Monday, May 2, 2011

Strength

Many have heard me argue that strength is THE most important factor in athletics, and in life in general. Strength allows you to say "YES", in the physical sense and metaphysical sense. Stregth has this strange illusive aspect to it where those who believe that they're not strong also believe that they aren't entitled to it or were somehow delt a "weaker" hand. Those are mere excuses. The reality is that strength is attained via hard work. Stregth is a vision that a person must have and commit to setting out to achieve it. It doesn't just fall in your lap.

It is delightful to hear that people enjoyed dead lifting. But don't be mistaken, heavy lifting days aren't "easy days". You shouldn't be asking "That's it?" at the end of the workout. You should feel releived that the workout is through. Aaron came up to me and informed me that he experienced that moment of zen while lifting that I have called a "religious experience".

It truly is. If you push yourself hard enough for a brief moment things get interesting. everything around you ceases to affect you and you are totally in your own little world. It's slow-mo and you can't hear anything. Things start getting scary, but you know you've come to far to turn back or let go, so you push on, millimeter by millimeter, the weight keeps moving. You have no doubts or fears at this point. Just anxiety to finish the job. You extend and stand up tall. What seems like an eternity concludes with a violent scream of growl. And then you don't want to let go. You've done all that work only to surrender the bar for another attempt. You let go and then the lungs take over and the vision blurs and things get wobbly. All that surefootedness seems to drain out from under your feet and you start stumbling. You know you have to lift the bar again, but not a bone in your body wants to. So you wait there with an ever rising pulse and blood pressure, knowing what lies ahead.

There should be fear in you before you lift. You should be nervous. You should be anxious. Its the fine line we walk between progress and disaster. Without it, there is nothing to overcome, nothing to strengthen against. It is thanks to mean ol' Mr. Gravity that we can get strong. The workout should be anything but easy, humdrum, or boring.

So enjoy them. Work hard. Get strong. Then get stronger.

Here's a little conditioning work:

5 rounds as fast as you can:

5 broad Jumps
10 Hand-release push ups
15 bench dips (use a chair)

Here's a glimpse into our methods of program development:

6 comments:

  1. Once I started focusing on strength, my attitude toward "exercise" and cardio, etc. changed for the better. Love the tire film...Niiice work!
    (side note: I'm taking Lindsay's advice and resting problematic bits of my skeleton for one week, i.e. no BHIP for me until Weds 5/11. I will stretch and keep moving, just nothing heroic.)

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  2. Another deceptive workout...I misjudged the challenge that this one would provide (actually read it and thought...is that all?). I will be striking that phrase from my thoughts from this point forward. Finished the 5 rounds in about 9 1/2 minutes.

    Had our largest group ever for a non coached workout. 12:00 noon BHIPers rock!

    Jolie

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  3. Really liked the tire film. Would we get to try that, too, maybe someday?

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  4. Completed the rounds in 5'54". The combination of the push-ups and the dips made it challenging.

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  5. What a sneaky little workout - sounds so simple but the dip/push-up combo is challenging!
    6:17. Thanks for the motivation, Brian and Louis.

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  6. After today's workout, I may need to see how I feel tomorrow, oye. I'm have to save this puppy til Saturday.

    I thought Pukey the Clown was going to get me after 30! Maybe it was the heat, but I swear by 0700 I was already up to 32 oz.

    And I cant wait to do the tire, do we get sledge hammers with that too?
    http://youtu.be/V8gsh_yYYT8

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