Hail to the Dinosaurs!
In a number of recent email messages I've
stated that there is no secret training
program -- no super duper secret workout --
and no magic set/rep scheme that works for
everyone under the sun without regard to
individual differences based on such factors
as your age, your experience, your goals,
your body type, your personality, etc.
I ended the message by noting that it's
YOUR JOB to experiment with different
training methods to find what works
best for YOU.
That's an important message, and it's
something I need to say loud and often.
But messages often get misinterpreted, and
this one probably is no different. So let
me add a word of caution.
When I'm talking about experimenting with
different training methods, I'm talking
about COMMON SENSE training methods --
smart stuff -- rational stuff -- low volume,
high intensity, hard work, basic programs
built around the basic movements that give
real world results.
In other words, I'm suggesting that you try
different types of abbreviated workouts until
you find the variation of Dino style
abbreviated training that works for YOU!
Yes, everyone is "different" -- but that
doesn't mean you should ditch your abbreviated
workouts and try the latest and greatest version
of the "Super 700 Thousand Bulgarian Maxi-Pump
System."
You gotta keep it real.
No mad scientist stuff.
No 50 sets of 50 reps, no six day per week
bomb, blast and blitz programs, no Bulgarian
this or that, no super program out of the
muscle comics, nothing that promises guaranteed
gains of 387.2 percent based on a study of six
previously untrained college freshman,
no Hollywood workouts from the latest action
adventure epic, and nothing promoted by a
steroid user.
Sensible experimentation is nothing more than
trial and error to find which basic movements
work best for you -- which low volume set/rep
schemes work bets for you -- and which
variation of abbreviated training works best
for you.
For example:
1. Do you do better with 5 x 5 using ONE working
set -- or 5 x 5 using THREE working sets?
2. Do you do better training TWO times per week
or THREE times per week?
3. How do you respond to rest-pause training,
power rack workouts and single rep training?
4. Do you do better with Trap Bar deadlifts or
deadlifts with a regular bar?
5. Do you train your grip better with timed holds
or thick bar deadlifts?
6. How does your body respond to high rep breathing
squats?
7. Do you get more out of barbell bent-over rowing
or pull-ups?
And so on. There are tons of great ideas in my books
and courses -- and in my DVD's. Remember, I don't
give you one workout stuff. I give you ideas --
concepts -- suggestions -- guidance -- and options.
We're not playing "my way or the highway." We're
working together to help you build as much strength,
muscle and power as possible -- and to have as much
fun doing it as possible!
And there's a related point. When you make changes,
make them one at a time so you can see if the change
makes a difference. If you change several things all
at once, you won't know which effect was the result
of which change.
And of course -- break in easy! A new exercise
requires a break-in period EVEN IF YOU ARE AN
EXPERIENCED TRAINEE!
Ditto for new set/rep schemes. How many guys have
spent a week hobbling around in agony because
they tried a maximum set of 20 rep squats without
doing any break-in training?
So remember:
1. Sensible experimentation is good.
2. Mad scientist stuff is bad.
And that's the message for Monday morning.
As always, thanks for reading and have a great day.
If you train today, make it a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. There are tons and tons of great training ideas
in Dinosaur Training, Chalk and Sweat, Dinosaur
Bodyweight Training, Gray Hair and Black Iron and
Strength, Muscle and Power -- as well as my training
courses and my DVD's. Head over to the Dinosaur
Training site and check them out:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 2. Yes, there's still time to reserve your
pre-publication copy of my new John Grimek training
course. You can find it right here:
http://brookskubik.com/johngrimek_course.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Keep it real is good
advice." -- Brooks Kubik
