Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Two quick notes, and then we'll talk training.
1. The "How Strong Are You?" Course
Last year I put together a great little course
that gives sane, achievable, real world standards
for all of the basic exercises and lifts.
It teaches you how to rate your lifts based on
your age and bodyweight - so you can compare
your current performance to how you did 5, 10.
20 or more years ago.
It also lets you measure yourself against the
very best lifters in the world from back in the
old-school, pre-drug era.
You can grab the little monster in your choice of
Kindle, PDF with immediate electronic delivery
or hard-copy:
Kindle
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets2_kindle.html
If you grab the e-book, please post a
review at our Kindle page. The reviews
really help.
Hard-copy
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_02.html
PDF
See the section for PDF courses at our Products page:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
2.The October Dinosaur Files
Is now available in PDF format - and it's a really
good issue. Go here to grab it:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_october2016.html
And please let me know how you like
this month's issue - and what we can
do to make future issues even better!
3. The Spartan Workout (Part 2)
Yesterday's post discussed the benefits of
training in spartan quarters as opposed to
a more luxurious facility.
One of the benefits of training in a spartan
facility is that you don't have lots of
equipment.
And that's a good thing.
A garage gym typically features a barbell
set, a power rack, and a bench.
Maybe you have some dumbbells or kettlebells,
a Trap Bar, a Log Bar, heavy-duty cables, a heavy
duty head-strap for neck work, and some grip
blasters.
Most guys have a power rack or a set of squat
stands, as well.
And maybe a strong flat bench.
For those who do Olympic lifting, add a
platform.
And that's it - and all you need.
An old-school commercial gym has more
racks, benches and barbells -- and more
dumbbells -- but it doesn't have much
else. It certainly doesn't have tons of fancy
machines.
Most people think you need lots of different
equipment to get a good workout.
They're wrong.
What you need is GOOD equipment. Strong,
well-made bars, benches and racks. The
emphasis should always be on quality,
not quantity.
High quality equipment is better because it's
stronger and safer -- and because it feels
better when you use it. If you're used to
a high quality barbell, for example, you're
in for a shock if you ever use a low quality
bar. The difference is night and day. Found
that out a few years ago when I was on
vacation and trained at a commercial gym.
But the biggest benefit of training with less
equipment is that it allows you to focus on
the exercises and equipment that really
matter.
For example, what does it mean if a gym has
a ton of different leg machines?
It means trouble - and poor results - and
here's why.
A gym with 10 or 12 different leg machines
is sending a not so subtle message about
squats -- the message being:
1. Squats are just one of many exercises for
the lower body.
2. Squats alone are not enough, so you need
other leg exercises.
3. You can skip squats and do other exercises
for your lower body.
In contrast, a gym with no leg machines, and
nothing but squat stands or power racks for
leg training, sends a much different message --
the message being:
Do squats!
You can make the same point about all of
the other basic exercises -- and about pretty
much everything you might find in a typical
modern gym.
The more equipment in the gym, the more
likely you are to skip the basics -- or to over-
train by doing too many different movements --
or to water down your effort and your intensity
because you're spreading yourself too thin on
too many different exercises.
Don't do that. Train smart. Train the Dino way.
Keep it simple. Focus on the exercises that
count. Skip the other stuff.
And if at all possible, train somewhere that
supports and encourages hard work on the
basics -- and if you have to, set up a place
of your own where you can do precisely
that.
If you're stuck in a less than perfect place to
train, practice tunnel vision. Put on the visors,
shut out the noise, the chatter and the silliness,
and do your job.
In other words, "Get it done."
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. Here are the links again for my new
"How Strong Are You?" course. Remember
to post a review if you grab the e-book:
Kindle e-book:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets2_kindle.html
Hard-copy (ink on paper):
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_02.html
PDF
See the section for PDF courses at our Products
page (the link is below in P.S. 2).
P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right
here at Dino Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Squats and deadlifts
are pretty basic -- but they're also pretty effective."
-- Brooks Kubik
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