Hail to the Dinosaurs!
We're up to a whopping 13 Dinosaur
Training e-books in the Amazon Kindle
store, and readers keep asking me for a
complete list with all the links.
So here you go:
1. Dinosaur Training Secrets, Vol. 1.
"Exercises, Workouts and Training
Programs"
http://brookskubik.com/dinosaursecrets01_kindle.html
2. Dinosaur Training Secrets, Vol. 2,
"How Strong Are You?"
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets2_kindle.html
3. Dinosaur Training Secrets, Vol. 3,
"How to Use Old-School Progression
Methods for Fast and Steady Gains in
Strength, Muscle and Power"
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets3_kindle.html
4. The Training Secrets of John Grimek
http://www.brookskubik.com/grimektraining_kindle.html
5. The Dinosaur Military Press and Shoulder
Power Course
http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_kindle.html
6. The Doug Hepburn Strength and Muscle Building
System
http://www.brookskubik.com/hepburn_kindle.html
7. Knife, Fork, Muscle, Book 1
(covers protein for strength training -- how much,
the best sources of hiqh quality protein, etc.)
http://www.brookskubik.com/knifeforkmuscle01_kindle.html
8. Knife, Fork, Muscle, Book 2
(covers healthy and unhealthy carbs, vegetables,
starchy vegetables, grains and gluten issues,
organic vs. conventional foods, gardening,
growing your own vegetables, etc.)
http://www.brookskubik.com/knifeforkmuscle02_kindle.html
9. Knife, Fork, Muscle, Book 3
(covers healthy and unhealthy fats,
food allergies and how to avoid them,
chemical allergies and how to
avoid them, etc.)
http://www.brookskubik.com/knifeforkmuscle03_kindle.html
10. The Dinosaur Files Quarterly, Issue No. 1
(December 2014)
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_01_kindle.html
11. The Dinosaur Files Quarterly, Issue No. 2
(March 2015)
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_02_kindle.html
12. The Dinosaur Files Quarterly, Issue No. 3
(June-July 2015)
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_03_kindle.html
13. Legacy of Iron
http://www.brookskubik.com/legacyofiron01_kindle.html
We'll be adding more soon, and I'll update the list
when we do! In the meantime, you've got plenty of
great reading. Hope you enjoy the e-books!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Be sure to post reviews after you read our
Kindle e-books. You also can post reviews if you
have read the book in hard-copy and have an
Amazon account. The reviews help us enormously.
P.S. 2. Amazon has a free downloadable app to
use to read Kindle e-books if you don't have a
Kindle. See any of the above links for further
information.
******************************************
The Heroes in Our Lives
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
The sudden death of wrestling legend Roddy
Piper caused a huge outpouring of grief among
wrestling fans the world over -- including many
Dinos. Quite a few of us grew up watching pro
wrestling. Heck, some Dinos have done some
pro wrestling -- and some are still doing it.
But this isn't a post about pro wrestling.
It's a post about heroes.
The heroes in our lives -- and what they mean
to us.
Over the years, I've noticed that many of us
in the Iron Game and Physical Culture world
share similar beginnings.
Many of us decided to start training when we
saw a magazine cover with a massively
developed bodybuidling champion on the
cover.
We took one look, and we said, "I want to
be like him!"
Or we saw someone on a wrestling show --
or we saw a champion in another sport --
or a well-devleoped actor in a television
show or in the movies -- and we said,
"I want to be like him!"
Or perhaps we met a champion in person --
and it made such an impression that we
decided we wanted to start training right
then and there.
We also remember seeing feats of strength --
great sports plays -- comeback victories --
the times the underdog battled back to beat
the odds -- world record lifts -- and other
inspiring and motivating performances.
They all come together and help to fuel
our collective strength training imagination.
They make us strong.
Make no mistake about it. We all need heroes.
It's a very deep, primal need. Every ancient
culture had its own heroes. We remember
many of them today: Hercules, Achilles,
Odysseus, Hiawatha. The list could go on
and on.
Here's an interesting exercise.
Take a piece of paper and a pen or pencil --
go into a quiet place -- and turn off your cell
phone, your mobile devices and your computer.
Take the phone off the hook. Give yourself 30
to 60 minutes of silence.
Now start to list all of the heroes of your
youth. Write them down on the sheet of paper.
As you move along, include the great moments
that inspire and motivate you.
Turn off your self-censor. Don't make a politically
correct list, and don't make one that you think
I or anyone else might approve.
Make YOUR list -- and make an honest list.
Include everyone and everything that was
important to you when you were getting started,
and include everyone and everything that became
important to you later on in your journey.
Use stars and underlining and circles to make
the extra important people and events stand
out.
When you're finished, put the list away in a
secret place. It's your list. Don't share it with
anyone else -- and for gosh sake, don't put it
on Facebook or share it on the Internet. Don't
email it to me. It's for your eyes only.
This is your personal list of people, things and
events that motivate and inspire you. Everything
on your list has helped you on your journey to
might and muscle.
Keep the list, and study it from time to time.
Remind yourself of what got you started. Use
the memories to help keep you going.
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. The Legacy of Iron books bring the greatest
heroes of the Iron Game to life. If you want to
meet them, talk with them, eat with them and
train with them, go here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron.html
There are five books in the Legacy of Iron
series. I just gave you the link to the first
book. You can find links to the four other
books in the series right here -- along with
a link to Legacy of Iron in a Kindle e-book
edition if you prefer Kindle e-books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
If you want the best shipping rate for orders
of multiple books in the series, email me.
P.S. 2. Here's another book about a hero --
a different sort of hero, but a very inspiring
one:
http://www.brookskubik.com/horatius.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "We all have
heroes. Honor them every time you train."
-- Brooks Kubik
************************************************************************************
The sudden death of wrestling legend Roddy
Piper caused a huge outpouring of grief among
wrestling fans the world over -- including many
Dinos. Quite a few of us grew up watching pro
wrestling. Heck, some Dinos have done some
pro wrestling -- and some are still doing it.
But this isn't a post about pro wrestling.
It's a post about heroes.
The heroes in our lives -- and what they mean
to us.
Over the years, I've noticed that many of us
in the Iron Game and Physical Culture world
share similar beginnings.
Many of us decided to start training when we
saw a magazine cover with a massively
developed bodybuidling champion on the
cover.
We took one look, and we said, "I want to
be like him!"
Or we saw someone on a wrestling show --
or we saw a champion in another sport --
or a well-devleoped actor in a television
show or in the movies -- and we said,
"I want to be like him!"
Or perhaps we met a champion in person --
and it made such an impression that we
decided we wanted to start training right
then and there.
We also remember seeing feats of strength --
great sports plays -- comeback victories --
the times the underdog battled back to beat
the odds -- world record lifts -- and other
inspiring and motivating performances.
They all come together and help to fuel
our collective strength training imagination.
They make us strong.
Make no mistake about it. We all need heroes.
It's a very deep, primal need. Every ancient
culture had its own heroes. We remember
many of them today: Hercules, Achilles,
Odysseus, Hiawatha. The list could go on
and on.
Here's an interesting exercise.
Take a piece of paper and a pen or pencil --
go into a quiet place -- and turn off your cell
phone, your mobile devices and your computer.
Take the phone off the hook. Give yourself 30
to 60 minutes of silence.
Now start to list all of the heroes of your
youth. Write them down on the sheet of paper.
As you move along, include the great moments
that inspire and motivate you.
Turn off your self-censor. Don't make a politically
correct list, and don't make one that you think
I or anyone else might approve.
Make YOUR list -- and make an honest list.
Include everyone and everything that was
important to you when you were getting started,
and include everyone and everything that became
important to you later on in your journey.
Use stars and underlining and circles to make
the extra important people and events stand
out.
When you're finished, put the list away in a
secret place. It's your list. Don't share it with
anyone else -- and for gosh sake, don't put it
on Facebook or share it on the Internet. Don't
email it to me. It's for your eyes only.
This is your personal list of people, things and
events that motivate and inspire you. Everything
on your list has helped you on your journey to
might and muscle.
Keep the list, and study it from time to time.
Remind yourself of what got you started. Use
the memories to help keep you going.
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. The Legacy of Iron books bring the greatest
heroes of the Iron Game to life. If you want to
meet them, talk with them, eat with them and
train with them, go here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron.html
There are five books in the Legacy of Iron
series. I just gave you the link to the first
book. You can find links to the four other
books in the series right here -- along with
a link to Legacy of Iron in a Kindle e-book
edition if you prefer Kindle e-books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
If you want the best shipping rate for orders
of multiple books in the series, email me.
P.S. 2. Here's another book about a hero --
a different sort of hero, but a very inspiring
one:
http://www.brookskubik.com/horatius.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "We all have
heroes. Honor them every time you train."
-- Brooks Kubik
************************************************************************************
Revealed -- The Secret of True Strength!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
The secret was revealed in 1925.
That was the year when George F. Jowett
shared his secret with the world.
The secret of true strength.
But, like most secrets, few paid careful
attention. Most ignored it -- or didn't
bother to give it a try -- or forgot about
it.
But a young man from New Jersey read
about the secret, and decided to test
Jowett's special program.
To his surprise, it worked.
Just like George F. Jowett said it would.
In fact, it worked even better than Jowett
had promised.
The young man from New Jersey went on
to win the USA Senior National weightlifting
championship.
He won the prestigious North American
weightlifting championship - not once, but
twice.
He represented the USA in weightlifting at
the Olympic Games.
He set United States records in the Military
Press -- which was an exercise he trained
by using the Jowett method.
He even set unofficial World records in the
Military Press.
And, as you would expect from a human
pressing machine, his shoulder and triceps
development was incredible. In fact, his
muscular devleopment from head to toe
was remarkable.
Which is one reason why he won the Mr.
America contest -- the Mr. Universe contest --
and the Mr. USA contest in a showdown
featuring a score of former Mr. America
winners.
His name was John Grimek -- and he was
hailed as the best developed man of his
era -- and one of the strongest men of his
generation.
And, as I said, he used that Jowett secret.
The secret of true strength.
You can do the very same thing.
My good friend, John Wood, has started a
terrific member site where he is creating
an on-line archive that one reader has
dubbed "the Library of Conress of
Strength." It has a ton of great stuff,
with more being added all the time.
You can sign up for a month to month
membership, or a one year membership.
When you sign up for the ONE YEAR
membership, John will mail you an
introductory package that includes a
special course authored by George
Jowett.
The title of the course is "Ligaments --
The Secret of True Strength."
That's the course that gives you the
secret that John Grimek used with such
spectacular results.
And as an added bonus, John will include
a second course that covers the special
grip workouts used by one of the greatest
strongmen of all time. His name was John
Grun Marx, and he could twist horsehoes
into pretzels -- with his bare hands.
The title of the John Grun Marx course is
"The Grip of Steel." It's a very rare course.
I have never seen a copy of it before --
in fact, I never even knew it existed.
I just got my copies of these two courses,
and I'm really enjoying them -- so I wanted
to give you a heads up about them -- and
about the Iron League. I'm giving the two
courses -- and the Iron League -- two
thumbs up.
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 join the Iron League -- and
remember, if you grab the ONE YEAR
membership, you get the two bonus
courses:
http://www.ironleague.com/
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day: "Knowledge is power,
and the more you learn about strength and power
training, the more strength and power you can
build." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
The secret was revealed in 1925.
That was the year when George F. Jowett
shared his secret with the world.
The secret of true strength.
But, like most secrets, few paid careful
attention. Most ignored it -- or didn't
bother to give it a try -- or forgot about
it.
But a young man from New Jersey read
about the secret, and decided to test
Jowett's special program.
To his surprise, it worked.
Just like George F. Jowett said it would.
In fact, it worked even better than Jowett
had promised.
The young man from New Jersey went on
to win the USA Senior National weightlifting
championship.
He won the prestigious North American
weightlifting championship - not once, but
twice.
He represented the USA in weightlifting at
the Olympic Games.
He set United States records in the Military
Press -- which was an exercise he trained
by using the Jowett method.
He even set unofficial World records in the
Military Press.
And, as you would expect from a human
pressing machine, his shoulder and triceps
development was incredible. In fact, his
muscular devleopment from head to toe
was remarkable.
Which is one reason why he won the Mr.
America contest -- the Mr. Universe contest --
and the Mr. USA contest in a showdown
featuring a score of former Mr. America
winners.
His name was John Grimek -- and he was
hailed as the best developed man of his
era -- and one of the strongest men of his
generation.
And, as I said, he used that Jowett secret.
The secret of true strength.
You can do the very same thing.
My good friend, John Wood, has started a
terrific member site where he is creating
an on-line archive that one reader has
dubbed "the Library of Conress of
Strength." It has a ton of great stuff,
with more being added all the time.
You can sign up for a month to month
membership, or a one year membership.
When you sign up for the ONE YEAR
membership, John will mail you an
introductory package that includes a
special course authored by George
Jowett.
The title of the course is "Ligaments --
The Secret of True Strength."
That's the course that gives you the
secret that John Grimek used with such
spectacular results.
And as an added bonus, John will include
a second course that covers the special
grip workouts used by one of the greatest
strongmen of all time. His name was John
Grun Marx, and he could twist horsehoes
into pretzels -- with his bare hands.
The title of the John Grun Marx course is
"The Grip of Steel." It's a very rare course.
I have never seen a copy of it before --
in fact, I never even knew it existed.
I just got my copies of these two courses,
and I'm really enjoying them -- so I wanted
to give you a heads up about them -- and
about the Iron League. I'm giving the two
courses -- and the Iron League -- two
thumbs up.
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 join the Iron League -- and
remember, if you grab the ONE YEAR
membership, you get the two bonus
courses:
http://www.ironleague.com/
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day: "Knowledge is power,
and the more you learn about strength and power
training, the more strength and power you can
build." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
The No. 1 Question About Warm-Ups!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
One quick note and then we'll talk training.
As you probably know, wrestling star Rowdy
Roddy Piper passed away recently. He died
of a heart attack at age 61.
The funeral is today, and his family has
requested a worldwide moment of silence
at 10:30 PDT.
We're going to honor the request here at
Dino Headquarters -- and I hope you are
able to do so as well.
On the training front, here's an email from
an older Dino with a very common training
question:
"Brooks,
My question concerns warm-up sets. As an
older lifter (57), I like to do a lot of warm-up
sets before my top weight for the day. I like
low reps, never doing more than 5, and often
doing triples, doubles or even singles.
If I'm doing squats, and my top weight for the
day is 200 pounds, I might start with the empty
bar, and then do 95, 135, 155, 175, 195 and then
200.
Now here's the question: When I add weight and
progress to a top set with 205 pounds, do I also
add 5 pounds to each warm-up set?
If I do that, eventually the first warm-up set will
be very heavy. On the other hand, if I stay with
the bar, and then go to 95 and so on, eventually
I will be doing many more warm-up sets.
What do you recommend?
Banny"
Thanks for your email and your question. It's a
very common one.
Older lifters need to start light, and they need to
perform a series of gradually heavier warm-up
sets before they tackle their heavier weights.
When you add weight to your working set, you
should keep your initial warm-up sets where they
are. That allows you to start light and work up
slowly and gradually.
The place where you make your adjustments is
at the top of the warm-up progression.
In the example you gave, I would try this: empty
bar, 95, 135, 155, 175, 185, 195, 205.
Or this: empty bar, 95, 135, 155, 175, 190, 200,
205.
By the time you work up to 250 pounds for your
top set, things might look like this: empty bar,
95, 135, 155, 175, 195, 215, 230, 240, 250.
If you end up needing to do a few more warm-up
sets, don't sweat it. Just do them. At our age,
they're very important.
Hope that helps, and hope you keep on training
for another 57 years!
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 more about effective training for older
Dinos, grab Gray Hair and Black Iron:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and
DVDs and shirts -- and links to my Dino
Training e-books on Kindle -- are right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Start light, slow
and easy, and finish strong." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
One quick note and then we'll talk training.
As you probably know, wrestling star Rowdy
Roddy Piper passed away recently. He died
of a heart attack at age 61.
The funeral is today, and his family has
requested a worldwide moment of silence
at 10:30 PDT.
We're going to honor the request here at
Dino Headquarters -- and I hope you are
able to do so as well.
On the training front, here's an email from
an older Dino with a very common training
question:
"Brooks,
My question concerns warm-up sets. As an
older lifter (57), I like to do a lot of warm-up
sets before my top weight for the day. I like
low reps, never doing more than 5, and often
doing triples, doubles or even singles.
If I'm doing squats, and my top weight for the
day is 200 pounds, I might start with the empty
bar, and then do 95, 135, 155, 175, 195 and then
200.
Now here's the question: When I add weight and
progress to a top set with 205 pounds, do I also
add 5 pounds to each warm-up set?
If I do that, eventually the first warm-up set will
be very heavy. On the other hand, if I stay with
the bar, and then go to 95 and so on, eventually
I will be doing many more warm-up sets.
What do you recommend?
Banny"
Thanks for your email and your question. It's a
very common one.
Older lifters need to start light, and they need to
perform a series of gradually heavier warm-up
sets before they tackle their heavier weights.
When you add weight to your working set, you
should keep your initial warm-up sets where they
are. That allows you to start light and work up
slowly and gradually.
The place where you make your adjustments is
at the top of the warm-up progression.
In the example you gave, I would try this: empty
bar, 95, 135, 155, 175, 185, 195, 205.
Or this: empty bar, 95, 135, 155, 175, 190, 200,
205.
By the time you work up to 250 pounds for your
top set, things might look like this: empty bar,
95, 135, 155, 175, 195, 215, 230, 240, 250.
If you end up needing to do a few more warm-up
sets, don't sweat it. Just do them. At our age,
they're very important.
Hope that helps, and hope you keep on training
for another 57 years!
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 more about effective training for older
Dinos, grab Gray Hair and Black Iron:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and
DVDs and shirts -- and links to my Dino
Training e-books on Kindle -- are right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Start light, slow
and easy, and finish strong." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
The No. 1 Problem for Garage Gorillas
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
I spent all day working on a big Dinosaur
Training project, and by the end of the day,
I was beat.
It wasn't physical work, but it was mental
work: writing, editing, and more writing.
It's fun, but it's tiring in its own way. It
takes a lot of concentration and focus.
And then it was training time. That takes
a lot of concentration and focus as well.
I wrote down my workout for the day in my
training journal, changed into my workout
clothes, put on the old pair of glasses I wear
for workouts only, laced up my lifting
shoes, and filled up my water bottle.
I went out to the garage and opened the
doors, and it was hotter than an oven.
One of my high school wrestling coaches
worked a summer job shoveling coal into
the blast furnaces at a steel mill. He said
you could do it for about 15 minutes at a
time, and then they gave you a break and
sent in another guy.
The garage wasn't quite that hot, but it
was hot.
I did my warm-ups, got ready to go, and
started to work on the clean and jerk.
There was a niggling little pain in my upper
back -- by the shoulder -- on the right side.
It made it hard to hit the groove when I
was trying to lock out the bar.
I worked on it in-between sets, trying to
loosen it up. There was a tight spot that
seemed to be causing the problem.
Did I say it was hot?
It was hot.
About half-way through the workout, I
began to wonder if I should call it a day.
That was the point where it would have
been nice to have had a training partner
or a coach or a gym full of serious lifters
so I could borrow a little extra energy
and enthusiasm.
But it was just me and the barbell and the
lifting platform.
We have two cats, but you know how cats
are. Not very supportive. They were sleeping
in the shade on the back porch.
I decided to try one more lift.
This time, I drove the bar overhead without
that weird shoulder tightness.
So I decided to keep on going, and I finished
up with a hard, productive workout. I was
tired, and covered in sweat, but I felt pretty
good. It was dinner time, and I knew I had
earned my meal.
I share this story because I think many Dinos
deal with similar issues from time to time --
or perhaps pretty much all the time.
Many of us train at home -- alone -- and many
of us go to gyms but avoid the crazy stuff that
most of the other gym members are doing --
which means we train alone even in a crowded
gym.
And sometimes, it gets lonely -- and sometimes
we wish we had a like-minded workout partner.
And then we put more iron on the bar, chalk up,
and tighten our lifting belts -- and hit the next
set.
I've written a lot of books and courses, and I
continue to do so, in part because it's a way
to help keep your motivation as high as
possible.
One of my favorite publications is The Dinosaur
Files Quarterly. I like it because each issue contains
a nice mix of my own material with articles, letters,
workouts and training ideas from other Dinos. It
helps remind us that we are all part of a world-
wide movement -- a brotherhood (and sisterhood)
of chalk, sweat and iron.
And whereever we are, and whenever we train,
we're never alone.
We're all part of the Dino Nation.
And that's important to remember.
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 have three big issues of the Dinosaur Files
Quarterly so far. They're available in hard copy
right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_quarterly.html
Issues 1 and 3 of the Dinosaur Files Quarterly are
available as Kindle e-books as well -- and we'll get
issue no. 2 up on Kindle very soon. The e-book
editions of the DFQ are here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_01_kindle.html
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_03_kindle.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and Dinosaur Training
DVDs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and Legacy of Iron
novels -- and links to my other Kindle e-books -- are
right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "You're never alone
when you're part of the Dinosaur Nation." -- Brooks
Kubik
************************************************************************************
I spent all day working on a big Dinosaur
Training project, and by the end of the day,
I was beat.
It wasn't physical work, but it was mental
work: writing, editing, and more writing.
It's fun, but it's tiring in its own way. It
takes a lot of concentration and focus.
And then it was training time. That takes
a lot of concentration and focus as well.
I wrote down my workout for the day in my
training journal, changed into my workout
clothes, put on the old pair of glasses I wear
for workouts only, laced up my lifting
shoes, and filled up my water bottle.
I went out to the garage and opened the
doors, and it was hotter than an oven.
One of my high school wrestling coaches
worked a summer job shoveling coal into
the blast furnaces at a steel mill. He said
you could do it for about 15 minutes at a
time, and then they gave you a break and
sent in another guy.
The garage wasn't quite that hot, but it
was hot.
I did my warm-ups, got ready to go, and
started to work on the clean and jerk.
There was a niggling little pain in my upper
back -- by the shoulder -- on the right side.
It made it hard to hit the groove when I
was trying to lock out the bar.
I worked on it in-between sets, trying to
loosen it up. There was a tight spot that
seemed to be causing the problem.
Did I say it was hot?
It was hot.
About half-way through the workout, I
began to wonder if I should call it a day.
That was the point where it would have
been nice to have had a training partner
or a coach or a gym full of serious lifters
so I could borrow a little extra energy
and enthusiasm.
But it was just me and the barbell and the
lifting platform.
We have two cats, but you know how cats
are. Not very supportive. They were sleeping
in the shade on the back porch.
I decided to try one more lift.
This time, I drove the bar overhead without
that weird shoulder tightness.
So I decided to keep on going, and I finished
up with a hard, productive workout. I was
tired, and covered in sweat, but I felt pretty
good. It was dinner time, and I knew I had
earned my meal.
I share this story because I think many Dinos
deal with similar issues from time to time --
or perhaps pretty much all the time.
Many of us train at home -- alone -- and many
of us go to gyms but avoid the crazy stuff that
most of the other gym members are doing --
which means we train alone even in a crowded
gym.
And sometimes, it gets lonely -- and sometimes
we wish we had a like-minded workout partner.
And then we put more iron on the bar, chalk up,
and tighten our lifting belts -- and hit the next
set.
I've written a lot of books and courses, and I
continue to do so, in part because it's a way
to help keep your motivation as high as
possible.
One of my favorite publications is The Dinosaur
Files Quarterly. I like it because each issue contains
a nice mix of my own material with articles, letters,
workouts and training ideas from other Dinos. It
helps remind us that we are all part of a world-
wide movement -- a brotherhood (and sisterhood)
of chalk, sweat and iron.
And whereever we are, and whenever we train,
we're never alone.
We're all part of the Dino Nation.
And that's important to remember.
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 have three big issues of the Dinosaur Files
Quarterly so far. They're available in hard copy
right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_quarterly.html
Issues 1 and 3 of the Dinosaur Files Quarterly are
available as Kindle e-books as well -- and we'll get
issue no. 2 up on Kindle very soon. The e-book
editions of the DFQ are here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_01_kindle.html
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurquarterly_03_kindle.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and Dinosaur Training
DVDs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and Legacy of Iron
novels -- and links to my other Kindle e-books -- are
right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "You're never alone
when you're part of the Dinosaur Nation." -- Brooks
Kubik
************************************************************************************
Are You a Strength Training Specialist or a Generalist?
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Two quick notes and then we'll talk training.
First, we're releasing Knife, Fork, Muscle as
a series of e-books. The first three books in
the series are available on our Amazon Kindle
pages. Go here for the links to all of them --
and the links to our other Dinosaur Training
e-books on Kindle:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
Second, we had a great show yesterday on
Physical Culture radio. Bill Hinbern kindly
joined us at the half-way mark, and stayed
for the rest of the show. You can listen to
the download here:
http://superhumanradio.com/shr-1694-physical-culture-radio-super-strength-in-60-seconds-a-day-and-other-nonsense-super-human-science-roundup.html
A big THANK YOU to Bill Hinbern for
sharing his time and his knowledge
with us. Bill is a true gentleman,
and a real credit to the Iron Game.
On the training front, let's talk about
specialists and generalists.
Earlier in the week I outlined my current
training program, and noted that I am
specializing in Olympic weightlifting --
so I limit my workouts to weightlifting
exercises: the snatch, the clean and jerk,
high pulls, front squats and back squats.
There are lots of other good exercises
and lots of other good equipment and
good training tools -- many of which I
have used in the past -- but as I said,
I'm specializing on weightlifting now,
and it makes more sense to focus all
of my energy on weightlifting.
Also, at age 58, my recovery ability is
more limited than when I was younger.
So If I were to add other things to the
mix, I'd probably end up overtraining.
And that's never a good idea.
And also -- I like to concentrate on one
thing at a time, and work very hard to
master it. That's just how I am.
But many other Dinos have a different
approach. Some enjoy doing a much
broader variety of things.
Thus, we have Dinos who combine
strength training with martial arts
training.
We have Dinos who like to add strong-
man training to their workouts.
We have Dinos who enjoy rack work
and heavy partials -- or heavy supports
to build stronger and thicker bones.
Kettlebells are popular with many Dinos.
So are dumbbells -- and cables -- and
bodyweight training -- and specialized
grip training.
Those are all great. I've done many of
them at different times in the past --
and I've had lots of fun doing them, and
gotten good results from them.
As I often say, it's all good, and it all
works.
So don't be worried if you like to do
something that's different than what I
like to do. The basic principles are the
same for all of us: hard work, progression,
and regular, consistent effort are the keys
to success.
So are the mental aspects. Concentration,
visualization and focus work wonders no
matter what you're doing.
And, of course, you need to find the right
balance between doing enough exercise
to make gains and not doing so much that
you outrun your recovery ability.
I cover that issue in detail in Dinosaur
Training Secrets, Vol. 1. It will help you
find the right balance between too little
and too much -- and help bring you some
terrific gains, whether you are a strength
training specialist or a generalist. If you
don't have a copy, grab the little monster
today -- it will help you enormously.
In the meantime, today's a training day
at Dino Headquarters -- and I plan to
hit it hard! So if you hear reports about
a small earthquake in Louisville, you'll
kniow it's just a 58-year old Dino having
some fun in his garage gym.
As always, thanks for reading, and have
a great weekend. If you train today, make
it a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Dinosaur Training Secrets, Vol. 1 is
available in hard copy and as a Kindle
e-book:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_01.html
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day: "You don't have
to do it like anyone else, but you do need to
do it." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Two quick notes and then we'll talk training.
First, we're releasing Knife, Fork, Muscle as
a series of e-books. The first three books in
the series are available on our Amazon Kindle
pages. Go here for the links to all of them --
and the links to our other Dinosaur Training
e-books on Kindle:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
Second, we had a great show yesterday on
Physical Culture radio. Bill Hinbern kindly
joined us at the half-way mark, and stayed
for the rest of the show. You can listen to
the download here:
http://superhumanradio.com/shr-1694-physical-culture-radio-super-strength-in-60-seconds-a-day-and-other-nonsense-super-human-science-roundup.html
A big THANK YOU to Bill Hinbern for
sharing his time and his knowledge
with us. Bill is a true gentleman,
and a real credit to the Iron Game.
On the training front, let's talk about
specialists and generalists.
Earlier in the week I outlined my current
training program, and noted that I am
specializing in Olympic weightlifting --
so I limit my workouts to weightlifting
exercises: the snatch, the clean and jerk,
high pulls, front squats and back squats.
There are lots of other good exercises
and lots of other good equipment and
good training tools -- many of which I
have used in the past -- but as I said,
I'm specializing on weightlifting now,
and it makes more sense to focus all
of my energy on weightlifting.
Also, at age 58, my recovery ability is
more limited than when I was younger.
So If I were to add other things to the
mix, I'd probably end up overtraining.
And that's never a good idea.
And also -- I like to concentrate on one
thing at a time, and work very hard to
master it. That's just how I am.
But many other Dinos have a different
approach. Some enjoy doing a much
broader variety of things.
Thus, we have Dinos who combine
strength training with martial arts
training.
We have Dinos who like to add strong-
man training to their workouts.
We have Dinos who enjoy rack work
and heavy partials -- or heavy supports
to build stronger and thicker bones.
Kettlebells are popular with many Dinos.
So are dumbbells -- and cables -- and
bodyweight training -- and specialized
grip training.
Those are all great. I've done many of
them at different times in the past --
and I've had lots of fun doing them, and
gotten good results from them.
As I often say, it's all good, and it all
works.
So don't be worried if you like to do
something that's different than what I
like to do. The basic principles are the
same for all of us: hard work, progression,
and regular, consistent effort are the keys
to success.
So are the mental aspects. Concentration,
visualization and focus work wonders no
matter what you're doing.
And, of course, you need to find the right
balance between doing enough exercise
to make gains and not doing so much that
you outrun your recovery ability.
I cover that issue in detail in Dinosaur
Training Secrets, Vol. 1. It will help you
find the right balance between too little
and too much -- and help bring you some
terrific gains, whether you are a strength
training specialist or a generalist. If you
don't have a copy, grab the little monster
today -- it will help you enormously.
In the meantime, today's a training day
at Dino Headquarters -- and I plan to
hit it hard! So if you hear reports about
a small earthquake in Louisville, you'll
kniow it's just a 58-year old Dino having
some fun in his garage gym.
As always, thanks for reading, and have
a great weekend. If you train today, make
it a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Dinosaur Training Secrets, Vol. 1 is
available in hard copy and as a Kindle
e-book:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_secrets_01.html
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day: "You don't have
to do it like anyone else, but you do need to
do it." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
"Are You Still Getting Stronger?" He Asked
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
A younger guy -- I think he is in his 20s --
asked me an interesting question the other
day.
"Are you still getting stronger?" he asked.
As I said, it was an interesting question.
The answer is "Yes and no."
On some things, I'm not as strong as I was
20 or 30 years ago -- but on other things
I'm as strong as ever and working to get
stronger.
More importantly, I'm training regularly and
I'm having fun.
I'm doing Olympic weightlifting now, and
I've set myself some high goals. I'm 58,
and I plan to lift more at age 60 than I
lift today -- which is both challenging and
motivating.
In fact, "motivating" is an understatement.
You should see the chalk and sweat flying
through the air when I train.
Anyhow, that was my answer.
Then I asked a simple question in return.
"Why do you ask?"
And he said that he worried about whether
he could maintain his strength into his 50s
and 60s.
I don't know the answer to that question,
because it depends on too many variables.
But I do know this.
The way to be strong and healthy and in
great condition at age 50 or 60 -- or
beyond -- is to:
1. Start training now.
a. I assume you are doing this already -- but
if not, now's the time to start!
2. Train hard but smart.
a. Don't overtrain.
b. Train progressively.
c. Avoid exercises that can cause injuries
over the years. (There's a complete list of
them in Gray Hair and Black Iron.)
3. Keep on training.
a. A short workout beats no workout.
b. It's much easier to start and keep going
than to start, stop and have to start all over
again.
4. Follow a healthy diet.
a. See Knife, Fork, Muscle for details.
5. Keep your weight under control.
a. This is extremely important. Lard Lumps are
deadly as you grow older.
And remember this:
You can make great progress at any age, but
if you let yourself go for too long when you're
young, it makes it very difficult to get into good
shape (or get back into good shape) when you're
older.
So if you're a younger Dino -- like the guy who
asked me the question -- make the most of your
younger years and START TRAINING.
Think of your training as an investment in your
future -- because it is.
Think of it has having a strength and health
account. It's just like a savings account. Every
time you train, you put a little more into your
strength and health account.
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. Gray Hair and Black Iron will help you build
strength and muscle for the long haul -- and help
you maintain strength and muscle when you are
an older Dino:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
P.S. 2. Knife, Fork, Muscle is available in both
hard-copy and a series of Kindle e-books. Go here
for the links:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Start training when
you're young, and keep training when you're older."
-- Brooks Kubik
************************************************************************************
A younger guy -- I think he is in his 20s --
asked me an interesting question the other
day.
"Are you still getting stronger?" he asked.
As I said, it was an interesting question.
The answer is "Yes and no."
On some things, I'm not as strong as I was
20 or 30 years ago -- but on other things
I'm as strong as ever and working to get
stronger.
More importantly, I'm training regularly and
I'm having fun.
I'm doing Olympic weightlifting now, and
I've set myself some high goals. I'm 58,
and I plan to lift more at age 60 than I
lift today -- which is both challenging and
motivating.
In fact, "motivating" is an understatement.
You should see the chalk and sweat flying
through the air when I train.
Anyhow, that was my answer.
Then I asked a simple question in return.
"Why do you ask?"
And he said that he worried about whether
he could maintain his strength into his 50s
and 60s.
I don't know the answer to that question,
because it depends on too many variables.
But I do know this.
The way to be strong and healthy and in
great condition at age 50 or 60 -- or
beyond -- is to:
1. Start training now.
a. I assume you are doing this already -- but
if not, now's the time to start!
2. Train hard but smart.
a. Don't overtrain.
b. Train progressively.
c. Avoid exercises that can cause injuries
over the years. (There's a complete list of
them in Gray Hair and Black Iron.)
3. Keep on training.
a. A short workout beats no workout.
b. It's much easier to start and keep going
than to start, stop and have to start all over
again.
4. Follow a healthy diet.
a. See Knife, Fork, Muscle for details.
5. Keep your weight under control.
a. This is extremely important. Lard Lumps are
deadly as you grow older.
And remember this:
You can make great progress at any age, but
if you let yourself go for too long when you're
young, it makes it very difficult to get into good
shape (or get back into good shape) when you're
older.
So if you're a younger Dino -- like the guy who
asked me the question -- make the most of your
younger years and START TRAINING.
Think of your training as an investment in your
future -- because it is.
Think of it has having a strength and health
account. It's just like a savings account. Every
time you train, you put a little more into your
strength and health account.
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. Gray Hair and Black Iron will help you build
strength and muscle for the long haul -- and help
you maintain strength and muscle when you are
an older Dino:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
P.S. 2. Knife, Fork, Muscle is available in both
hard-copy and a series of Kindle e-books. Go here
for the links:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Start training when
you're young, and keep training when you're older."
-- Brooks Kubik
************************************************************************************
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