Hail to the Dinosaurs!
There’s a great letter to the editor featured (if memory serves me correctly) in an old copy of Strength magazine. It’s from a farm kid in one of the southern states, who got bit by the physical culture bug and turned one corner of the family farm into a training area.
He cobbled together some homemade barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells – put up a chinning bar, a climbing rope and some rings – and got some heavy sledge hammers to use for extra arm, shoulder and grip training.
Then he goes out and starts training, working on the best sort of schedule he can figure out from what he’s read in the magazine.
Now remember – back then, hardly anyone owned a barbell (and most people had never even seen one and had no idea what it was for or how to use it). So the odds are good that he was the only guy in the entire country who was doing any sort of systematic strength training and muscle building program.
He had no training partners, no coaches, no teachers, and no helpful gym owner to help out. And yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but he didn’t have a personal trainer.
Time passed, and the kid kept training, and he got stronger and stronger – and developed an outstanding, very muscular, well-defined physique.
So he sends a letter to the editor, along with a photo where he’s doing one of his favorite exercises, and asks, “Is it good?”
You see, since he trained alone, he really didn’t know how he was doing compared to other trainees. He had no basis for comparison.
The editor of the magazine got the letter, read it, took one look at the photo – and fell right out of his chair.
The photo showed the kid doing a one-arm pull-up – while holding a heavy sledgehammer in his other hand!
“Is this good?” the kid asked.
Yeah – I would say so.
In fact, I would say it was great.
Now, a couple of things have always impressed me about this:
1. The kid trained all alone -- in a small outdoor gym crammed with homemade equipment – and he made great gains.
2. The kid learned everything he needed to know from reading the few books and magazines available to him back then. Whatever else he needed to know, he figured out for himself.
3. Because he had little or no conception of just how difficult it is to perform a one-hand pull-up, he went ahead and taught himself to do it. The feat presented no sort of mental barrier to his young mind.
And for the record – with minor variations, this is the story of almost every kid who grew up to become a famous lifting or bodybuilding champion back in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. The details vary – sometimes the kid uses a York barbell and the York training courses – sometimes he has a training a partner or two – and sometimes he trains at one of those old-fashioned hole in the wall black iron gyms or YMCA weight rooms – but the guts of the story is always the same.
Kid wants to get bigger and stronger – kid starts to train – kid works hard on the basic stuff – and kid gets great results.
And hard work on the basics is what does the job for him. It doesn’t take anything fancy, and it doesn’t take anything high tech.
That’s the tradition I work to keep alive here at Dinosaur Headquarters – and it’s the tradition that each and every one of you honors and supports whenever you train.
And for that, I thank you. Keep up the good work! You are helping to continue a great tradition.
As always, have a great day -- thanks for reading -- and if you train today, make it a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. We’re filling Holiday orders fast and furious. Take a look at what we have for you – and grab those goodies now. The Christmas Rush is in full swing, and the sooner we get your order, the sooner we can get it to you – and that’s important this time of year:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
Revealed: The Title of My New Book!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Here the answers to yesterday’s 10 clues to help you guess the title of my new, soon to be released, strength training book:
1. The title is three words.
And remember that earlier I had said they were all one syllable words – and that they all shared one letter of the alphabet – and that other than that one letter, they had no letters in common.
2. The first word begins with the same letter as the first name of Tommy Kono’s brand new book on Olympic weightlifting.
The letter “C” – the title of Tommy’s new book (which is excellent!) is “Championship Weightlifting.”
3. The second word begins with the first letter of the stage name used by the legendary French strongman, Louis Uni.
The letter “A.” Louis Uni performed under the stage name of Apollon.
4. The third word ends with the first letter of the first name of the author of the old book, “Scientific Weightlifting” – which Bill Hinbern just released in a modern, reprint edition.
The letter “T” – Thomas Inch wrote “Scientific Weightlifting.”
5. The first word in the title is something that helps lifters.
6. The third word is something that’s often fake in the photos they use in the muscle comics.
Hmmm. Well, if they spray water on the guy to make it look like he’s sweating, the answer would be “sweat.”
7. Go to the Dinosaur Training Blog and look for a post I put up 7 – 10 days ago titled “Heavy Singles – What Works Best?” It gives you three HUGE clues. Look for what I repeat.
This sentence is repeated 3 times: “When I finished the workout I was covered with chalk, dripping with sweat, and breathing like a locomotive.”
8. When Doug Hepburn first traveled to New York City in the early 1950’s, an Iron Game author met him at the train station, and later wrote the famous words:
“So broad was he, so massive, so striking in appearance, that everyone around stopped, stood, and stared. His very carriage, his step, deliberate, yet light and springy, spelled power.”
The first letters of the author’s first, middle, and last name are the same as the first letters of the three words in the title.
The author was Charles A. Smith – so the letters are “C” – “A” – and “S.”
9. The three words in the title are the mark of a successful workout.
Go back and reread no. 7.
10. The three words in the tile will get you kicked out of 99% of the “gyms” in the world – and ALL of the chrome and fern pleasure palaces.
All the places that don’t like heavy iron, hard work, chalk – and – sweat.
Can you guess the title now?
I bet you can. Many of you already guessed it.
CHALK AND SWEAT
I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a darn good title for a book that focuses on the kind of hard, heavy, no-nonsense training we teach here at Dino Headquarters.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I’ll reveal the winner of the “Guess the Title of My New Book Contest” next week. He did it the hard way – using the first clues I gave you way back in November.
P.S. 2 Our new Dinosaur Training hoodies are going like hotcakes. Check them out:
http://brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_hoodie.html
Here the answers to yesterday’s 10 clues to help you guess the title of my new, soon to be released, strength training book:
1. The title is three words.
And remember that earlier I had said they were all one syllable words – and that they all shared one letter of the alphabet – and that other than that one letter, they had no letters in common.
2. The first word begins with the same letter as the first name of Tommy Kono’s brand new book on Olympic weightlifting.
The letter “C” – the title of Tommy’s new book (which is excellent!) is “Championship Weightlifting.”
3. The second word begins with the first letter of the stage name used by the legendary French strongman, Louis Uni.
The letter “A.” Louis Uni performed under the stage name of Apollon.
4. The third word ends with the first letter of the first name of the author of the old book, “Scientific Weightlifting” – which Bill Hinbern just released in a modern, reprint edition.
The letter “T” – Thomas Inch wrote “Scientific Weightlifting.”
5. The first word in the title is something that helps lifters.
6. The third word is something that’s often fake in the photos they use in the muscle comics.
Hmmm. Well, if they spray water on the guy to make it look like he’s sweating, the answer would be “sweat.”
7. Go to the Dinosaur Training Blog and look for a post I put up 7 – 10 days ago titled “Heavy Singles – What Works Best?” It gives you three HUGE clues. Look for what I repeat.
This sentence is repeated 3 times: “When I finished the workout I was covered with chalk, dripping with sweat, and breathing like a locomotive.”
8. When Doug Hepburn first traveled to New York City in the early 1950’s, an Iron Game author met him at the train station, and later wrote the famous words:
“So broad was he, so massive, so striking in appearance, that everyone around stopped, stood, and stared. His very carriage, his step, deliberate, yet light and springy, spelled power.”
The first letters of the author’s first, middle, and last name are the same as the first letters of the three words in the title.
The author was Charles A. Smith – so the letters are “C” – “A” – and “S.”
9. The three words in the title are the mark of a successful workout.
Go back and reread no. 7.
10. The three words in the tile will get you kicked out of 99% of the “gyms” in the world – and ALL of the chrome and fern pleasure palaces.
All the places that don’t like heavy iron, hard work, chalk – and – sweat.
Can you guess the title now?
I bet you can. Many of you already guessed it.
CHALK AND SWEAT
I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a darn good title for a book that focuses on the kind of hard, heavy, no-nonsense training we teach here at Dino Headquarters.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I’ll reveal the winner of the “Guess the Title of My New Book Contest” next week. He did it the hard way – using the first clues I gave you way back in November.
P.S. 2 Our new Dinosaur Training hoodies are going like hotcakes. Check them out:
http://brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_hoodie.html
Something New from Dinosaur Training!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
They say that when you get married, you’re supposed to wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
Well, I’m not getting married – but at age 53 I do qualify as “something OLD.”
And right now, I’m wearing something NEW.
And it’s something I BORROWED from a big box of them that we rec’d not very long ago.
And it’s BLUE – with white letters. Although it also comes in black with white letters, and gray with black letters.
And I will add this – the little monster is just the thing for cold-weather workouts!
So slide on over to Dinosaur Headquarters and take a look:
http://brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_hoodie.html
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
They say that when you get married, you’re supposed to wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
Well, I’m not getting married – but at age 53 I do qualify as “something OLD.”
And right now, I’m wearing something NEW.
And it’s something I BORROWED from a big box of them that we rec’d not very long ago.
And it’s BLUE – with white letters. Although it also comes in black with white letters, and gray with black letters.
And I will add this – the little monster is just the thing for cold-weather workouts!
So slide on over to Dinosaur Headquarters and take a look:
http://brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_hoodie.html
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
Ten Big Clues to Give You the Title of My New Book!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Here are the 10 clues I promised to help you guess the title of my new, soon to be released, strength training book:
1. The title is three words.
2. The first word begins with the same letter as the first name of Tommy Kono’s brand new book on Olympic weightlifting.
3. The second word begins with the first letter of the stage name used by the legendary French strongman, Louis Uni.
4. The third word ends with the the first letter of the first name of the author of the old book, Scientific Weightlifting – which Bill Hinbern just released in a modern, reprint edition.
5. The first word in the title is something that helps lifters.
6. The third word is something that’s often fake in the photos they use in the muscle comics.
7. Go to the Dinosaur Training Blog and look for a post I put up 7 – 10 days ago titled “Heavy Singles – What Works Best?” It gives you three HUGE clues. Look for what I repeat.
8. When Doug Hepburn first traveled to New York City in the early 1950’s, an Iron Game author met him at the train station, and later wrote the famous words:
“So broad was he, so massive, so striking in appearance, that everyone around stopped, stood, and stared. His very carriage, his step, deliberate, yet light and springy, spelled power.”
The first letters of the author’s first, middle, and last name are the same as the first letters of the three words in the title.
9. The three words in the title are the mark of a successful workout.
10. The three words in the tile will get you kicked out of 99% of the “gyms” in the world – and ALL of the chrome and fern pleasure palaces.
Can you guess the title now?
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Several readers guessed “Strength, Muscle and Power.” That’s four words, not three – and I’ve already released that book! You can find it right here – it’s one of our best selling books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
Here are the 10 clues I promised to help you guess the title of my new, soon to be released, strength training book:
1. The title is three words.
2. The first word begins with the same letter as the first name of Tommy Kono’s brand new book on Olympic weightlifting.
3. The second word begins with the first letter of the stage name used by the legendary French strongman, Louis Uni.
4. The third word ends with the the first letter of the first name of the author of the old book, Scientific Weightlifting – which Bill Hinbern just released in a modern, reprint edition.
5. The first word in the title is something that helps lifters.
6. The third word is something that’s often fake in the photos they use in the muscle comics.
7. Go to the Dinosaur Training Blog and look for a post I put up 7 – 10 days ago titled “Heavy Singles – What Works Best?” It gives you three HUGE clues. Look for what I repeat.
8. When Doug Hepburn first traveled to New York City in the early 1950’s, an Iron Game author met him at the train station, and later wrote the famous words:
“So broad was he, so massive, so striking in appearance, that everyone around stopped, stood, and stared. His very carriage, his step, deliberate, yet light and springy, spelled power.”
The first letters of the author’s first, middle, and last name are the same as the first letters of the three words in the title.
9. The three words in the title are the mark of a successful workout.
10. The three words in the tile will get you kicked out of 99% of the “gyms” in the world – and ALL of the chrome and fern pleasure palaces.
Can you guess the title now?
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Several readers guessed “Strength, Muscle and Power.” That’s four words, not three – and I’ve already released that book! You can find it right here – it’s one of our best selling books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
What Is the Title of My New Book?
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
As regular readers know, I have a new book coming out. No, it’s not volume 5 in the Legacy of Iron series (although that will be coming g out soon, as well).
It’s a new training book.
It’s all about getting bigger, stronger and more powerful. It gives you step-by-step instructions. And it could literally save years of wasted effort and slow or even non-existent progress.
We held a contest two weeks ago to see if anyone could guess the title of the book.
It’s THREE words – three words you often see in my emails.
Hundreds of readers tried to guess the title. But only a few of you managed to piece the clues together.
Most of you thought it was “Yours in Strength.”
Good guess – but that’s not it.
Others thought it was “Hail to the Dinosaurs!”
Oops – that has four words, not three. So again, good guess, but that’s not it.
And others thought it was “Legacy of Iron” – but no, I already told you the next Legacy of Iron book is coming out AFTER this one. So that’s not it, either.
So here’s what we’re going to do.
I’m going to put up another post a little later today. It will give you 10 clues for the book title.
Be looking for it – and see if you can guess the title of my new book.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. In the meantime, if you don’t already have this one on your bookshelf, you’re missing something very, very special:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
As regular readers know, I have a new book coming out. No, it’s not volume 5 in the Legacy of Iron series (although that will be coming g out soon, as well).
It’s a new training book.
It’s all about getting bigger, stronger and more powerful. It gives you step-by-step instructions. And it could literally save years of wasted effort and slow or even non-existent progress.
We held a contest two weeks ago to see if anyone could guess the title of the book.
It’s THREE words – three words you often see in my emails.
Hundreds of readers tried to guess the title. But only a few of you managed to piece the clues together.
Most of you thought it was “Yours in Strength.”
Good guess – but that’s not it.
Others thought it was “Hail to the Dinosaurs!”
Oops – that has four words, not three. So again, good guess, but that’s not it.
And others thought it was “Legacy of Iron” – but no, I already told you the next Legacy of Iron book is coming out AFTER this one. So that’s not it, either.
So here’s what we’re going to do.
I’m going to put up another post a little later today. It will give you 10 clues for the book title.
Be looking for it – and see if you can guess the title of my new book.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. In the meantime, if you don’t already have this one on your bookshelf, you’re missing something very, very special:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
The December Dino Files
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Re this morning’s email:
1. Yes, the reference to the old-time strongman going on a special “squat” program should have read “deadlift” program. My fingers type too fast sometimes.
2. The movie reference was to Kelly’s Heroes.
3. Several of you have asked what’s in this month’s Dinosaur Files newsletter – so here you go:
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Jurassic Jottings
Mesozoic Mail
Workout of the Month
Another New Grip Exercise!
Training Tips for Injured Older Lifters Pt. 1
Sets and Reps
A Combination Strength Training Program
Dino-Mizing Big Nate
Once Per Week Training
George Ray Hudson: A Louisville Strength Hero (Part 2)
Five Training Tips from the Golden Age
Dumbbell Training from the Land of the Vikings
The Wrap-Up
Dinos Around the World
Plus TONS of photos featuring your fellow Dinosaurs doing Dino-type stuff.
It’s the last issue of the year, and we’re going out with a bang!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. A subscription to the Dinosaur Files would make a terrific Holiday present. Ask us to begin your subscription with the May 2010 issue, so that you end up with the complete set:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_files.html
Re this morning’s email:
1. Yes, the reference to the old-time strongman going on a special “squat” program should have read “deadlift” program. My fingers type too fast sometimes.
2. The movie reference was to Kelly’s Heroes.
3. Several of you have asked what’s in this month’s Dinosaur Files newsletter – so here you go:
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Jurassic Jottings
Mesozoic Mail
Workout of the Month
Another New Grip Exercise!
Training Tips for Injured Older Lifters Pt. 1
Sets and Reps
A Combination Strength Training Program
Dino-Mizing Big Nate
Once Per Week Training
George Ray Hudson: A Louisville Strength Hero (Part 2)
Five Training Tips from the Golden Age
Dumbbell Training from the Land of the Vikings
The Wrap-Up
Dinos Around the World
Plus TONS of photos featuring your fellow Dinosaurs doing Dino-type stuff.
It’s the last issue of the year, and we’re going out with a bang!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. A subscription to the Dinosaur Files would make a terrific Holiday present. Ask us to begin your subscription with the May 2010 issue, so that you end up with the complete set:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_files.html
Questions and Answers for Dinos!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
I thought you might like to see some short questions and answers today. Here’s what’s been coming in the door lately.
1. Is it okay to use deadlifts as your primary lower body movement rather than squats?
Absolutely! Back in the 40’s, a top strongman specialized on nothing but deadlifts – performed every 4 or 5 days with different set/rep schemes – and gained 20 pounds of muscle in 6 weeks – and ended up setting a world record in the deadlift.
2. I’m an older lifter, and my knees always swell up and get sore after I do squats. What should I do?
This is a common problem, which I cover in detail in Gray hair and Black Iron. In short – squat 1x per week only. Reduce your reps. Cycle your weights. Use Tommy Kono knee bands. If nothing works, replace squats with deadlifts or Trap bar deadlifts.
3. What do you think about the clean and press?
It’s a terrific exercise! John Grimek used to say that if you could only do one exercise, do the clean and press. I often use it as a one-exercise workout. It hits everything from your toes to your eyeballs.
4. Why do you tell people to use thick handled barbells for deadlifts and other exercises? You can’t lift as much with a thick handled bar, so you are defeating the whole purpose of training.
Ixnay on the egative-nay aves-way. (Classic movie reference rendered in pig latin – who can catch it?)
Train with a regular bar, and then finish things off with thick bar work for your grip. For example, do deadlifts with a regulation size bar, and then do deadlifts with a double overhand grip to work your grip.
A thick bar is a great tool, but like any other tool, you need to use it the right way.
5. Who is your favorite Iron Game author?
Wow, that’s tough – there are so many great ones. The list would include:
Harry Paschall
Bradley J. Steiner
Dr. Ken Leistner
Arthur Jones
Bob Hoffman
George F. Jowett
Alan Calvert
Peary Rader
Jim Schmitz
Tommy Kono
And many, many more.
6. When is the next issue of The Dinosaur Files newsletter coming out?
I just did the final edits this morning, and it should be printed today and (hopefully) mailed tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted as I have more detailed information.
7. What happened with the contest to guess the title of your new book?
We had several readers guess the correct title – and several hundred who did not. I’ve been busy with the Harry Paschall memorial Fund, but I’ll send an email with an update on the new book very shortly.
8. Are you sending emails every day? I’m not getting them.
Sometimes the emails don’t get through to everyone – which is the result of some sort of crazy cyberspace thing. I am posting all daily emails on the Dinosaur Training Blog, which you can access from the front page of the Dinosaur Training website. So if you miss an email, look for the Blog to stay current. You can also follow me on Facebook – I always link to the Dinosaur Training Blog through Facebook.
If you stop getting emails, you may need to sign back up for them. Sometimes you email filter blocks them for no real reason, and if this happens a certain number of times, you drop off the list.
But do whatever you need to do to keep current – because we have LOTS of new developments at Dino HQ – and much more coming to you this year and in coming years.
9. When is your new book coming out?
Stay tuned – very, very soon.
10. What do you think about Indian clubs?
I think LIGHT Indian clubs are a terrific tool for training and rehabbing your shoulders – and for keeping your shoulders healthy and mobile. So does Tommy Kono – and when a two Olympic Gold medalist likes something, that speaks volumes.
That wraps it up for this 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. We’ve been getting tons of orders and great feedback on these two books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
I thought you might like to see some short questions and answers today. Here’s what’s been coming in the door lately.
1. Is it okay to use deadlifts as your primary lower body movement rather than squats?
Absolutely! Back in the 40’s, a top strongman specialized on nothing but deadlifts – performed every 4 or 5 days with different set/rep schemes – and gained 20 pounds of muscle in 6 weeks – and ended up setting a world record in the deadlift.
2. I’m an older lifter, and my knees always swell up and get sore after I do squats. What should I do?
This is a common problem, which I cover in detail in Gray hair and Black Iron. In short – squat 1x per week only. Reduce your reps. Cycle your weights. Use Tommy Kono knee bands. If nothing works, replace squats with deadlifts or Trap bar deadlifts.
3. What do you think about the clean and press?
It’s a terrific exercise! John Grimek used to say that if you could only do one exercise, do the clean and press. I often use it as a one-exercise workout. It hits everything from your toes to your eyeballs.
4. Why do you tell people to use thick handled barbells for deadlifts and other exercises? You can’t lift as much with a thick handled bar, so you are defeating the whole purpose of training.
Ixnay on the egative-nay aves-way. (Classic movie reference rendered in pig latin – who can catch it?)
Train with a regular bar, and then finish things off with thick bar work for your grip. For example, do deadlifts with a regulation size bar, and then do deadlifts with a double overhand grip to work your grip.
A thick bar is a great tool, but like any other tool, you need to use it the right way.
5. Who is your favorite Iron Game author?
Wow, that’s tough – there are so many great ones. The list would include:
Harry Paschall
Bradley J. Steiner
Dr. Ken Leistner
Arthur Jones
Bob Hoffman
George F. Jowett
Alan Calvert
Peary Rader
Jim Schmitz
Tommy Kono
And many, many more.
6. When is the next issue of The Dinosaur Files newsletter coming out?
I just did the final edits this morning, and it should be printed today and (hopefully) mailed tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted as I have more detailed information.
7. What happened with the contest to guess the title of your new book?
We had several readers guess the correct title – and several hundred who did not. I’ve been busy with the Harry Paschall memorial Fund, but I’ll send an email with an update on the new book very shortly.
8. Are you sending emails every day? I’m not getting them.
Sometimes the emails don’t get through to everyone – which is the result of some sort of crazy cyberspace thing. I am posting all daily emails on the Dinosaur Training Blog, which you can access from the front page of the Dinosaur Training website. So if you miss an email, look for the Blog to stay current. You can also follow me on Facebook – I always link to the Dinosaur Training Blog through Facebook.
If you stop getting emails, you may need to sign back up for them. Sometimes you email filter blocks them for no real reason, and if this happens a certain number of times, you drop off the list.
But do whatever you need to do to keep current – because we have LOTS of new developments at Dino HQ – and much more coming to you this year and in coming years.
9. When is your new book coming out?
Stay tuned – very, very soon.
10. What do you think about Indian clubs?
I think LIGHT Indian clubs are a terrific tool for training and rehabbing your shoulders – and for keeping your shoulders healthy and mobile. So does Tommy Kono – and when a two Olympic Gold medalist likes something, that speaks volumes.
That wraps it up for this 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. We’ve been getting tons of orders and great feedback on these two books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
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