Hit The Deck

    Most would look at this and think they need to duck for something or move to get out of dodge but not for today my friends. I have written about Card Training before but it's a favorite of mine so I'll write it again. The irony is with full on hardcore card training you might want to hit the deck for dear life because this type of training will not be welcoming with open arms. It takes mental toughness to another realm and for the most part it can lead to superhuman levels of conditioning and growth hormone jumps. This type of training alone can jumpstart your cardio, High Intensity Training and you can not only get stronger and have more endurance but you can also lose unwanted fat, build muscle and lose weight at the same time.

 

    If you're the type of person who doesn't want to sweat during a workout this isn't for you. You will sweat, you'll be breathing hard and you'll need plenty of water because as you go through the cards, it gets tougher one at a time (or easier if you're some sadistic conditioning freak). People in sports have used this type of training for their chosen athletic endeavor and for good reason, it works. You don't need to do this type of training every day and you won't be doing a full deck the first time out unless you're in serious shape. I have done workouts with the cards that lasted from 20 min. to a little over an hour and always feel hungry and thirsty towards the end. It takes a lot out of you but also it gives you that endorphin rush that very few workouts can. I sweated like crazy last night going through the deck hitting my 15 lb. thor hammer on the tire going through one card after the other with very little rest (rest was changing the card and moving the tire from to time) and my total reps came out to 1252. My deck has 3 jokers instead of the normal two and would do 100 reps each joker.

 

The type of Deck I use is fairly simple added in 3 jokers this is how I make the reps….When I do the Thor Hammer Training on the tire I do the reps of each hand switch of the left and right hand on top of the handle so for example:

 

2-10 (4 to 20)

Kings/Jacks/Queens-15 (30)

Aces-20 (40)

Jokers- 50(100)

So after hitting the amount using left over right, I switch to right over left for the same amount so it's doubled.

 

    There many ways you can work the deck and this is where you have the freedom to be creative. You can do one exercise or a series of them to your liking. Sometimes I'd like to test out hindu push-ups and hindu squats and this takes me a little longer but it's interesting. You can do a series of 4 exercises and pick whatever ones you want like pull-ups, burpees, push-ups, squats, cable work, hammers, animal exercises, weights, lifting heavy objects you get the picture. The big thing is that you must do with this type of training is to have fun even though it does get tough at times and as one friend would tell me, it never gets easier but I say it gets more interesting because it's never the same workout twice so you not only get variety but you can change things up if you want to, rest when needed and as you get better take less rest periods. This takes cardio to a whole other level and it will jack up your heart rate quicker than almost anything else. It's a challenge that has taken down even the most elite athletes. As you progress depending the exercises you do, you can double or triple the numbers on the cards. One unique way is to not do reps at all but do Isometric postures of your favorite exercises and if you're crazy enough don't count the seconds, count the breaths and you'll hold longer, if you want to see stars in an awesome way this is it.

 

    Many athletes have used this type of training particularly those in Combat sports like Football, Wrestling and MMA. Karl Gotch was one of the elite conditioned athletes in the world and he used to test this type of training not just on himself but fellow students of his just to torture them. This guy always had gas in the tank and part of it was because of this type of training. Ray Lewis a former Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and Super Bowl champ did this type of training as a kid doing push-ups and sit-ups. 16-time world champion Ric Flair was nicknamed the 60-minute man because of his grueling 1 hour nightly matches that he did on a frequent basis at the height of his career and one of the reasons for having that level of conditioning was doing this type of training. You may not always get to a gym when you'd like if you're traveling on the road or you're just not into the gym scene but want a hell of a workout in the process. It's not time consuming, you can do it in the morning before you head out for the day or do it in the evening before dinner and trust me from my experience, you'll want something because you need to fuel your body. You don't even need an equipment and it's a perfect traveling companion. Think outside the box, work up a sweat and have fun doing it. It's not easy and it isn't for the typical couch potato but if you want to get into some serious shape that will give you an athletic look and have the strength and stamina to go along with it, this will work well for you.

 

Happy Thor's Day everyone, be awesome and show some love for one another, encourage each other and set your goals.

The Bundle Of A Lifetime

    Usually with a package deal, you get really cool stuff really cheap and other times (more often than not) some of those package deals are pretty lame and they rip you off somehow but very few have a lot to offer especially this one. When you get the Combat Bundle, you're getting one of the greatest deals today and for only a few more days than it's gone. Picture what it would be like to have over 70 of the best people teaching you how to get fit and powerful and even teach you Martial Arts/Self Defense in the process at the same time give you valuable info on nutrition that'll jack you up naturally without the need of drugs or stupid supplementation.

 

    There's not just instruction on how to fight and defend yourself but you also get the luxury of learning the very secrets on how a fighter gets extraordinarily fit and do so in the least amount of time and using the conditioning programs to give you that competitive edge against your opponent. Fighters need to be in shape almost more than any other athlete because they could have a fight tomorrow or a couple months from now and need that focus and endurance to get through the fight as quickly as possible. The strength needed against an opponent can only last so long until it starts to wear thin and you need that endurance if a fight goes on longer than you want it to be. With the Combat Bundle, you will learn how to conserve your energy for later moments in a fight and what to expect with the unexpected.

 

    When it comes to training, you want to finish strong and not wanting to die. This deal comes with ideas on how to use finishers in a training session. Finishers are what separates from having a good workout to having a bad ass workout where you can do exercises that maximize your hormone levels and having to do them at a level where you won't get injured and you get to learn about exercises you haven't thought of as finishers. Some just want to train hard and get out, others however, want to start out strong and end just as strong and that's where the finishers come in. You'll be getting the best out of your workouts with these bad ass finishers.

 

    There are secrets to everything and those who want to learn them are willing to step up their game and reach new levels of fitness that will have you becoming stronger, fitter, more flexible and have greater endurance so whether you're a fighter or just want to get in shape these 70+ experts will show you the way and you'll be amazed at what you'll be able to accomplish, just learning from a few of these guys is worth more than the entire package deal so to get over 70 is practically a gold mine. Take your time to learn from them and be patient, set your goals and find what works best for you.

 

Get the Combat Bundle today because it won't last too long and you may never see a deal like this again. Check it NOW!! Be awesome everyone and get cracking.

The Greatest Form Of Meditation

    There are so many ideals and perspective outlooks on what meditation is. In simple terms, meditation means the way to feel blissful and understanding the relaxation of the body and mind. Many people believe sitting and shutting down the mind while chanting certain sounds is the ideal form of meditation. Others feel that standing or holding a certain posture while quieting the mind and relaxing the body is a powerful way and even better form of meditation. Want to know something, I agree with both forms. Depending on how you look at it, no matter what the research or what you learn what's the best form, the greatest form of meditation is what keeps you in a blissful state in mind and body and it works for you and it could be sitting, standing, lying down or moving in certain patterns or basic adaptive movements.

 

    For nearly 10 years of studying and experimenting different exercise programs, spiritual enlightenment, meditation, specific postures, qi gong, Movnat and others; I have found that moving is more meditative for me than standing or sitting. I do both from time to time because I find it's a good balance. It's building great intuitive power. What works best may not always work in everyone's favor and what I mean by that is we're all different and the way we think and move isn't the same so we use what makes us feel right to do. I believe in the power of intuition, it's a very powerful thing like having that little voice that guides you or that gut feeling you have when something doesn't feel right or does; that's your intuition talking to you. It's the feeling and what is spoken only to you that gives you what you're aware of and having that 6^th sense type of thing. So in order to find what works best for you, listen and feel to what's right and experiment, if it doesn't feel right or makes sense to you than move on till you find just the right thing on the dot. It's like the three bears complex where you feel, see and taste what could be right, something may be too hot or too cold (the porridge) but then you find what is just right and hits you and it works. Follow your intuition.

 

    In a nutshell, the best form of meditation is not what worked for everyone else or who says this or that about what form is great and that you should do it; it is what brings you that energy within mind and body and you feel happy, relaxed and powerful all at the same time. The world is at a time still and you are taking in that powerful essence of radiant energy and you feel incredible. For me it's moving and at times I either move slow or really fast whether it's exercise or walking, for some they're better meditating in a certain place where they can sit comfortably and shut the world out for a while that's ok too. Don't stress what is the best trend or don't let yourself go crazy with something that isn't working, meditation is supposed to reduce stress and infuse you mind to open a clear window so do speak.

 

    Experimentation is a great asset to find the right thing(s) that give you your greatest benefit and it could be anything, it doesn't even have to be a spiritual thing. Another form of meditation to do at least to me is writing. If you love to write and you can intuitively get the words without thinking about it too much that's like being in a meditative state, it brings you peace and clarity that's the true power of meditation; to be at peace and feel clear of negative stress and energy. Whatever drives you and you feel peaceful and at ease within yourself, you're meditating.

 

Find your sense of peace and exercise your intuition to find what works best for you in your own unique way. There's no feeling like it. Be awesome family and welcome to a new week.

A Superhero With An Arrow

    One show I've got into lately was the CW superhero TV series Arrow. It's been one of the best shows I've seen in a while and because of the rise of Superhero films the last few years, it's only fitting to put them on TV as well. This was on Netflix so I really had a chance to get into it, no commercials so I loved learning about the characters and the stories that unfolded. If you haven't read or heard of the Green Arrow, it's about a rich kid who becomes an Archer much like Robin Hood but with a twist. One thing hit me with this show is not just the action, the drama or him shooting these kick ass arrows but the training scenes; they're very unique in the way where you never see this type of training on practically any TV show, we're talking Ninja Warrior type stuff, Handstand Push-ups, Win Chun, Combat Training it's very unusual but awesome.

 
    The training scenes bring a different element to a show where it's not like a Rocky montage but what a hero literally does in his time while going after the bad guys. Normally you'd see anything close in a cartoon which exaggerates everything but in a full on TV show with real people it's practically realistic maybe not completely but it's there in some form. A lot of what this guy does on the show is mainly bodyweight and handles his strength in a very unique way. The way he was taught to train his hands before he even pulled a bow was similar to what shaolin monks would use in their training. Archery is a very old school skill set that dates back to the Remote Past where guns didn't exist and the Bow & Arrow was the number 1 weapon of its time, forget swords and spiked maces, the arrow was a weapon for elite fighters of war. To even train for the strongest bow takes years of not just practice but also pure hardcore strength that needed exact progression otherwise in battle if you missed too many times you would be kicked out. You had to learn how to handle a target from practically every angle, not just straight into a bulls eye like in a contest, you needed precision and accuracy from as many targets as possible. Some of the strongest men of the time couldn't pull back a heavy bow, those that could, had powerful tendons, super strong shoulders and an incredible pull back that envied many men.

 
    The way to sum up Green Arrow is if Robin Hood had Batman's money and unique tools. Although in the cartoons those two are part of the Justice League only one of them has actually killed. Batman is one of the top superheroes of all-time period but he also doesn't have the warrior's side to kill if needed and that part of him can be argued, however with Arrow; he's got some legit reasons in the show and comics and like the story of Robin Hood, steal from the rich and give to the poor. Each person that he has taken a life from has a purpose to it and although I don't condone superheroes killing, I could understand the need to.

 
    I love some of the training Stephen Amell does on the show and although he did a completely different type of training for the role, the fact of the matter is, he's not this overly muscle bound looking bodybuilder, he looks like a real athlete that can do some pretty gnarly stuff. He looks like what a superhero should be, athletic, strong, agile and flexible. It's an inspiration to see a realistic physique and not something grotesque like Ronnie Coleman. I'm not surprised if there were things he used to help build his body and I don't care, fact is he's got something awesome to use and I much prefer a physique like that with the strength and athleticism to back it up. Check out the show on Netflix if you haven't yet or get the first 2 seasons on DVD. It's worth a watch.

 
Happy Halloween everyone, have a blast, dress up with your most kick ass costumes and get some great candy for the night, watch a horror flick. Be awesome

The Excitement Of Training

    Most don't look at training or working out as a sign of excitement especially from an internal stand point because you're sweating, moving from place to place in the gym and doing some weird ass aerobics class (you see those new kangaroo jumpers they use). Now this doesn't just happen in the gym, it happens at home, while you're out swimming, at a park practically anywhere and one of the reasons most don't excited is because they don't explore themselves internally; using their imagination to create a workout or routine that fires every muscle in the body, picturing something happening while holding a stance or posture. You can go through the motions and still get some kind of result but it won't be the result you want, why not explore your imagination to make the workout interesting. Create scenarios, do pull-ups and each time you come down, picture as if a fire is trying to burn you alive. When you do squats, picture as if something was coming at you and you have to duck to avoid it. When you lift weights like a bench press, picture as if it wasn't a barbell with plates on it but I really heavy beam and in order to live you have you have to push that beam off of you. Now some of these don't need to be that drastic but you get my drift.

 

    There are certain exercises that are just so tedious boring (in my Thaddeus voice from Your Highness) that it's hard to believe that some of these things were created to get results. Seriously if you're going to take an exercise that could be effective but it's so dull, why not add a little zest to it. You can practically turn any exercise into a mighty training tool yes even some of those machines but I prefer old school lifting and bodyweight style training but anyway, if you can make a simple exercise fun and enjoyable, you're no longer working out, you're creating mighty training tools to get the results you want. You have a brain, so why not use it to your advantage and turn it into an awesome exercise that looks the same to everyone but you. You have the right to feel excited when you train, it should never be a punishment but a rewarding experience that could change the very landscape of what you have been taught. The way certain people teach is a bit cold-hearted and try to be all hardcore and act like a want be badass (have you seen those exercises some of those trainers teach, holy shit they're god awful) but that's not a reflection on you, it's on them and you deserve to get awesome results and have the time of your life, trainers are supposed to help you train so one day you won't need them anymore but yet they'll reel you in just so they can take more money from you but the real deal gives you the tools you need so you can be successful on your own.

 

    It sometimes can be a drastic change, at times it's easy to change but overall going from dull and boring to adventure is one hell of an experience and you have an opportunity to make it happen. I've seen people come and go from the gym and around certain areas like a park or field and you can just sense the fire that's inside them but others just go through the motions acting like there's no care around them and to me that's just sad. Ever felt that excitement as a kid when you played tag or being in the sand, opening your mind like it was the easiest thing in the world, what happened to you bro/girl? Oh yeah that's right you grew up and felt that opening your mind to an adventure was just a child's thing and you overanalyze everything. Stop and smell the roses everyone, there's a whole world you can create and it's all in your mind and you have a power in you that is just bursting to come out. Be adventurous, have a blast with what you do, laugh and when you train, have a little fun with it, be creative and let the inner kid in you out to play because this world is messed up as it is and the few of us that choose to live with happiness and lightful in a dark world find it different in our minds and we utilize it to help make the world a better place.

 

    There's potential in all of us and there's always going to be something we're terrible at but on the other side of the coin we are incredible at something and when we find it, it makes us whole and we do the best we can to ascend that ladder of success using what we're best at. Some don't know what they're good at yet but it's there and you have the power to find it. When you do, hold onto it and never let go. Use your potential to reach new heights and be successful at it. It doesn't matter if you want to get strong, do cool stunts, create a business, write a book, train others no all that matters is you find what you're best at and if it makes you happy, run with it and never look back because you have the potential to change the world just by doing what you're best at and you progress within your own style because nobody can force you to make your potential run any faster, we run at our own speed and we grow the way it is meant for us as an individual.

 

Happy Thor's Day everyone and have an awesome day. It is the night before Halloween so get your costumes ready, do what you need to do and have a blast the next night.