Day 156 of 365: RAW STRENGTH

Flipping through some videos today, I found this awesome video of Arnold training.  What drew me to this was something that my newest athlete, Diego Centeno said today during our session...

He said that the SWOD that I had programmed for him was like an "Old-school bodybuilding workout".  Needless to say, I was STOKED to hear him use these words to describe my workout.  

Why?

Because the way these guys trained was THE REAL DEAL.

They did not mess around.  

Everything they touched in the gym had a specific purpose:

To build a chiseled body, packed with muscle, and to create raw strength and power.

The bodybuilders of the 60's and 70's were equally concerned with the strength aspects of training as they were the cosmetic affects.

The short and simple.

This shit works!!!!

Day 146 of 365: Just a Cool Video!

Hey Guys---

Just wanted to share this badass video of some SICK old-school strength images! 

Thought it would be perfect for those that train hard and heavy on Saturdays!

Go Make Shit Happen!!!

Day 69 of 365: Super Squats!!!

If you are at all serious about getting strong and building a powerful physique, 

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!  

 One of my Strictly Strength athletes bought this book for me, which was a pretty badass!  I started reading it today on my flight to California(another Tony Robbins seminar!!!), and I soon found myself reading the last page and wanting more.  

I have to be honest, I have never sat down to read a book and then actually finished it in one go!  Granted, the book is only 96 pages, but for me to knock this out in a single effort speaks volumes about the wealth of knowledge this book provides. 

I will tell you this...I am FIRED UP to get back to the Red Black Gym to put some of this info into action!!!  The potential for my athletes, the CrossFit Central coaches I train, and myself is exciting, to say the least!  

Strossen's book, "Super Squats", not only has me stoked to implement his training protocol, but it has me thinking about writing my own book, detailing the way I train and the amazing results that come as a result!  

Anyway, I urge you all to buy this book ASAP!!!  It's going to change the way you look at squatting and the way you train!  Don't worry.  Even if you don't rush out and buy this book, I will sharing some of the info from the book with you all over the next couple days. 

But, I still think you should get it! 

Great Stuff!!!

Day 47 of 365: A Roadmap To SILLYSTRONG

If you have picked up any muscle magazines lately, or read any online articles claiming that, "They know how to get YOU strong!", you most likely found yourself more confused than before you started the search for all the right answers.  Chances are you came across some year-long, periodized plan consisting of 62 lifts for your legs, 103 for you back, and another 78 for your chest, shoulders and arms. 

 A bit overwhelming if you ask me.

A perfect example of the "information" available in this "resource".

 Just check out this video for an explanation of what I have planned in order to set the record straight!

It's easy to get caught up with all of the SH!T that is out there.  Especially when all you want is to get as big and as strong as you can in the shortest amount of time possible.  But here's where I'm going to let you in on a little secret....

You Ready?!?

Getting STRONG is not rocket science!  It does, on the other hand, take a hell of a lot of work to get there!  But, as I'm sure your elders told you; Anything worth having takes time and energy.  The good news is this:  Getting STRONG is not rocket science!  Yes, I know I already said that, but I am trying to make a point to you all.  If you want to get strong....What do you think you might have to do every once in a while?  That's right, LIFT SOME HEAVY SHIT!!!  And whenever possible, move that heavy whatever as FAST as you possibly can(while maintaining proper form and technique, obviously.)

 You see, the road map to getting SILLYSTRONG has already been laid out there for us by the strong men and women of the past.  It involves, as I see it, these categories:

The Big Lifts: 

Squat - Deadlift - Press

The Quick Lifts: 

All variations of the

Clean - Snatch - Jerk

The Auxiliary Work: 

These essentially mimicked manual labor-type activities such as 

pulling, pushing, jumping, towing, carrying, throwing and swinging.

Gymnastics:

Any form of exercise that utilizes only your body-weight as the resistance.

(Don't underestimate this!!!)

Now, you're probably saying to yourself, "That's fine and all, but how many reps of this?", and, "Should I follow this with that?", etc.

Everyone's opinion will differ when it comes to program design.  

Let me try to make this as simple as I can for you so that you actually retain and use what I am offering here.

  I am about to tell you what has worked the best for me, personally, as well as for my athletes

I have found that when you format your daily SWODs, you should take the approach that  

your warmup is, in fact, part of your workout.  

Don't go through some bullshit warm up consisting of a couple situps, maybe 10 arm circles, and finishing up with a quick sip of water and a toe-touch attempt.  

That is a waste of time!!!

The point is that over the next couple days and weeks, we will be covering the topics that I've already touched on in more detail, and go over some additional information that will have you on the way to SILLYSTRONG! 

Stay Tuned!!!

Off to a Great Start!

This past weekend, CrossFit Central's very own, Randal Setzler competed in his first powerlifting competition and brought home TWO 1st place trophies from the East TX Powerlifting Regionals!!! 

Randal pulling a new DL PR!

Coach Randal Setzler is renowned for his awesome feats of body-weight strength(gymnastics), as well as his kettlebell technique and coaching, but just recently, Randal started his journey to becoming "70's BIG".  This is a term that you will hear me use a lot, but basically, it means that you are going for the size and look of the "Golden Era" body-builders.

Since I have never competed in a powerlifting competition, but have a string interest in doing so....I figured that someone out there is probably in the same boat.  So, this interview with Randal is meant to inspire, motivate, and educate those out there that have not yet taken the first steps to competing.

  You can definitely expect more from Randal and I as we are already discussing a CrossFit Central Barbell Club!!!

More on that to later.

ENJOY!