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| I've been training for over 50 years, and I plan to keep on training for a very long time. It's a challenge, but challenge is the name of the game. |
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
World and Olympic weightlifting champion
Tommy Kono used to say that we all have
a certain number of squats in us, and when
we use them up, that's it.
He didn't mean we're programed to do a
certain number of squats and then our
knees suddenly stop bending and we're
left standing there like the Tin Man in
the Wizard of Oz movie.
No, he meant that we need to take care
of our bodies and not do crazy stuff that
does more harm than good -- and not
waste our reps on things that don't
directly contribute to our strength
and health goals.
For example, you see a lot of stuff out
there about squatting every day.
Why?
If you can build just as much strength (or
more) on less frequent squat workouts, then
why hit them every day and run the risk of
jacking up your knees, hips or lower back?
Why not allow time for adequate recovery?
It not only helps your training, it helps
preserve and protect your joints.
But you still see guys doing leg workouts
where they do hundreds of reps of different
exercises. 5 x 10 on this, 5 x 12 on that,
5 x 20 on something else -- and on and on.
Some guys might do 500 or more reps in a
single leg training session.
Why do that if you can get bigger and
stronger with 5 sets of 5 reps or 5/4/3/2/1
or 5 sets of 3 in the squat or front squat?
The lower volume builds more strength
and more muscle -- and imposes much
less wear and tear on your body.
So why do the high volume thing?
Lower reps also allow you to train with
greater focus and much more precision.
You concentrate on each rep. You do it
in perfect form. You become the rep.
In contrast, high volume workouts almost
always become a series of fast, choppy,
sloppy reps performed with little focus
and no attention to the mind-muscle link.
Your brain does nothing more than count
the reps.
But there's a better way to do it. A much
better way.
I've been training for more than 50 years
now, and I plan to keep on training for a
very long time.
I have no idea how many more squats I
have in me, so I'm playing it safe. I keep
the volume low, and I make every rep
count.
I train with total and complete focus, and
I do everything possible to maximize the
mind-muscle link.
Tommy Kono called it "Quality Training."
You focus on quality, not quantity -- on
perfect lifting rather than on volume.
It makes a BIG difference -- and it helps
keep you from using up those squats too
early in your career!
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's a great book about Quality Training
for older Dinos -- as in, anyone age 35 and up:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right
here at Dino Headquarters -- along with links
to all of my e-books on Kindle:
Hard-copy and PDF
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
Kindle
http://www.brookskubik.com/oldschool_01-kindle.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day:
"Strength training is one of the very
best things you can do for yourself.
Make the most of the opportunity."
-- Brooks Kubik
BEFORE YOU LEAVE . . .
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