AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE

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ISSUE 57 - 2/17/2005

1. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You think people will change. You hope they will change. You expect them to mature, to learn from their mistakes. But they don’t.”
- Gene Simmons

I have seen many people that talk about their goals and what they want to do to improve their lives. Consciously they are aware of their goals and what they need to do. However, unconsciously many people have opposing thoughts and they make moves that sabotage their conscious desires. For example, someone may have a goal to build a successful business, but instead of making moves that are effective and produce results, they go out drinking three times a week and hang out with negative people that are the opposite of what they consciously want to be. If the unconscious and conscious thoughts are not on the same page then you are highly unlikely to achieve your goals. Moreover, trying to help people that have opposing thought patters is usually a disaster. Actually, forget usually, I will venture to say that it is always a disaster. For example, if you are a strength trainer and you have a potential client that states that he really needs someone to motivate him to achieve his goals, then you have a potential client that is not serious about his goals. If he were serious, he would not need the motivation. He may need the instruction and help with accountability, but not motivation. Could you imagine hiring a personal business trainer to motivate you to run your business? Could you imagine hiring someone to call you in the morning and to get you excited at starting your day and doing your business? In this day in age, I probably just gave someone a great business idea that they will make tons of money on. All joking aside, people have to want to change, for you to help them change. They have to want to get better at something, for you to help them get better. Attempting to help others that do not want to be helped and hurting yourself in the process is not compassion. Trying to change others that do not want to be changed at the expense of your own happiness is not being compassionate.

Why do some people make miraculous changes in their lives while others do not? Who knows? As author Jim Rohn would say it is “a mystery of the universe.” Do not bother trying to understand it. Just keep people that are potentially damaging to you away like the plague. Just accept that some people will never change and you will sleep better at night.

Live Life Aggressively!

Mike Mahler

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2. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ARTICLE

What training approach is best?

People often ask my what training program and training tools are the best as if there is one simple answer for all people for all goals. I have been training for thirteen years and I have used a variety of training tools and regimens over the years. I started with standard strength training exercises such as bench presses, military presses, and squats. Then I started trying some powerlifting programs, some programs that emphasized high reps with weights and lots of cardio, bodyweight only programs for muscular endurance, Olympic lifting programs, sprinting programs, and four years ago, I started training with kettlebells. Then I started training with clubbells and recently rubber resistance tools from Lifeline USA and Iron Woody. Out of all of these tools, which one is the best? There is no simple answer. To build brute strength, barbells ultimately rule. Sure, you can get very strong with kettlebells as many people have proven. But ultimately there are limitations. For example, you cannot use kettlebells exclusively to build a 500lb squat or a 400lb bench. What is the best tool for convenience? I would have to say that bodyweight drills are. They can be done just about anywhere at anytime. However, they do not replace the benefits of weight training for strength or kettlebells for cardio. Are kettlebells better than clubbells? For most exercises I would say yes. But for increased leverage grip strength and shoulder stability and strength from multiple angles, clubbells are fantastic. Are resistance bands better than weights? No, but they offer benefits that weights do not offer. With bands, the resistance increases as you get close to completing a repetition, which can help with learning forced acceleration for increases in strength. Also bands are great for travelers and are much more portable. Check out the TNT cable.

Where am I going with this? No one training tool does it all. You have to look at what you are training for to know what weapon or weapons to take into battle. Regardless, there is a synergy among many training tools and programs and test-driving a variety of tools and programs, although not all at once, is beneficial. You will find that you will get better at one, by doing another and vice versa. For example, my friend and strength coach Brett Jones (For more on Brett, go to: http://www.ironcorelajolla.com told me that his strength with kettlebells improved tremendously after increasing his grip strength with Ironmind Grippers and nail bending. Why? Crushing the KB handles gives you more control. If your grip is the weak link, then your training progress will be impeded by that weak link. Crush that weak link (no pun intended) and you blast though the weak link and get stronger overall.

Many of you will find this frustrating as you want a simple answer that is black and white. Like many other things in life, training has many shades of grey and you have to be willing to spend some time (or be willing to pay some one else) to evaluate and test drive different programs and training tools to maximize the benefits of training.

For more info on personalized program design services, click here.

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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

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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!

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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.

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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

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7. KETTLEBELL TRAINING INFORMATION PAGE (NEW)

http://www.mikemahler.com/kettlebell_info.html

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8. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

http://www.mikemahler.com/newsletter

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9. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH ARTICLES

http://www.mikemahler.com/articles.html

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10. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING JOURNAL

http://www.mikemahler.com/journal.html

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11. RECOMMENDED READING LIST

http://www.mikemahler.com/reading.html

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Until next time.

Live Life Aggressively!

Feel free to email me with your comments and feedback at mahler25@yahoo.com

Mike Mahler

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