Become A Lord Of The Rings: Another World Of Strength Training With Epic Results

 The humble gymnastics rings.  They look innocent enough, just a pair of wooden or plastic rings hanging from a sturdy strap or rope.  But don't be fooled, these unassuming tools can deliver a brutal beating to even the most seasoned athlete.  And yet, for those willing to put in the work, the rewards are well worth the effort. When I took on the Rings back in college, I was in awe of how different they felt from other forms of equipment.  The instability, the need to engage every muscle just to hold a static position - it was like nothing I'd ever experienced.  And yet, there was something about it that drew me in, something that made me want to keep coming back for more.

One of the most significant benefits of training with rings is the increased strength and control they demand.  Because the rings are unstable, you can't just rely on brute force to get the job done.  You need to engage your stabilizer muscles, your core, and your entire body to maintain control and execute even the simplest movements.  This level of control and strength translates perfectly to other areas of training, making you a more well-rounded athlete. It's one of the best ways to learn Time Under Tension. Rings don't just make you stronger, they force you to utilize Muscle Control to a great degree.

But there is no fucking way the benefits stop there.  Training with rings also improves your proprioception - your body's ability to sense its position and movement in space.  This is crucial for athletes, as it allows you to move more efficiently, avoid injuries as much as possible, and perform complex movements with precision and laser-like focus. Let's not forget the mental toughness that comes with training on these things.  The fear of falling, the uncertainty of whether you'll be able to hold a particular position - it's a mental challenge as much as it is a physical one.

So, how do you get started with training on rings?  First and foremost, you need to build a solid foundation of strength and control.  This means starting with basic movements like ring holds, ring rows, and Isometric Pull-Ups.  Don't be discouraged if you can't do these movements right away - it takes time and practice to build up the necessary strength and control. Not to mention patience.

One of the most important things to focus on when training with rings is the positioning of the body.  Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, engage your core, and squeeze your glutes, flex every muscle.  This will help you maintain control and prevent injuries.  It's also crucial to start slow and build up gradually.  Don't try to do too much too soon - it's better to focus on perfecting the basics than to risk injury by pushing yourself too hard. Be simplistic and develop mastery.

As you progress, you can start incorporating more advanced movements into your routine.  Things like ring dips, ring pull-ups, and even more complex skills like planches and front levers.  But remember, the key is to focus on control and precision, not just brute strength.  It's better to do a few perfect reps than to struggle through a dozen sloppy ones. Sloppy means higher risk of injuries.

Of course, training with rings isn't without its challenges.  The instability of the rings can be intimidating, and the risk of injury is always present.  But for those willing to put in the work, the rewards are well worth the risks.  Not only will you build incredible strength and control, but you'll also develop a sense of mental toughness and resilience that's hard to find elsewhere. 

In my own training with them back in the day, I just kept it to the basics, never really going further than Dips, Pull-Ups & Push-Ups. As long as you stick with those, you'll have a level of strength that will carry over to your later years. If you're looking to take your training to the next level, I highly recommend giving gymnastics rings a try.  They may not be the most glamorous piece of equipment, but they're certainly one of the most effective.  With patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn, you can unlock the incredible benefits of ring training and take your fitness to new heights.

I recommend looking into guys like Mike Gillette, Al Kavadlo & Matt Schifferle. This trio alone will give you the tools and programming that could be used to strengthen your body in the Gymnastics Rings and other forms of Suspension Training. They may be challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort.  So why not give them a try?  You never know what you're capable of until you try.

Be amazingly awesome and build that upper body you can be proud of without always going to the gym. 

Weight Vest Walking: Epic Cardio Without Needing To Run

Ah, the humble weight vest. A simple, yet brutally effective tool for those looking to take their fitness to a different level. And what better way to utilize this beast of a training aid than with one of the most fundamental human movements: walking. Weight vest walking is incredibly simple but also underrated. It's time to lace up, strap on the weight, and kill that work capacity and conditioning.

*The Benefits are Real*

Weight vest walking is more than just a novelty; it's a potent training stimulus that can yield impressive gains in strength, endurance, and overall fitness. By adding resistance to the walking movement, you're engaging your muscles in a way that's both challenging and rewarding. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect:

- Increased Strength: Weight vest walking targets multiple muscle groups simultaneously, including the legs, glutes, core, and even the upper body to a degree. As you walk, these muscles are forced to adapt to the added resistance, leading to increased strength and hypertrophy.

- Improved Endurance: Walking with a weight vest is an excellent way to boost your cardiovascular endurance. By pushing yourself to walk further and faster with weight on your body, you'll be improving your heart's ability to pump blood and your muscles' ability to utilize oxygen. Myself, I'll go for 45 min to roughly an hour in my own training. The feeling you get when you take it off after is nothing short of incredible. 

- Enhanced Bone Density: Resistance training is a proven way to improve bone density, and weight vest walking is no exception. By putting stress on your bones, you're stimulating the production of new bone tissue, which can help to prevent osteoporosis and fractures. Strong bones will help you in the years to come with the right tools and programming to suit your goals.

- Increased Caloric Burn: Weight vest walking is a form of loaded movement, which means you're burning more calories than you would with regular walking. This can be a useful tool for those looking to lose weight or maintain weight loss. Burns up to 3x more calories than regular walking. 

- Improved Mental Toughness: Let's face it: weight vest walking isn't easy (if it was, it wouldn't be worth it). It takes mental toughness and discipline to strap on a heavy vest and get moving. By pushing yourself through the discomfort, you'll be building the kind of mental resilience that can translate to other areas of your life. The carryover is astounding. 

*Getting Started*

So, how do you get started with weight vest walking? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

- Start Light: Don't try to lift the world on your first day. Start with a light weight and gradually increase the load as you build strength and endurance. Depending on your size, it varies for men and women but for men, I'd start between 10-20, women would be 10-15. Gradually build up. For most workouts, I rarely ever go past 40 but have carried up to 60 during a walk. 

- Focus on Form: Good form is essential when weight vest walking. Keep your posture upright, engage your core, and try to maintain a smooth, consistent gait. Start to slouch and you'll feel it later and it won't feel good. Keep an eye and focus on your breathing as well.

- Choose the Right Vest: Not all weight vests are created equal. Look for a vest that's comfortable, durable, and allows for easy weight adjustments. Like from Kensui...They have adjustable vests where you can put plates on and give you the idea of progressive loading as you get stronger, just like in weight training. 

- Mix it Up: Don't be afraid to mix up your routine. Try walking on different terrain, incorporating hills or stairs, and varying the weight and duration of your walks. Hiking is a hell of a burner.

*Advanced Techniques*

Once you've got the basics down, it's time to take your weight vest walking to the next level. Here are a couple advanced techniques to test out:

- Weighted Walking Lunges: Alternate legs in a walking lunge position while wearing your weight vest. This will target your legs and glutes in a unique and challenging way.

- Long-Distance Walking: Challenge yourself to walk a certain distance with your weight vest on. This can be a great way to build endurance and mental toughness. Go for an hour and see how it feels. Think my longest walk was around 90 minutes and that was going up hill, coming back down and going around the neighborhood in reverse.  

*Common Mistakes*

As with any form of training, there are common mistakes to watch out for when weight vest walking. Here are a couple to keep in mind:

- Poor Posture: Make sure to maintain good posture when walking with a weight vest. Slouching or leaning forward can put unnecessary stress on your joints and muscles.

- Too Much Weight: Don't be afraid to start light and gradually increase the weight. Trying to lift too much too soon can lead to injury or burnout. Look at the starting weight at the Endurance Benefit.

*Conclusion*

Weight vest walking is a powerful training tool that can yield impressive gains in strength, endurance, and overall fitness. By incorporating this brutal yet effective technique into your routine, you'll be unleashing the beast within and taking your fitness to the next level. So, get out in the fresh air, walk with power and pride and get those gains. Be amazingly awesome. 

The Pull-Up Paradox

Pull-ups are one of the essential elements that tests strength which also requires power and technique. As a staple exercise in many fitness routines, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of pull-up training.

The Pros....

- Upper Body Dominance: Pull-ups build incredible strength in the back, shoulders, and arms, making them a compound exercise that drives results.

- Functional Strength: Pull-ups translate to real-life movements, such as climbing, lifting, and carrying, making them a valuable exercise for functional fitness.

- Mental Toughness: Mastering pull-ups requires perseverance, discipline, and mental fortitude, building confidence and self-esteem.

Caution: The Cons

(Those who are fanatics might get offended or find it off putting but these are the facts)

- Injury Risk: Poor form, overuse, or inadequate loosening up of the muscles can lead to injuries in the shoulders, elbows, or wrists, taking you out of commission.

- Accessibility Limitations: Pull-up bars might not be readily available, limiting access to this exercise for some individuals. Trees, Rings & Suspension Trainers may give you some leeway but some believe Rings & Suspensions don't always count as pull-ups which is bullshit LOL.

- Plateau Potential: Without progressive overload or variation, pull-up training can stagnate, leading to frustration and boredom.

Progressing....

To unlock the full potential of pull-up training, focus on progressive overload, consistency, and patience. With dedication and persistence, you'll unleash some serious strength, reaping the rewards of this challenging yet rewarding exercise and its variations. Try doing them with Fat Gripz, they'll really test you. 

Some will go overboard even working around certain injuries like elbow pain which can affect your real potential. The type of guys I highly recommend you give a look through is Matt Schifferle & Al Kavadlo. If anything, they're some of the top guys on the subject of Pull-Up Training, digging into the very core of what effective methods are used to keep you strong but also pain free. However, guys like the overzealous and injury prone David Goggins are not the type of role models that really tackle the issues. He's more of a glory hound that at a glance is inspiring because of his background in the Navy Seals and his crazy running workouts/marathoning but if you look at it on another level, that dude has more injuries than anyone would want to count and his pull-ups are decent but not worth the amount done. 

There are other guys out there that are over the top about pull-up training and act like it's the only thing that matters when it comes to Bodyweight Training (spoiler alert, it isn't). For them and this is a general outlook for some of the influencers out there, that if you don't practice pull-ups and/or do them the way they teach, you're a loser. It's not true and doing 100 pull-ups or more in a workout too frequently or even GTG style can have dire consequences later on in life. Doing a few here and there either in sets or throughout the day isn't the worst thing but it's important to pay attention to how you feel and if there's pain, STOP!!! For me, I don't go any further than 20-30 total reps in my training, right now I'm at 20 doing them in sets of 3-4 and that's more than enough for me. 

It's not about the quantity, it's about technique, quality movement and feeling strong; not painful or trying to be better than anybody else, there's always going to be somebody better so why really fight it? Do what works best for you and stay on level during and after training. If you're going nuts day and day out, it's going to bite you in the ass one way or another. Being in pain and not even being to lift lift your arms or hold a cup of orange juice in your hand is NOT something people with a conscience would strive for. 

Get strong in pull-ups and make it worthy for joint health and long term strength. Be amazingly awesome. 

Rise Up Like The Phoenix: An In Depth Look At The Fiery Supplement That Unleashes That Inner Beast

Ladies and Gents, bad asses everywhere, at this moment lets dive into the fiery depths of Lost Empire Herbs' Phoenix Formula, a supplement that's got many folks from gym rats to the grand champions of sports buzzing. As someone who loves to train and fire things up (whether that's through sledgehammer training, Bands or Isometric Exercises), I deeply want to share with you the value and ideas on this potent potion.

Rise Up From The Fucking Ashes

Legend has it that the phoenix is born from its own ashes, rising like a fiery specter from the depths of despair. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to tap into that kind of raw power and intense strength? Phoenix Formula could do just that – ignite your inner flames, fuel your passions, and set your life ablaze that can shoot into the heavens.

As you scoop up the powder and pour it into your mug of water, you may be greeted by a pungent aroma that screams, "LET'S GO!" The label itself looks like it was designed by a team of ancient warriors, complete with mystical symbols and a bird that seems to fly through Asgard. It's like they're daring you to unleash the phoenix within. The other alternative option if you're not the powder type, you can get this in Capsule Form as well.

The Ingredients: A Witch's Brew of Awesomeness

So, what's behind the power and magic? Phoenix Formula boasts an impressive lineup of natural ingredients, each one chosen for its potent effects on energy, focus, and overall vitality. The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse are:

Shilajit

Pine Pollen

Black Ant

He Shou Wu

After putting Phoenix Formula through its paces, A number of people have said – this stuff is the real deal. The energy boost is palpable, and they find themselves tackling tough workouts with renewed vigor and focus. Their mind feels sharper, the body feels stronger, and their overall sense of well-being has taken a noticeable leap forward.

Of course, individual results may vary, but it's pretty damn evidenced that Phoenix Formula is more than just a flash in the pan. It's a potent tool that's worthy of its mythical namesake.

In conclusion, Lost Empire Herbs' Phoenix Formula is a game-changer. Whether you're a hardcore fitness enthusiast, or just someone looking to level up their life, this supplement is worth considering. It's like having a god on your team – unstoppable, fierce, and ready to take on the world.

Unleash your inner phoenix and join the ranks of the unstoppable. Try Lost Empire Herbs' Phoenix Formula today and discover a more powerful, more epic, and more inspiring you. Be amazingly awesome.

*Disclaimer:* As always, before adding any new supplement to your routine, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional and follow the recommended dosage.

Killer Isometric Workout That Tests Incredible Strength And Conditioning

 Did you read my article on Isometric Experimentation? Well, I got another one for you that was pretty brutal but it was great to try out. That's the beauty of Isometric Training, the possibilities are endless and there many ways to get in a great workout without breaking the body. This workout however, tested me in not just strength but endurance as well. I combined Push-Up Holds and 7-12 Second Isometric Contractions to create the type of training that forces you to handle yielding and overcoming isometrics separately to really dig into the muscles and legit test yourself in ways that seem something out of the Shaolin Monks (I did say seem but not exact).

Sweat was literally pouring out of me like a waterfall and was hitting muscles that I didn't even realize I was targeting. At times it felt like torture but it was necessary to see what I was capable of and what I can accomplish. Guys like Steve Justa & Bud Jeffries were in many cases, the big two when it came to experimenting with Isometrics in extreme ways that people thought they were crazy. It made them strong, there never be a question of that and I think they'd be proud of what I tried to do when it came to conditioning using only Isometrics. 

This was brutal, hard and one of the most insane workouts I've ever tried when it came to Isometrics. Every other exercise was either a 1 Minute Push-up or an intense contraction for a few seconds that really hammered the tendons and ligaments and pushed strength to another level without weights and the only things used was a floor, a wall and the Worldfit Iso Trainer. Do not attempt this if you're new to Isometric Training and if you think this is easy, you've got another thing coming. You will sweat, you will feel things that are out there and you may feel lighter on your feet than you have in quite a while. Take a gander and see what you can do. FYI, I didn't do a lot of resting between exercises either so this will add a cardio element to it.....The 1 Min Push-up in this case is on the fists at 30 sec at the top and 30 sec holding the mid position and the objective is to not let the chest touch the floor. The other exercises are 7-12 Second Contractions at 70-85% Intensity. 

1 Min Push-Up

Wall Sit (Feet Flat)

1 Min Push-Up

Wall Sit (Heels Up)

1 Min Push-Up

Wall Sit (Toes Up)

1 Min Push-Up

3 Position Curl w/ WorldFit Iso Trainer

1 Min Push-Up

3 Position Overhead Press w/ WorldFit Iso Trainer

1 Min Push-Up

3 Position Deadlift w/ WorldFit Iso Trainer

1 Minute Push-Up

Core (Hollow Body, Arch Body, Dead Bug, Side Bends w/ Legs Wide/Shoulder Width & Feet Together)

1 Min Push-Up

All Together, you're looking 8-1 Min Push-Ups & 21 7-12 Sec Isometric Exercises. This took me around 35 minutes or so to complete. It was one of the most exhausting workouts I've ever put myself through and just to let you know, not one time my chest touched the floor in the push-ups, I wanted to drop a time or two but I knew I needed to tighten up and focus on my breathing. You could've filled cup after cup of sweat that was drained out of me. I did feel lighter and that post workout shower was one of the best I've ever had bar none. My chest, my core, my forearms, my back felt like steel, hard as fucking stone man. This is strength that matters and muscular endurance that isn't always utilized. 

Minimal Equipment, a desire and a twisted imagination to turn a series of exercises that are simple and not flashy but will humble practically anybody and make them crazy strong in ways that is indescribable. I'm still feeling the effects of this workout right now and before going to bed last night, I knocked off 500 Step Ups just to get some excess energy out. Great workout.

Be amazingly awesome and if you want to try this workout, for the intense contractions (press, deadlift, curl) you can use a towel or your own bodyweight if you don't have the trainer (I highly recommend it though). You can do the push-up in different variations if you wish like using handles, on the palms to really target the muscles differently. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

Had An Itch To Go Back

 Decided I wanted to go back on Twitter. Already have friends on there and just don't want to be a part of the negative bullshit. It wasn't easy and I know I said I'll be gone for good but something within me decided to crawl out of the depths of it's dark side and embrace something new.

Making a few changes....

1. Get rid of that of that Blue Check. There are features I can find for free that it doesn't have and get better benefit out of it.

2. Stay away from Profiles (as much as possible) that have a lot of negative or messed up stuff involved and do better by being a more peaceful person. 

3. Promote Fitness and help others a lot more often than going down a rabbit hole trying to save everyone, I can't and I need to be ok with that.

4. Not interact with a bunch of assholes who think they can scare me, they really can't. Save the trouble for another guy.

5. Have a better attitude of what comes my way. Some people may come at me either because of my last name or think something stupid when they can't back anything up. Give me enough shit, I'll just block them, not that hard.

That's just a few things. I have been known to change my mind on things from time to time and my post about leaving will most likely get deleted in the coming days or maybe just keep it up, who really knows, hell I don't even know. What is true though is that Twitter can be an awful place where people can get away with a lot of shit but there are some good things and there are good people on there that are great to interact with. Will I leave again at some point, possibly but for now, I just want to see where it leads, plus I think there can be some great things that could happen and I don't want to pass that up. 

As for whom I call Freddie (he called me darling once and that's where my head went LOL), you know, the guy that copies my work and makes those Fake Reviews? Haven't even the slightest clue what he's been up to and don't really give a shit. He dug himself into a big hole a long time ago and just lives with a fragile ego. Not worth my time or energy and he doesn't need to waste his crap on me. 

I guess I just had time to reflect and take a break, there are things much bigger than that place and I just want to do something good with it and not get all worked up about whatever, again, life's too damn short. I'm still @powerandmight on there so if you want to follow or send me a note, go for it. It's time to embrace certain things and have a new outlook on there as well. Thank you and hopefully I'll see you there. Be amazingly awesome. 

Isometric Experimentation

 I like coming up with stuff to train differently or put them in a different perspective. That's the beauty of fitness, you learn various things and experiment while setting goals and getting the most out of what's possible. In this case of experimentation, I've been working on a Isometric Style program that blends TUT (Time Under Tension) and 7-12 Second Intense Contractions with the 1 Minute Push-Up.

Have done a few so far and it really has me going through a routine that switches up some muscle groups and working the Core & Legs consistently. I'd start it by doing the 1 Minute Push-up (On my fists) for 30 Seconds at the top, 30 seconds at mid point (doing my best to not have the chest touch the floor) and then go into a 7-12 second intense isometric exercise in three positions (Like the Curl or Deadlift for example), rest a bit, do another 1 minute push-up, another Iso exercise and so on until I've completed whatever exercises and the push-up. I'll do up to say 5 1 minute push-ups and many 7-12 second contraction exercises at 70-85% max. Here's a sample workout I've done....

1 Minute Push-up

Wall Sit (Feet Flat. Heels Up, Toes Up)

1 Minute Push-Up

Core (Hollow Body, Dead Bug, Arch Body, Side Bends (Feet Wide, Feet Shoulder Width, Feet Together))

1 Minute Push-Up

Overhead Press

1 Minute Push-Up

Curl

1 Minute Push-Up

Total: 5 1 Minute Push-Ups & 15 7-12 Second Contractions

This is a hell of a workout and gives off some crazy vibes at the end. Not easy by any stretch and it adds an element to ancient techniques mixed with modern strength training. 

Last night, I tried another experiment where I did a Superset of the 1 Minute Push-Up and a 1 Minute Wall Sit. Did 3x with little to no rest. This is a different look at keeping TUT instead of just doing reps of squats and push-ups. Nothing wrong with doing them dynamically, those are essential but this builds a different level of strength and conditioning. This is more in tuned for joint health and working the little muscles, toughening up the tendons and lessening the chances of having knee pain, elbow and shoulder issues. As a Superset, it becomes a battle of the lactic acid that builds up as you do more sets. I only did 3 but I plan on doing more and seeing what's possible. If rest is needed at first, do so but the objective is to test your mental fortitude and physical endurance. These can also harden the muscles to where they'll feel like solid oak lol. Shaolin Monks would do something similar but they would go for long ass periods of time and they're pound for pound strong motherfuckers. 

This is where Isometrics becomes something that is needed in the realm of health and fitness, it's not always about ego and seeing if you're better than anyone else, it's about what you can do that becomes better and better as time goes on. You can go long, you can shorten it to a micro workout, whatever you want to do but remember to find what works best for you. Isometrics have been getting a bit more traction as of late because of studies being done but it's still a very underrated style of training because it's not shiny or always some exciting blend of crazy moves that seem almost acrobatic or speeded up; it's tough, hard yet so simple, can seem boring cause you're just holding positions but in the end, some of the strongest and athletic people on the planet do Isometric Training. From Dan Gable to the Great Gama, Baseball Legends like Mickey Mantle & Hank Aaron did them, fighters such as high ranking Boxers and BJJ Legend Royce Gracie did them, they're part of a puzzle that we don't normally see under the surface.

Isometric Training has benefits that can be not only Game-Changing but Life Changing As well. What would it be like to go through your golden years with little to no pain in your joints, your muscles are as strong as ever and you can still do things with the grandkids, be active without being hurt, get up off the floor without being in agony and even feel like you're light on your feet. That's the true goal in life, to have strength that lasts, powerful ligaments that lessen the chance of hip/shoulder/knee replacements and have the stamina to keep up with the little ones. See what I'm saying? Give them a go. Books & Courses such as Overcoming Isometrics cand give you plenty to keep you on your toes and be able to Strength Train without wrecking yourself. 

Be amazingly awesome and stay strong.  

Unlock Your Inner Bear: The Power of Bear Crawl Sprints

When it comes to building strength, speed, and agility, traditional sprinting is often at the top of the list. But what if you could take your sprinting to the next level by incorporating a primal, full-body movement that challenges your entire physique? Enter bear crawl sprints, one of the most intense yet simple exercises that's about to amplify your workout routine.

What is Bear Crawl Sprinting?

The Bear Crawl is a quadrupedal movement that involves moving on all fours, with your hands and feet in contact with the ground. It's a natural, animalistic movement that engages your entire body, from your shoulders and arms to your core, hips, and legs. By adding a sprinting element to the mix, you'll be upping the intensity and reap a multitude of benefits that go beyond traditional sprinting.

Benefits of Bear Crawl Sprints

1. Full-Body Engagement: Bear Crawl Sprints are a true full-body exercise, engaging your arms, legs, core, and hips in a single, fluid movement. This integrated approach strengthens your entire physique, improving overall power, speed, and coordination.

2. Injury-Resistant Strengthening: Unlike traditional sprinting, which can be high-impact and stressful on your joints, bear crawl sprints offer a lower-impact alternative that may be easier on your joints. This makes it an ideal exercise for those looking to build strength without sacrificing joint health.

3. Improved Coordination and Agility: Bear Crawling requires coordination and agility, challenging your brain to communicate with your muscles in new and exciting ways. As you progress, you'll notice significant improvements in your overall athleticism and reaction time.

4. Core Strength and Stability: The positioning in this exercise demands engagement from your core muscles, including your abs, obliques, and lower back. By sprinting in this position, you'll develop rock-solid core strength and stability that translates to improved performance in other exercises and sports. Wrestlers and Football Players know this very well.

5. Increased Metabolism and Fat Loss: Very intense exercises like Bear Crawl Sprints are proven to boost your metabolism and ignite fat loss. By incorporating this exercise into your routine, you'll be tapping into a potent fat-burning mechanism that will help you achieve your physique goals. 

6. Enhanced Neuromuscular Connection: Sprinting in this manner require a high level of neuromuscular coordination, challenging the brain to communicate with your muscles in new and complex ways. As you master this exercise, you'll develop a stronger connection between your nervous system and muscles, leading to improved overall strength and athleticism.

A good solid workout doing this takes no more than 5 minutes. You can increase time as you get better but it's not a requirement because the workout itself is so intense. My favorite is just going for 10 seconds, rest 20 seconds and repeat that for a total of about 5 minutes, that's it and you're good to go. This could be a finisher to your regular routine to boost your conditioning and/or calorie burning or it can be used on it's own where you go hard and do something later. I've only done it a couple times as a finisher and it was brutal as hell. On it's own, just raw and intense that makes me want to sleep it off afterwards when my breath returns to normal. 

Bear crawl sprints are a game-changing exercise that can take your strength training and athleticism into new and exciting territory. By incorporating this primal, full-body movement into your workout routine, you'll develop rock-solid strength, explosive power, and a leaner, more athletic physique. So why not unleash your inner beast and give bear crawl sprints a go? Your body – and mind – will thank you.

Be amazingly awesome and become a wild beast.

For more training like a wild animal, check out Vahva Movement and get to work on becoming the most athletic you can be and have a blast doing it. 

Another Look At High Rep Work And Heavy Lifting

Doing high rep training does have its benefits but it's not worth training for it daily. It's not a requirement, for most people, it's a choice and if it works for them cool, keep at if it's important to you. Where in the real world are you planning to do a pull-up somewhere that you'll be doing it more than once? The military? That's really the only place where you'll be doing that or if you're training for a sport. Pull-Ups are essential and have solid benefits but in reality, you don't need to do a ton of them in a row unless that's part of your training regimen. Now if you did them using tension and can only do a few, that may be more beneficial than just banging them out half assing it. 

Don't get me wrong, I'll do a few in sets myself but that's really about it, I get just as strong and I'm content with doing a few at a time. Telling people you can do as many as 25 perfect ones or something in a row and not actually have footage, you're lying you ass off and you're proving doing that many may be impressive but to who really? Same with Push-ups, shit I'd rather do a push-up that lasts a minute or longer on one rep than bang out whatever number trying to be a part of a group of those who do hundreds a day, that's awesome you can do that but what situation would you be doing hundreds of them for? See where I'm going with this.

The most common people who do any form of high rep training is either a person in prison, a pro athlete, a maniacal fitness fanatic or a movie star preparing for a role, the majority aren't required to do it. The prisoner does it because it's needed for survival because what else is he going to do during the day? He's locked up and has a small window of time to go outside in the yard and have a couple quick meals (unless he's in Solitary Confinement and he's in there 24/7) and that's it, not that big of a life and has be on his toes cause his life may depend on it. 

These are opinions more than anything but in my experience, it's not always pretty when you push yourself so hard it can lead to an injury and you don't let the body adapt and let things heal up. I've gone so hard at times that I needed to just heal and focus on Joint Loosening or Isometrics the next day and that's more than enough. Too many fall for this notion that if you do countless reps daily it's going to put you in elite classes, sure for a while but when you're starting to hurt more than feeling good like with bad knees, elbow problems, shoulder imbalances, ankle issues and your back has just been taking a beating, is it really worth all that effort? 

As of right now, when it comes to high rep training it's either with Bands, Step Ups or Hammer work and neither of these occur all the time, otherwise I'm doing Isometrics, One Arm Carries, Slams, Animal Movements, Chest Expander and the PUGS where I often don't do more than 50-60 in a workout cause they're that intense, did 100 once and haven't done that many since. Fuck I've done Isometric Holds on those and that's brutal. Physically, I don't have knee pain, no elbow problems, shoulders feel great and my back is just as strong and durable as ever, None of which came from doing high reps all the time, I've tried that and had to back off cause it burned me out and had to switch things up. 

When it comes to heavy weights, going hard on them too often or not understanding the mechanics can lead to tragedy more than triumph. Unless you're training for competition or whatever, it's not worth your health for things outside the gym or your garage. Can lift 500 lbs? Cool, so have other people, it's impressive from a weight training point of view and shows incredible strength but it's only temporary strength. People may not like me saying this and that's ok. Where other than the gym are you lifting 500 lbs? In most places, you'd either be crushed or need a forklift cause not every place has things that are the same as a barbell. My best bench is 305, there are plenty of guys who can do far more than that but overall, is it really that important to be praised for? I don't train bench much at all anymore and can still go into a gym and press up close to 300, last time I hit about 290. Great, how about them Giants?

The point is, if you're goal oriented to do high rep work frequently or do heavy weights to get stronger, that's all well and great and hope you're successful and have less chances of getting injured but from a realistic point of view, it's better to focus on things that not only make you durable and have solid conditioning but to be strong for a long period of time instead of only seconds in comparison. There's also less chances of needing surgery later down the road. I've only been in the hospital for something needed done once in the the last 14 years, unless I was getting test done or getting a physical (which I've only done once or twice since I was in my 20's), I haven't been checked into a hospital for anything severe and haven't had to be cut open to have something repaired since 2005. The closest thing I've come to checking in myself for was a chiropractor to fix some stuff in my neck and my back, that's it LOL. When I was laid up with my sciatica injuries, I never went to the hospital, not once, I took some painkillers, slept on a mattress on a floor space, gave my body time to heal, do Isometrics and eventually DDP Yoga and I made it through. 

Train according to your needs and goals, you don't have to listen to me either, if you want to do all that stuff, awesome and make the best of it and make it worth it for you. Just giving you an idea of what things can occur and what you can do to prevent certain things. You got the power to do something great for yourself, just don't sacrifice your well being for it otherwise it'll just lead to misery and pain. Doing high rep work too frequently can have consequences that you don't want later in life, same thing can be said about heavy weights; it can bite you in the ass if you don't do things properly and understand that very few things outside of that have benefits in real life situations. Do what's possible and be aware.

Here's an idea of what I mean.....

Be amazingly awesome and take care of your body. Strengthen those bones like they were Vibranium, make those tendons like steel cords and develop muscle that is functional and lasts. 

Beautiful Strength: Developing A Body That Radiates Confidence And Attractiveness

Within this journey of fitness and developing a strong physique, many of us get caught up in the numbers on the scale, the size of our muscles, or how good we look on the beach. But there is a way to learn that there's more to fitness than just physical appearance. Welcome to the Beautiful Strength Program, a calisthenics-based fitness program from the genius mind of Matt Schifferle that is designed to help you level up your attractiveness from the inside out.

With over two decades of research and experience, his program is built on the foundation that true attractiveness goes beyond just building muscle and losing body fat. He has carefully curated every exercise and strategy to make developing an attractive physique as effortless as possible, while also acknowledging the potential pitfalls that can arise from an unbalanced approach to fitness. This will shed some new light for many.

The Invisible Side Effects of Chasing Physical Perfection

Let's face it – building muscle can indeed sculpt and shape our physique, but what happens when asymmetrical development highlights your insecurities? You might look good on the surface, but beneath it, you're struggling with self-doubt and frustration, it's not hard to understand this. Similarly, losing body fat can help you feel more confident in your skin, but when your self-worth is tied to the number on the scale, you're setting yourself up for a world of emotional pain and that feeling fucking sucks.

A healthy diet can work wonders for your appearance too, but what about when your emotions are dictated by every food choice you make? You're stuck in a cycle of guilt and restriction, rather than nourishing your body and soul. Even a simple and effective workout program can transform the body, but what happens when high-maintenance training habits compromise your emotional and social strength? You're left feeling drained, isolated, and disconnected from the world around you. It happens more often than we want to believe.

The Beautiful Strength Program: A Holistic Approach to Fitness

This program was developed to address these very issues. It isn't just about giving you a quick fix or a direct path to looking your very best; It's more about empowering you with the tools and strategies you need to avoid the many ugly pitfalls that are common within the fitness culture today. Strategies that work with you instead of against you. Coming from Matt himself, it's worth a read.

What sets Beautiful Strength apart? Here are a few awesome ideas that guide the program:

- Balance: Matt believes that true strength and attractiveness come from a balanced approach to fitness, one that takes into account your physical, emotional, and social well-being.

- Sustainability: The program is designed to be sustainable in the long-term, with exercises and strategies that you can stick to in the long run – not just for a few weeks or even months.

- Self-awareness: He encourages you to tune into your body and listen to its needs, rather than pushing yourself to extremes or comparing yourself to others. Going hard too much can create not only mistakes but fall faster than Wile E. Coyote and lose your sense of goal setting rather than thriving.

- Progress over perfection: This is not about striving for an unattainable ideal; it is about making progress, celebrating small wins, and enjoying the journey. A journey you can be proud to walk on.

The Benefits of Calisthenics-Based Training

 Within Beautiful Strength, Matt is proud to offer a calisthenics-based program that's designed to help you build strength, flexibility, and mobility without the need for fancy equipment or gym memberships. The exercises are functional, efficient, effective, and can be modified to suit your individual needs and goals. Learn them and take control of your destiny. 

What can you can expect to do or achieve when you get into Beautiful Strength:

- Build lean muscle: These exercises are designed to help you build lean, functional muscle that enhances your physique and improves your overall health. Real muscle that matters, not just looking like a boss.

- Improve flexibility and mobility: The program includes a range of exercises and stretches to help you improve your flexibility and mobility, reducing your risk of injury and enhancing your overall movement. Not just run of the mill types either, these will get you going without wearing out the joints. 

- Boost confidence: By focusing on progress, not perfection, you'll be empowered to take on new challenges and celebrate your successes – both in and out of the gym.

- Enhance overall well-being: Matt's holistic approach to fitness recognizes that true strength and attractiveness come from within. You'll learn strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and cultivate a positive mindset. 

Getting Started with Beautiful Strength

Are you ready to unlock a physique that radiates confidence and attractiveness? I said, ARE...YOU...READY? Matt is here to guide you every step of the way. A course of this magnitude is designed to be accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding. Not to mention having a blast and feeling like you can take on the world.

So what's the hold up? Grab this bad boy today and start your journey towards a stronger, more confident, and more attractive YOU. Get this thing going for you to build a physique that not only looks amazingly awesome – but also feels like you can be part of Mount Olympus, from the inside out.