Batman’s Conditioning

    For anyone that has the read the comics or has seen Batman Begins, we know how rigorous the Caped Crusader's training is, although exaggerated in some ways, in others it is admired. He doesn't do much in the realm of weights although it's been seen a time or too possibly in the cartoons but what you see from him is a no bullshit entity of superior conditioning; Push-ups, Squats, Pull-ups, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Parkour, unbelievable endurance, crazy strength for a guy without super powers and his awareness and understanding of his body is just incredible. To get a basic idea of the closest thing to a realistic Batman workout is by doing the Batman Workout. There is even a challenge which has you doing the main three bodyweight exercises; Push-ups, Squats and Sit-ups over a 30 day period that has an increase in repetition.

 

    When it comes down to it, some of the best athletes in the world relied mostly on bodyweight training it's a known fact; guys like Rocky Marciano, Ricky Henderson, Hershel Walker, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantel, Frank Gotch, Karl Gotch, The Great Gama, Lou Thesz and others. So whether you want to believe it or not, bodyweight training is an incredible staple of physical conditioning and it's even made its way not just in Batman but others like Doc Savage. Batman in my opinion takes it to its very peak doing things that weights can't even measure even if he was equipped with a gym chalk full of machines and weights. He uses what's practical, efficient and can be used anywhere because as you know he stalks the night for viscous criminals and needs that reserved endurance and strength to take them down and brought to justice. Think about it, if you're the city's night watchman and need to stake out the most notorious crooks even those that freaking huge (Bane and Killer Crock ring a bell?), do you really think weights are going to help in the long run for the strength you need as you're fighting them off? I'm not saying weights aren't good they are in many cases but yet when it comes down to it you need that reserved strength like a conditioned fighter. You have to able to use it a moment's notice and not for a short term workout; it's got work outside the gym as well as in.

 

   Despite no superpowers and doesn't heal quite as quickly as most heroes, Batman is the only human hero that is practically superhuman. Sure he doesn't have much sleep and has to keep up appearances as Bruce Wayne but when he gets in that zone, in that mindset where no matter what the odds he finds a way to get the job done and that goes along with his training. Like I said if you ever read what his actual workouts are like it is grossly exaggerated and makes even the most conditioned athlete look like a small chump but yet there are possibilities if we even cut down to a 1/3 of what he does would benefit anyone who wants to get in some serious shape. If he actually existed and taught even remotely a small dose of his conditioning secrets, think of what that would mean to a MMA Fighter, Boxer, Baseball Player, Track Athlete and Strongman.

 
    His training is in my opinion, underrated yet led by example because you don't have to do the exact same things he does (quite frankly no one can) but you can however do something and think in a different perspective on elevating your strength and conditioning to another level using a progressive system and the understanding of food intake, recovery and sleep. Batman in most people's eyes is the greatest Comic Book hero ever created and why; because he's more relatable as to being human and struggling to do well in the world like the rest of us. Sure we don't have his billions of dollars and a secret batcave or hell even the damn gadgets but even without those things he's still human and has developed himself through hard fought training, brains and the will to fight for what he believes in. So the next time you knock a system of exercise that seems too basic and is only good for endurance; do half of what Batman does and see how well conditioned you are.

Get It Right In The Hole

    I was never really that big of a fan of Golf unless it was on a video game or watching movies like Tin Cup, Happy Gilmore or Caddyshack. I barely think it's a sport but yet in a way I admire Golfers for their key eye on how to go for the right shots and those unexpected putts in the hole from 100 ft is pretty awesome. It takes much more than hitting a ball with a messed up looking stick and knocking it in a Gopher hole. Your eye sight needs to be sharp, timing your swing is a key and regardless of power you need a rhythm in speed and technique. Sure some guys can knock a ball 300 yards or more but how many can accurately secure a ball on the green from say 75 yards and have it be less than 20ft from the hole, that's some serious Golf right there.

 
    Now beyond the swing, you don't need to grip the club that hard and you don't need to hit it so hard you pull a muscle, you can have a great swing with a solid grip that is stable but not crushing. There's not a whole lot of strength in it once you get the hang of it. Flexibility is a factor and the ability to breathe. Some of those guys pull muscles not from straining their swing but because they're holding their breath and yet lose their power. Think of it this way, you're an avid Golfer; what if you can jump up your game just by your thoughts along with your practice? The mental part of the game is even more essential than the physical and knowing the ability on how to use your mind within your own realm of imagination. Also your breath is your power more than your muscles, when you know how to breathe and have that pattern in your swing, you can generate more power without needing to tense up.

 
    Picture yourself in your own little Movie Theater, you have your own seat in the press box or wherever you choose to sit, no one is around and the only thing that is going on is you watching a movie. Breathe a little deeper and sink into your private film as you watch yourself hit the ball further with that perfect swing, feel the air in your body as the wind runs through the course, it's the perfect weather and it's just you, your clubs and the hole you're shooting into. Picture walking up to the ball with ease, feel the grass in your feet, see it as if your shoe padding felt like the grass you are walking on. You take out your next club and you intuitively know it's the right club. You make another perfect swing, you breathe into the club as you go up and come back and hit the ball, it goes another 60 yards or so, you're getting closer, feel your heart riddled with joy and feeling happy. Everything is quiet, feel that warm weather, the sensation of power in your hands as you grip the club, you zoom in on the flag, zoom out and get ready for your shot, you are confident, you have incredible control of the ball and it goes where you tell it to go. As the ball is heading to the flag you know right there it's going to land just mere feet away and your winning shot is in your grasp. You get to the top of the putting green, your shot is just a couple feet away but you want to savor the moment, take in that deep breath of fresh, crisp air and as you take out your putter, you are not only going to win this match but you made it ahead to where the other golfers can't keep up. The shot is yours, bring that putter back breathing into the pull back and as you come forward in your swing, it becomes a magnet for when it hits the ball that magnetic field puts it right in the hole. You are the champion, the big winning check is yours and you earned every penny of it. Picture this often and see what happens in your game.

 
    When you take that long driver and you want to put that ball so far out, the blast of the club to the ball is so loud it carries over to the next course. That is power my friend, make that club crack with super accuracy and majestic strength, your fellow golfers will think you're on steroids. The sound of lightning striking, thundering power into the ball with effortless aim and sending that ball into the stratosphere as you send it home while having it go for the ride its life. This is beyond the game, it is your game and you have the power to become a champion.

The 1000 Rep Barrier

    Yesterday, I went out with my 26 pound Sledgehammer and a tire. It was in the mid 40's weather wise but I didn't care, I was determined to make my mark. After all the sweat, the heavy breathing, numbers running through my head and the physical torture I put myself through I hit 1000 reps hitting that tire. To calculate 26x1000=26,000; that's the amount of weight I lifted total, that's 13 tons of pure, hard and super powerful steel in my grasp. This was my fourth 1000 rep triumph in the near decade since my leg accident. The other two were 1050 Hindu Squats/Jumpers, 1000+ reps using a deck of cards and 1000 Arm Wrestling Pulls. Doing 1000 reps of anything is pretty awesome and a great goal to shoot for. It goes beyond logic when it comes to specific exercises and it puts you in the realm of an elite group. It really is a cool number to achieve.

 
    Now does doing 1000 reps require only one exercise? No it doesn't, you can 2 exercises at 500 reps per one or 3 exercises at a 500/300/200 scheme or whatever you want it to be. It is achievable but it takes more mental than physical and your heart and mind need to be on the same page otherwise it won't happen the way you want it. Some people do 500 Push-ups, 400 Squats and 100 pull-ups in a workout that can be done once you're in a high level of conditioning. It doesn't even need to be done all in one workout, it can be spread out throughout the day until you've hit that mark. However, if you do it with a single exercise like I have done and others that is some serious work and mental strength to go after. I did mine in sets between 20-100 reps at a time and when I needed a breather I took it, it takes a lot out of you and you need to conserve your oxygen. This is not an everyday thing, this is in the realm of three times a week at best and that's if you're at an advanced level. Also it takes knowing your body and intuitively knowing when to go at it and when to take a break or stop.

 
    Like I've said before doing 1000 reps of exercise can have magic wonders happen; increased testosterone, strengthened tendons, muscle coming out of nowhere and a level of endurance that is off the charts. A friend of mine told me magic things happen when you hit 1000 reps and I understand what he meant. Think about it, doing 1000 reps of say like push-ups or squats is quite a feat of endurance but also comes with insane strength as well because after a while when you become a little sore it's tough to keep moving and the strength you need to get up is much more utilized. You are in a level of conditioning not many people have achieved and could never understand. It's beyond physical at this point and like I said it's not an everyday thing unless you're superman or someone with an insane amount of endurance and can recover well. After doing this many reps in a short or certain period of time, you're going to need recovery and letting your body repair itself but that doesn't mean you shouldn't stop training, stretch, hold certain positions, do Yoga but not anything too hardcore otherwise you can injure yourself or burn out from too much training and over exhausting the body's nervous system. However, when you do this every once in a while, like I said magic happens; fat burning at a rapid rate, increased muscle mass from specific exercise using heavy weight and incredible stamina along with crazy strength.

 
    You can make the 1000 rep barrier all you want, one of my favorites is taking a deck of cards and going through the deck, I have used both a hammer and done push-ups/squats. Make it interesting and creative for you so you don't always have that dread of thought most people get. A friend once said "it never gets easier" which is true but it can be more interesting; change the speed, rep count, do less sets, go slow; there are so many different ways to do 1000 reps. As I may have mentioned this is an advanced level of training that is not for the couch potatoes or the lazy weekend warriors; it takes guts, heart, mental power, physical progression and a great deal of focus I'm not going to lie it is tough and you will be hungry as hell; I went through 2 huge plate fulls of Panda Express eating noodles, veggies, rice, chicken and beef just to feed my body enough after all that training. You will need to fuel your body and a protein shake isn't going to cut it, you will need to eat to fuel up because unless you're fasting that day eating is mandatory but don't be eating mcdonalds or burger king or any of that crap (Panda Express does have some very healthy options and have eaten there many times and do not have an extremely large gut) so pack it on and eat the way you're meant to. None of that eat a small salad or Vi Shake afterwards when it comes to this kind of workout you'll need fuel. Eat veggies, fruits, lean meats and a good amount of carbs and fats because they supply tremendous energy needed. If you drink milk, I suggest Raw Milk over the Pasturized stuff or Almond Milk for those that are Lactose Intolerant. Have it and be prepared to sweat, breathe hard and burn off fat like a freaking furnace.