Smashing Like A Boss (Steel Isn't Strong Boy, Flesh Is Stronger)

 

The body is an amazing thing, it's adaptable, resilient, strong and durable. The trouble is, many these days have forgotten what it takes to maintain the body's abilities to strengthen those attributes and power up the qualities that keep things flowing even as we get older. The choices we make, no matter how small, can impact us later in life. It's about continuing the journey while challenging the norms.

That's one of the reasons why I love Hammer Workouts. They don't take very long but they make an impact with a vengeance literally and figuratively. Yesterday, I got in a 500 Rep Workout doing several exercises with my trusted Thor Hammers (13.8 lb & 30 lb Respectively). I did some filming beforehand, in a sense kind of a warm-up to showcase what I can still do, even though it may not seem like much. Doing one-handed & two-handed strikes on the tire to get some blood flowing.

The workout itself was a bit rough since it was more impromptu than anything. I was just planning on just smashing with fucking intensity but at the last minute decided to do some club-like swings with them to target my grip strength beyond just going after the tire like Gallagher with a watermelon. I did all of the exercises for 5 sets each, moving thousands of pounds in the process. 

1st Exercise: One-Handed Tire Strikes

5 sets of 10 Per Hand

2nd Exercise: Two-Handed Strikes

5 sets of 10 Each Hand Over (Left Over Right, Right Over Left)

3rd Exercise: One-Handed Club Like Swings 

5 sets of 10 going in one direction then the opposite per hand (Total 40 reps)

4th Exercise: Two-Handed 360s 

5 sets of 10 Each Hand Over (10 L/R, 10 R/L)

Safe to say my forearms were pretty damn pumped afterwards and even struggled on a couple exercises but neither hammer left my hands when I did the exercises themselves. After each set, I would take a breather and walk around, thinking of the next set and dominating it with the best of intentions. The two handed strikes felt like a sprint cause of the speed I was going at and even just being in a stationary position, it was a doozer. 

Doing the one handed stuff is not as easy as it looks especially when the handle is thicker than other implements like clubs and dumbbells, so you're engaging more while also maintaining balance and focus. The tire smashes one handed was nasty (for me at least) because trying to hold it in your weak hand and finding the right speed while gripping at the same time isn't a walk in the park. Your hand can slip at any moment and if you got sweaty palms, it can slide and maybe break skin that callous. So yeah, no chalk or gloves, just pure hand strength and making the most of what's possible in the moment.

Smash your goals like a fucking boss, get some hammers at Strongergrip.com and have fun building real world strength using kick ass custom equipment that makes your training look epic. Be amazingly awesome and continue your journey. 

Breaking Free: Why You Shouldn’t Be A Slave To One Fitness Method

I’ve been around fitness off and on since 1997 when I learned about gym training in PE and I’ve seen a number of things. From the latest fad diets to the most popular workout trends, people get caught up in the hype and become slaves to one method. Newsflash bro: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to fitness. I’ve been guilty of it myself when I first learned about it and after my accident. I’ve spent a ton of time working on a single method or only cared about one author of the method, thinking that if I just stick to it long enough, I’ll see the results I want. But the truth is, our bodies are adaptable, and what works today won’t always work later. That’s why it’s essential to mix it up, or learn a solid variety and keep your body going.

The problem with sticking to one fitness method is that it can lead to plateaus. When you do the same workout routines over and over, your body gets used to it, and you stop seeing progress. You might get stronger or faster, but you won’t continue to challenge yourself, and that’s when progress stalls. Like with the DopamineO Bands for example, sure you can do the same exercises in the same exact fashion but if you don't adapt, you may not hit your results without frustration, work the exercises but change the format (circuit, deck of cards, gym style) you can do the same exercises but not in the same order which can be very beneficial. Same can be said for weight training, bodyweight exercises and even Isometrics. 

Another issue is that most fitness methods have a narrow focus. For example, if you’re only doing bodybuilding-style workouts, you might build muscle, but you won’t necessarily improve your cardiovascular endurance or flexibility. On the other hand, if you’re only doing cardio, you might get leaner, but you won’t build strength or muscle. I’ve seen people get injured because they’re so focused on one method that they neglect other aspects of fitness. For instance, powerlifters who only focus on lifting heavy weights without incorporating mobility work or cardio might be strong, but they’re also prone to injury and those injuries are horrific as fuck at times. The key is to find a balance. Incorporate different types of workouts into your routine, and don’t be afraid to try new things. You might find that you love something you never thought you’d enjoy, like yoga or kickboxing. Or, you might discover that you’re better at one type of exercise than another. We all have individual needs, we're not robots designed to do one thing and one thing only.

One of the most significant benefits of varying your workouts is that it keeps things interesting. When you’re doing the same routine day in and day out, it can get boring. But when you mix it up, you’ll stay engaged and motivated. You’ll look forward to your workouts because you won’t know what’s coming next. Not the same thing as just doing random stuff blindly. You learn exercises that can be beneficial but you customize your style in order to move forward with your goals and understand what works and what doesn't.

Another benefit is that it’ll help you build a more well-rounded physique. When you focus on one type of exercise, you might develop imbalances in your body. For example, if you only do upper body workouts, you might develop strong shoulders and arms like boulders, but have the legs of a flamingo. By incorporating different types of exercises, you’ll build strength and muscle evenly throughout your body. It's about finding balance and working on your weak points from a different POV.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that you should never specialize in one type of exercise. If you’re a competitive athlete, you might need to focus on specific skills or movements to perform at your best. But for the average person, varying your workouts will keep you healthy, strong, and engaged. One of the best ways to mix up your workouts is to try new things. Sign up for a fitness class you’ve never taken before, or try a new workout routine, you can even grab some books on various methods and learn them so you can build a foundation for yourself. You might find that you love it, or you might realize that it’s not for you. Either way, you’ll learn something new about your body and what works best for you. Another way to look at this from another angle is through Vahva Training, you incorporate different styles and mold them together to create something big for your way to get fit.  

Another way to keep things interesting is to change up your environment. If you always work out at the gym, try taking your workout outside. Go for a hike, or do a bodyweight workout in the park. You might find that you enjoy the change of scenery and the fresh air. That's what I love about training outside, doing different things and work on stuff that doesn't involve the gym like push-ups, sandbag training, sledgehammers, hindu squats or step ups. 

You can also mix up your routine by incorporating different types of equipment. If you always use free weights, try using resistance bands or the Worldfit Iso Trainer for suspension training. You might find that you like the challenge of using different types of equipment, and you’ll build strength and muscle in new ways. For more info on suspension and bodyweight, check out Grind Style Calisthenics. 

The point is, there’s no one right way to do fitness. Don’t get caught up in the hype of one particular method or trend. Experiment, try new things, and find what works best for you. Your body – and your mind – will thank you. It's about finding YOU, not finding who has the best method, nobody does, especially those who act like their method is their way or you're a loser. 

One of the most significant advantages of not being a slave to one fitness method is that you’ll be more likely to stick with it long-term. When you’re enjoying your workouts and seeing progress, you’ll be more motivated to keep going. And that’s the key to achieving your fitness goals. Blending things together that become harmonious for you is just a beautiful thing. It defies the norm and gives you a sense of uniqueness. 

I’ve seen plenty of people get excited about a new workout routine, only to burn out after a few weeks or even less. They might get discouraged if they don’t see immediate results, or they might get bored with the routine. But when you mix it up and keep things interesting, you’ll find things more motivating. In conclusion, don’t be a slave to one fitness method. Experiment, try new things, and find what works best for you. Your body is unique, and what works for someone else might not work for you. By incorporating different types of workouts, you may find yourself building muscle and harnessing new levels of mental clarity and either enjoying what you can do or you'll just find out you're looking forward to a challenge instead of dwelling on stuff. 

Be amazingly awesome. Break free and get your ass going. 

(DopamineO Discount Code POWERANDMIGHT)

Slamming With Pure Vengeance In 5 Minutes

 

Short Workouts can be not only beneficial to your fitness but also can be very therapeutic when it's so intense that once it's over, you feel like you're walking on Cloud 9. Getting something in as little as 5 minutes with great effort, can have as much of an impact on your conditioning and long term strength within a regular 1 hour workout. 

One of these entities is the classic Slam Ball Slamming. Just picking up a 10-20 ball and slamming it hard to the ground with such such fucking force, you'd think you have hatred in your heart. Just this exercise alone generates incredible benefits of conditioning, strength, explosiveness, lung power and turning you into a machine. They've been used in Wrestling, MMA, Football, Crossfit and other formats of training. They can be used as a finisher, in between sets or as stand alone. 

As a finisher, it is as nasty as it gets, you've already obliterated a workout but you still need to go through hell to get that last bit of a tank you have left and burn more calories than you already have and enhance your muscular endurance. 2 workouts I've done recently were using a slam ball as a finisher, busting ass for 15 on, 15 off for 5 minutes. First workout, I would get in about 4-5 reps a round, the second, I was able to get 6, that's a PR for me. 

For a stand alone, my idea was to get as many reps as possible in 5 minutes which on paper may not sound like much but when you're constantly picking up and slamming as hard as you can and torching the muscles especially the Core, it becomes a mental game of how much you're willing to take. My personal record with a 20 lb Ball is 105 reps in 5 minutes. If you're new to it, take a breather every few reps or so cause you will feel it practically off the bat. Keep a record of how many you've done, each session, try to rest a little less and see if you can get a few more reps in. Little by little keep going until you're able to keep going practically without stopping. Pace yourself and let the speed and explosiveness come naturally. You may not be at the same speed in the beginning and you may slow down as time goes on but you can still go. To do an average of 20 or so reps a minute is pretty damn fast. DO NOT TRY THIS EVERYDAY!!! 1-2 times a week is more than enough, it's practically sprinting without the running. 

This is the type of training where you may not tire out as quickly doing other things and it can enhance your endurance for possibly hiking, swimming, jogging, climbing stairs or doing labor. It will definitely give you boosts of HGH and give you that driving power for takedowns in wrestling, tackles in football and throws in MMA. It is one of the most intense forms of exercise around and it can make you a damn beast either on the mat or on the gridiron. It's simple, yet hard. Short, yet hellish and it will question your sanity whether as a finisher or by itself. 

Be amazingly awesome and never underestimate the power of short workouts and/or finishers, they will make you question your life choices but at the same time, they build toughness and strength that isn't easily described.