Attn Dinos - What Do You Want to See?

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

On the weather front, things are a giant
ice-box throughout much of the USA - so
I hope you're staying warm and dry and
comfortable.

Be sure to bundle up - and remember,
layers are your friend!

On the Dino front, I'm working on the Jan
issue of The Dino Files - and as soon as I'm
finished, I'll start on the Feb issue.

Which brings me to an important question.

What would you like to see in the next issue of
The Dinosaur Files -- or in my next Dinosaur
Training course?

Are there any famous strongmen, weightlifters
or bodybuilders of the past that you'd like me
to cover?

Is there something training-related that you've
been wondering about?

A particular training method?

A particular tool or piece of equipment?

Are you looking for something on diet
and nutrition?

Would you like to know what the old-time
champions ate?

Do you want to see something for older
Dinos -- or for younger Dinos?

For beginners -- intermediates -- or advanced
trainees?

What about specialization programs?

Gaining weight -- losing weight -- building
strength -- increasing a given lift -- or just
building some serious muscle mass?

Are you interested in something that's
related to health and longevity?

Or does some Dinosaur mindpower sound
good to you?

I have some ideas on things to cover, but I
always like to hear from the Dinos. So if there's
something you'd like to see, shoot me an email
and let me know.

I'm also looking for training reports and similar
updates to run in the Mesozolc Mail and Jurassic
Jottings sections of the February Dinosaur Files.
So don't be shy -- send in a report and let your
fellow Dinos know what you're doing!

I'm also interested in how you like the format
for the new monthly Dinosaur Files, and the
digital delivery feature. Let me know how it's
working for you!

Otherwise, have a great day -- and if it's a
training day, make it a good one!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. If you're snow-bound and looking for some
good reading, check out our PDF books and
courses - and our Kindle books and courses.
There are a ton to choose from now.

You can find all of our books and courses,
including hard-copy, Kindle and PDF,
right here at Dino Headquarters:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 2. The Nov-Dec issue of the Dinosaur
Files is right here in PDF format:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_novemberdecember2016.html

We're still working on the Kindle edition. I'll
send the link as soon as it's ready.

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Every hour
of your life has 60 priceless minutes of
opportunity. Make the most of each and
every one of them." -- Brooks Kubik

***********************************************************************************

This Made My Day - Read It and See Why!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I found this waiting for me in the in-box
yesterday morning.

It made my day.

Read it, and you'll see why:

"I just got done re-reading your Legacy of
Iron, Vol. 1. I got to thinking about when I
first started lifting weights.

I just wanted to let you know all the stuff you
wrote in Dinosaur Training and in your other
books has served me well over the years.

I've been training for 11 years now. You gave
a skinny 130 pound 16-year old teenager
something to latch onto during his parents'
divorce. I was able to develop a lot of strength
for my size. I used that strength to do a lot of
service on my LDS mission, hoisting boxes,
beds, garden tools, sledgehammers, mauls,
and axes, and lifting and moving heavy
railroad ties several times.

I got into health and fitness in large part
because of your efforts. I can't count the
number of times I've run across someone
moving in and I was able to help them
because I had the strength to do it.

I haven't been in any life or death situations,
thankfully, but I really would like you to
know you have had an impact on my life.

I finished college last July and I'm working
on my personal trainer certification from
ACSM. I have high hopes to take the test
at the end of this month.

I'm sure you have had your fair share of
haters for what you preach or for other
things. But you got the ball rolling for
me - and I've been training ever since.

So if you ever wonder if your writing made
a difference, you know you did in my case -
and I'm sure I'm not the only person to send
an email like this.

I'm not much of a touchy-feely type person,
but you really did something good for me.

You got me into the Iron Game, and I'm
grateful from the bottom of my heart.

Anyhow, hang in there. I'm glad to have
your products and glad you chose to do
what you have done.

God bless you, sir.

A.S."

Well, as I said, that message really made
my day.

And here's the best part about it.
 Our young Dino is going to become a
personal trainer - and he's going to help
hundreds or perhaps thousands of people
achieve their dream of lifelong strength
and health.

So the lessons I wrote about in Dinosaur
Training didn't just help one young
man - he's going to use them to help
many, many others.

That's part of the magic of the Iron Game.

You never help just one person.

You help one person help many more.

And each person you help will help others -
and on and on it goes.

I'm smiling right now - and I hope you are,
too. I hope everyone is smiling. Because
we're making a difference - a huge
difference!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. Here's the little blue book that started it
all:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.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: "You change the
world one lifter at a time." - Brooks Kubik

***********************************************************************************

Attn Dinos -- What Would You Like to See?

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I'm finishing up several new projects, and
working on the February issue of The Dinosaur
Files newsletter, and I have a question for you.

What would you like to see in the next issue of
The Dinosaur Files -- or in my next Dinosaur
Training course?

Are there any famous strongmen, weightlifters
or bodybuilders of the past that you'd like me
to cover?

Is there something training-related that you've
been wondering about?

A particular training method?

A particular tool or piece of equipment?

Are you looking for something on diet
and nutrition?

Would you like to know what the old-time
champions ate?

Do you want to see something for older
Dinos -- or for younger Dinos?

For beginners -- intermediates -- or advanced
trainees?

What about specilaization programs?

Gaining weight -- losing weight -- building
strength -- increasing a given lift -- or just
building some serious muscle mass?

Are you interested in something that's
related to health and longevity?

Or does some Dinosaur mindpower sound
good to you?

I have some ideas on things to cover, but I
always like to hear from the Dinos. So if there's
something you'd like to see, shoot me an email
and let me know.

I'm also looking for training reports and similar
updates to run in the Mesozlc Mail and Jurassic
Jottings sections of the February Dinosaur Files.
So don't be shy -- send in a report and let your
fellow Dinos know what you're doing!

I'm also interested in how you like the format
for the new monthly Dinosaur Files, and the
digital delivery feature. Let me know how it's
working for you!

Otherwise, have a great day -- and if it's a
training day, make it a good one!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. Go here to grab the December and January
issues of The Dinosaur Files:

December

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_december2015.html

January

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_januaryr2016.html

P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right
here at Dino Headsquarters:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Every hour of your
life has 60 priceless minutes of opportunity."
-- Brooks Kubik

***********************************************************************************

Read This -- Feedback on the New Dinosaur Training Course!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

We've been getting some great feedback
on the new Dinosaur Training course with
PDF delivery. Here's what your fellow
Dinosaurs are saying:

"Great course, greatly appreciated. I'm 63,
and still hitting it in my garage gym and
farmer carrying in the back yard."

Paul K.

"Brooks, the course was great. It's all stuff
I knew, but it was really exciting to get it
via PDF and read it immediately -- and you
can't beat the price. Definitely look forward
to ordering more courses this way, including
stuff I haven't read yet."

Ira R.

"Great job! A lot of info for the money!"
Ralph M.

"I downloaded the mini-course last night, and
I really like it a lot! If you can keep them coming
it would be a blessing to me at age 62. I have a
few of your other books, but I think the mini-
courses are a plus. Thanks, Brooks, you
are an inspiration to this old Dinosaur!"

Rick D.

"Just ordered the mini-course and reviewed it
at lunch time. Looks good. Nice job, Brooks.
Thank you!"

Jim C.

"I purchased the new mini-course and found
it to be a good read. As you know, I'm a hard-
copy guy at heart, so I'll be printing it off on
good paper. However, if the medium allows
for even miore Dino materials to be produced
and more Dino readers to be exposed to them,
then I'm all for it."

Andy F.

I got the new mini-course. Lots of useful info.
Thanks, Brooks!"

Randy R.

"I looked it over very quickly. The course seems
to summarize in one neat place training,
nutrition and rest for older Dinos."

Oliver S.

As you can see, you fellow Dinos are enjoying the
heck out of the new course. So if you've been
sitting on the fence, go ahead and join them --
and see how YOU like the little monster!

Go here to order the new course for immediate
download -- and remember, at just five clams,
it's the best deal you're going to find anywhere:

http://www.brookskubik.com/minicourse_01.html

And to everyone who has ordered the course --
THANK YOU. We appreciate it!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

***********************************************************************************

Questions and Answers for Dinos!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

We had a great show yesterday on the first
official episode of Physical Culture Radio. If
you missed the show, you can download the
podcast right here:

http://superhumanradio.com/

And please give us feedback about the show.
We need to hear from you.

Physical Culture Radio runs every Thursday
at 12:00 EST.

For the first couple of shows, we're going to
cover the topic of building and maintaining
lifelong strength and health -- or, as I called
it on the show, "successful aging."

Some people use the term "anti-aging" -- but
I don't because the truth os the matter is, we
all age. The only alternative is to stop living,
and that's not a good alternative.

The key is, to age well -- meaning to stay
strong and healthy and fit and active.

So that's what we're going to focus on for
the first few shows.

And we're going to try to make the show as
helpful as possible -- and as organic as possible.
One thing we're going to do is to solicit training
questions from listeners -- and answer them
on the show.

So if you have questions about diet, nutrition,
or exercise for older Dinos, send them on in
and we'll see if we can work them into the
show.

Similarly -- I'm working on volume 2 in my
new series of courses, Dinosaur Training
Secrets -- and one thing I'm going to do
is to answer any questions that anyone may
have about something we covered in volume
1 of the series.

So if you have Dinosaur Training Secrets,
vol. 1, feel free to shoot in a training question,
and we'll try to answer it in vol. 2.

If you don't have the little monster, start by
going here to grab it -- in your choice of
hard copy or Kibndle e-book:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_01.html

And please note -- I could charge some serious
clams to answer training questions -- but I'm
doing it for free on Physical Culture Radio and
in the Dinosaur Training Secrets courses, because
I think it adds lots of value for you -- and because
it's my way of saying THANK YOU for being a part
of what we do.

By the way, we're getting great feedback about
releasing the new ciourses as Kindle e-books.

Readers are saying:

1. It's fast and convenient.

a. And you don't even need a Kindle device --
you can download an app that allows you to
read Kindle e-books on your phone or your
computer.

2. I like not having to pay for shipping.

a. I like not having to charge you for shipping --
especially if you are an overseas reader.

3. It's easy to read, because you can increase
the size of the print.

a. I'm with you on that one!

4. My wife loves it because I don't leave books
and courses all over the house.

4a. Tell your wife that Trudi agrees 10,000 percent.

4b. Also, it might leave room for a power rack
and a thousand or two thousand pounds of iron
in the living room.

4c. Don't laugh -- Tommy Kono had squat stands
and a barbell in his living room once.

5. I can read on the bus or subway on the way
to work, or read during lunch time, or read while
I'm travelling.

6. It's about time you did this!

6a. About seven bazillion readers have said this.

6b. They're right.

6c. Trudi has been urging me to do this for the
past year or two. She was right, too.

On the other hand, many readers prefer hard-
copy because they just like ink on paper -- and
I understand that, too.

The bottom line is, we're going to continue to
offer books and courses the old-fashioned way --
ink on paper -- and we're going to continue to
offer books and courses as Kindle e-books. In
other words, we're going to continue to bring
you top-flight training information -- in both
hard-copy and e-book.

And before I go -- one final note -- issue no. 2
of the Dinosaur Files quarterly has been mailed,
and if you ordered it, the little monster should
be landing in your mail box very soon. Shoot me
an email and let me know how you like it!

If you forgot to order, here's the link:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_quarterly.html

Note that we have copies of issue no. 1 of the
Dinosaur Files quarterly -- so if you missed it,
grab both of them. You'll want the complete
set.

As always, thanks for reading and have a great
day. If you train today, make it a good one -- and
remember to send in those questions!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. We just released the Dinosaur Training Military
Press and Shoulder Power course as a Kindle e-book.
Go here to grab a copy:

http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_kindle.html

P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and Dinosaur
Training DVD's -- and the world-famous Legacy of
Iron novels -- are right here at Dinosaur
Headquarters:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "The iron is your
friend, and so are good books." -- Brooks
Kubik

*********************************************

I Need Feedback on the John Grimek Training Course!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I have two quick favors for the Dino Nation:

1. If you have a copy of my John Grimek
Training course, pls shoot me an email with
a one or two line review or testimonial for
the little monster.

1a. If you don't have the Grimek course,
now's a good time to grab a copy:

http://www.brookskubik.com/johngrimek_course.html

1b. Also, let me know who or what you'd
like us to cover in future courses!

2. If you have either of my new e-books,
pls post reviews on our Amazon Kindle
pages. The reviews really help us:

http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_kindle.html

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_01.html

2a. I think you can post a review even if you
have the hard-copy versions of the courses,
although you probably need to say that in
your review.

Thanks, and much appreciated!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. If you ordered issue no. 2 of the Dinosaur
Files quarterly, let me know how you like it --
and what we can do to make the next issue
even better. I included some specific questions
for you in this issue, and I need your feedback
on them.

****************************************

Your First Barbell

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I hope you had a very merry Christmas, and I
hope the old Year finishes on high note for
you -- and that the New Year brings you plenty
of strength, health and happiness.

For some, Christmas brought a barbell set or
another piece of equipment -- or a book or
course or DVD on strength training, diet or
nutrition. Those are always the best gifts.

And that brings me to an email from Lance
McAllister, a 68 year old Dino who has a
Christmas memory to share:

"Merry Christmas, Brooks. And thanks for all
the great advice.

I have an idea you might want to use if you
hit a "sticking point" in your columns: it
might be interesting for your readers to talk
about their first barbell set and the circumstances
whereby they wanted and got it.

I started lifting at age 15 in 1961, thanks to a
friend whose parents gave him the York 110-
pound set for Christmas that year.

We would lift in his garage, which had a raised
wooden floor on one side.

Soon thereafter I got a Billiard Barbell 110-
pound set from my parents. The plates were
gold and the instruction book was written by
Bruce Randall.

My friend and I each bought a pair of 25's to
supplement our sets.

The next year, I bought a set of about 140
pounds from a friend who didn't use it any
more, made by Bur Barbell. The plates were
smaller and fatter than those from the other
sets.

We learned that another classmate had a Dan
Lurie set, and I remember he had a pair of
12.5 pound plates that worked perfectly for
us, since we liked to add weight in 25-pound
increments for many exercises.

I still have several of those Billiard plates, and
also have most of the Bur plates, plus some larger
York plates I bought much later (though I recently
sold my 75-pound plates, which I think may have
been York).

And I still lift, though, at 68, not nearly as much
as when I was younger. I had bone spurs removed
from both shoulders 10-15 years ago but they have
recently grown back, and I think I'm gonna folow
your lead and dump the benches in favor of
standing presses.

Anyway, thanks again for your insights; keep 'em
coming!

Lance McAllister"

Lance -- Thanks for sharing the memories. Your
first barbell sounds very similar to my first barbell.
What a great present -- and what a lifetime of
great memories!

I'd be interested to hear from other readers who
want to tell us about THEIR first barbell. I bet
their plenty of good stories and good memories.

And to everyone -- 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 something that will start your New Year
off on the right foot:

http://brookskubik.com/dinosaur_nutrition.html

P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and Dinosaur
Training DVD's -- are right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "You always remember
your first barbell. That's part of the magic."
-- Brooks Kubik

*************************************************

Dinos Around the World Are Loving Knife, Fork, Muscle!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

Knife, Fork, muscle is printed, in stock, and we're
shipping the little monster around the world. It's
landed on every continent other than Antarctica.

And we're getting great feedback about the little
monster. Readers around the world are loving it.
Here are some examples:

KNIFE, FORK MUSCLE LANDS IN OZ

"My copy of Knife, Fork, Muscle arrived in Australia
today.  I can only think of three words to describe
it:

1. wow;

2. wow; and,

3. wow!

I am very impressed with the content, appearance
and the added extra items you have included - the
thank you card with the old school Dino-man really
put a smile on my face!

Mark S."

KNIFE, FORK, MUSCLE ARRIVES IN SWEDEN

"I just want to let you know that my two books, Knife,
Fork, Muscle and Chalk and Sweat (plus the Dinosaur
Files quarterly) have all arrived safely to me in
Sweden. Many thanks for putting out real training
and food books which will bring real results for real
people. I'll start reading and applying them right
away.

Per. H."

 

 

KNIFE, FORK, MUSCLE HITS WASHINGTON

"My book arrived on Monday in Washington State.
Tons of info. I will be reading and rereading it, for
sure.

Dale K."

LOUISVILLE LOVES KNIFE, FORK, MUSCLE

"Really liking the new book. I'll note that since
the summer I have been following similar dietary
principles to what you've discussed in the text
(though not as good as your diet), and I'm looking
better and feeling stronger at my current 194 lb.
bodyweight than I ever did at my 215 lb. body-
weight. Now to see if I can get back up to 215
gaining pure muscle!

Bobby R."

PRAISE FROM CALIFORNIA

"I received my copy of Knife, Fork, Muscle out
here in California.

I'm about halfway through it at the moment. I'm
really intrigued by your findings thus far, and it
is making me re-think my own dietary habits,
which is far more than any other diet/nutrition
book has ever been able to do.

Kevin D."

We've also had many readers who posted photos
of their signed copy of Knife, Fork, Muscle on
Facebook. Some of them also included a photo
of the Thank You note that I included with all
orders.

Please do that. It really helps us. We had four new
orders yesterday that were the direct result of
Dinos posting photos of their books on Facebook.

And we're getting Christmas orders from Dinos
who have received and devoured their copy of
Knife, Fork, Muscle -- and liked it so much that
they are ordering copies for friends, family and
workout buddies for Christmas. (If you do that,
be sure to let me know it's for someone else, and
ask me to sign the book and include a personal
note for them -- that will make it an extra-special
gift.)

In the meantime, THANK YOU to everyone who
has stepped up, taken action, and grabbed a
copy of KNIFE, FORK, MUSCLE. And please keep
the feedback coming!

If you've been waiting, we have plenty of copies
in stock and ready to ship -- and yes, I'll sign your
copy for you -- so act now:

 

 

http://brookskubik.com/dinosaur_nutrition.html


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. My other books and courses -- and Dinosaur
Training DVD's, t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies,
as well as the new quarterly Dinosaur Files -- are
right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 2. You can usually save some serious clams
on s&h by ordering two or more books or other
items so we can ship them in one package.
Send an email and ask for a shipping quote
before placing your order.

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Train for strength,
eat for health, and make every day of your life
the very best it can be." -- Brooks Kubik

**************************************

An Amazing Dino Success Story!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

Here's an email I received
the other day. This is why
I do what I do -- for readers
like Justin:

"Dear Brooks,

I want to say thank you for
your training info and what
it has done for me.

Here is a little background
on myself. Four years ago I
was involved in a motorcycle
accident. I broke C6 & C7
vertebrae, Suffered minor
head injury, ruptured my
spleen, and clinically died
a few times while in surgery.

I was unable to do much of
anything during my recovery.
While recovering from my
injury I found your site
online.

You inspired me to lift big
and train in the ways of the
old time strong men. I read
everything that I could find
from you online. I could not
afford to purchase your books
at that time (Lost my business
due to being unable to work).

When I was able to start lifting
I used the basic lifts. Deadlifts,
Squats, Bench press, Rows, and
Standing press. I wasn't able to
lift much at weight at first due
to the year of being chair bound,
but I was determined. I worked
on my form to make sure it was
the best form possible. I
purchased CHALK AND SWEAT and
started following the workouts.

I have since that time developed
a lifting plan that works for me
using the "major lifts" and the
progression that you have outlined.

I do heavy (85-90%) triples 3 days
a week. All push, pull and squat
with clean and press 5x5 1 day a
week.

My goal when I started was 300,
400, and 500. I am less than 50
lbs away from reaching my goal
weight on each lift. 265 bench,
360 squat, & 450 deadlift.

I feel better than I have ever
felt in my life. I am inspired
with lifting.

Brooks, I just wanted to say
thank you for helping inspire
me to be healthy and strong.

I will be 39 in April so I'm not
sure if I'd be considered a
Dinosaur but I feel as strong
as one when I lift.

Thank you once again.

Lift Big & Be Strong,

Justin" 
   
Justin -- Thanks for sharing your
story. What a great success story --
and what a comeback!

I'm sure your story will inspire
others to come back from injury
or illness -- and to push and pull
(and squat) themselves to strength
and health!

To everyone -- 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. CHALK AND SWEAT gives you 50
different workouts, from beginner to
advanced to ultimate muscle mass and
Herculean super strength:

http://www.brookskubik.com/chalk_and_sweat.html

P.S. 2. My other books and courses
are right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Nothing
can stop heavy iron, guts, determination
and courage." -- Brooks Kubik


        

Questions and Answers re Dinosaur Dumbbell Training!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I've been getting a ton of questions
about Dinosaur Dumbbell Training, so
let me answer some of them in this
email. It will save me trying to answer
50 or so individual emails with the same
or similar questions:

Q. Is Dinosaur Dumbbell Training an actual
book or is it a short course?

A. It's a book. And a big one. It's 8 1/2
x 11, with over 200 pages (counting the
table of contents and other pages at the
front with roman numerals).

Q. Is Dinosaur Dumbbell Training in stock
and ready to ship?

A. It sure is. We're firing them out as
soon as we get an order.

Q. I can't do dumbbell swings or cleans
or snatches. Are there other exercises
in the book that I can do?

A. Absolutely. I include many different
pressing exercises, as well as different
types of dumbbell deadlifts, squats, shrugs
and rowing.

Q. Do you include dumbbell curls?

A. No, because I assume everyone knows how
to do them. I tried to stick to exercises
you might not have seen before, or might
not know how to perform.

Q. Can I get a complete total body workout
with dumbbells alone?

A. Yes, and I teach you how to do it in the
book. I also teach you how to combine
dumbbells with barbells, kettlebells,
bodyweight training and heavy awkward
objects.

Q. Does the book have photos to show how
to do the different exercises?

A. Dinosaur Dumbbell Training has over
300 exercise photos. We shot over 1,000
photos and I picked out the best ones.
(Yes, it was a lot of work!)

Q. Do you include actual workouts in the
book?

A. Of course! Dinosaur Dumbbell Training
features 50 different workouts. There's
quite literally something for everyone.

Q. Can you tell me what kind of dumbbells
to use?

A. I cover that in detail at the beginning
of the book. i also give you different
exercise choices depending in part on
the kind of dumbbells available to you.

Q. I like your historical approach to
strength training and muscle building.
Do you include any of that in Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training?

A. Yes, it's in one of the very first
chapters -- and there are some killer
photos of old-time strongmen that I got
from Bill Hinbern.

Q. Do you include leg exercises with
dumbbells?

A. Dinosaur Dumbbell Training has an
entire chapter of leg exercises you can
perform with dumbbells.

Q. Are your dumbbell workouts abbreviated
or do they include lots of different
exercises?

A. They're abbreviated. That's the best
way to train, no matter what kind of
equipment you use.

Q. What are people saying about Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training?

A. Readers LOVE it. The response has been
overwhelming, and 100 percent positive.
The most common response has been "It's
even better than I thought it would be."

BTW -- friend me on Facebook and you can
see some of the feedback.

Q. Can I still get your Seven Keys to
Concentration CD with the Dumbbell
training book?

A. Yes, there's an option to do that on
the order page. BTW -- MANY Dinos have
ordered the CD, and they love it! It's
a very good CD, with tons of great info.
It's also as inspiring and motivating as
heck. I was on a roll the night we
recorded it.

Q. Can dumbbells really build strength and
muscle?

A. John Grimek thought so, and that's good
enough for me!

Q. Are dumbbells good for older trainees?

A. Absolutely! Dumbbells allow you to turn
your hands and position your arms and elbows
to find the best, easiest and most pain free
range of motion possible. They're much more
forgiving than a barbell.

Q. What about younger trainees -- like my
teenage son?

A. Dumbbells are a great way to get started
in the Iron Game! A combination of Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training and Dinosaur Bodyweight
training would be perfect for most beginners
(of any age).

Q. Can I save clam son s&h by ordering two
or more books at one time?

A. Yes -- and if you have questions, shoot
me an email.

Q. What do you charge to autograph a book?

A. Nothing. It's an honor to be asked to
sign your book for you. If you want me to
sign your copy, all you need to do is ask.
Use the Special Instructions section of
the on-line order form.

Those are the most common questions of the
week -- so I hope it helped to put them
together into one combination response.

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. Go here to grab your copy of Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training:

http://brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.html

P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right
here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Dumbbells are
heavy awkward objects. That's why they're so
effective." -- Brooks Kubik

Big Birthday Workout!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

Sunday is my birthday. I officially turn
55 on September 9.

I say "officially" because I count birthdays
the way they do it in Masters Weightlifting
competitions. Whatever age you will hit later
in the year, they count that as going into
effect as of January 1. So I've been thinking
of myself as 55 ever since January 1.

Of course, my plan is to celebrate with a
hard workout. That's how Dinos do it.

Anyhow, wish me luck. That darn barbell
always tries to get heavier each year, so
I need to work hard to stay ahead of the
little monster.

And speaking of hard workouts -- I hit a
good one yesterday. It was a one-exercise
workout -- nothing but snatches. I did them
power style, and did singles. I started light
and worked up slowly, doing three singles at
each weight. Finished heavy, and called it a
day.

The whole thing, including a thorough warm-up,
took about 50 minutes.

My next workout will be similar, except I'll
do the clean and jerk.

I know it's not high tech, and I know it sounds
too simple to work -- but it works pretty well
for me.

It works for other Dinos, as well. Here's an
email from 62-year old Chuck Brown, who's
still hitting the big exercises. He's found
that singles work well for him:

"Brooks, I have just gone to a workout where
after my warm up I do a set of 5 with a light
weight, then a set of 3 with more weight, then
singles on up from there.

I have been handling some good weights and
recovering much better than when I was doing
4 or 5 sets of 5. This has allowed me to lift
and also ride my bike a couple of days a week,
which I like to do in the summer.

I love that the singles allow me to reinforce
good technique without having to reset, count
reps or save energy for the later sets.

Currently doing squats, deadlifts, and presses
or push presses.

As an older Dino (62), singles rule!

Thanks,

Chuck Brown"

Chuck -- thanks for sharing that. I totally agree
with you! Singles rock!

It sounds like you are doing a great job in your
training. Keep it up, and keep us posted
on your progress!

To everyone -- as always, thanks for reading,
and have a great day. If you train today, make
it a good one!

And don't forget. Big birthday workout. Send
positive waves!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. Single rep training works great for older
trainees -- and for younger trainees, as well.
I cover it in detail in Dinosaur Training, Gray
Hair and Black Iron, and Strength, Muscle and
Power. Check them out:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html

http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html

http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html

P.S. 2. I almost forgot -- there's plenty of good
single rep workouts in my Doug Hepburn training
course. Hepburn loved single rep training!

http://www.brookskubik.com/doug_hepburn.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Another candle on
the birthday cake, and another plate on the barbell."
-- Brooks Kubik

Important Training Advice for Dinos!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

Happy Labor Day everyone! Whether
you're at work or at play, I hope
it's a good one.

On the training front, I want to
share an email from Larry Otero.
This was in response to my email
titled, "How to Get Back Into
Shape -- FAST!" If you missed it,
read it now -- it's posted at
the Dinosaur Training Blog.
(BTW, I always post my emails
on the Blog, so if you don't get
an email, go to the Blog. It's
the back-up system to stay in
touch with you.)

http://www.dinosaurtraining.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-get-back-into-shape-fast.html

Anyhow, here's the feedback from
Larry:

"Good morning. Great info. I found
out the hard way that this applies
to even getting back to an exercise.

I stopped doing Trap Bar deadlifts
while I went on a front squat program.
I must have stopped doing the Trap Bar
for about 6 to 8 weeks or so. I got
got back to Trap Bar deadlifts and
discovered two critical things.

First, I experienced a major de-training
effect on Trap Bar deadlifts.

Second, I went way too heavy on my first
Trap Bar workout. I felt like a truck
ran me over the next day.

Before dropping the Trap Bar deadlifts, I
was doing 450 pounds for my top work set.
When I started them again, I only did 340
pounds -- but it was still too heavy. I
should have done 30 or 315 pounds the
first day.

Since that workout, I have been adding 10
pounds every workout. I could add more,
but there's no sense in rushing things.
I'm up to 380 pounds now, and will hit
390 pounds next week. It is interesting
how that first workout felt heavier than
heck, and how terribly sore it made me.
The subsequent workouts only made me feel
tight.

So your advice about getting back into
training after a long lay-off or about
getting started if you are a beginner
also appears to be good for Dinos who
have been working out regularly but
are getting back to an exercise that
they haven't done for awhile -- or are
adding a new exercise. They need to
break it in slow and easy.

One other thing, the all-over body
soreness I felt from that first Trap
Bar workout made me realize just how
effective of an exercise it is. Even
though I had been doing front squats
and bent-legged deadlifts with a
regular bar, the Trap Bar still
kicked my you know what.

Larry"

Hi Larry -- Those are excellent points.
Going to hard and heavy on a new exercise
(or one you haven't done for awhile) is
a BIG mistake -- and a very common one.
Everyone has done it -- and many trainees
do it over and over and over.

Casse in point -- John Grimek. At one
point in his career, Grimek stopped
doing squats for many years because
he believed his legs were getting too
big and out of proportion with the
rest of his body.

Then he got back into them -- starting
with a hard, heavy session where he did
over 200 reps total (doing sets of 20,
15, and 10 reps). And he used heavy
weights.

The result?

Grimek was so sore he could barely walk.
He lurched around like a cripple -- or
like Boris Karloff in the original
Mummy movie. And that lasted for a
week or two.

As I said, I've done the same thing --
and I've done it more than once.

So learn from our mistakes. If you're
working a new exercise into your program,
start light and easy and build from there.

And if it's an exercise you used to do but
haven't done for awhile, treat it like a
new exercise. 

In the long run, you'll gain faster and
do better by starting off slowly and
easily.

Larry -- thanks for sharing that!

To everyone -- 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. CHALK AND SWEAT is mandatory reading
for beginners -- but it has great workouts
and important advice for everyone:

http://www.brookskubik.com/chalk_and_sweat.html

P.S. 2. John Grimek fans will love this great
new training course:

http://brookskubik.com/johngrimek_course.html

P.S. 3. My other books and courses are
available right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 4. Thought for the Day: "It's not where
you start, it's where you finish." -- Brooks
Kubik

Bodyweight Training Q and A

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I rec'd an email from a reader asking a
ton of questions about Dinosaur Bodyweight
Training.

Does it have exercise progressions?

Can you combine bodyweight training and
weight training?

Will it build muscle mass?

Will it build strength?

How does it compare to other books and courses
on the market?

Now, every time one person asks a question, it
means a thousand people have the same question.

So I thought I'd answer his questions by sharing
an email I received last week from Steve Fink.
Steve ordered the Dinosaur Bodyweight Training
book along with a set of seven DVD's that cover
all the different exercises in the book.

Please note -- I don't have an order page for
the bodyweight DVD's yet -- but if you're
interested, shoot me an email and I'll tell
you more about them and how to grab them.

Anyhow, here is what Steve had to say:

"Hi Brooks-

I reviewed the DVD set along with the Bodyweight
Book.

This is easily the best bodyweight program I have
seen. I am 55 and have been training since my teens.
Because of older injuries, I no longer train with
heavy weights. I have since used bodyweight
routines almost exclusively over the last several
years. I am quite familiar with a great many sources
available. Most are quite predictable with the
same stale routines and exercises, including
jumping jacks and burpees, and emphasize reps
over strength.

Your program is a treatise on the topic -- it has
become my Strength Bible. There is a tremendous
foundation of knowledge. The text is concise and
easy to follow. The photos and references to the
strongmen of old is a great addition reflecting
your respect for the roots of the strength
culture.

The DVDS are well made and easy to follow. Your
"run through the wall" motivation is a welcome,
ever present feature throughout. It's obvious
you enjoy what you do.

The exercise progressions are the most numerous
and detailed I've seen. There are several
exercises I was not familiar with -- this makes
for a most refreshing change from the mundane
that is all too prevalent out there. I have
found several progressions harder than some
of the typical standards (even harder than
one arm pushups). There is enough here to
challenge the strongest athlete for an
entire career.

Besides the obvious emphasis on promoting
strength, you have included a holistic
segment which is as important (especially
for the older trainee). The neck and low
back routines are golden.

In all, this a stand-alone masterpiece.

Thank you for sharing your ideas.

Steve Fink"

Steve -- Thanks for your detailed review
and feedback. Writing a book as long and
detailed as Dinosaur Bodyweight Training
is hard work (and so were those seven DVD's).
Feedback like this makes it all worthwhile.
The whole idea is to write books and courses
that help people -- and it sounds like this
one is doing the job for you!

To everyone else -- If you had any questions
about Dinosaur Bodyweight Training, I hope
Steve has answered them! (The only one he
didn't cover was whether you can combine
Dinosaur Bodyweight Training with weight
training -- and the answer is, of course
you can. Combining weight work and body-
weight work is no different than combining
barbell training and dumbbell training.)

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. Go here to order your copy of Dinosaur
Bodyweight Training -- and remember, if you're
interested in the DVD's, shoot me an email:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_bodyweight.html

P.S. 2. My other Dinosaur Training books, courses
and DVD's are available here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Whether you train
with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags,
or bodyweight exercises, the keys to success are
always the same: hard work, concentration, focus
and progression." -- Brooks Kubik

More Training Goals from Your Fellow Dinosaurs!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

We’re getting tons of great feedback from the Dinos about their current training goals. These are pretty interesting – as well as inspiring and impressive. Your fellows Dinos have been kicking you know what and taking names – and making some great gains.  

I’ll post some of the responses today – and post more tomorrow. Enjoy them – and remember, when you run with the Dinos, you run with some seriously impressive, hard-training strength and muscle monsters!

1. GREAT PROGRESS AND MUCH MORE TO COME!

“G'Day Brooks,

I'm a 41 year old 90 kg (198 pounds) Dinosaur with a dicky back. I've only been training for about 7-8 years, and before I found and read Dinosaur Training I was a 70 kg (154 pound) fool with no idea of how to train.

I was:

1. Unable to bench press 50 kg (110 pounds)

2. Unable to shoulder press a curtain rod

3. Unable to curl a can of beer, and

4. Unable to deadlift.

But thanks to you, things are different. I've now got my goals set out and they are above the fridge where I see them every day:

 
1. 1 set x 20 reps x 115 kg (252 pounds) bench with a 75 mm bar

2. 1 set x 20 reps x 160 kg (352 pounds) Trap Bar deadlift

3. 1 set x 20 reps x 100 kg (220 pounds) shoulder press with a 75 mm bar

4. 1 set x 20 reps x 90 kg (198 pounds) curls using a 75 mm bar

5. Staying around the 90 to 95 kg (198 to 209 pounds) bodyweight mark.

Am not there yet but getting closer and am hoping my age and late start to
training doesn't beat me before I get there.

Keep up the good work.

M. F.

Australian Dino”

2. A SIMPLE AND LONG TERM TRAINING GOAL!

“My goals are fairly simple and long term:  to keep working with as heavy a weight as I can for as long as I can. I've been a gym rat for 14 years and have no plan of stopping unless health interferes.  At a quite fit and healthy 36-years-old (nobody believes I'm that old. – ha, ha!) and working out Dino-style 3 days a week now, I have to think of what I want to look like at 40 . . . 45 . . . .50  . . . and 50-plus. That’s enough to keep me going strong.  I couldn't see living any other way.  Weightlifting changed my life and hopefully will continue to do so. 

H.D.”

3.  HE BECAME A STRONG MAN COMPETITOR!

“Since I began reading Dinosaur Training and training Dino style in January 2011, I have gotten stronger and bigger than ever before. I had always had a fascination with the world's strongest man competitions, but thought I couldn't do it. But, since I have been Dino training, I wanted to enter a competition and I competed in my first competition on July 28th! I placed 4th in my weight class. I didn't win, but I did compete! Next goal is to place 1st! Thanks for the tools and motivation to get there!

D. J.”

4. CHASING A WORLD RECORD!

“One of my goals is to set a world record someday!

Thanks to your research, I have the opportunity to set an open class world record with the IAWA/USAWA in the left handed snatch with a dumbbell!

Another goal is to push press a 160-pound dumbbell, using an adjustable DB bar with a 2" thick, rotating handle. I have recently hit a PB of 141.5 pounds!

J.B.”

5. BODYWEIGHT X 100 REPS!

“My current short-term goal is lifting my bodyweight (80 kg – 176 pounds) for 100 reps in one set at stiff-legged deadlift, with a rounded-back style, to condition my entire back for better performance at wrestling.

I have been working on it for a month now and I am progressing very well. Last week did 45 kg for 100 reps under 5 minutes. Can't wait to hit 50 kg this week.

Wrestling Dino”

6. ITALIAN DINO CHASES SOME HEAVY IRON!

“My goals are:

1. 150 kg (330 pounds) in bench press

2. 180 kg (396 pounds) in full squat

3. 250 kg (550 pounds) in deadlift

4. 130 kg (286 pounds) in overhead press

5. 60 kg (132 pounds) in one arm dumbbell clean and push press

6. 60 kg (132 pounds) in dumbbell swings

That's all, thanks Brooks!

Italian Dino”

7. AUSTRALIAN DINO PACKS ON SOME MAJOR MUSCLE MASS – AND WANTS MORE!

This year’s goals, for 2012, is to reach 250 pounds, with 18" arms. I am within
reach of both goals, at 248 pounds and 17 3/4". As always, progressive workouts on
a simple, basics focused routine will get me where I want to go. After all, it's got
me this far over the years.

Australian Dino”

8. A HEAVY DUMBBELL GOAL!

My lifting goal is:

100 lb. dumbbell clean and press 5 x 5 each arm by Dec 31 2012.

I'm currently at 67.5 lbs so the timeline is pretty ambitious given the progression I'm using. I may make the deadline, or I may not -- but I *will* make the lift. I'm having a lot of fun working toward it.

D.D.”

Those are all great goals – and they show us several very important things:

1. Dinosaur Training works.

2. Dinosaur Training is fun.

3. Setting a challenging and demanding goal makes you work harder and heaver – and makes your workouts a heck of a lot more fun!

4. Dinos are mentally tough. When they set goals, they don’t kid around. They CHALLENGE themselves.

5.  Dinos nail themselves to their goals with grim determination – and they keep on working until they achieve them!

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.  You can find Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength and Development and my other books and courses – and DVD’s – right here at Dino Headquarters:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 2. This one is new – we’re still in the middle of our big pre-publication special, but the little monster is going to be GREAT:

http://brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: “One of the secrets is to challenge yourself. Set high goals – and work to achieve them!” – Brooks Kubik

Some Serious Training Goals!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

I've rec'd a ton of responses from Dinos
who are sharing their personal training
and lifting goals -- and we have some
great ones.

For example, check these out:

Hi Brooks,

Goal setting is indeed important -
without goals motivation rarely
seems to be high enough for staying
in the game for very long.

Currently, I'm on my way to accomplishing
these long term goals:

1. One arm pullup on gymnastic rings

2. One arm pushup on gymnastic rings

3. Performing 20 reps on the Trap Bar
deadlift with 350 pounds.

4. Keeping my bodyweight at a lean and
muscular 210 lbs.

Stay safe and keep up the great work,

Mystery Dino
From Parts Unknown"

Now, those are pretty good goals. A one
arm pullup by a 210 pound man is pretty
darn good -- and ditto for the one arm
pushup on rings -- if he can do 20 reps
in the Trap Bar deadlift with 350, it
means he's not all upper body and no
legs, so that makes it all the more
impressive.

Plus, the goal of performing a one arm
pullup ties in perfectly with the goal
of maintaining a lean, hard 210 pound
bodyweight -- because you don't want to
weigh a ton and a half if you're going
to try one arm pullups.

BTW, this particular Dino is a small-boned
hardgainer. He struggled long and hard to
make progress, and tried a lot of different
things. He finally settled on a combination
of Trap Bar deadlifts, Dino-style dumbbell
training, kettlebells and Dino-style
bodyweight training -- and he made great
gains! He suggests that any other hardgainers
try a similar program.

More to come -- be looking for it!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. Go here to reserve your copy of my new
book, Dinosaur Dumbbell training, during our
big pre-publication special:

http://brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.html

P.S. 2. You can find Dinosaur Bodyweight
Training right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_bodyweight.html

P.S. 3. Go here to find my other Dinosaur
Training books and courses (and DVD's):

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 4. Thought for the Day: "A man's reach
should exceed his grasp, or what's a workout
for?" -- Brooks Kubik (with apologies to
Robert Browning)

A Dinosaur Tidal Wave -- and a Superman from 1905!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

Last Friday I sent an email with a
question for the Dinosaurs.

I asked whether you'd be interested
in a book or course on Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training -- or perhaps a
book or course combined with a DVD
to show EXACTLY how to do the
different exercises.

I said that if enough of you were
interested, I'd tackle the project.

So you're probably wondering what
happened . . .

Well, it was a little like one of
those disaster movies where there's
a tidal wave and a huge flood and it
washes everything away.

There was a HUGE response. My in-box
was flooded.

So now I've added a Dumbbell book and
DVD to the "Things to Do" list.

In fact, I've started on it.

Right now, I'm researching some great
dumbbell lifters of the past.

And catch this -- over 100 years ago,
there was a strongman who lived in
Vienna, Austria.

His name was Josef Steinbach. He won
the World Weightlifting Championship
in the Heavyweight class in 1904, 1905
and 1906.

Back then, they used heavy dumbbells
in their training -- and sometimes,
they included heavy dumbbell lifts in
their competitions.

How heavy?

Well, consider Steinbach's two dumbbell
clean and jerk way back on September 19,
1905.

Three hundred and thirty-five pounds.

That's a pair of 167.5 pound dumbbells.

One in each hand.

First he wrestles them up to his
shoulders -- and then he jerks them
overhead.

That's the kind of lifter I'm researching --
and that's the kind of strength and power
that you can build with the right kind of
dumbbell training.

Anyhow, I'm jamming and slamming -- working
on the Dumbbell book, the Diet and Nutrition
book, and the next issue of The Dinosaur Files
newsletter. So things are as busy as a bear
in a honey tree -- or a bundle of beavers --
or, well, pick your metaphor, you know what
I'm trying to say.

Thanks to everyone who shot in a response,
and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

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. For the very best in real world, super
effective strength training and muscle
building, grab any of my Dinosaur Training
books, courses or DVD's:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 2. I'll be on SuperHuman Radio today
at 1:00 EST -- catch the live broadcast or
listen to the download later on. We'll be
talking about workouts that hurt you more
than they help you. It's an important topic,
especially for older Dinos, so don't miss
it:

http://www.superhumanradio.com/

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Train smart,
and train smarter as you get older."
-- Brooks Kubik

Feedback Friday -- The Dinos Roar!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

Here's some feedback from your fellow Dinos about
yesterday's email message that covered sensible
training for older lifters. This is mandatory
reading for all older lifters and for all younger
lifters who plan on being older lifters someday:

"Your advice is spot on. The recovery period for
extreme weight or extreme reps is simply not worth
the price. The whole point is to enjoy the workout
and get some exercise. As always, I appreciate your
recommendations." -- David Bacon

"On your advice I got me a pair of TK Knee Bands
Tommy Kono -- what a blessing! I should have got
them a loooooong time ago. I broke them in with
six progressively heavier sets of deadlifts. Just
wonderful. I can't wait to do some front squats
tomorrow.

I also ordered your new John Grimek course. He is
one of my heroes. He had always intrigued me for
exactly what you talk about -- his quiet, low key
approach towards lifting, and yet the immense
rewards he got from his training." -- Oscar Ortiz

"I recently acquired one of these Top Squat units,
and I must say this thing is awesome. Highly
recommended." -- Ron Upson

"I'm a 50 year old Dino with an ailing left shoulder
from too many bench presses, not enough shoulder
presses and not nearly enough rows and rear delt
exercises. I ended up with a distorted shoulder
joint that was pulled out of its optimum plane
by stupid training. I quit benching four months
ago and the shoulder slowly started getting better.

Now I'm military pressing again at 85 percent max,
PAIN FREE. I'm on program no. one from The Dinosaur
Training Military Press and Shoulder Power Course.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. I feel good
about my training for the first time in quite a
while, thanks to you." James McAughren

"You are right about losing good form at the end
of a long set, which begets problems and injuries
over time. Part of my problem was that I never
understood the idea of 'leaving something in the
tank.' As a result, I paid some high prices. Looks
like I'm going to have to undertake a hip
replacement on the right side. But some of my
classmates and co-workers who have never done
'anything' are having to do it, too, so who
knows?" -- Paul Murray

"From the perspective of a 63 year old (me), your
advice is pretty good. At the moment I'm using a
modified version of Stephan Korte's 3 x 3 program.
My aim is to do a deadlift of 2 1/2 times bodyweight
in August and one-arm chinups (each arm) by
Christmas. The idea of beginning with a weight
that's based on -- but much less than -- the
lifter's existing top performance looks sound
to me." -- Keith Thomas

"First class advice. I am so glad I got the Top
Squat and employed the 'slow cooking' method. At
age 60, I have put 130 pounds on my squat and 150
pounds on my Trap Bar deadlift in just over a year,
with no missed workouts and no injury or discomfort
whatsoever. My military press is coming along
nicely, too." -- Peter Yates

Thanks to everyone who shot in a response. Those are
some great tips for older lifters!

For more training tips for older lifters, grab a copy
of GRAY HAIR AND BLACK IRON:

http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html

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. Peter Yates got his leg training program from
CHALK AND SWEAT -- and as noted above, he added 130
pounds to his squat in one year -- at age 60! You
may do the same -- try it and see:

http://www.brookskubik.com/chalk_and_sweat.html

P.S. 2. James McAughren rehabbed his shoulder and
is building top rated pressing power by following
The Dinosaur Training Military Press and Shoulder
Power Course. If you don't have a copy, you can
grab one right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_course.html

P.S. 3. Oscar Ortiz likes John Grimek's "quiet,
low-key approach towards lifting" -- and so do I --
which is why I've put together a terrific new
course covering John Grimek's life, lifting and
training:

http://brookskubik.com/johngrimek_course.html

P.S. 4. My other books and courses are right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 5. Thought for the Day: "Train hard, but train
smart." -- Brooks Kubik

File This Under "Does It Work?"

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

File this one under the "Does it work?"
category -- and cross-reference it under
the "Here's a good workout to try!"
category.

You might also cross-reference it under
"Good programs for older lifters" -- and
if that sort of thing interests you, be
sure to grab a copy of Gray Hair and
Black Iron! It covers effective training
for older lifters in detail.

Back to the "Does it work?" category --
strap in tight -- and here we go!

On January 2, I sent out an email titled
"The Success habit." It covered sensible
progression systems. You can find it right
here at the Dinosaur Training Blog:

http://dinosaurtraining.blogspot.com/2012/01/success-habit.html

Two days ago I received an email from
Rene Ordogne, a hard-charging 60-year old
Dino who's been hitting the iron since he
was 15 years old. As you can see, he read
the January 2 email and started to follow
the progression system I outlined in it --
and he's been doing GREAT on it!

Here's his progress report:

"Brooks, I know you get a lot of emails,
but I felt compelled to share with you the
success I have had with the set and rep
progression you outlined in your Jan. 2
email message to the Dinos.

I have been following this approach, using
two work sets on the following routine,
which was suggested by John Christy in an
issue of Hardgainer magazine. This routine
has given me the specific structure for
volume and progression that I have been
looking for:

Monday
1. Crunches
2. Squats
3. Bench press
4. Lat pulldowns
5. Grip work

Thursday
1. Side bends
2. Deadlifts
3. Barbell press
4. Curls
5. Calf raises

Aerobic work on off days two or three times
per week.

By the way, I am 60 years old, have been
working out since I was 15. I look athletic,
but not heavily developed, but most people
believe I look at least 10 years younger
than I am. I have never really been sick
or injured in my life. Not a bad return
for the effort.

I look forward to staying on this routine
for the rest of the year. I'll let you know
how it goes. Keep up the excellent work.

Rene Ordogne"

Rene -- Thanks for your kind words and your
progress report. Your program looks great,
and with the progression system I outlined,
I'm sure you'll continue to make great gains
throughout the year. Keep us posted!

Yours in strength,

Brooks Kubik

P.S. In other Dino news, I'm buzzing along on
the new John Grimek course. Be sure to look for
the special email with the link to the sales
page for it -- once I send it, you'll have 24
hours to reserve your copy of the course AND
get the TRIPLE BONUS when we fill the orders.

P.S. 2. In the meantime, all of my books and
courses -- and Dinosaur training DVD's -- are
sitting quietly in boxes and on bookshelves
here at Dino HQ -- patiently waiting for
a new home with a hard-charging Dino who
wants the very best in old-school strength
training and muscle building:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. I mentioned Gray Hair and Black Iron
in today's post. You can grab the little
monster right here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html

P.S. 4. Thought for the Day: "Muscles are not
made by wishing." -- Bob Hoffman

Feedback on the Dinosaur Military Press and Shoulder Power Course!

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

We're almost out of the special bonus
photo I was giving to readers who ordered
the Dinosaur Military Press Course.

As in, we have just six of them left.

So if you want one -- well, you know what
I'm going to say. Something like "Move
faster than Tommy Kono hitting a World
record snatch!" -- or "Move faster than
Bruno Sammartino drop kicking Killer
Kowalski -- or "Move faster than dinner
disappearing when John Grimek sat down
at the table after a heavy workout!"

Seriously, the pre-pub special is over,
but I still have six of the bonus photos,
and I need to find homes for them -- so it's
first come, first served, order the course,
ask for the bonus photo, and as long as I
have them, I'll shoot them out with the
courses.

To order the course, go here:

http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_course.html

Speaking of the new course, here's more
feedback from readers who already received
their copy:

"Received the shoulder course in noon mail!
Plan to make Dino Strength Athletes out of
my two 13 year old grandsons. Thanks for
helping us to get away from the bomb, blast,
blitz nonsense." -- Ben Mitcham

"All photos were great, but the photo of your
back on page 26 (doing the handstand pushup)
is one of the best back shots I have ever
seen. I'm not into bodybuilding but that one
is a classic. This is one more visual
demonstration that Dinosaur techniques work."
-- Ben Oldham

"Got mine today, finished already, going to
use it as my next program." -- Nick Montgomery

"Rec'd the course yesterday and I am quite
pleased (as usual) with the content and
quality of the course. The course (along
with your Going Strong at 54 DVD) has helped
clarify some questions I had regarding proper
form. The bonus photo of Grimek is great (I'm
gonna put it up in my office), and thanks for
the inspiring note and autograph!" -- Geoffrey
Smith

"I rec'd the Military Press and Shoulder
Power Course today. All I can say is -- Wow,
and Thank You!" -- Rick Helley

"I got my package of goodies today. Thanks
for taking the time to sign the course. Mr.
Grimek looks very solid and hard and not
baloony (is that a word?) like the modern
chumps -- sorry, I mean champs. What a guy!"
-- Larry Garcia

"The Dinosaur Military Press Course hit
Zanesville today. This is great stuff, and
the photo of Grimek is first class. Thanks
for the autograph." -- Don Graham

"I rec'd the Military Press Course on Sat. I
particularly liked the input from Kono, Berger,
Anderson, and Vinci." -- Chris Driver

So, as you can see, the course is a big hit.

That's great, of course, and makes me feel
like a very proud papa. But it does raise a
question -- what do I do next?

What do the Dinos want to see next?

Any suggestions? Shoot in your ideas to
Dino HQ!

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. As I said, we're down to SIX bonus photos --
so if you want one, move FAST:

http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_course.html

P.S. 2. Save clams on s&h by combining orders --
go here to see all the various Dino goodies:

http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html

P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "The athlete, in
projecting his total body strength in competitive
situations, must mold the strength of localized
muscle areas into a total coordinated body
effort." -- John Jesse

The Scariest Things in the Iron Game

Hail to the Dinosaurs!

As promised, here are the top responses we received from readers in response to the contest to Name the Scariest Things in the Iron Game. I was going to compile a top 10 list, by I found so many good ones that I complied a top 30 list.

My FAVORITE is number 1, although there were some close seconds.

Other than number one, I didn’t rank these in any particular order, so consider them all to be top 10 material!

THE 30 SCARIEST THINGS IN THE IRON GAME

30. Barbell curls that look like you’re trying to do the limbo with a barbell in your hands. (Suggested by numerous readers)

29. Beginners who try to follow the Program of Champions in the latest issue of Intergalactic Mega Muscle or any other mass-media muscle mag. (Suggested by numerous readers)

28. Using isolation exercises to build strength and muscle mass. Or rather, TRYING to use them for that purpose. (Suggested by numerous readers)

27. 1 legged RLD on a bosu ball using DB'S and bands. (Suggested by Derek Sebeck)

26. Jumping overhead squats with way too much weight. (Suggested by Theodore Williams)

25. Person was doing clean and jerk with a spotter in both sides of the bar actually holding the bar as it was cleaned. (Suggested by Theodore Williams)

24. Super supplements. (Suggested by numerous readers)

23. Article in a bodybuilding magazine I read when I was in high school.

"Add 1 inch to your bicep in 1 day!"

It was a 12 hour workout you including insane amounts of sets and reps with 10-15 different lifts. It layed out an entire "nutritional" guide that called for 2 dozen eggs in the morning and the latest products for the extra pump. It allowed several breaks for lunch and snacks. Had a friend (Scarily dumb friend) who tried it. He hurt himself within 3 hours...

(Suggested by Shane Eslit)

22. It's scary that most lifters don't know who George Jowett is. (Suggested by Stu Mason)

21. It's scary that most lifters only lifted kegs in college. (Suggested by Stu Mason)

20. It's scary that most "modern gyms" have no thick bars or Trap bars. (Suggested by Stu Mason)

19. Tanning salons in gyms. (Suggested by Pablo Garcia)

18. When I was younger, someone tried to convince me that the proper way of doing barbell squats was to drop your head and look at your toes at the bottom of the squat and raise your head back up as you finished the squat. (Suggested by Lawrence Otero)

17. Smith machine snatches. (Suggested by Mikkel Staargaard)

NOTE BY BROOKS: I’m trying to picture this – unsuccessfully.

16. Following advice from the mainstream muscle mags. (Suggested by Peter Jensen)

15. Doing bench presses underwater in a swimming pool to help build breath control and mental toughness. (Suggested by Wayne Smith)

14. The newbie who loads the bar WAY TOO HEAVY and tries to do squats with it. (Suggested by numerous readers.)

13. The personal trainer who said, “Don’t worry about form on the deadlift. Just pick it up – you won’t get hurt.” (Suggested by Chuck Clark)

12. Any exercise where you stand or kneel on a stability ball and try to lift a barbell, kettlebell or dumbbell. (Suggested by numerous readers)

11. Doing bench presses without a spotter or outside the power rack so you get pinned under the bar if you miss. (Suggested by numerous readers)

10. The shake the weight thingie. (Suggested by numerous readers)

9. Bench presses to the neck (a Vince Gironda favorite) – sometimes referred to (rightfully) as “the guillotine press.” (Suggested by numerous readers -- in fact, this may have been the single most popular -- or unpopular -- scary exercise.)

8. Teenagers hogging the power rack to do curls. (Suggested by Keith Supernavage)

7. The guy who put lotion on his hands to prevent calluses – and then tried a set of power cleans with a 65 pound barbell that ended up sailing across the gym. (Suggested by Tony Suvie)

6. The personal trainer who saw me do a set of 20 rep breathing squats followed by breathing pullovers, and told me not to superset exercises that send the blood to different parts of the body! (Suggested by Dan Baker)

5. The people who say, “Don’t do squats – they’ll wreck your knees.” (Suggested by David Sutton)

4. Thumbless reverse grip bench presses. (Suggested by Ira Reid)

3. Using steroids because “you can’t be strong/get big” without them. (Suggested by numerous readers)

2. The guy who tried to do a set of 20-rep breathing squats while smoking a cigarette. (Suggested by Nick Gibbons.)

Note: Hardgainer author Mike Thompson saw this happen once, as well.

1. The number one scariest thing in the Iron Game – coming home from work and heading to your basement or garage gym for a hard workout – and finding that your wife has used your power rack to hang the laundry! (Suggested by Nick Gibbons)

NOTE BY BROOKS: Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and CONGRATULATIONS to Nick Gibbons, our prize winner! He gets a free Dinosaur Training t-shirt!