AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE
ISSUE 55 - 2/03/2005
1. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We are all hypocrites sometimes.”
- From the HBO show “The Sopranos”
Many people like to judge others harshly. However, it is much easier to look at the faults of others and overlook one’s own faults. The reality is that you are far better off working on your own faults, then focusing on the faults of others. Put your own life under a microscope and you will probably find many things that you are ashamed of and many things that you are glad that others are not aware of. Moreover, the things that you dislike in others are often things that you dislike about yourself or your past. For example, cigarette smoke really bothers me. In fact, I feel like smacking smokers in the face whenever I see one. However, I smoked for a few years back when I was in high school. There were probably people back then that had the same views of smokers that I currently have that judged me in the same light. Chances are high that when I see others smoke, it reminds me of something that I dislike about my past. I can say that they should know better, but then I have to also say that I should have known better as well. I can say that I quit and that others smokers should as well. Maybe that is true, but how much control do you really have over the actions of others? Not too much. How much control do you have over your own actions? More than you probably care to admit.
At the end of the day, judging others for the most part is small and petty. Sure there are cases in which people should be judged. However, you are much better off working on how to improve yourself than pointing fingers at others or putting others down to feel better about yourself. Spend more time improving yourself and less time being a hypocrite. The first step is realizing that we are all hypocrites sometimes. Once you remember this, you will not judge others with the same severity.
Live Life Aggressively!
Mike Mahler
2. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ARTICLE
The Importance Of Restoration
Recently, I purchased top strength coach Louie Simmons’ excellent DVD entitled “Special Strength.” I had a chance to watch it last week and I was very impressed. At first I was going to kick back and watch the DVD leisurely. However, after a few minutes, I soon realized that I was watching an information packed DVD and I quickly started taking notes. Ninety minutes and ten pages later I was ecstatic with all of the great tips that I picked up and I cannot wait to apply the methods to my kettlebell workouts. One of the sections of the DVD covers a variety of restoration or recovery methods. I was reminded how important restoration is and how many trainees miss the boat. Lets go over a couple methods that you should incorporate into your routine now.
Massage Therapy: This is one of the most overlooked and most effective methods for exercise recovery and injury prevention. Ideally, you hire a sports massage therapist that is familiar with the type of training that you do. However, even a generic massage one to two times a month will provide some benefit. I look at a massage like a tune up. Just as you would take your car in for a tune up to keep everything working, you should take your body in for a tune up. A good massage therapist will break up scar tissue and relieve congestion and tension in the muscles. Moreover, a good massage has a re-charge effect for both your mind and body. Translation: your muscles will work better, your CNS will work better, and as a result your workouts will be much better. Forget about spending two hundred dollars a month on supplements and do something that actually works. In my opinion, regular massages are one of the most important things that you can do for you health. If you are in the Los Angeles area, make an appointment with Dianna Linden by calling her at: 310.394.1450. For more info on the benefits of massage for athletes, contact Kettlebell instructor and massage therapist Dave Whitely at IronTamer.com.
Ice Therapy: ice therapy is inexpensive and highly effective. However, you have to take advantage of ice therapy immediately after training to get the full benefits. Ice therapy pulls blood into the worked muscle and brings in healing nutrients with it. On Louie Simmons’ “Special Strength” DVD, Louie goes over icing the shoulders and pecs while sitting in a jacuzzi. On the DVD, Louie is using ice. However, you could use a cryocup or just a bag of ice. Rub the shoulders, chest, and arms for a few minutes, and then submerse yourself in the jacuzzi for a few minutes. Go back and forth for ten minutes. If you do not have a jacuzzi, try using a hot bath or hot shower in conjunction with ice therapy.
Sauna treatment: There is nothing like a good sweat after a solid workout to get the toxins out of the muscles. Moreover, the sauna is also a great place to do some light stretching. Your muscles will be warm and you will find that you are more flexible. Sitting in a sauna for ten to fifteen minutes is also a great way to switch gears and relax after a tough workout or a tough day. Sitting in a sauna for a few minutes before training can also be a great way to warm up and is something that my friend and Northern VA strength coach Dylan Thomas does.
Joint Mobility Exercises: many trainees believe in training super hard and then doing as little as possible in between training sessions. A more effective strategy is to do some light training sessions in between the harder ones to get some blood moving into the worked muscles. Joint mobility sessions are one effective and time efficient way to get the job done. Joint mobility exercises are basically active stretching exercises that keep the joints healthy. I like to end each of my workouts with five to ten minutes of joint mobility training and then do ten to fifteen minutes of joint mobility work on my lighter training days. I recommend highly that you get Steve Maxwell’s joint mobility DVD and Pavel’s SuperJoints book and DVD.
Pick at least two of the above restoration methods and plug them into your training regimen for eight weeks. You will be ecstatic with the improvements that follow. Also make sure to pick up Louie Simmons” Special Strength DVD.
3. GET THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH DVD COMBO PACK TODAY
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- 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.
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5. NEW AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
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6. THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH SOLUTION FOR THE ROAD WARRIOR
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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