easiest #3.
Thanks for good writing,
Jonas
Good stuff as always Adam!
I remember getting a promo 2 song copy of Static X years ago when I was a metal DJ and Director of Loud Rock at the college station WMTU in MI. At first I was like ‘what the hell is this crap…..” but then the songs got stuck in my head and I really started to like then and a few months later my buddies and I were driving 8 hours back to the Twin Cites to see them in concert—great show! Your buddy’s Hed PE were there too, and they were actually pretty good. Their first 2 CDs were good and then the rest were utter dog crap and horrible. Ditto for them opening at Mushroomhead (who were awesome as you know).
Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
Adam,
Love the site, and your motivational stuff and attitude. Sorry about the noggin. I probably found your stuff from searching ‘Crossfit sucks’ or ‘Bottom up press’. Not sure which. BTW, I love the bottom up presses, as well as your advice on writing down what you eat and logging your workouts. I do both and think that anything you track will go in the direction you want. I sometimes go to a crossfit gym (Wildcat in AZ) – some of the trainers are outstanding. I think there’s a place for HIIT, but I also like listening to my body and doing what’s going to make me better in the best way possible. I do a lot of lifting in or around my garage. I end up playing with cinder blocks often. They’re good for me to practice pinching and carrying.
I cut out the caffeine and most of the sugar a while ago, so I have no opinion on energy drinks.
The best thing about the home gym is that I can blare metal while lifting metal.
You’re work is appreciated Adam. Thanks.
Thanks Chad.
The more you follow yourself/lead yourself, the better your gains and results shall be. There is a model of coaching where the athlete is put in charge by the coach, that is the one I subscribe to.
Adam,
I look forward to seeing your write-up on how the Fall Grip Decathlon is going to be ran – logistics and such. I’m not in good cardio shape, but I often find that at long grip contests (6 hours and over) I’m still at almost 100% strength-wise when the other guys are usually wilting and their performances are starting to suffer.
On a side note – I train with no heater or AC in my garage. I have had a few guys try to train their grip with me in the winter when it’s about 10 degrees in there. I don’t wear gloves either so they don’t get to do it. I always find that I’m WAY stronger than they are in that weather. Started out stronger than most of them anyway – due to me training grip frequently – but the gap between our strength levels usually widens by a mile in that extreme cold weather. It’s made me jokingly consider having a “Snow Grip Contest” – all events are done in an unheated room in 10 degrees or colder temps. Coats and warm clothing would be allowed. But no gloves on the hands. That would defeat the purpose of the grip test/contest.
I figure there might be 2 or 3 guys in the entire Midwest who would be interested in my contest though, lol. So I’ll wait until the time is right.
I will have one up no later than second week of September. The data is solid and the event changes I am going to make will be ones everyone likes.
Just checking in to see if you already posted the data and I missed it.
P.S. Great work on WSH Leg 2! Even with the bomb on 2HP you put in a very solid performance.
Adam,
Another thing – if you want me to bring any of my calibrated grippers let me know and I’ll bag them all up and haul them to the contest. You might have plenty with only small gaps but if any of mine help I’m more than happy to bring them up. Here’s the list from memory – most were calibrated by Chris Rice:
-Trainer (57lbs)
-Trainer (62lbs)
-#2 (110lbs)
-GNC200 (121lbs) – has 5/8″ handles.
-Bone Crusher 300 (134lbs)
-#3 (137lbs) – this has been the first #3 close of a bunch of very well known grip and general strength guys since 2005. John Beatty’s first #3 close – among many others.
-RB210 (139lbs) – has a 3 and 1/16″ spread so it feels much harder than 139lbs.
-#3 (151lbs)
-GNC250 (153lbs) – has 5/8″ handles.
-RB330N (159lbs)
-RB300 (166lbs)
-Super Elite (167lbs)
-Quad Band (167lbs) – wide spread, feels much harder than 167lbs
-Elite (174lbs) – John Eaton’s old Elite
-HG350 (175lbs)
-HG350 (178lbs) – somehow feels harder than 178lbs.
-Elite (179lbs) – Thor Elite. This is my best contest close so far but I have been destroying it in training.
Off hand I will ask you to bring the lighter ones (first 4 lifted) to fill in gaps for the novice guys. The upper range is well covered. What I really need is a few 185-191 range, but no one seems to have any
I will definitely bring those first 4 listed then. If I happen to get a few in the 185-191 range I’ll let you know and bring those too. They’re hard to find it seems.
Adam-
I’m a lurker. Sorry for not chiming in. I love this blog! I read it for inspiration, motivation, information and to bear witness to awesomeness. Thanks for doing it!
I’ve not been training much lately. No excuses, just busy. My wife is 7 months pregnant and I’ve been struggling to make room for fitness oriented goals. I have no money, no place decent to train and therefore a lack of equipment, a serious lack of like-minded people to train with… but I’m working around all that. I’m making lots of progress on other fronts though, and that, sir, is associated with some things I’ve picked up from YOU.
You are absolutely right about “maintaining.” There is no such thing. I’m getting a “Dad Gut” and I don’t like it. I was going to say I “should” do something about it. How about this. I WILL do something about it. Actually, why don’t you do me a favor and hold me to that? High speed/high volume clean and push press, snatches, hill sprints, sled work, sandbags… and grip work. Less time for training than I would like, but an 40 min. a day might be enough with better eating. I’ll report progress…