Starting Out

I am excited to finally start one of these. It will help to track my own progress and act as a reference tool with the informative articles I plan on posting. This blog is not to glorify myself, nor is it to be used to boast about numbers. It is specifically for the enjoyment of my friends, family, and clients.

Yesterdays Training Session
Movement: Pull

Hammer Strength Row:3 sets
3 plates per side x 15
3 plates + 25 x 12
4 plates per side x 10

One Arm Dumbbell row:3 sets
110lbs x 15
130lbs x 12
130lbs x 10

Close Grip Pulldowns supersetted with Free Motion Row (4 second eccentrics with fast concentrics):2 sets
140 x 12, 110 x 12
140 x 10, 110 x 10

Ez Bar Preacher Curl:3 sets (3-4 second eccentrics with fast concentrics)
65 x 12
65 x 12
65 x 12

This was more of a machine and cable based Pull training session. Using free weights is usually my mantra but I needed a change today.
Most rep tempos are slow eccentric coupled with fast concentric to tap into the highest threshold motor units and get the type II fast twitch fibers firing (most growth potential).

The weekend is going to be sick. My boy who is also my client is performing on Friday night with his group ST. DA Squad in Haverhill and I am getting the chance to chill with all of them. He just signed with the recording label EMI Nature Sounds and is going on tour with Lil Kim in the Fall. He has worked with numerous artists such as Cassidy, Mobb Deep, Bun B, Freeway, Royce da 5'9", DJ Premier, and Saigon. On top of all that, Ive been beating the crap out of him in the gym and he keeps pushing harder everyday. Getting "BROLIC" son!! Next big thing, check him out!!


Discussion of the day from one of the articles on T-Nation:

FUNCTIONAL TRAINING

T-Nation: Okay, a lot of what you do might be categorized as "functional training." That term has been abused though, and seems to have lost its meaning. How do you define it?
Mahler: One element of functional strength is strength that carries over to real-world activities such as carrying your groceries to the car, putting your carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, being able to carry your child effortlessly, etc. Those of us that actually have even a small amount of strength and conditioning take such tasks for granted, but I've seen a lot of people that have a hard time with daily activities that should be effortless.
Another element of functional strength is having strength and conditioning for the activities or sports that you love to do such as hiking, surfing, grappling, and mountain climbing. Not only strength that carries over directly, but balancedstrength so that you avoid injuries.
Finally, the most important part of functional strength, the part that's completely overlooked by most people, is this: It makes you a stronger and tougher person overall, not just strong in the context of working out.
I've seen many people that are training bad-asses, but are complete pushovers in their personal and professional life. They avoid risks like the plague, don't have the courage to pursue the lives they really want, and couldn't make a tough decision if their lives depended on it.
They always go with the flow, never trust their instincts, and constantly look to others to make decisions for them. They've completely compartmentalized their strength and conditioning and don't carry it over to any other aspect of their lives.
While they have strength and toughness in the context of physical training, that strength doesn't carry over to where it really matters. It's wasted. If you're strong and in shape when it comes to working out, but a wuss everywhere else, then you're not a strong person overall and you've missed out on the most important benefit of training.
Hard training teaches us how to push through when things aren't easy and finish what we start. Transforming your body and building a high level of strength takes a lot of discipline and hard work. Physical accomplishments, whether it's losing 30 pounds of fat, adding 50 pounds to your bench press, or running a marathon, teach you a lot about yourself and help break mental barriers that hold you back in life.
It's a complete shame if we only have that strength and mental toughness in the context of working out.

Until next time, keep pushin weight and learning as much as you can!