Aggressive Strength Magazine
1. Focus on weak links in order to improve your kettlebell training
By Denis Kanygin
Denis Kanygin is a postural therapist and human biomechanics expert. He is also a personal Girevoy Sport (Kettlebell Sport) coach to such athletes as Steve Cotter, Ken Blackburn, Jason Dolby and John Wild Buckley. Denis has been training with kettlebells since he was 8 and a half years old.
“Strength is a nice asset. We want it, we crave it, we are willing to do almost anything to get it. Diets, supplements, brutal (and painful) workouts... but the one thing that will make the most difference is often ignored: weakness.
Lets think about strength in this way:
strength is lack of weakness.
To improve strength, focus on weaknesses. Find weak links and address them. Take a step back and look at your body and mind as a whole, one single unit. Generally weakness can be categorized into two different categories:
1. Biomechanical weakness
2. Mental weakness
Biomechanical weakness has to do with muscle distribution and balance, joint health and mobility, muscle size and density, as well as skeletal mechanics and levers.
Where could your weakness be hiding? Two main sources
of weakness are:
l Improper body mechanics (too much of a pelvic tilt or elevation; scoliosis, femoral rotation, medial/lateral knees, elevated/rounded shoulders just to name a few)
l Improper muscle distribution and lack of proper muscle balance (focusing on one muscle group and ignoring everything else would create such imbalance)
If body mechanics are 'off' (a huge source of weakness), the body will not be able to engage muscles properly and will be forced to produce many compensations where some muscles are forced to do more work then necessary and other muscles are not doing enough. Such compensations will result in great decrease in strength (instead of all muscles, only a fraction is engaged) and performance. It will also lead to a higher chance of trauma and injury.
l Huge upper body and 'chicken' legs (upper body/lower body imbalance)
l You can bench press a heavy weight but can barely do 10 proper pull-ups (chest / back imbalance)
l
There are also many other more subtle imbalances that can
effect performance
OK, we now know possible sources of weakness – how do we address/eliminate those weak links?
Kettlebell training should address most muscle
distribution and imbalance issues since they work body as a single unit and
will quickly address any weaknesses that you body may have. Biomechanical
(structural) and postural weaknesses are a bit trickier to correct (and
takes more time). Besides specific postural therapy, a solution to improper
body mechanics is a greater variety of movement.
To improve body mechanics do:
l Walk at least 40 min a day (the more, the better)
l Kettlebell training (swings alone will make a huge difference)
l Yoga
l Obstacle course training (use jungle gym/playground)
l
Sit less
Find your weakness and you will find your strength. Let me know how it goes!“
About the author
Denis Kanygin has
- Over 10 years of fitness experience
- Biomechanic Re-alignment Therapist
- Kettlebell Sport (Girevoy Sport) Coach
- Fitness Consultant for Stockton Fire Department
- Personal Coach to Steve Cotter, director of International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation and Strength and Conditioning Consultant to the San Franscisco 49’s and San Diego Chargers
- Creator of The Only 4 Kettlebell Exercises You’ll Ever Need DVD
For more information on Denis, check out his website: click here
2. This dog saved his owners life and is rewarded by being abandoned: Please help out
Ronin's previous owner fell from a second story window and
was laying on cement badly hurt and bleeding. Ronin ran around the
neighborhood barking like crazy till someone realized that something was
very wrong and that Ronin was trying to communicate something. The neighbor
followed Ronin to the yard where he found the man lying in very bad
condition. The paramedics were called and the man's life was saved, in spite
of the fact that he has lost a lot of blood. And for that act of heroism,
the owner gave Ronin up when he got a new wife who decided that she didn't
like Ronin. He just turned his back and abandoned Ronin and never even
called to find out how he was doing.
Ronin is a loving and expressive dog, very energetic, who needs a strong
leader and one who understands large dogs. Ronin loves female dogs, but is
not terribly fond of males. No cats please! He loves long walks, playing
soccer, and just hanging out with his human. If you are interested in
fostering or adopting Ronin, please call Voice for the Animals at
310-392-5153 and leave a message for Debbie at 4#.
See a photo of Ronin and more info at:
http://www.petfinder.com/p
If you have any questions about Ronin, please email Melya Kaplan at: melya@earthlink.net
3. Power talk with top strength coach and ketlebell instructor Jason Dolby
With a diverse athletic background, including martial arts, football, rock climbing and backpacking, Jason has had experience with many fitness tools and conditioning modalities, but feels that the kettlebell reigns supreme. As a personal trainer and competitive kettlebell lifter, Jason feels that the kettlebell builds injury resistance, true endurance strength, core strength, and cardiovascular conditioning all at once.
Aside from improving the health and wellness of the general public, Jason is currently bettering the mobility, conditioning, and athletic performance of firefighters, football players, kettlebell lifters, and MMA fighters. Jason states that "We were never designed to sit all day, whether at the desk, on the couch, in the car, or on a fitness machine! We were designed to move!” Credentials - IKFF (FMD) (CKT), AKC, RKC, Z-Health (Level three), NASM (CPT), MBG (CNT), ART (lower extremity)
In addition to being an outstanding trainer who is always looking to learn more to help his clients, Jason has a great deal of enthusiasm that is contagious. He is very genuine and an exceptional communicator. He uses a variety of training tools and is more concerned with showing his clients a variety of effective ways to train rather than getting tangled in myopic dogma. Jason is another rare trainer that is willing to put in the research and experience that is necessary to achieve mastery. In addition to his hectic personal training schedule, Jason travels a great deal to be an assistant instructor for the IKFF. He is exactly the kind of trainer that you want to work with to get the best cutting edge information.
Tell us about your athletic background. How did you get into strength and conditioning?
My athletic background started in martial arts at a very young age. My father has been teaching Soo Bahk Do in Lakewood CA since 1970. It was through this art and the positive influence of my father, that I developed my enthusiasm for fitness and health. Karate was the only sport I was involved with for most of my youth. Later I began rock climbing, and got pretty serious with backpacking and hiking. When I went through high school, football was my thing along with track and field. My father's karate studio was one of the first to have a full weight room. As a young kid I would watch my father and his students training hard with free weights and the old universal circuit station machine. By age 14 my father let me begin lifting weights, and it was new and exciting to me. All I knew was the bodyweight training we did for our martial arts conditioning. Getting strong was fun and putting on some size was great also because it helped me hold my own in sports and increased my self confidence during my teenage years. Throughout high school, college, and several years after, I continued going to the gym with my buddies to train in a very bodybuilding type split routine.
How did you get into training others?
From age 21 to 24 I was a live in caretaker for my grandfather. During this time I was able to think a lot about what I wanted for my future. I had many great opportunities to chat with my grandfather about what the most important things in life are. Those rewarding years of my life helped me realize that I wanted to do something to help others, but also something I had a passion for. Fitness training was the answer for me. Since 1999 I have had the privilege of training and coaching people to achieve their goals and a healthier way of living.
When and why did you get into kettlebell training?
Four years ago a friend of mine had told me about his new kettlebell workout and wanted me to stop by his gym so I could see what he was talking about. At first I was a bit skeptical. The kettlebell looked silly to me. He demonstrated a hand to hand swing and asked me to try it. I laughed and then gave it a shot. I wasn't laughing 20 seconds later, after I had to put down the kettlebell because I was gassesd out! I was confused! It was at this moment I realized that all my leg pressing, benching, and lat pulldowns didn't help me very much in my underwelming display of real world strength! What I had was gym strength, not "true strength". This motivated me to change that. I got my own kettlebells, was determined to get better and I was diligent with my training. A couple of other trainers and I hired Steve Cotter to come up to Los Angeles and teach a Full Kontact kettlebell workshop. After the wonderful day of punishment and superb instruction from Steve Cotter, I was even more motivated than before. Since then I have challenged myself to continue bettering my kettlebell lifting technique and coaching skills by learning from those who have more experience than I do.
Do you think kettlebell training is a fit for everyone or is there a particular type of trainee that will get the most benefit?
The type of trainee that will benefit most from kettlebell training is anyone who is interested in decreasing risk of back injury, gaining true strength, increasing stamina and burning calories. During dynamic natural human movement, the kettlebell becomes a loaded extension of the body. This is exactly why chiropractors and physical therapists are now gaining interest in the role kettlebells can play in rehabilitation. The hand to hand swing alone could potentially prevent millions of serious back injuries nation wide. Whether an athlete or an office manager, a chef or a deckhand, I believe that almost anyone can benefit from kettlebell training. Individuals with unsafe kinetic chain imbalances and who are in desperate need of neural re-education may have better success by initially holding off on kettlebell training and seeking more appropriate methodologies.
There is a debate on the merits of various applications of kettlebell training. Some argue that the sole purpose of the kettlebell is for work capacity and that kettlebells are made for jerks and snatches. Others argue that kettlebells work great as a weight training implement. What is your take?
I say there is nothing to debate about. Kettlebells can be used to prop your door open, tie your dog to, flatten aluminum cans, display your favorite magnet, drive in a nail when you can't find the hammer, or to enter the house when you can't find your key. Use the kettlebell for whatever you want! Ask yourself what your goal is with the kettlebell, then make the appropriate decision in how to achieve your goal. If you want bigger biceps, then do preacher curls with it. If you want to do more consecutive jerks, then do more consecutive jerks. Do whatever you like with the kettle, just know what your objective is first. If someone is using kettlebells differently than you are, it doesn't mean they are wrong, their goals may just differ from yours.
Do kettlebells work well when combined with other training implements or should the trainee focus solely on kettlebell training?
I think kettlebells blend well with other strength training tools and fitness modalities. Basketball and Football players could incorporate kettlebell swings just after sprinting to the top of a hill before walking down to repeat. With the kettlebells at the top of the hill, the athlete can incorporate some interval strength endurance into what was just an interval endurance workout. A powerlifter could do a minute of swings or snatches immediately after a set of squats. This would add some strength endurance to a workout that was just strength based. By training this way, the powerlifter's recovery rate would greatly improve, and during a meet he/she would feel 110% rested between lifts.
One workout I like for full body conditioning is kettlebell single arm push presses mixed with torso bag slams for several rounds. One of my favorite workouts for legs and back is my "Trap Bar/KB Ladder". I load my trap bar with enough weight so I can only deadlift it ten times, then I line up pairs of kettlebells in front of the bar, heaviest to lightest and spaced three feet apart. I begin with the deadlifts and then immediately hop to the kettlebell double cleans, doing as many as I can with each pair until I reach the end of the ladder. Deadlifting first will prime your nervous system to handle the extra heavy cleans without a problem.The possibilities of blending the bells with different tools is limited only by your imagination. Yet, if you are less than four months away from your kettlebell competition, I would suggest using the sport bells for at least 80% of your training.
What are you using kettlebells for with your own training and what are your current training goals?
I am currently using kettlebells every other day and remaining focused on building my endurance strength and bettering my technique for GS. I do lots of interval sets of jerks and clean and jerks. I am also doing a ton of assistance drills to help turn my weaknesses into strengths. Having an equal amount of respect for rest days as I do for training days has made a huge impact on my progress. The goal I am most focused on is to achieve Master of Sport in the Long Cycle. Consistency in training along with adequate rest and a relaxed attitude will make this possible.
The Kettlebell Sport is becoming very popular and many trainees want to dive in and compete. How would you recommend they get started with training for kettlebell sport competitions?
For anyone interested in kettlebell sport, before just jumping into a competition, I would recommend a few things. First choose which event you enjoy enough to put lots of hours into. If you feel that the snatch is your strength, then maybe you can work the jerk into your training and compete in the Biathlon, (jerk/snatch). If you have a very strong back, feel comfortable with jerks but don't care for snatches, then the Long Cycle, (clean & jerk), might be a fit for you.
After choosing your event, you can now go to work. If you choose to compete with the 24kg's, I recommend owning or having access to pairs of 16kg's, 20kg's, 24kg's, and 28kg's. If you choose to compete with the 32kg's I would recommend getting your hands on pairs of 24kg's, 28kg's, 32kg's, and 36kg's. From there you can try working up to 10 minutes with a given pair of kettlebells, then work on increasing the number of repetitions in the 10 minutes. When you are satisfied with your numbers, you can now jump to a heavier pair of bells and repeat the process. Another effective way to prepare yourself is to choose a pair of kettlebells and do 10 one minute or 5 two minute interval sets and each week decrease the rest periods between them until there is no rest at all.
You can choose either method or you can experiment with both. The most important thing is to choose what works best for you as the individual. Lastly, working with a good coach who has great knowledge and experience will speed up your progress on the platform.
You are a big fan of the competition style kettlebells. Please explain
why they are your preference?
I really enjoy training and teaching with the Competition style kettlebells. I have been using the comp style kettlebells for my self and my clients since 2007. I had used the cast iron bells for a long time prior to my sport bell introduction, and still consider them to be great tools. Yet, I knew there was something special about the competition kettlebells the moment I got my hands on them! They felt great in the rack position and I knew my clients would appreciate the handles, due to the smaller diameter.
To any kettlebell lifter who has only trained with the cast irons, the uniformity of the sport bells might be a bit puzzling at first, due to the identical size and shape regardless of weight. The idea is simple, but genius! Whether you are training with the competition kettlebells to compete in the sport or just to get stronger, once you have honed your technique, you're done!
Once your nervous system allows you to adapt to your rack position and hand placement, you will never need to relearn it. Now you can save time by focusing on developing more strength and strength endurance without constantly having to readjust for a larger and larger bell. When we played basketball on the playground as kids we never had a middle school size ball, then a highschool size ball, then a college size ball, no, we had a "basketball" and a ten foot rim! We adapted with efficiency. The smaller diameter handle of the competition bell has really helped me keep my thumb on my index finger when holding on to the bell. This allows my grip to last much longer, allowing me to work longer, yielding greater results in performance and strength endurance. (for more info on competition style kettlebells, go to: Competition kettlebells )
What are some common mistakes that people make with kettlebell training?
Some of the most common mistakes that I see people making with kettlebells involve the incorporation of slow speed into very dynamic exercises. Most of these problems arise when someone learns an exercise from You Tube University instead of learning from a qualified instructor. For example, if it takes someone 10 seconds to do a swing or a snatch, 5 seconds up, 5 seconds down, they are missing the boat. They are also putting themselves at risk of injury. Kettlebell swings and snatches are very dynamic movements and if they are slowed to a crawl, undesired stress will be immediately placed on the joints of the shoulder and lumbar spine. Move the bell quickly to the top of the exercise, and please, let gravity do it's job on the way down. Another big mistake I see kettlebell lifters making is trying to make somebody else's rack position work for them. Try finding a position that works best for your body type. This will allow you to conserve more energy by supporting the kettlebell with your passive structures, not your active ones. This will yield more repetitions and/or more weight to be moved.
Should beginner focus on unilateral kettlebell work or can they start with double kettlebell training?
If a person has never used kettlebells before and wants to dive right into double kb work, they can, yet I would suggest working with a single bell first. Many people already have a solid feel for working with dumbells and barbells, but kettlebells are different enough to create a bit of a learning curve. Learning some of the basic moves with a single bell will keep the complexity low and allow for a smooth development of new neural pathways, rewarding you with a foundation of coordination.
Louie Simmons is famous for his conjugate method for powerlifting. For those, not familiar instead of working on the primary lifts as the focal point (bench press, squat, deadlift) they instead do similar lifts and rotate them often. As a result they can push each exercise hard and then switch to another one before they burn out. Do you think there is any benefit in applying this principle to kettlebell sport training? In other words, instead of just working on the actual comp lifts exclusively (Jerk, clean and jerk, snatch) rotate in other kettlebell exercises and similar exercises with other implements all-together.
I think it's ok for kettlebell competitors to use different exercises in their training, especially when the meet is a ways away. If the exercise makes sense and will improve your overall true strength and structural integrity, then try it out. If it benefits you, keep it, if it doesn't help you, dump it. For example, barbell front squats, full or partial, are nice because you can work with a much heavier load and you are still front loaded, like kettlebells in the rack. Sometimes I will even take some time off of double kettlebell work and focus on some very heavy one arm jerks and presses. Working unilaterally for a while is a nice little break for the nervous system. It's the same exercise but because the total load is less, you can use a very heavy bell, forcing the connective tissue in your joints to adapt and get stronger one side at a time. The carryover is excellent. Play with different lifts and drills to see what works great for you.
You are going to be doing a section on the benefits of Indian Club training at the Age of quarrel courses in the fall. What are the benefits of such training? Is it only for hardcore trainees or can the average trainee benefit as well?
At the Age of quarrel workshops will be teaching a sequence of Indian club drills that will help people maintain shoulder health. Training with Indian clubs on a daily basis is a great way to prevent injuries in our shoulder, scapula, elbow and wrist joints. When used while the body is relaxed and free of tension, the clubs will create dynamic traction in the shoulder girdle, helping to loosen stubborn connective tissue and tight muscles. The Indian clubs are very light, usually from 1 to 3 pounds, so anyone can benefit from them, regardless of individual strength level. Though they are light, the weight is at the ends of the clubs, so as they fall, there is an exponential loading factor. This is why by using the Indian clubs, we can open up the shoulder joints more so than by arm movement alone. The Indian clubs are to the shoulders, what the kettlebell is to the low back. I'm really looking forward to sharing the benefits of the clubs at the course.
Thanks Jason and looking forward to working with you in the fall
Jason is available for private lessons and workshops in the Los Angeles area. For more info, go to Jason's Webpage
The Kettlebell Training In The Age Of Quarrel 3-day Workshop
Time to demolish training confusion and show the abundant uses of the versatile kettlebell!
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4. Use Quadracarn To Increase Androgen Receptor Uptake And Insulin Sensitivity! Two things you need to maximize muscle building and fat loss
Bonus: Receive a free copy of my optimizing hormone e-book with your order
Get a free copy of my e-book on hormone optimization with your order
I want you to get the best results possible so when you order Quadracarn from me you will get a free copy of my hormone optimization e-book. This is not the free ebook that I have away a few years ago. This is the ebook that comes with my Collision Course DVD set. Thus, far that was the only way to get the ebook. Now you will get it with your order of Quadracarn. However, only if you purchase Quadracarn from me. You can also ask me questions about quadracarn if you purchase it from me. However, if you purchase it from another retailer then please do not disrespect me by expecting me to answer your questions. I provide great service to my customers and will not let anyone take advantage of my time.
5. Androgen Support Power Shake
By Mike Mahler
Ingredients:
Two scoops of Sunwarrior Vanilla Rice Protein (30 grams of protein)
3 stacks of celery
1 large leaf of kale
One cup of frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon of Udo’s Choice Oil
1 teaspoon of ginger powder
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Ten ounces of water
About the ingredients
Sunwarrior rice protein is a high quality protein powder and unlike whey, egg, or soy protein is hypoallergenic. This means you will not develop allergies to it with daily use. Use as much as you want without any worry. Also according to lab results Sunwarrior had 98% Correlation rate to Mothers Milk and a 98.2% digestion efficiency making it one of the highest digestibility and efficiency ratings of any other protein sources (compared to whey and soy). Sunwarrior had a 98.8 Net Utilization score, making it one of the Highest Net Protein Utilization score of any vegetable based protein and the highest ratio of amino acids converted to proteins. Sunwarrior has a complete amino acid profile and biological value (BV) that is almost identical to that of Whey Protein which is close to 1005.
Celery is great for healthy adrenals, kidneys, and for lowering high blood pressure. Celery also contains a large amount of androgen-like chemicals: 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 alpha-ol and 3 ketone. Both are related in structure to androstendione and testosterone. Androstendione is important for balancing any potential negatives of DHT. The DHT to androstendione ratio is very important. Celery contains Apigen which blocks the conversation of testosterone to estradiol.
Kale is loaded with Vitamin A which is very important for health and testosterone production. One large lead has 10,000 IU of Vitamin A. Kale is also loaded with Vitamin C, folic acid and potassium. One large leaf of kale also contains 200mg of highly absorbable calcium.
For more info on this and other androgen supporting foods and herbs, check out The Natural Testosterone Plan by Stephen Harrod Buhner)
Udo's oil is a great source of essential fatty acids. It has a nice balance of Omega 3-6-9. It is a great source of fuel, lowers inflammation, and is great for the skin and hormone support.
Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin c, low glycemic carbohydrates
Ginger has strong anti inflammatory benefits and is great for the immune system and GI tract.
Cinnamon is great for blood sugar regulation, the immune system, and the digestive system
SUN WARRIOR RICE PROTEIN
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It is not often that I get excited about protein powder. Most protein powders taste terrible and are loaded with unhealthy chemical ingredients. Sure I have used a few protein powders that are decent but none that actually motivated me to want to sell them on my website until recently. Not too long ago the guys at Sunwarrior were nice enough to send me a few bottles of their rice protein to test drive. Honestly I was expecting another bland terrible tasting rice protein like all of the other options that are on the marketplace. To my pleasant surprise I was actually shocked with how delicious the vanilla and chocolate flavors are. Unlike most protein powders both the vanilla and chocolate flavors taste great in water. This is the true test of a protein powder as you can make just about any protein powder taste great by mixing it with tons of fruits in a blender. However, if it tastes great in just water then you know you have a winner.
Click here for more information
6. Have Character But Do Not Be A Character
By Khoslen Awootar
We
live in a quick fix society where everything is taken for granted. I am
under the impression that people always seem to be looking for the easiest
way out. How often do we see people resorting to scapegoats or even passing
the buck as long as they get to stay in their comfort zones.
It’s
not an uncommon sight to see or hear people moaning or come up with excuses
such as “It’s because of xyz that this happened, they were the ones who
stopped me “or best” I was always picked on, I was always made to feel
bad” Does this sound familiar? Have you known people who went through
traumatic times? I sure as hell can relate to this. I was a “victim”
myself, but instead of letting complacency take over I decided to boot it
out of my life. I merely took
charge and today I am now reaping the benefits. There are many people whom I
would have to thank and one of them is Mike Mahler himself. But let’s get
back to the main point.
As I
mentioned I myself was a victim of bullies. I know what it feels like to be
told you’re worthless, not good enough or even that you will never be
successful in your life. These comments could stay with you and nail you
down and keep you there permanently. If you let it success will always evade
you.
Would
you like to spend your life in a state of fear or do you want to turn things
around? If that’s the case well read on. What I am about to share with you
are things which I happened to pick up the hard way.
# Success
is not for the faint hearted.
If
you believe that way your life is running its course now is good then keep
doing so. Otherwise, if you want to introduce some change, then be prepared
to cultivate an iron mind. This applies to every sphere in life. We are
subject to many influences, mostly from parents, family friends etc.
Everybody will try to chip in and add in their tuppence worth. Ultimately
you and you only will be making the decision. Others are there merely to
advise and that’s all there will be to it. However if you by yourself do
not stand up and start saying: I know what I want.” Then for get about
success. There are countless examples throughout history to demonstrate
this.
Demosthenes
happens to be one of those leading figures. Fir those of you who haven’t
heard about him, suffice to say that he was one of the biggest orators
ancient Greece ever produced. As a kid he was subject to ridicule since he
always stammered and was not able to get the words out, the proper way.
People never stopped making fun of him and this is exactly what spurred him
to overcome his handicap. He went down top the river banks, took some
pebbles and after thoroughly washing them (obviouslyJ)
he then put them in his mouth and started to talk. Over time he nailed his
stammering problem and eventually became one of the best orators. There are
loads of other cases where “ordinary people” defied the odds and
thrived. Ex Navy SEAL Richard Machowicz happens to be one of them. To learn
more I suggest you get a copy of his book: Unleash the warrior within.
#Being
successful means taking charge rather than blaming others
Some
of you are probably thinking that I have lost it. Well as provoking as
this seems there is a lot of truth to that. Let’s take myself as an
example. I’m now 28 years old and , working in a multinational company and
now living in Budapest Hungary. Loads of you may say “things are going on
pretty well.” Interestingly enough I wasn’t always like that.
Growing
up as a kid was one of the hardest times of my life. I was physically and
emotionally abused both at home and at school.
In the latter, people picked on me because I was too quiet. At home I
was being blamed for virtually EVERYTHING. Doing me best was never enough. I
was always being picked on, no matter how well I did. I never received an
ounce of encouragement. Hell I was constantly criticized and made to feel
inferior. Pretty depressing” you would say. Well yes. When I came home
with good grades and 3.9 GPA’s I would be treated with indifference. If
the 3.9 slumped to 3.8 or 3.7 I was immediately being abused. You can
imagine what happens when these things take their toll on you. I was
constantly depressed, not allowed to hang out with my friends, not even able
to voice out my opinion or worse complain. This is no exaggeration. If my
parents had a bad day, I would be the target of their frustrations. I would
be made to pay for everything and yes I never let this stop me.
You
may be thinking” was it hard?” The answer is “yes, terribly hard”
Having had to put up with this for 4-5 years was really tough and if I
wanted I could have chosen the
easiest path and turn out to be a loser. I could easily blame my parents and
everybody else for that matter and amount to nothing and yet, I kept
plodding on. Do you want to know why? Well deep down I wanted to get away
and make something for myself. I knew right from that start that if I
didn’t push myself , if I didn’t adapt myself , I would have everything
to lose. Being physically and emotionally abused was but a small price to
pay for where I am now.
There
are many people who I am sure can relate to this and if you have gone
through any traumatic issues or you are still experiencing them, then I
would suggest that you talk to a counselor and get as much help as possible.
What ever you do please make sure you do not give up under ANY
circumstances. Remember, blaming others simply allows complacency to settle
in. On the other hand if you start saying things like “ well I must move
on, I am the one who knows what
I want to get out of life” or” There are things I must do to improve the
outcome”, you will definitely make it. In my own case whenever I am
confronted with a challenge I always put a smile on my face and say to
myself” Right, This has been thrown at you. What are you going to do
now?” Remember, it’s all about moving forward.
Ever
heard of the word “narrow minded”. In some cases it could mean the same
thing as single minded. Deal with it, if you are not single minded or to use
a more politically correct term, focused, you can then forget about winning.
Let’s face it, there are many people out there who want to be successful
but when the hour of truth comes up, they are nowhere to be seen. Ever
wondered why? Its because they let everything take the better of them. How
many times do you see people saying” Well, I’ll go to the gym a bit
later. Today I and my friends are going for a night out.” We’ve all been
there, but why is it that some people can go and actually get these things
done?
It’s
merely because these people are prepared to ditch away anything that comes
in the way of their target. It’s easier said than done. It requires a
massive amount of commitment from yourself. You need to be able to know
which are those little/ minor things that stop you from getting /reaching
your goal or your objectives. Once
you’ve identified what your goal is, get everything else out of the way.
Former
Navy Seal Richard Machowicz in his book “Unleash the warrior within”
talks about the level of commitment he had to make it through Hell Week in
BUDS training. His philosophy, as you will find out if you care to read his
book was and still is: Not Dead Can’t quit.” Are you prepared to make
that level of commitment? If not then please crawl back to where you came
from.
Mike
Mahler’s motto is “Live life aggressively” and the key in my humble
opinion is to cultivate a good dose of aggressive positivism. Who you are
and what you can do is largely determined by the way in which you think. If
you think negatively, then good luck being successful. However if you do
have positive thoughts then god be with anyone who tries to stop you.
If I am not mistaken, Mike Mahler has talked a lot about how
important it is to think positively in a constructive fashion. I strongly
suggest that you browse his aggressive living articles, and make the most
out of it. Suffice to say that With aggressive positivism
comes a world of unlimited possibilities.
The
above mentioned points where aimed at getting you readers to think a bit
about your present situation. There will be some of you who won’t be
bothered at all, which is fair enough. On the other hand, there will be
those who will be fired up immediately and after some time they will merely
throw in the towel when things start to get rough. My humble advice to you
would be to keep pushing
through. If you really want to get going, be sure to check Mike’s free web
articles. There is enough fuel to get you started and also to maintain your
momentum. Last but not least I would like to convey my thanks to Mike
Mahler for posting up his recommended reading list. This was really helpful
in helping me develop my strategic thinking skills. If you really want to
make a difference in your lives, I suggest you pick up any one of those
titles that you fancy and study the contents thoroughly. Until then, Good
luck and keep PLODDING!
Khoshlen
Awootar
7. Kettlebell Buyer's Guide
Determine Which Kettlebell Is The Best Fit For You
VS
Click
here for more information
8. Buyer’s Guide to Aggressive Strength Kettlebell DVDs
Q: I'm a beginner at kettlebell training--which DVD should I get?
Start with my Level 1 Beginner Kettlebell Workshop. This DVD covers all the basic exercises and in great detail. Level 1 Beginner Kettlebell Workshop also comes with a The Aggressive Strength Kettlebell Workshop Manual, an e-book loaded with photos, exercise descriptions, along with effective training programs for attaining your goals. With this package, you'll learn which exercises to do--and which program works for you--so you can get started safely and effectively.
Will I need two kettlebells to follow the Level 1 Beginner Kettlebell Workshop DVD?
There are plenty of single-arm exercises in the Level 1 Beginner Kettlebell Workshop, so this DVD is a good fit if you only have a single kettlebell. Even so, do yourself a favor and start incorporating double-kettlebell drills into your program. Double KB training is superior to single KBs for many reasons, chiefly, double KB training will improve your one-arm KB skills-- but not the other way around.
Level 1 Beginner Kettlebell Workshop DVD
"Just have to say EXCELLENT DVD. I've been using kettlebells for a few years now but the breakdown you did on the exercises really helped improve my form just on the first workout. The point about how to properly rack the bells and not kill your forearms was so simple. I would instinctively do it on single arm kettlebell exercises but failed to do it on double bell exercises and couldn't figure out what I was doing differently. Again, excellent DVD. I'll have to watch it a few more times to really catch all the details."--Alex Bailey
If you are new to kettlebells or want to master the basics this is the DVD for you.
Q: I'm purchasing the Level 1 Beginner Kettlebell Workshop DVD but I'm wondering if there's another good beginner DVD as well?
Beginners who are serious about making the best gains in kettlebell training should pick up The Boys Are Back In Town Kettlebell Workshop DVD. This DVD set features in all-star cast of fitness experts sharing invaluable advice and tips. In addition to dramatically improving your kettlebell skills, you'll learn about joint mobility for pain-free movement, kettlebell sport/competition training, specialized breathing techniques for optimal sports performance, and what it means to optimize the secondary sex hormones--and why it's so important to your health. There's nothing on the market like--or even close to--this incredible, comprehensive and unique DVD set. Don’t be intimidated! The information presented on The Boys Are Back In Town Kettlebell Workshop DVD is far-reaching but still appropriate and beneficial for every beginner.
**Bonus: Purchase both DVD’s together and I offer a special discounted price. See side panel
I've been training with my kettlebells for several months and I'm feeling confident with the Press, Swing, Clean and Snatch. Now, I'd like to add some variety to my training, which DVD should I buy?
Click here for more information
9. Aggressive Strength Equipment Recommendations
Lifeline USA Power Wheel (The Best Ab Training Tool Period!)
Tired of boring ab workouts that are getting you nowhere? Get a Power Wheel and take your core strength through the roof! This is the ultimate ab wheel and a great device for building a strong mid section. Far more than just another ab wheel, with the Power Wheel, you can do a variety of killer core and upper body exercises.
The Ultimate Sandbag
This Sandbag is by far the best one on the market. No other model even comes close. No more sand showers with this baby! In addition it has handles on it which come in handy for cleans, presses, and tons of other great exercises. Sandbag training rocks for variety or as a stand alone training system. It hits your body in ways that no other training system can duplicate. If you love kettlebell training, you will love Sandbag training.
Jungle Gym
Do you workout at home? Travel a great deal for work? Do you enjoy bodyweight training? If yes to any of the above you will love the Jungle Gym. Great way to blast the upper body (both pushing and pulling muscles) and work your stabilizer muscles like crazy. Be prepared to shake all over the place when you do pushups with this killer training tool. In addition to being very portable it is inexpensive and like all other Lifeline USA products it is built to last. Get one today.
Power Pushup 2
This is the ultimate tool for adding resistance to pushups. It is perfect for people that travel.
Portable Monkey Bar Gym
Are you a road warrior that is sick of lame hotel gyms. If you travel a lot you know first hand how hard it is to stay in great shape on the road. In addition to the problem of trying to have a healthy diet on the road, keeping workouts consistent can be as hard as getting something to eat on any airline. Instead of complaining about getting out of shape on the road, attack it first hand and get your strength and conditioning back on track. This must have package comes with a:
- TNT Cable for pressing and pulling motions
- A weighted Jump Rope for building cardio and stamina
- The incredible "Jungle Gym" for hardcore pushups and pull-ups
- Power Up Chin-Up door attachment which turns any door into a pull-up bar
This package will provide everything you need to stay in great shape on the road, at home, or even at the office. A great training tool for busy executives, athletes, and house wives a like. get it now.
10. Kettlebell Training Information
11. Aggressive Strength Magazine Archives
http://www.mikemahler.com/newsletter
Until next time.
Live Life Aggressively!
Feel free to email me with your comments and feedback at mahler25@yahoo.com
Mike Mahler
