AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE
ISSUE 9 - 12/31/2003
1. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“To lift a small thing requires no great strength, and to hear the booming roar of thunder requires no great hearing.”
- Sun Tzu in The Art Of War
Often in life, we have a tendency to sell ourselves short to avoid the possibility of failure. After all, if we only go after goals that are easy to achieve, we never have to worry about failing. The problem is that by not going after what you are capable of, you have already failed.
This reminds me of a special I saw on HBO once in which one physical education teacher recommended teaching jump roping without a jump rope. He stated that jump roping with a rope gives kids who cannot do it an inferiority complex. That lame line of thinking will create a society that is mentally and physically soft. Instead of challenging people to grow and improve themselves, people are being encouraged to avoid challenges due to the possible risk of embarrassment. What a pathetic line of thinking. Sometimes being embarrassed is the best way to grow.
In a prior sales job I once had to give a marketing lecture to a group of new salespeople. Well, to make a long story short I went totally blank halfway through the lecture and probably could not even remember my name at the moment. My supervisor had to come up and save me. It was humiliating and I was the butt of many jokes from my co-workers. However, instead of choosing not to do a marketing lecture ever again, I decided to do it again the following week and guess what happened? I did a great job and never screwed up again. The embarrassment of messing up fueled a fire to improve immediately and to show people what I was capable of.
Set some real goals for 2004 that will challenge you and make you grow as a person and have the resolve to see them through to the end. Even if you fall short of your goals, the person that you will become in the process will be worth the struggle. Don’t worry about being embarrassed, that is part of the game. Use it and grow stronger!
Live Life Aggressively!
Mike Mahler
2. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ARTICLE
The Importance Of Recovering From Your Workouts
We all know how important it is to apply proper training principles to get the most out of our workouts. Cycling intensity, volume, and frequency are all critical elements of avoiding over training. Regardless, if you do not take the proper steps to recover from your workouts, you are going to burn out fast. Here are several things that you can do to maximize workout recovery:
1. Cryotherapy: I learned about this excellent method from top strength coach Charles Staley. Get a cryocup and ice down major worked muscles after each workout. For example, quads after a leg workout and shoulders and chest after an upper body workout. For more information on cryotherapy, go to: this link.
2. Sports Massage: This is one of the most effective methods to keep your body healthy and enhance recovery. If you can afford it, get a sports massage every two weeks. If that is out of the question, then get one once a month.
3. Cold/Hot showers: Try taking a cold/hot shower after each workout. Cold for thirty seconds followed by hot for sixty seconds will get the job done. Alternate back and forth for 5-10 minutes.
4. Make regular appointments with an ART (Active Release Technique) practitioner. In addition to assisting your with existing injuries, a skilled ART practitioner can help you avoid injuries. If you are in the LA area, contact Dr. Nelson Santos at 310-628-7387 and if you are in the DC/VA area contact Dr. Kirsten Grove at 703-760-8110. For more information on ART, go to ActiveRelease.com.
5. Active Recovery Workouts: Throw in 2-3 active recovery workouts per week to get the blood moving. Do not push yourself too hard at these workouts.
6. Proten/carb shake: Have a protein/carb shake after each workout. The more volume you do, the more protein and carbs you should take. No need to purchase expensive meal replacement powders or protein powders full of artificial junk, go to ProteinCreations.com to get some great deals on protein powders directly from the manufacturers.
7. Regular Sleep: Make sure to get 8-10 hours of sleep per night as often as possible. If you cannot get it all in at once, take a half hour power nap after workouts or in the afteroon. To ensure deep sleep, try taking 250mg to 500mg of magnesium before bedtime.
Try applying all of these methods for one month and you will be shocked at what a difference they make.
3. GET THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH DVD COMBO PACK TODAY
"Kettlebell Solutions for Speed and Explosive Strength is incredible! All of the exercises are explained and displayed perfectly and leave you with no questions. There is absolutely no filler and it gives so many options to add to your arsenal. Watching it gets me so amped up to train! One of the best things is the Free DVD User guide to set you on the right track. I love all of the exercises and together with Tke Kettlebell Solution For Size and Strength, I will never get bored of training!"
- Chris Pontius of MTV's Wildboyz and Jackass
Kettlebell Solution for Size and Strength
If you enjoy lifting light kettlebells and have no desire to be strong with a powerful physique, then this DVD is not for you. However, if you are ready for a new challenge with kettlebells and desire to maximize the benefits of kettlebell training, get this DVD today.
The Kettlebell Solution For Size And Strength will show how to get much stronger with kettlebells and build a muscular physique as well. This detailed DVD is for all levels and covers the basics enough for beginners and offers new challenges for experienced kettlebell lifters.
Kettlebell Solutions for Speed and Explosive Strength
Super comprehensive kettlebell training DVD that goes over how to build speed and explosive power in four different categories: Full body explosive power, Upper body explosive power, Lower body explosive power, and Rotational explosive power. Translation? You will be one explosive hombre after you practice the exercises on this DVD and follow the programs in the Free Kettlebell Training DVD E-book. I did not leave anything out on this DVD. Even if you do not care about getting faster and more explosive, you will love the wide variety of exercises that this kettlebell training DVD contains.
4. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PERSONALIZED PROGRAM DESIGN SERVICES
"Lost 10 lbs and went down from a size 12 to a size 8 in jeans – that was something I expected not to happen for another 10-15 more lbs! So thanks for your guidelines – they really have helped a lot."
- Michele Milevoi
Tired of trial and error? Want a training program that actually works? Click here for more info!
5. NEW AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
I have just added some great new products to my website including: medicine balls, the ultimate portable gym, and some pull-up straps that allow you to do a pull-ups anywhere! Click here.
6. THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH SOLUTION FOR THE ROAD WARRIOR
Tired of terrible hotel gyms and getting out of shape on the road? Tired of doing bodyweight only routines in your hotel room because there are no other options? You need Lifeline's resistance cable products. Not only are they light and portable but they provide enough resistance to humble the strongest athletes around. Click here for more info
7. KETTLEBELL TRAINING INFORMATION PAGE (NEW)
http://www.mikemahler.com/kettlebell_info.html
8. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
http://www.mikemahler.com/newsletter
9. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH ARTICLES
http://www.mikemahler.com/articles.html
10. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING JOURNAL
http://www.mikemahler.com/journal.html
11. RECOMMENDED READING LIST
http://www.mikemahler.com/reading.html
Until next time.
Live Life Aggressively!
Feel free to email me with your comments and feedback at mahler25@yahoo.com
Mike Mahler