Hail to the Dinosaurs!
One quick note, and then we'll talk
training.
1. The Dinosaur Files
The Nov-Dec issue of the Dinosaur Files
strength training journal is available in
your choice of Kindle of PDF formats:
Kindle edition
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles-novemberdecember2016-kindle.html
PDF edition
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_novemberdecember2016.html
I hope you enjoy this issue. Shoot me an
email and let me know how you like it!
If you grab the Kindle edition, be sure to
post a review. The reviews really help us.
2. If It's Working, Keep on Doing It!
At least once a week I get an email from a
reader who's doing something that's working
well for him -- meaning that he's making good
gains in strength and muscle, recovering from
his workouts and enjoying his training -- but
then he sees something on the Interwebs
and it makes him think he should change
his program and do something different.
It's usually one of two things:
1. Something new and different that might
be better than what he's doing now -- often
being the workout of a current champion --
or a workout authored by the champion's
ghost writer.
2. A blog post, article or forum discussion
telling him that what he's doing "doesn't
work."
Most of the time it's number two -- which
is surprising, because the immediate
response should be, "It may not work
for YOU, but it works for ME!"
But written words are powerful, and so
they often make us second-guess
ourselves.
So our trainee -- the one who is making
good gains and having lots of fun in his
workouts -- starts to second-guess
himself.
And he sends me an email and asks what
he should do.
As I said, this happens at least once a
week. Luckily, as questions go, it's an
easy one.
The answer is always the same:
"If it's working, keep on doing it. If your
gains slow down or stop, then and only
then try something different."
And here's a related point. When you do
try something different, it should probably
be something similar, not a radical change
in approach. In other words, if 5 x 5 has
worked well for you, you might try 5 x 6,
6 x 6, or 5 x 5 followed by 1 x 3 and 1 x 1.
But don't change from 5 x 5 to 10 x 10,
or 50 rep death sets, or a three hour
pumping program.
Also, the best way to change things up is
often to use a new exercise, while keeping
the sets and reps the same. For example,
switch from back squats to front squats,
or from straight bar deadlifts to Trap Bar
deadlifts.
And remember this -- when you switch to
a new exercise or a new program, start
light and easy, and gradually add weight
to the bar. Make it progressive. Don't try
to max out and set new PR's the first day
in the saddle. See Dinosaur Training Secrets,
Vol. 3, for detailed advice on how to use old-
school progression systems for steady gains
without going stale or burning out.
Anyhow, that's the answer to a very common
question -- one that's become all the more
common because of the often overwhelming
amount and diversity of information on the
Interwebs.
Remember, if it's working for you, keep on
doing it -- and if it ain't broke, don't try to
fix it.
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. I mentioned Dinosaur Training Secrets,
Vol. 3. Go here to grab the little monster in
your choice of three formats:
Hard-copy edition
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_03.html
Kindle edition
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets3_kindle.html
PDF with electronic delivery
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaursecrets_vol3_digital.html
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: "Train with
confidence. Avoid doubters and naysayers.
Be resolute, and do what you need to do."
-- Brooks Kubik
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