Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Let's start the week by taking a look at the
Dinosaur mail bag -- and answering some questions
from readers. I'll begin with one from a reader
in the UK:
Q. I train outdoors. How can I keep on training
in the winter?
A. It's not the ideal situation, but you can do
it. Reg Park trained outside in his parents'
backyard when he got started, and it worked
pretty well for him!
Park kept his weights outside -- and covered
them with a tarp to keep them dry. (Presumably,
he had a tarp underneath, as well, or else kept
his weights on a wooden platform. You wouldn't
want them lying on the ground.)
Park wore multiple layers (sweatsuits) to stay
warm. Remember to wear a hat!
Wear gloves or mittens in-between sets.
If it's really cold, be very careful touching
a cold bar with bare hands. Gloves would be a
good idea. And consider using a heater to warm
the bar before you train -- or keep the bar
inside and take it out only when you train.
Train fast -- don't rest so long between sets
that you cool off.
Don't try fancy stuff like Olympic lifting if
your standing on a wet or slippery surface.
Ditto for exercises that require extreme
stretching or flexibility. It's very hard
to get loose and limber when it's cold.
You may find that rubbing some sort of heat
balm into your back and shoulders is a good
idea.
Tommy Kono knee bands would be a VERY GOOD
idea.
Don't go crazy with heavy weights and limit
efforts. Keep something in reserve. Training
outside in the winter is more than enough
of a challenge. And remember, it's much easier
to pull a muscle if you're cold -- so train
very, very intelligently.
Low to medium reps may work better than high
reps. It's harder to breathe when the air is
cold.
Train during the day when the sun is out if
you can.
Some people like to drink hot tea when they
train outside. I prefer water, but not COLD
water.
And here's an idea -- you can build a very
strong, very sturdy greenhouse out of conduit
pipe that you bend into a semi-circle -- and
then cover with heavy (clear) plastic. I have
one in the backyard, and it's big enough to
stand in and walk around in. And if I wanted
to use it for training, it would be big enough
for that, as well. If that sounds interesting,
google for "hoop houses" and "homemade green
houses" and see what you can find.
Even a simple windbreak would make a difference
if you get a lot of cold wind from one particular
direction.
Another idea -- get into bodyweight training
and do your bodyweight work indoors. At the least,
give yourself the option of doing that if it
is seriously cold, snowing or raining.
A final point -- be sure to get outside and get
used to being outside in the cold. walk a couple
of miles every day. if you stay in the house and
just go out to train, it will be much tougher than
if you are used to being outdoors.
I'm sure other readers have additional ideas -- if
you do, send them on it!
As always, thanks for reading and have a great day.
If you train today (indoors or outdoors), make it
a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. As I noted, bodyweight training is a great way
to train in the winter. For the best in bodyweight
training, grab a copy of Dinosaur Bodyweight Training:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_bodyweight.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and DVD's -- and
the world famous Dinosaur Files newsletter -- are right
here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the day: "Nothing stops a Dinosaur."
