AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE
ISSUE 72 - 8/17/2005
1. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"One of the best indoor sports of all is feeling sorry for yourself, sport enjoyed by all, especially the born loser."
- From the movie "The Hustler"
One trait that is common among people that are successful is that they do not waste time feeling sorry for themselves. Instead of complaining about what they do not have or why things will not work out, they are working their tails off to make things happen. Examples of this trait are all around us. A successful waitress is too busy doing a great job and getting excellent tips to worry about the few customers that are giving her a hard time. A single mom that is working two jobs to make ends meet, working on a masters degree at night, and still finding time to spend quality time with her kids, is too busy being proactive to sit around and feel sorry for herself. Just yesterday, I was walking my dog and thinking about some luxury problem in my head until I saw a nice young lady head my way in a wheel chair. In addition to being in a wheel chair, she did not have any hands. I walked by, she gave me a big smile and said hello. She had a great attitude and while most people would agree that she has valid reasons to feel sorry for herself, she clearly decided not to do so. The funny things is, this kind of thing happens to me whenever I am thinking about some luxury problem which fortunately is not too often. It is a powerful reminder of how lucky I am for the simple things that I take for granted each day such as being able to walk.
Just about everyday, I see people that feel sorry for themselves. They look for other people to pitch their sob stories to in order to waste your time and steal your energy. When you give them any attention at all, they automatically feel more empowered. This creates a viscous cycle in which they use the "poor me syndrome" to acquire energy and feel better. I have even read about people that create imaginary illnesses just to go to the doctor and get some attention. The crazy part is that many of these people do not want to change. They want to feel sorry for themselves because they derive some pleasure and feeling of self worth from doing so. The more attention they get from others the more important and empowered they feel. What is my recommendation for dealing with such people? Do not give them the time of day. Do not let them in at all and if you do, be blunt and call them out on what they are doing. For example, you could say, "Hey trying to get me to feel sorry for you in order to take my energy is not going to work so do not bother." The look on the person's face will be priceless.
In a previous life (means previous job) someone once told me that you can either make money or make excuses, but you cannot do both. Very true and you can take this saying further and say that you can either get busy being happy or get busy feeling sorry for yourself, but you cannot do both. Which option are you going to take?
Live Life Aggressively!
Mike Mahler
2. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ARTICLE
This week's excellent tip comes from my friend and top strength coach Josh Henkin. If you are interested in sandbag training make sure to pick up Josh's outstanding new book.
The Benefits Of Sandbag Training
By Josh Henkin
Sandbags have been used by athletes for centuries, from combative athletes to strongmen. Implementing sandbags has been an integral tool for physical fitness. Inexpensive and easy to implement, sandbags offer some amazing benefits that are unique.
While most training tools offer the opportunity to train one’s crushing grip strength, sandbags allow one to train crushing, pinching, and wrist strength. These are some of the most important qualities of hand strength. Because the sandbag is constantly moving and changing shape it is hard to find another tool that can provide the same challenges to hand strength.
In the era of core training there are few techniques that actually deliver what they promise. Kettlebells and barbells are fantastic tools in creating a strong core, sandbags offer a new dimension. While kettlebells also load the body unilaterally, having the load actually on the torso adds a whole new dimension to trunk strength. Just try holding a heavy bag on your shoulder and you will feel how many trunk muscles start working, ones you never knew you had!
Sandbags are also the perfect compliment for those that love kettlebells. Many of the same lifts lend themselves very well to sandbag training. Power and strength movements can all be done with either implement. Sandbags offer some additional drills such has zercher, bear hug, shoulder, and headlock squats. Just the simply adding sandbags to your kettlebell routine can greatly add a new variety and progress.
Imperfection training is one of the most important aspects of sandbag work. Eastern European athletes would perform imperfection training to prepare themselves for worst situations in their sport. For wrestlers or combative athletes this may be being forced in a compromised position that would normally result in injury. Sandbag drills such as rounded back deadlifts should be an essential for any serious athlete.
Here is a basic power circuit you can use both sandbags and kettlebells for some killer strength and endurance training!
- A1. Kettlebell Snatches: 10 reps each side
- A2. Sandbag Round Back Deadlifts: 6 reps
- A3. Kettlebell Clean and Press: 6 each side
- A4. Sandbag Shoulder and Squat: 5 each side
- A5. Sandbag Bear Hug Carry for 100 feet
Rest 30-60 seconds between each drill
Repeat 3-5 times
Josh Henkin is Owner of Innovative Fitness Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the author of Beyond Functional Training: Sandbag Fundamentals.
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
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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.
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