Thursday, April 27, 2017

Rest Periods: How Long Do You Need Before The Next Set?

In my time of learning different forms of exercise, Playouts, programs & styles I have found that when it comes to rest periods, there's something bigger than you haven't completely seen yet. Most trainers would tell you that shorter rest periods are the key to developing muscles. In reality, its not good to generalize how often to rest between sets and not take into consideration what effects it has on the Central Nervous System.

You've heard of the tabata style HIT that is one of the biggest rages in fitness today or resting for no more than 30 seconds between sets. I'm going to tell you a hard to hear truth that will piss off a lot of people and hard to convince public on actual rest between sets or exercises......

Your body can only push so hard during an exercise and if you're told to go hard and then rest for an equal or shorter amount of time, that can create greater harm on your body than you can realize. That no pain, no gain line is bullshit plain and simple. If you're in pain during your training, you are doing something very wrong or you are forced to keep going even though your body can tear a joint or even worse break a bone in the process. If you're highly conditioned and your body can handle the stress, sure shorter rest periods can be ok but you at some point need to let the body recuperate. This isn't the military or training for competition and that's where many trainers are so damn stupid that they have convinced people to use this mentality.

Let me ask you something...Have you ever thrown up in a workout, passed out, bled, felt dizzy or felt that your energy is flat out gone somewhere between when you started and ended a session? I have done at least 4 of these things in my lifetime and its not worth your life to be in those situations. Its really about how an individual can truly recover and be efficient in their next set of exercise because here's a fact, if you're sloppy at any time during your session and you keep going, your body will give you a hard lesson in what its like to feel pain in places you didn't think pain existed in. If you rest too early, your energy can be depleted and you can lose the ability to recover at an optimal rate, however if you're too late to recover you're not giving the body the fuel it needs to feel the muscles. There has to be a balance there.

Here's an example of what i'm talking about; Hill Sprints: A powerful exercise where you run up a hill as hard as you can and then walk down the hill and repeat until you have done the allotted amount of sprints. The recovery process aught to be enough to where your breath is at a solid level and breathe deeply and calmly; if you haven't recovered enough, your run will deplete your energy levels and your speed will become way too slow and nowhere near the level you want it to be. Your recovery is what brings in highly oxygenated blood to your cellular tissue and builds up your hormone levels. Think of it this way, when you swim and come up for air, if you're not breathing effectively coming up and back into the water, you will be depleted and you can drown; same thing with exercise, if you can't recover you won't be efficient and you can get hurt or worse end up in the hospital with heart problems, kidney failure, floppy limbs and your chest will feel like a crowbar is hitting it every time you take a breath.

Rest is needed to get the most out of your session, the more conditioned you are, the greater your capacity is and resting at times mean just taking a few breaths and you're good to go, its all in determining what your level of fitness is at. When I do sprints, I use to do the 30/90 protocol which is better than the 30/30 or less concept in my opinion. There were times where I needed about 5 minutes or more to get into another set and be effective, others it could mean just a few breaths but I never truly bought into what someone else said because I'm very intuitive and have an understanding of my body and what I need to do to be great in the exercises I perform. Somebody can give you ideas and give you tips but in the end, it should come down to how much YOU need to be at your best. When it shoved down your throat, you can rest (no pun intended) assured that they're not looking out for your best interest. Most trainers today don't really know what the hell they're talking about and when you teach something you read out of a textbook more than teaching them to be intuitive they're not a real trainer. Through trial & error, mistakes & learning from others in the last 2 decades of being around fitness I can tell you first hand is that the more intuitive you are, the better.

A trainer ought to help students learn to rely on themselves and pass on knowledge that will give them a greater outlook that teaches about how to avoid injuries, utilize the ins and outs of being at your best from start to finish and teaching the value of recovery. I have exercised everyday for nearly 12 years, fought a few minor injuries and pushed myself in ways many can never understand but because of those experiences I have learned how to use my rest periods and be at my best whether it was for 5 minutes or more than an hour. Your rest is the key to how you perform at an optimum level. However long you rest is up to YOU not someone else.

Herb Of The Day: He Shou Wu

He Shou Wu is taken in order to slow down ageing, nourish Jing, strengthen knees, lower back, bones, muscles, tendons and fortify the blood.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The Root Bodybuilders Wish They Knew



I don't know if you knew this but bodybuilders are quite often on the verge of being the cutting edge of Nutrition. They don't just do whatever it takes to get ahead of the game like injecting and pumping themselves full of illegal drugs like synthetic steroids, they're also gunning for what's even better. For those that choose to not go to the dark side it becomes an even greater importance.

If you dig deep enough in the Bodybuilding World, you'll be hearing about all kinds of natural herbs that very powerful effects. One of those mighty herbs is called the Maral Root. Its name comes from a kind of deer called the Maral Deer that feed on it. To be specific, the male would battle another male during the mating season, then it would dig out the roots, eat them and restore its strength. The Locals noticed this odd behavior and started using the roots themselves for the following reasons:

*Recover Optimally
*Heal (Recover) From Various Ailments
*Last Longer In The Sack
*Improve Mild Depression
*Enhance Or Even Increase Memory
*Greater Work Capacity
*Increase Adaptogenic Properties
*Enhance Anabolic Properties

In Russia, it is prescribed to their athletes to aid in recovery from intense training. Many people heard of the Chinese Olympic Athletes such as swimmers and those in track that won a ton of Gold Medals used Cordyceps. This wasn't the ONLY herb that they ingested, they also took in Rhodiola, Eleuthero and of course Maral Root. Now what makes this root so damn POWERFUL?

It has quite a few different natural plant sterols that really do the trick. One such substance is called 20-Hydroxycdysone which increases what are called protein synthesis at the most cellular level in the body. This leads to greater muscle tissue. Maral Root also has what are called ecdysterones, a hormone that is usually found in insects and crustaceans, not usually in us humans. This type of component has been seen to show many Physiological effects and could at least be partially responsible for its anabolic activity.

Monday, April 24, 2017

What To Do On Days If You Are Sore

When you've been roughed up in the gym or have gone through a particularly tough workout, you'll feel sore for a period of time whether it's a few days or over a week it happens. I've put myself through nearly 3000 Reps worth of exercise over the course of the last few days or so and yeah being sore at the moment is an understatement. Being sore isn't fun but it is a lesson and it doesn't mean you take a complete day off. With me there's no such thing but how do you handle yourself when this happens?

First off, being sore is a sign that your muscles have broken down and the muscle fibers need the chance to reproduce and grow with greater muscle density so for your next training playout you'll be stronger. Sore however is not the same as pain, that's how a whole other sport basically, it takes longer to come back from pain than it is being sore. Now what options do you have? Unless you're a professional athlete, being sore means you need to lay off the typical intensity you use and focus on taking in some good stretching, deep breathing, some Isometrics and practicing very low impact exercise.

These are just ideas but to get the full benefit you must find that form of recovery because not everyone recovers the same way. When I have sore days, I like to do Animal Flow, where the intensity isn't very high but I do feel it and I'm getting stretched. DDP Yoga is another great option, don't need to do a full hour of ass kicking training but do enough to where it feels really good, your body is being lengthened and you're getting your heart rate up. If you do or attempt the same intensity while you're sore, you're risking breaking up more muscle tissue and not giving it a chance to grow and you'll end up more than just pulling a muscle, you could tear something or worse. Your body needs a chance to grow muscle and letting it do it's job. I've gone through days where I was sore and just kept pushing and I paid the price for it, I ended up with a minor injury to my shoulders and wrists because I didnt allow my body to do it's job.

Many people believe being sore is like having a badge of honor, it's not fun at all and on days where you're so sore you can barely get out of bed there's something wrong there. Some have gone to such extremes (crossfit anyone?) that being sore means nothing but something to push past and get that through the session; when that happens, your body can only be pushed so far until you finally end up in the hospital over stupidity and paying out the ass for torn muscles, a ripped tendon or worse a broken bone regardless of where it is (I've had broken bones so don't even try to argue with me). I do believe however that being sore doesn't mean you should stop training, just lower the intensity and letting your body heal and repair itself so when you go hard again, you'll be at a higher level than the last time.

Many times when I was sore over the last 12 years or so, I practiced Chi Kung; doing different styles, holds, hand movements and loosening the joints, this gave my body the ability to recover faster and always came back stronger and had a greater mindset and will to reach a goal or at times go beyond it or close to it. Recovery is the opportunity to give your body a chance to bring it to optimum levels of intensity, endurance and strength. Sore does not mean give up, it just means back off a bit and letting things breathe and rest.

Be safe while you train and always have a blast. Recover with the best intentions and be on a mission the next time.

Today's Herb, Titan Post Workout Formula

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Shed Fat Using Isometrics

Having some fun lately doing Isometrics, particularly Free-Handed Isometrics (Pitting Muscles Against Each Other) to put on some definition and shed off unwanted fat from certain areas. By far when it comes to safety and developing lean muscle within minutes a day, this is one of the top methods if not the best in fitness.

I've been doing them off an on for practically a decade and they are an ultimate method to train anywhere and anytime. So how does this method shed fat quick or in better terms burn it like Firestorm from Legends Of Tomorrow; well you create the contractions internally and flex a specific muscle or muscle groups and as you contract, you do so as hard as possible for around 7-12 seconds. When you relax the muscle after hard fought flexing, you bring in fresh blood into even the smallest capillaries in your body which in turn brings highly oxygenated blood into the streams and hits the muscle fibers at their highest peak.

The fat shedding is when you hit the muscle hard and bring in fuel for the muscle fibers and as they contract they send shock waves through your system and hence hit the fat in those areas so hard they are practically getting stabbed to death. This is from my experiences with this method, i'm not a physiologist or kinesiologist. This form of contraction and relaxation creates denser muscles which gives the fat a non-fighting chance. When you have denser muscles, you have greater definition and your ability to create testosterone & HGH goes up big time.

This method is a great way to build muscle control and enhance your abilities to flex and relax at will and bring in fresh blood with every Play(Work)out that gives off signals that says "Fat, you're no longer welcome here, get out or learn the hard way." How long can you do this method per day to get great results? It depends on the individual and what they're looking for plus some people burn fat faster than others and the metabolism comes into play in the individual differently. With any means, this is one tough and awesome way to train and you only need maybe 10 minutes or less to get in an awesome Playout. Does this mean they're also good as stand-alone? For some yes due to lack of movement or have had previous injuries and its the best they can do at the time but for the rest, its important to add movement, HIT Playouts, Calisthenics, weights or whatever gives you benefit for moving.

Playout....Don't...Workout

For great Isometrics to build a strong spine and overall body awareness, learn the bridging exercises here...

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

What Big Pharma Doesn’t Want You To Think About

We’re bombarded with their messages every day.


Their ads are filling our airwaves as we have the TV blaring at home.


They make it seem so normal. Like every person needs some concoction of artificial ingredients and frightening drugs that someone cooked up and put into a capsule.


So, you’re hanging out on the couch, watching your favorite TV show. You’re glad to finally be able to relax after another long day at work.


Then they cut to a break, and of course….the commercials come on. A routine you’re all too familiar with.


Images fill your screen of an attractive, yet detached woman sitting by herself - directing her melancholy gaze out the window.


You can’t help but watch, and you start to empathize with her.


I mean, we all feel like that sometimes, right? Detached and melancholy.


Then….the story shifts as they introduce the clever name of some new pharmaceutical.


The screen now shows images of the same woman strolling down the sidewalk with a smile on her face. Now she’s holding hands with her good-looking husband and adorable kid. They all look SO happy.


This could be you, right? This could be just what you need to feel alive again.


You start to wonder….


“Do I need this drug too? Is this what my life’s missing?”


...then the “fast-talking disclaimer voice” comes on and tells you that if you take this drug you might have side effects of “weight gain, diarrhea and vomiting, depression, thoughts of suicide, hypertension, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke or even death”.


The list goes on forever.


If you’re anything like me, this is the point where you snap back to reality, and start to question how a drug with that many frightening side effects could possibly be the answer.


Yet, with all the advertising these drugs are more popular than ever!


Of course, some people need a few of these drugs, but most of them just mask problems instead of cure them.


Some of them are even designed to keep you sick.


As overdoses from all kinds of prescription drugs become one of the most tragic epidemics we’ve faced as a nation, you have to wonder why these toxic substances are so prevalent in our society.


It’s become clear that if we want real control of our health…


...we need to stop relying on Big Pharma’s expensive and dangerous concoctions that are designed to only mask our problems - and keep our bodies addicted and anxious for the next dose.


What we really need are natural solutions that actually support our bodies to work the way they were beautifully designed to.


I started looking into it - there must be a place where people live long, healthy lives without relying on medication.


As I got more and more curious, I started looking into Eastern and South America medicine. I really wanted to figure it out!What are they doing in other countries that we aren’t doing here?


It was obvious, they had some secret I didn’t know. That secret was leading to happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives, almost totally free of pharmaceuticals.


That’s why I was so relieved and grateful when I found Lost Empire Herbs.


Lost Empire Herbs is on a mission to give EVERYONE access to high-quality Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbs and formulas that support your body’s ability to produce its own safe, natural hormones and enzymes, allowing it to heal itself from the inside out.


These guys have done their research - they’ve tapped into some of the oldest natural secrets to living a physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy life.


They have formulas for both men AND women, and they have a number of highly specialized blends that can:
Enhance libido / sexual function
Boost energy and endurance
Provide mood support
Provide menopausal support
Promote brain health / improve memory and cognition
And much more!


At Lost Empire Herbs, they’re committed to researching the safest ingredients, seeking the highest-quality sources, and personally testing the best blend ratios of the highest potency herbs…


...and they do it all to produce the maximum desired results possible with NO side effects.


I haven’t even gotten to the best news yet….


….April 12th - 18th Lost Empire Herbs is holding their much anticipated annual Tax Refund Sale, where YOU can get a 15% discount storewide!


I’m not kidding! When you enter the code “TAXREFUND” at checkout from 4/12 to 4/18 you’ll get 15% off all purchases.


I hope you take advantage of this awesome opportunity to support this amazing company and get your body back on track to healing itself.


It’s time to toss out Big Pharma’s expensive, addictive, and all-too-often deadly cover-up pills out the window, and let your body do what it was made to do.


P.S. Don’t forget - coupon code “TAXREFUND” for 15% off sitewide will only be good until 4/18, so head over to Lost Empire Herbs now to check out their incredible selection!

Monday, April 17, 2017

The Problem You Don’t Know You Have

We need to talk about a problem that is affecting you and so many others in this modern world of ours.


It’s a problem you probably don’t even know you have….but I can tell you that it’s the underlying issue behind your unwanted weight gain, moodiness, fatigue, and lack of libido.


Your problem is Hormone Imbalance - and here in our western culture, it’s not an easy fix.


Many people shell out thousands of dollars for painful, unsure, and time consuming hormone replacement therapies that just don’t do the trick.


But there’s no question as to why people go to such great lengths to combat Hormone Imbalance….


….you truly need fundamental hormone balance in order to achieve overall health.


The balance of hormones directly affects how our bodies function. Balanced hormones translate into energy, weight control, sexual vigor, youthful appearance, recovery from daily stress and physical activity and overall sense of well-being.


Imbalance leads to fatigue, sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction, depression, impaired immune function, chronic illnesses, disease, and ultimately, early death.


Chinese herbalists have an age-old secret that they’ve used for thousands of years for its infinite benefits….


….the western world is finally getting on board - calling it the superfood of the 21st century - and so many have realized its ability to balance hormones….


….Pine Pollen!


It’s Lost Empire Herbs’ most popular product, and right now they’re having their annual Tax Refund sale so you can get it for 15% off! Just use code “TAXREFUND” at checkout.


Not only is Pine Pollen a great, natural way to boost energy and help balance hormones, it is also an aphrodisiac, and even supports hair and skin health!


In China, it’s considered a beauty tonic for women. Several of its compounds support both elastin and collagen, so it can be applied topically for radiant skin.


If taken orally, its wide variety of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants will help support your overall health.


I’m so excited for you to save big, and to see for yourself how Pine Pollen can drastically improve your health. Use coupon code “TAXREFUND” when you checkout.


This is a STOREWIDE sale, so to take full advantage of this awesome 15% discount, be sure to check out ALL that Lost Empire Herbs has to offer.


Don’t forget! Use coupon code “TAXREFUND” at checkout to get a 15% on all of their products!

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