Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Here's something you see all the time --
and I've never been able to figure it out.
Guy goes to the gym, steps inside, looks
around, and asks himself, "What should I
do today?"
He sees that the squat rack is empty, but
he doesn't feel like doing squats.
The lat machine is also empty.
He decides to train his lats. After all, lats
are awesome. Everyone wants a big, broad,
massive upper back.
"Gladiator lats!" he thinks. "Gladiator lats
and cannonball pecs. Barn door biceps.
That would be pretty cool! And horseshoe
delts, even!"
So he ambles on over, looks at the plates
on the weight stack, decides it's probably
okay, grabs the bar and starts repping out.
Half-way through his set he remembers
the article he read that said it's better to
use a lat machine handle with parallel grips.
Oops -- he forget to change the handles!
"That's okay," he thinks. "I can change them
before the next set."
Loses count of his reps, but does perhaps
10 or 12. Or maybe 7 or 8. He's not sure.
But it was more than five.
"Definitely more than five!" he thinks.
He doesn't do sets of five reps or less
because those are for powerlifters and
stuff. He knows this is true because
everyone says so.
He stands in front of the mirror and does
a lat spread. Or tries to. He doesn't have
very big lats. They're not gladiator-size,
yet.
Doesn't feel much of a pump, but that's
okay because he's going to do five more
sets and he has plenty of time to get a
pump.
But it never happens.
He rests a minute and reads a magazine that
talks about chest training, so he decides
to specialize on his chest.
Forgets all about his lat training.
The magazine says to start with dumbbell
flies to pre-exhaust the pecs, but he can't
find the right dumbbells, so he does pec
dec squeezes instead.
The magazine says to do ten sets and go
to failure on each set, but that hurts, so he
decides to do 8 x 8 with only 30 seconds
rest between sets.
He read about that in a bodybuilding forum,
and some guy with a cool avatar said it was
super intense.
He pumps out 8 reps, and stops to rest.
Then he remembers he needs to time his
rest period.
But he doesn't have a watch.
Is there a clock in the gym?
He's not sure.
He goes to the manager's office to ask. On
the way, he sees some guys doing curls on
the Scott bench.
"Do you want to work in?" they ask.
"Sure," he says.
So they all do curls for awhile, and talk about
girls and beer and the big game tomorrow
night and the UFC -- and then they talk
about girls some more.
After awhile, one of the guys says he wants to
do benches.
"Do you wanna work in?" he asks.
"No, I'm gonna do chest tomorrow," says our
hero.
He showers and leaves.
Of course, when tomorrow comes, he forgets
it was going to be chest day.
"What should I do today?" he asks.
And so it goes, day after day, and workout after
workout.
Of course, there's another way to train.
It's the Dino way.
It's training with a plan -- with a schedule --
with long term and short term goals -- and
with 100 percent concentration and focus.
Very few people train that way -- but those
that do get great results.
As always, thanks for reading and have a
great day. If you train today, make it a good
one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Here's the book they call "the Bible of
Strength Training."
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: "Think, plan, and
focus -- and THEN train." -- Brooks Kubik
************************************************************************************
Take a Look at Big Carl's Power Rack!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Yesterday I shared the story of Big Carl's
power rack -- which was probably the best
piece of equipment I ever used in my entire
life.
Many of you asked for photos of the rack.
So I put up a photo of Big Carl's rack on my
Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/brooks_kubik/
I'm posting lots of fun photos on Instagram,
and I'll be posting more in the future, so be
sure to follow me.
I also share my photos on Facebook and
Twitter, so friend me and follow me, and
stay up to date. I'm on Facebook at "Brooks
Kubik" and on Twitter at #brookskubik and
#dinosaur training.
In other news, we're finishing up the March
issue of the Dinosaur Files newsletter, and
it's a good one. I think you're going to like
it a lot.
Also:
1. Several readers have asked whether Big
Carl is still alive. The answer is -- I don't know.
I have not seen him since the early to mid 90s.
Wherever he is, I bet he's still lifting -- and I
bet everyone still calls him Big Carl. And if he's
lifting somewhere with Grimek and Stanko, I
bet they're tossing some serious iron.
2. A number of you have asked if power rack
training made my bones thicker and denser.
The answer is -- it definitely did so, because my
wrist size increased quite a bit after I started to
do the rack work. That was in my late 20s and
early 30s, and bone growth is not supposed to
happen at that age -- but it did.
3. Several readers have asked me for my "best"
book or course on power rack training.
I think there are three options:
Strength, Muscle and Power covers my power
rack workouts on Big Carl's rack in detail -- and
also gives a complete course in power rack
training and different ways to do it. This
lets you try different power rack training
techniques to see what you like best and
what works best for YOU:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
Dinosaur Training covers old-school power rack
workouts, and gives some additional ideas
on how to do rack work, including some ideas
I borrowed from William Boone:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
If you already have Dinosaur Training and Strength,
Muscle and Power, try the power rack program in
The Dinosaur Training Strength Archive. It's
available in your choice of hard copy or Kindle:
Hard copy
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_archive.html
Kindle edition
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurtrainingarchive_kindle01.html
Of course, all three of these books have lots of
other material, so they each give you plenty of
training ideas and lots of great workouts. You
can't go wrong with any of them.
I'll sign off now and get back to the March issue
of The Dinosaur Files. Be sure to check out the
photo of Big Carl's rack -- it's a monster!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Yesterday I shared the story of Big Carl's
power rack -- which was probably the best
piece of equipment I ever used in my entire
life.
Many of you asked for photos of the rack.
So I put up a photo of Big Carl's rack on my
Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/brooks_kubik/
I'm posting lots of fun photos on Instagram,
and I'll be posting more in the future, so be
sure to follow me.
I also share my photos on Facebook and
Twitter, so friend me and follow me, and
stay up to date. I'm on Facebook at "Brooks
Kubik" and on Twitter at #brookskubik and
#dinosaur training.
In other news, we're finishing up the March
issue of the Dinosaur Files newsletter, and
it's a good one. I think you're going to like
it a lot.
Also:
1. Several readers have asked whether Big
Carl is still alive. The answer is -- I don't know.
I have not seen him since the early to mid 90s.
Wherever he is, I bet he's still lifting -- and I
bet everyone still calls him Big Carl. And if he's
lifting somewhere with Grimek and Stanko, I
bet they're tossing some serious iron.
2. A number of you have asked if power rack
training made my bones thicker and denser.
The answer is -- it definitely did so, because my
wrist size increased quite a bit after I started to
do the rack work. That was in my late 20s and
early 30s, and bone growth is not supposed to
happen at that age -- but it did.
3. Several readers have asked me for my "best"
book or course on power rack training.
I think there are three options:
Strength, Muscle and Power covers my power
rack workouts on Big Carl's rack in detail -- and
also gives a complete course in power rack
training and different ways to do it. This
lets you try different power rack training
techniques to see what you like best and
what works best for YOU:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
Dinosaur Training covers old-school power rack
workouts, and gives some additional ideas
on how to do rack work, including some ideas
I borrowed from William Boone:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
If you already have Dinosaur Training and Strength,
Muscle and Power, try the power rack program in
The Dinosaur Training Strength Archive. It's
available in your choice of hard copy or Kindle:
Hard copy
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_archive.html
Kindle edition
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurtrainingarchive_kindle01.html
Of course, all three of these books have lots of
other material, so they each give you plenty of
training ideas and lots of great workouts. You
can't go wrong with any of them.
I'll sign off now and get back to the March issue
of The Dinosaur Files. Be sure to check out the
photo of Big Carl's rack -- it's a monster!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Power Rack Training for Strength and Mass!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Dinosaur Training owes a very big debt to a
man named Carl Flannigan.
I met him when I was in my 20s, at an old
school, black iron gym where we both trained.
Carl was a retired ironworker here in Louisville.
People called him Big Carl.
Carl was a big, strong, powerful man, with hands
the size of baseball gloves. He was a legend among
the ironworkers in town. They said he was the
the strongest man they ever knew.
And he was still strong when he was older.
He used to do quarter squats with 700 to 800
pounds -- and deadlift lockouts with the same
weight. That was around age 65 or so.
Back then, the gym didn't have a power rack.
Carl did his partials on an old-fashioned "step"
style squat rack.
Anyhow, Carl liked doing heavy partials. I asked
him whether he had ever used a power rack. He
said no, and asked what it was.
So I told him about power racks and power rack
training.
He got really interested in the idea.
So did the gym owner.
Long story short, the gym owner traded Carl a
free gym membership for a year in exchange for
building a power rack.
Now, for an old ironworker, building a rack was
pretty easy. Carl made is super big and super
strong.
He brought it to the gym and bolted it to the
floor and a concrete wall.
That was almost 30 years ago, and the rack is
still there -- and still going strong.
Carl and I were the first people to use that rack,
and for a long time, we were the only gym
members who used it regularly.
It worked pretty well. I gained close to 40 pounds
of muscle with power rack training -- and built
some very serious strength. The rack built so
much strength that I began competing in power-
lifting and bench press competitions, where I won
a number of state and regional championships,
and five national Bench Press championships.
I wrote about it in an article published in Stuart
McRobert's old Hardgainer magazine, and that's
what started my writing career.
If it had not been for Carl Flannigan's power rack,
I probably wouldn't be typing this -- and you
probably wouldn't be reading it.
So I want to say THANK YOU to Big Carl -- and
to everyone else, let me close with this:
If you want to build maximum strength and
muscle mass, power rack training is the way
to do it!
It worked for me -- and it worked for Big Carl.
And it's worked for many other Dinos all around
the world.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I cover power rack training in Strength,
Muscle and Power, Dinosaur Training and book
no. 1 in the new Dinosaur Training Strength
Archive series:
a. Strength, Muscle and Power
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
b. Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength
and Development
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
c. The Dinosaur Training Strength Archive
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_archive.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses, DVDs, the
Dinosaur Files newsletter and links to my Kindle
books are right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Strong is good.
Super strong is even better." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Dinosaur Training owes a very big debt to a
man named Carl Flannigan.
I met him when I was in my 20s, at an old
school, black iron gym where we both trained.
Carl was a retired ironworker here in Louisville.
People called him Big Carl.
Carl was a big, strong, powerful man, with hands
the size of baseball gloves. He was a legend among
the ironworkers in town. They said he was the
the strongest man they ever knew.
And he was still strong when he was older.
He used to do quarter squats with 700 to 800
pounds -- and deadlift lockouts with the same
weight. That was around age 65 or so.
Back then, the gym didn't have a power rack.
Carl did his partials on an old-fashioned "step"
style squat rack.
Anyhow, Carl liked doing heavy partials. I asked
him whether he had ever used a power rack. He
said no, and asked what it was.
So I told him about power racks and power rack
training.
He got really interested in the idea.
So did the gym owner.
Long story short, the gym owner traded Carl a
free gym membership for a year in exchange for
building a power rack.
Now, for an old ironworker, building a rack was
pretty easy. Carl made is super big and super
strong.
He brought it to the gym and bolted it to the
floor and a concrete wall.
That was almost 30 years ago, and the rack is
still there -- and still going strong.
Carl and I were the first people to use that rack,
and for a long time, we were the only gym
members who used it regularly.
It worked pretty well. I gained close to 40 pounds
of muscle with power rack training -- and built
some very serious strength. The rack built so
much strength that I began competing in power-
lifting and bench press competitions, where I won
a number of state and regional championships,
and five national Bench Press championships.
I wrote about it in an article published in Stuart
McRobert's old Hardgainer magazine, and that's
what started my writing career.
If it had not been for Carl Flannigan's power rack,
I probably wouldn't be typing this -- and you
probably wouldn't be reading it.
So I want to say THANK YOU to Big Carl -- and
to everyone else, let me close with this:
If you want to build maximum strength and
muscle mass, power rack training is the way
to do it!
It worked for me -- and it worked for Big Carl.
And it's worked for many other Dinos all around
the world.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I cover power rack training in Strength,
Muscle and Power, Dinosaur Training and book
no. 1 in the new Dinosaur Training Strength
Archive series:
a. Strength, Muscle and Power
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
b. Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength
and Development
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
c. The Dinosaur Training Strength Archive
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurtraining_archive.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses, DVDs, the
Dinosaur Files newsletter and links to my Kindle
books are right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Strong is good.
Super strong is even better." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Strength Training and Body Structure
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Two quick notes, and then we'll talk training.
1. Follow Me on Instagram
We have close to 400 photos on Instagram.
Check them out -- I just added a new one:
https://www.instagram.com/brooks_kubik/
2. The March Dinosaur Files
I'm pounding the keyboard to finish the little
monster, and it's looking GREAT! It should be
ready soon, and I know you'll enjoy it. In the
meantime, if you missed the Dec, Jan or Feb
issues, grab them now:
February 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_february2016.html
January 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_januaryr2016.html
December 2015 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_december2015.html
3. Strength Training and Body Structure
Here's a very interesting response to our
question about the best measure of strength:
"I think the best measure of strength is
whatever works beast for YOU and your
body structure. Whatever exercise gives
YOU your strongest body.
Some people are built for deadlifting, some
for squatting.
Same for bench press vs. military press.
If you do what fits YOU and what YOU enjoy,
you will be far stronger than doing the moves
that don't work for you and that you don't like.
Just because someone else said it is better
doesn't mean it is better for YOU!"
Jeremy M.
I wanted to share that with you, because I
thought it was a very good point.
Of course, you don't want to be the guy who
does nothing but arm work and pec pumps
because they are his favorite exercises.
But there's no denying that your body structure
plays an important role in determining which
exercises are best, safest, most effective and
most enjoyable for you.
In fact, body structure is the real answer to
the age old question, "Which is better -- the
squat or the deadlift?"
The answer is "It depends on your body
structure."
Some people are built for deadlifting, and
that makes it a better exercise for them.
Others are built for squatting, and that makes
squatting the best exercise for them.
Arthur Saxon was built for bent pressing and
achieved undying fame through his ability in
this lift.
Herman Goerner was NOT built for the bent
press and never did them -- but he achieved
undying fame through his ability in the dead-
lift and the one hand deadlift.
Doug Hepburn and Paul Anderson were both
incredible squatters, but their deadlift didn't
match their squatting power.
Bob Peoples -- who trained Paul Anderson --
was a deadlifter, not a squatter. He set a
world record in the deadlift that stood for
almost 20 years.
Peary Rader used the squat to gain almost
100 pounds of bodyweight -- but never did
very much deadlifting. He was a squatter,
not a deadlifter.
The bottom line is this -- find what works best
for YOU -- and what YOU enjoy the most -- and
build your program around it. Include other
exercises as well, and don't neglect your
weak spots or ignore exercises that are
hard for you -- but turn your strengths
into super strengths!
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 many trainees, dumbbell training is
even more effective than barbell training.
That's one of the reasons I wrote Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.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: "Find the exercises
that make your body iron and steel." -- Brooks
Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Two quick notes, and then we'll talk training.
1. Follow Me on Instagram
We have close to 400 photos on Instagram.
Check them out -- I just added a new one:
https://www.instagram.com/brooks_kubik/
2. The March Dinosaur Files
I'm pounding the keyboard to finish the little
monster, and it's looking GREAT! It should be
ready soon, and I know you'll enjoy it. In the
meantime, if you missed the Dec, Jan or Feb
issues, grab them now:
February 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_february2016.html
January 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_januaryr2016.html
December 2015 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_december2015.html
3. Strength Training and Body Structure
Here's a very interesting response to our
question about the best measure of strength:
"I think the best measure of strength is
whatever works beast for YOU and your
body structure. Whatever exercise gives
YOU your strongest body.
Some people are built for deadlifting, some
for squatting.
Same for bench press vs. military press.
If you do what fits YOU and what YOU enjoy,
you will be far stronger than doing the moves
that don't work for you and that you don't like.
Just because someone else said it is better
doesn't mean it is better for YOU!"
Jeremy M.
I wanted to share that with you, because I
thought it was a very good point.
Of course, you don't want to be the guy who
does nothing but arm work and pec pumps
because they are his favorite exercises.
But there's no denying that your body structure
plays an important role in determining which
exercises are best, safest, most effective and
most enjoyable for you.
In fact, body structure is the real answer to
the age old question, "Which is better -- the
squat or the deadlift?"
The answer is "It depends on your body
structure."
Some people are built for deadlifting, and
that makes it a better exercise for them.
Others are built for squatting, and that makes
squatting the best exercise for them.
Arthur Saxon was built for bent pressing and
achieved undying fame through his ability in
this lift.
Herman Goerner was NOT built for the bent
press and never did them -- but he achieved
undying fame through his ability in the dead-
lift and the one hand deadlift.
Doug Hepburn and Paul Anderson were both
incredible squatters, but their deadlift didn't
match their squatting power.
Bob Peoples -- who trained Paul Anderson --
was a deadlifter, not a squatter. He set a
world record in the deadlift that stood for
almost 20 years.
Peary Rader used the squat to gain almost
100 pounds of bodyweight -- but never did
very much deadlifting. He was a squatter,
not a deadlifter.
The bottom line is this -- find what works best
for YOU -- and what YOU enjoy the most -- and
build your program around it. Include other
exercises as well, and don't neglect your
weak spots or ignore exercises that are
hard for you -- but turn your strengths
into super strengths!
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 many trainees, dumbbell training is
even more effective than barbell training.
That's one of the reasons I wrote Dinosaur
Dumbbell Training:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.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: "Find the exercises
that make your body iron and steel." -- Brooks
Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Paul Anderson on Physical Culture Radio!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
I do a podcast every week with Carl Lanore,
the host of SuperHuman Radio.
The show is called Physical Culture Radio.
We normally air on Thursday at 12:00 noon,
but sometimes we move the show to a
different day or time. This week's show aired
yesterday.
We talked about the best lift(s) to measure
your strength.
We also talked about Paul Anderson.
Carl had selected a photo of Paul Anderson
to preview the show. I think I freaked him
a little because I knew where the photo was
taken -- and when -- and I knew something
else that I believe happened on the same day.
It was a very famous impromptu lifting contest.
I heard about it from not one, but TWO gold
medal winners in weightlifting.
I also heard about it from one of our longtime
Dinos. He was there. He witnessed it.
Plus, there was a story about other events of
the same day in an old issue of Iron Man.
So we covered it on the show. It's a fun story
and a great piece of lifting history.
If you missed the live show, you can listen
to the download right here. That also let's
you see the photo of Big Paul:
http://superhumanradio.com/shr-1823-science-for-humans-huge-forearms-calves-physical-culture-radio-strength-power-botox-knee-pain.html
And here's some more fun for the Dino
Nation.
Trudi took some candid photos of yours
truly while we were doing the podcast.
I've shared them on Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram. So check them out on one
or the other. I'm on Facebook at Brooks
Kubik and on Twitter at #brookskubik
and #dinosaurtraining.
You can find me on Instagram right here:
https://www.instagram.com/brooks_kubik/
Both photos show you how I talk with my
hands even when I'm on radio -- which
Trudi thinks is hilarious.
And one of them shows a side view of an
old wrestler's neck -- mine -- and I was
surprised to see how thick it is. I guess
that goes to show that barbell built muscle
lasts a long time.
In other news, I'm working on the March
issue of the Dinosaur Files. Be looking for
it soon. If you missed the December, January
or February issues, go here to grab them:
February 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_february2016.html
January 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_januaryr2016.html
December 2015 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_december2015.html
That's all for now. Let me know how you like
Physical Culture Radio, and what you think
about the photos -- and, of course, give me
your feedback on The Dinosaur Files!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. My other books and courses are right here at
Dino Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day: "It's important to
know how to train, but it's just as important to
know how to teach it." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
I do a podcast every week with Carl Lanore,
the host of SuperHuman Radio.
The show is called Physical Culture Radio.
We normally air on Thursday at 12:00 noon,
but sometimes we move the show to a
different day or time. This week's show aired
yesterday.
We talked about the best lift(s) to measure
your strength.
We also talked about Paul Anderson.
Carl had selected a photo of Paul Anderson
to preview the show. I think I freaked him
a little because I knew where the photo was
taken -- and when -- and I knew something
else that I believe happened on the same day.
It was a very famous impromptu lifting contest.
I heard about it from not one, but TWO gold
medal winners in weightlifting.
I also heard about it from one of our longtime
Dinos. He was there. He witnessed it.
Plus, there was a story about other events of
the same day in an old issue of Iron Man.
So we covered it on the show. It's a fun story
and a great piece of lifting history.
If you missed the live show, you can listen
to the download right here. That also let's
you see the photo of Big Paul:
http://superhumanradio.com/shr-1823-science-for-humans-huge-forearms-calves-physical-culture-radio-strength-power-botox-knee-pain.html
And here's some more fun for the Dino
Nation.
Trudi took some candid photos of yours
truly while we were doing the podcast.
I've shared them on Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram. So check them out on one
or the other. I'm on Facebook at Brooks
Kubik and on Twitter at #brookskubik
and #dinosaurtraining.
You can find me on Instagram right here:
https://www.instagram.com/brooks_kubik/
Both photos show you how I talk with my
hands even when I'm on radio -- which
Trudi thinks is hilarious.
And one of them shows a side view of an
old wrestler's neck -- mine -- and I was
surprised to see how thick it is. I guess
that goes to show that barbell built muscle
lasts a long time.
In other news, I'm working on the March
issue of the Dinosaur Files. Be looking for
it soon. If you missed the December, January
or February issues, go here to grab them:
February 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_february2016.html
January 2016 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_januaryr2016.html
December 2015 Dinosaur Files
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles_december2015.html
That's all for now. Let me know how you like
Physical Culture Radio, and what you think
about the photos -- and, of course, give me
your feedback on The Dinosaur Files!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. My other books and courses are right here at
Dino Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day: "It's important to
know how to train, but it's just as important to
know how to teach it." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
The Best Measure of Strength -- More Reader Responses!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Here are more responses from your fellow
Dinos about the best measure of strength
and power:
1. A Clean and Press Vote.
"I say the clean and press. It has both a
strength component, taking a weight from
the ground to overhead, working the entire
body, and it has a cardio and endurance
component.
Thus, it measures most attributes of an
athlete, specifically strength and strength
endurance."
John G.
2. A Vote for the Clean and Push Press.
"Personally, I lean toward the clean and
push press. It allows a heavier weight
than the strict press, and uses more
muscles in the pressing part of the
movement. And the heavier weight
makes the clean much harder.
The Olympic lifts are so technique
dependent that they demonstrate
more than pure strength.
The three lift powerlifting total is a
close second in my opinion, despite
the lack of an overhead lift.
But, as you say, there is no "right"
answer.
Had you asked which single lift was the
best measure of athleticism, the quick
and simple answer would be either
Olympic lift!"
Bill T.
3. A Five In One Answer!
"The best measure of strength and power
is obviously the five lift total of the three
power lifts and the two Olympic lifts.
Power (the measure of strength times
speed) is best measured by the Olympic
lifts. Speed is critical in the snatch and
the clean and jerk.
The best measure of strength is the power
lift total. Using the total as a measurement
helps balance out the mechanical advantages
a lifter may have in any one lift.
Isn't it funny that powerlifting measures
strength and Olympic lifting measures
power?"
Jim D.
4. How About Manhood Stones?
"Clean and press along with dead lift seem like
the obvious answer. But I think strongman gets
it right when all is said and done. Yokes and
farmer's walks, dragging, pushing and carrying.
The learning curve is very nominal. It's how we
all get around. Who can move around with the
greatest burden?
We also can look a little further in our collective
past and notice how many cultures utilized heavy
stones to test their male population. They weren't
called manhood stones for nothing!"
Ray J.
Those are all good answers. We'll cover more
later in the week!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I cover a wide range of strength and power
building methods in Dinosaur Training and in
Strength, Muscle and Power. Go here to grab
them:
Strength, Muscle and Power
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength
and Development
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses, DVDs, links to
my PDF products, links to my Kindle e-books, and
the monthly Dinosaur Files newsletter, are right
here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Life is movement,
and stronger movement makes a better life."
-- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Here are more responses from your fellow
Dinos about the best measure of strength
and power:
1. A Clean and Press Vote.
"I say the clean and press. It has both a
strength component, taking a weight from
the ground to overhead, working the entire
body, and it has a cardio and endurance
component.
Thus, it measures most attributes of an
athlete, specifically strength and strength
endurance."
John G.
2. A Vote for the Clean and Push Press.
"Personally, I lean toward the clean and
push press. It allows a heavier weight
than the strict press, and uses more
muscles in the pressing part of the
movement. And the heavier weight
makes the clean much harder.
The Olympic lifts are so technique
dependent that they demonstrate
more than pure strength.
The three lift powerlifting total is a
close second in my opinion, despite
the lack of an overhead lift.
But, as you say, there is no "right"
answer.
Had you asked which single lift was the
best measure of athleticism, the quick
and simple answer would be either
Olympic lift!"
Bill T.
3. A Five In One Answer!
"The best measure of strength and power
is obviously the five lift total of the three
power lifts and the two Olympic lifts.
Power (the measure of strength times
speed) is best measured by the Olympic
lifts. Speed is critical in the snatch and
the clean and jerk.
The best measure of strength is the power
lift total. Using the total as a measurement
helps balance out the mechanical advantages
a lifter may have in any one lift.
Isn't it funny that powerlifting measures
strength and Olympic lifting measures
power?"
Jim D.
4. How About Manhood Stones?
"Clean and press along with dead lift seem like
the obvious answer. But I think strongman gets
it right when all is said and done. Yokes and
farmer's walks, dragging, pushing and carrying.
The learning curve is very nominal. It's how we
all get around. Who can move around with the
greatest burden?
We also can look a little further in our collective
past and notice how many cultures utilized heavy
stones to test their male population. They weren't
called manhood stones for nothing!"
Ray J.
Those are all good answers. We'll cover more
later in the week!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I cover a wide range of strength and power
building methods in Dinosaur Training and in
Strength, Muscle and Power. Go here to grab
them:
Strength, Muscle and Power
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength
and Development
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_training.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses, DVDs, links to
my PDF products, links to my Kindle e-books, and
the monthly Dinosaur Files newsletter, are right
here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Life is movement,
and stronger movement makes a better life."
-- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
Dino Feedback on the Best Measure of Strength and Power!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
We received a ton of great feedback in
response to yesterday's email asking
for feedback on the question:
"What is the best exercise or lift (or
feat of strength) to measure an athlete's
strength and power?"
Here are some of the first answers we
received:
1. Gotta Go with the Deadlift!
"Probably have to go with the deadlift.
It incorporates more muscles than the
squat, AND it is initiated from the start
position."
Jim S.
2. A Vote for the Squat -- and Some
Great Tips for Older Trainees!
"Undoubtedly the squat or powerlifting
squat is the best developer going. But
I can't do them without seriously over-
loading my old shoulders, so I use the
Dave Draper Top Squat apparatus. These
are good, but I miss the drive out of the
hole you get with more back action.
Next is the deadlift. The same goes here,
too -- I need to use the Trap Bar, which
is very good and saves the back.
I can't do bench press anymore, so I do
the 80 degree incline press with barbell.
Not nearly the same degree of engagement,
but what can you do? Adapt and do what
you can.
The older I get, the more I realize how
much I took for granted as a young trainee.
Thanks for all your good advice."
James Mc.
3. The King of Lifts!
"I think the single best measure of strength
and power would be the clean and jerk,
whether it be barbell, dumbbells or kettle-
bells. Taking heavy weights from the floor
to overhead uses all of the muscles in the
body. You need strength, speed, balance,
timing and coordination to lift big weights
overhead. That's my thought.
Always look forward to reading your
e-mails."
Bob B.
4. Floor to Overhead, However You Do It!
"Taking weight with one arm from floor to
above the head, and taking weight from
the floor to above the head with two hands.
However it's done, it's a great demonstration
of strength.
Floor to above head, arms straight at the
finish."
Matthew H.
Those are great responses, and although
there's no "right" answer here, it's hard
to argue with any of these Dinos.
So what do YOU think?
What's the single best measure of strength
and power?
Shoot me an email and let me know what
you think!
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. One and two dumbbell overhead lifts are
terrific strength and muscle builders -- and
tremendous tests of strength and power.
Here's how to do it:
Dinosaur Dumbbell Training (hard-copy)
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.html
P.S. 2. To build rugged, stand on your feet
strength and power, nothing beats the
mighty military press -- and this course
will help you build some serious pressing
power:
The Dinosaur Training Military Press and
Shoulder Power Course
Hard copy edition:
http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_course.html
Kindle e-book edition:
http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_kindle.html
P.S. 3. My other books and courses are
right here at Dino Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 4. Thought for the Day: "It ain't over until
the iron tells you it's over." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
We received a ton of great feedback in
response to yesterday's email asking
for feedback on the question:
"What is the best exercise or lift (or
feat of strength) to measure an athlete's
strength and power?"
Here are some of the first answers we
received:
1. Gotta Go with the Deadlift!
"Probably have to go with the deadlift.
It incorporates more muscles than the
squat, AND it is initiated from the start
position."
Jim S.
2. A Vote for the Squat -- and Some
Great Tips for Older Trainees!
"Undoubtedly the squat or powerlifting
squat is the best developer going. But
I can't do them without seriously over-
loading my old shoulders, so I use the
Dave Draper Top Squat apparatus. These
are good, but I miss the drive out of the
hole you get with more back action.
Next is the deadlift. The same goes here,
too -- I need to use the Trap Bar, which
is very good and saves the back.
I can't do bench press anymore, so I do
the 80 degree incline press with barbell.
Not nearly the same degree of engagement,
but what can you do? Adapt and do what
you can.
The older I get, the more I realize how
much I took for granted as a young trainee.
Thanks for all your good advice."
James Mc.
3. The King of Lifts!
"I think the single best measure of strength
and power would be the clean and jerk,
whether it be barbell, dumbbells or kettle-
bells. Taking heavy weights from the floor
to overhead uses all of the muscles in the
body. You need strength, speed, balance,
timing and coordination to lift big weights
overhead. That's my thought.
Always look forward to reading your
e-mails."
Bob B.
4. Floor to Overhead, However You Do It!
"Taking weight with one arm from floor to
above the head, and taking weight from
the floor to above the head with two hands.
However it's done, it's a great demonstration
of strength.
Floor to above head, arms straight at the
finish."
Matthew H.
Those are great responses, and although
there's no "right" answer here, it's hard
to argue with any of these Dinos.
So what do YOU think?
What's the single best measure of strength
and power?
Shoot me an email and let me know what
you think!
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. One and two dumbbell overhead lifts are
terrific strength and muscle builders -- and
tremendous tests of strength and power.
Here's how to do it:
Dinosaur Dumbbell Training (hard-copy)
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.html
P.S. 2. To build rugged, stand on your feet
strength and power, nothing beats the
mighty military press -- and this course
will help you build some serious pressing
power:
The Dinosaur Training Military Press and
Shoulder Power Course
Hard copy edition:
http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_course.html
Kindle e-book edition:
http://www.brookskubik.com/militarypress_kindle.html
P.S. 3. My other books and courses are
right here at Dino Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 4. Thought for the Day: "It ain't over until
the iron tells you it's over." -- Brooks Kubik
***********************************************************************************
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