Have I Committed Cardinal Sins In The Fitness World?

 Granted I'm not a complete traditionalist but I do practice quite a bit of the old school style of training as opposed to whatever is going on with the style or trends of this century. Certain things come and go when it comes to training and learning how to do things more instinctively, that's where I feel like I thrive at. 

I have written in recent times about the bullshit myth of "If you ain't squatting, you ain't training" being a possible controversial take. I've been doing more squats lately than I have step ups for reasons that have nothing to do with it being some kind of requirement or need. I work on various squats with the band, bodyweight and isometrics because they're fun to do and it keeps things in check. I miss doing step ups though which I actually haven't done in probably a couple months at the most. Those are really brutal when you put on a weight vest and do 500-1000 of them. 

So did I break any rules or sins when it comes to leg training? The truth is....Who really made up these rules to begin with? Squats are essential and should be practiced in and of themselves from a certain POV, I do believe in that. Now, I personally believe those who "make up" these rules are the dogmatic types that have large egos and wouldn't know how to help others when it comes to true squatting because not everybody is able to squat the same ways. For instance, if someone is 5'8 and has a long torso but shorter legs, squatting (depending on the variation) may have a better learning vibe on how to work a deep squat but if you took someone who's say 6'6 or something around that level of height, squatting is going to really depend on his mobility in the knees and hips because a full squat for him may only be half the range of motion. If he goes any deeper, he'd be testing the elasticity of his ligaments. Granted some guys trained well enough to make a squat look so effortless that you wonder what the hell he truly did to build that level of flexibility (Alexander Karelin anyone?). It's incredible what people can do.

When I squat, there are things I need to be aware of. Example would be if I had a wider than shoulder-width stance, I can go pretty deep and hold it for 10 minutes or more if I felt like it. Toes pointed diagonally and it may take me a few seconds to plant my heels flat but once they're completely flat, BAM I'm holding it pretty well. For reps, it can be tricky but I don't have issues doing them up to 500 using a deck of cards when I add in the goblet style with the forearms being really close together which is called Pan Squats based off of the Satyr from strongman Kevin Wikse. Now if I put my feet at shoulder width or narrower, that is very weird for me and not in a good way either. Because of the rod and pins in my shin and ankles, it limits the amount of flexibility because the deeper I go into it, the more it becomes painful for me. With the Hindu Squats, going down and lifting the heels up helps immensely. The further in I bring the legs, the more my heels won't be able to touch the floor. If I attempted to do a full ATG squat with the feet together, I won't be able to keep the heels down, it's not an excuse or anything that's just how my legs are and I'll feel incredible tightness below the knees that does not feel good or comfortable whatsoever. 

So have I committed some rule when it comes to squatting, some say maybe or even definite but most who know me and seen what I'm capable of up close will tell you what I do is enough for me as an individual and it works really well along what I believe in when it comes to squatting in general. Another "Sin" or "Rule" that I may have broken is on the subject of Pull-Ups. Are they really required? Over the years, I have mix feelings about the importance of Pull-ups and the older I get, the more I view it as another tool in the arsenal that have benefits for plenty but I'm not going to go on a rampage if you don't do them. Are there right and wrong ways to do them? Very much so. What I've written in the past about the importance or requirement wasn't 100% my own opinion, it was based off an inspiring and interesting article from Vahva Fitness and how it talks about pulling movements. You can read the article HERE...Here is a direct quote from this article to give you a glimpse of what it talks about, this is from Eero's words not mine "You can find lots of examples of balanced and strong physiques from dance, yoga and qigong of people who never go to the gym and never do pull ups. Yet, they can have amazing postures and even nice back development with visible traps and bulking lats."

In reality, Pull-Ups are awesome and I'll do 10-20 of them in my own workouts from time to time but priority wise, I'm more into doing bodyweight rows, Hybrid Iso Pull-Ups and Isometrically pulling down on my WorldFit Iso Trainer Handles while standing and still get a hell of a back, core and grip workout from any one of these. That works for me and I'm not ashamed of it. So, again, did I break some sort of rule when it comes to Pull-Ups? Short answer...FUCK NO!!!

Every individual has ways of developing their body to get a great physique that isn't from a conventional or traditional point of view. Some will be better at using machines and free weights, others at bodyweight, bands, isometrics and other things. Some will have a complete variety of both traditional and non traditional forms of exercise that work for them. Bodyweight and Isometrics alone can benefit many and it's a top 3 of the greatest forms of exercise because they can be done anywhere, anytime. However, some may like to add a thing or two to keep their mind working for their own journey. Now if one was in prison, if you're confined to a cell 23-24 hours a day, bodyweight is most likely going to be your best friend (Charles Bronson bro) so do what's possible. You truly have a limitless imagination, many just haven't ignited it yet but once you do and have knowledge of your own body and fitness programs, there's no ending to what you can come up with. 

So to end this, if anybody has rules set up for you that don't make much sense, those are probably the ones not to be trusted mainly because they set up their own rules and only care if you follow them or not and will treat you like a slave if you follow their rules. If you don't follow their rules, you're a loser and have no business training for yourself. That's pure bullshit man. Learn the ins and outs of fitness and customize what works best for you. If you have a personal trainer, they may be different cause they have certain things required of you to do to help you get better but that's not the same as some whack-job telling you this or that based on their own bias and one track mind. Be amazingly awesome in your own journey and if things work for you that give you success yet you're told there's some dumbass rule you're breaking, I'd say be a fucking rule breaker cause those rules aren't meant for you. 

Harnessing Your Individuality When It Comes To Training

We all had a hero in some form or another growing up as kids and we admire certain people as we get older but as time goes on and we learn a thing or two, harnessing our own individuality can be a tough gig yet it's part of a necessity that many loathe and can't stand. Some will go to extremes to be like somebody else (HOLLYWOOD wink wink) whether it be in business, fitness, movies, sports or whatever. We tend to promote ourselves as one of a kind but also put too much emphasis on who we are expected to be instead of putting emphasis of who we are and what makes us a unique person.

The reason many can't stand or loathe people being their true selves because mainly they're afraid of their own soul and that being an individual with a single point of unique traits is very hard to achieve. Almost anyone can act out or program themselves to be somebody else because it's easier than building yourself from the ground up. Fitness is right up there with that kind of approach.

When I was growing up, I wanted to be like Michael Jordan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Sanders and other cool actors and athletes that looked larger than life. In reality, I was short, stocky and about as unathletic and uncoordinated as can be. I wasn't that good at Basketball, couldn't look like a bodybuilder if I tried and I didn't have the aggressiveness to play football. Those traits prevented me from doing a lot of what I wanted to be. As I grew up and learning what my strengths and weaknesses were, little by little things fell into place of what I expected and accepted of myself as opposed to what I was told to be and how to do things by others' standards and expectations.

Once fitness became a part of my very existence, I made a vow to myself to learn everything possible and focus on creating my own style from the things I learned. I've mastered many exercises but don't follow a trainer or guru to the T, I learned how to strengthen my body without the aid of Physical Therapy and never once used a Personal Trainer to show me the ropes. I learned to harness my individuality and continuing to evolve. Is it perfect and is my way meant for everyone? Hell no. Once you understand the value of not trying to be exactly like a Michael Jordan or Arnold or Barry Sanders, you learn the true meaning of being able to strengthen yourself inside and out. Another is, these people are the GOATs of their chosen sport or acting, you can't have the same exact accolades or try to be the way they were. There are people out there with better skills and have more titles to their name but don't have the same recognition. 

We train to better ourselves, not to showoff and try to be better than somebody else. We win, we lose and we're human with different capabilities, traits and fortitude. You can make it known what you're capable of and have a great level of strength, conditioning and a powerful will but in the end, you and you alone are the very best at what's happening right now. Certain things will fade and adjust to what comes next but never underestimate the power of your own individuality. Learn to progress and grab a hold of what makes you the best version of you. You can be a great wrestler and do all sorts of moves and submissions, you can be a great powerlifter that sets records and have strength beyond belief or you can develop an all around level of anything you set your mind to. Your training is what you develop to do something great later on no matter how big or small, victories come in all shapes and sizes. 

Be an individual of your own accord and make the most of what makes you great. It's a long journey but it doesn't have to be boring or so extreme that it becomes unrealistic. It can be interesting and you'd be surprised what you're capable of if you just open up your soul and become something you were meant to be because it's you and no one else. 

Connection & Individuality

           There’s always energy surrounding us. Sometimes we feel it more so than others, often the majority can’t even fathom or notice it but it is there, how we use that energy is up to us as a whole; physically, emotionally, intuitively, spiritually and mentally. Like the force, energy binds us, connects us and hits us from every angle even when we don’t notice it. It’s that universal power that creates the fire and emotion we all have.

            We are all connected but also have a single body. Our connection to others has different meanings whether you’re good or bad, part of a religion or a spiritual enthusiast, race, creed it doesn't matter what does matter is when something is off balance something always seems to hit us in one way or another. Connecting with others gives you the opportunity to learn and understand where they come from and what they mean to you but also as an individual it’s important to learn about yourself and how you see yourself having that connection.

            We strive all our lives to find who we are as a person and for some, they become something they didn't expect to be, others feel it’s their destiny to be apart of something and then there are those that are forced into becoming something they don’t want to be. Finding who you are is the ultimate challenge and it’s never easy but once it hits you, you never want to turn back and move forward with what you want to become. Loving others is another challenge and it’s just as hard as finding who you are but it’s simpler. Loving another human being is a state of mind in my opinion because no matter what they've done that may seem hurtful or even grateful, in your mind they’re still a human being and having some kind of love for them makes you nobler, caring, giving and having the will power to not give into the hate.

            There are different meanings to certain things but all have a common goal; being accepted. Accept who you are and accept who certain people are because the more you try to change who you are or someone else, it’s just going to be a bigger burden on you. Accept change. Not saying you should join a cult or become a mass murderer I’m not talking that kind of acceptance, I’m talking about acceptance that’s meaningful to you and it has a positive notion of how you want to see the world. Our mindset is different from each person and we all see the world in our own way but yet if you learned to shift your mind to a positive image and feel love no matter where you go, our energy changes, our emotions perk up, we find things that make us happy.

            I’ll tell you first hand that even around people I love and care about, some of them don’t accept me as a person because of some of the things I do or say, hell they can’t stand my sense of humor most of the time and it’s not a burden on me, it’s on them but it’s up to me to learn how to control my mind and see a more positive outlook from those who have no real positive objectives. What I’m pointing out is that even if you’re not accepted even by those closest to you, you must accept yourself. It’s one thing and when you learn to use it, the rest of the world don’t mean a damn thing except you made it a priority to love the world for what it is.

You Are Awesome

            We all have dealt with many things in our lives. Some have gone through far worse than any of us, some haven’t experienced certain emotional pain yet and with heart I hope no one does cause it sucks. However, the shit you have dealt with in your life can become your greatest blessing because it teaches you how to overcome and become a much stronger individual.

            Now a common question that comes up in a person’s life is What Makes You Unique? Every answer varies. Some people have great gifts and great skills, some are even blessed with certain abilities and either choose to use them productively or rarely use them at all. Being unique truly is a gift in itself because although you stand out from others, you’re the one who gets to decide how much of your uniqueness you want to use. You can even be an outlaw in some cases because you choose to not follow others rules and find your own creativity while giving your ability to become a great person work for you.

            The one thing I always want to emphasize is that no matter how old you are, black/white/brown/yellow/Asian, African, American, French whatever; embrace who you are as an individual because no matter who you are, there will always be a group of others who will tell you to be something else or better yet someone else, people who will tell you that you can’t express yourself and show who you are as the genuine article. It’s extremely difficult, pointless and really idiotic to try to be like someone else. That person is already taken, create who you want to be and never stop believing you’ll be able to achieve it. Influence others who want to be different, show them it’s ok to find your own secrets to becoming a great and unique human being.

            What really makes you awesome? It’s not always how strong you are physically, how manly/womanly you are, how you use your mental and spiritual abilities and even not always how shy you are in the beginning; it’s how you embrace yourself and represent who you truly are and the power you can have to make others notice, it’s that law of attraction that uses guidance. You are one kick ass person and don’t let anyone tell you different, make yourself fun to be around, be good to people, help them out every now and then. Be the genuine article and you’ll find what great things can happen in your life.