I have been lifting weights for 43 years, started at age 20, you do the math.
In high school I played football, basketball, and baseball.
Played some college football and one game of semi-pro football, maybe I watched the game, can't remember.
I am a teacher/football coach on the high school level.
I walked into a small room in the basement of the local YMCA 43 years ago.
I laid down on the bench, on what I found out later was a power rack.
The barbell on the rack had one big plate on each end, so I lifted it one time and I thought what is the big deal.
Then the "real lifters" walked in, all 2 of them.
To make a long story longer, they asked if I could stick around and help "spot" them on the bench.
These two fellows ended up putting several big plates on each end of the barbell, so much for my "big deal theory".
I did such a great job spotting them on the bench press, that they asked if would be interested in learning how to bench press.
The rest as they say is history.
The first 6 months of my weight-lifting career I spent spotting the bench press, and the squat.
I actually thought of changing my name to Spot.
To this day I am sure somewhere in that weight room there is a small plaque honoring me into the "spotters hall of fame".
I will not bore you with anymore history, suffice it to say I was "smitten" by the lifting bug.
To this day it is a PASSION of mine.
In my office at home, the shelves are filled with books and DVDs, and college strength manuals.
I am a student of strength and conditioning and also the game of football.
I am entering my 31st year of coaching.
I will never stop trying to help anyone who will listen, on how to become stronger.
I have watched the fitness industry change and grow over a 43 period.
During that time I think I have tried every new gimmick or idea, in my pursuit of strength.
I was fortunate enough to early on to be coached in Olympic-style lifting.
In the 60s and 70s o-lifting was king, followed by power-lifting, than body building.
Boy has that changed! So, lets talk strength! How do I get stronger and bigger? I would suggest you look up old-time strongman Eugene Sandow and check out pictures of him.
He was reported to have done a one-arm press with 301 pounds.
No, I was not there to "spot" for him! Would you like to have an athletic looking physique like his? Combine his build with the tremendous strength he had and what have you got? A well-built strength athlete.
One thing he did not have then was the Internet..
..
he was forced to think for himself, and experiment..
..
test drive things to find out what worked, or what did not work.
I want to share with you some principles of strength that I apply to my current training today.
These principles are from Pavel Tsatsouline and his book Power To The People, a must-read book.
1) LIMIT THE REPETITIONS TO NO MORE THAN FIVE 2) INCREASE THE REST INTERVALS BETWEEN SETS TO A DURATION OF 3-5 MINUTES 3) LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SETS 4) PAUSE AND RELAX BETWEEN REPS Do not water down your strength with reps and fatigue.
Why do you lift weights? Recently, I read a great article by legendary strength coach, Bill Starr, Keeping Strength in the Strength Program, read it.
What movements? Here are my suggestions: - Squat - Deadlift - Power Clean & Variations - Bench Press - Military Press - Pull-ups and Variations Apply the principles mentioned above.
Take fish-oil.
Eat lots of protein.
Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Get lots of rest.
Be yourself! Do what you believe in, your real value is rooted in who you are, not what you do.
I believe, you can never be too strong, no matter your age! Find a good coach, make sure he looks like he is working out himself.
If you just have a training partner, you will just trade bad habits.
Dan John says, "the goal is to keep the goal the goal" Jim Wendler says: " its amazing what can happen when you start conditioning hard, being in shape requires no talent, just hard work and commitment.
Now being STRONG and in shape, that is called smart and dedicated.
" Be smart.
Be nice.
Do what you love.
Have fun!
In high school I played football, basketball, and baseball.
Played some college football and one game of semi-pro football, maybe I watched the game, can't remember.
I am a teacher/football coach on the high school level.
I walked into a small room in the basement of the local YMCA 43 years ago.
I laid down on the bench, on what I found out later was a power rack.
The barbell on the rack had one big plate on each end, so I lifted it one time and I thought what is the big deal.
Then the "real lifters" walked in, all 2 of them.
To make a long story longer, they asked if I could stick around and help "spot" them on the bench.
These two fellows ended up putting several big plates on each end of the barbell, so much for my "big deal theory".
I did such a great job spotting them on the bench press, that they asked if would be interested in learning how to bench press.
The rest as they say is history.
The first 6 months of my weight-lifting career I spent spotting the bench press, and the squat.
I actually thought of changing my name to Spot.
To this day I am sure somewhere in that weight room there is a small plaque honoring me into the "spotters hall of fame".
I will not bore you with anymore history, suffice it to say I was "smitten" by the lifting bug.
To this day it is a PASSION of mine.
In my office at home, the shelves are filled with books and DVDs, and college strength manuals.
I am a student of strength and conditioning and also the game of football.
I am entering my 31st year of coaching.
I will never stop trying to help anyone who will listen, on how to become stronger.
I have watched the fitness industry change and grow over a 43 period.
During that time I think I have tried every new gimmick or idea, in my pursuit of strength.
I was fortunate enough to early on to be coached in Olympic-style lifting.
In the 60s and 70s o-lifting was king, followed by power-lifting, than body building.
Boy has that changed! So, lets talk strength! How do I get stronger and bigger? I would suggest you look up old-time strongman Eugene Sandow and check out pictures of him.
He was reported to have done a one-arm press with 301 pounds.
No, I was not there to "spot" for him! Would you like to have an athletic looking physique like his? Combine his build with the tremendous strength he had and what have you got? A well-built strength athlete.
One thing he did not have then was the Internet..
..
he was forced to think for himself, and experiment..
..
test drive things to find out what worked, or what did not work.
I want to share with you some principles of strength that I apply to my current training today.
These principles are from Pavel Tsatsouline and his book Power To The People, a must-read book.
1) LIMIT THE REPETITIONS TO NO MORE THAN FIVE 2) INCREASE THE REST INTERVALS BETWEEN SETS TO A DURATION OF 3-5 MINUTES 3) LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SETS 4) PAUSE AND RELAX BETWEEN REPS Do not water down your strength with reps and fatigue.
Why do you lift weights? Recently, I read a great article by legendary strength coach, Bill Starr, Keeping Strength in the Strength Program, read it.
What movements? Here are my suggestions: - Squat - Deadlift - Power Clean & Variations - Bench Press - Military Press - Pull-ups and Variations Apply the principles mentioned above.
Take fish-oil.
Eat lots of protein.
Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Get lots of rest.
Be yourself! Do what you believe in, your real value is rooted in who you are, not what you do.
I believe, you can never be too strong, no matter your age! Find a good coach, make sure he looks like he is working out himself.
If you just have a training partner, you will just trade bad habits.
Dan John says, "the goal is to keep the goal the goal" Jim Wendler says: " its amazing what can happen when you start conditioning hard, being in shape requires no talent, just hard work and commitment.
Now being STRONG and in shape, that is called smart and dedicated.
" Be smart.
Be nice.
Do what you love.
Have fun!