Recovery Tips After Hardcore Training

We all do some form of training where it takes us beyond a average level and takes us to limits we didn't know we had and its very difficult to recover from the next day. How do you train after doing such a brutal workout? This past Monday I did the Karl Gotch Bible where I varied the push-ups and kept the Hindu Squats. My goal was to finish the workout in 30 minutes and I surpassed it and finished in under 27 minutes. I don't know about you but damn that feels good to get pass a goal. After a few hours I did another training session doing a series of chest and arm exercises from a course called Sinkram.

The very next morning I didn't want to get out of bed I was so sore in my shoulders, chest and legs. Even though I was sore I was not going to deny a workout at least once in the day. I have been known to train 7 days a week without fail and the reason why I do that is not because I need to prove how many workouts I do, its how smart I can be to train daily that doesn't need to be brutal day in and day out. A lot of people feel that you need to train only 2-3 times a week and have to do this or that for recovery and take 4-5 days off. Well if you can do that in the long run more power to you but thats not the only way to go and heres why.

Our bodies were made to keep moving, we work different angles of the body and if you're smart this helps you stay healthy for life along with a balanced eating plan. There are times to train hard and there are times where you need recovery any one of my secrets is after a hardcore workout (day after) I would work on deep breathing exercises and some form of qi gong. If i'm very sore in a particular area like the legs or lower back, chest, shoulders ect. I woul do very little to no work in those areas until they "heal" because I want to give those areas a rest but the rest of my body is working from different angles at light to moderate intensity. This is where I like to work on muscle control and stretching/loosening the body. The only time I work the sore areas is when i'm stretching because when you're sore and you leave it sore over a period of time with no exercise it can tighten up and you may not be as efficiant in your next big time workout. Stretch the muscles slowly and with intention.

I always felt stretching is a key component in recovery periods because at my next harcore session not only do I want to be stronger but more limber then the last time. Just do a couple stretches and each day do a stretch a little longer howver don't go to the point where you're in pain, its not how far you can go or how long you stretch its how smart you stretch and the way you breathe....Breathing is the major key to recovery and for good reason.

Each day as I get stronger I amp up a workout just a bit to just about 70% of the intensity of the work I want to do in a brutal workout the next time around. My training really consists of 1-2 hardcore workouts a week along with moderate work the rest of the week until i'm fully recovered. I may not do specific routines because I get bored after a while but I always want to have at least one day where I push myself up a notch.

My keys to recovery training is as follows.....

1. Breathing

2. Stretching

3. Work at moderate pace that doesn't compromise your ability to train the next day

4. Meditate (either moving or not)

Are You Up To The Outlaw Challenge?

If you're a typical weightlifter in a commercial gym there are certain rules you feel you HAVE to follow....Do this for biceps, do this for back, do this for legs blah blah blah. Well try telling that to Strongman Bud Jeffries. At 5'11 and 270 pounds he doesn't look like a typical weightlifter, hell he couldn't pass the "normal" standards of what is a bodybuilder but he doesn't care about that nor the rules.

This particular challenge is unlike anything else and something you only persue if you got the guts. Whether you're a weightlifter or not this type of challenge can take your conditioning to the next level. No matter how you slice it you will become stronger and throw away the typical "rules" of the trade in hitting the weights.

Bud Jeffries is the one guy that can make just any challenge thrown at him a walk in the park and he'll tell you flat out that its not just physical but more mental and thats not an easy thing to take and its the truth. He is not your typical weightlifting and physical training pretty boy; he is one powerful and over the top freakishly strong. Here is a list of accomplishments he has done over the years...

1000 Pound Squat (Starting at the bottom)

3000 Kettlebell Swings

Partial Squat of 1850 pounds

Lifts Rocks up to 300+ Pounds

1000+ Hindu Squats

Pulled A Bus

Bends Rebar, Flat Steel and Mangles 60D penny nails and 10 inch spikes

Thats just a small amount he has done but nonetheless he knows what he's talking about when it comes to building strength. The Outlaw challenge is lifting a 150 Pound Dumbbell 1000 times using various exercises. Are you up to the challenge? Do you got the guts to step out of the pretty boy gyms and make a name for yourself in your own training? Well lets see what you're made of and let Bud take you all the way.


Outlaw Challenge

Make Your Kettlebell Snatch a dominate workout Component

Working with Kettlebells there are many ways to turn your workouts from boring to extremely fun and the KB Snatch is no exception. I have personally done 83 Snatches with a 53lb. Kettlebell in 5 minutes. Compare that to my bud Logan who is as of official standards to be one of only 3 men in the world including John Brookfield to hit 300+ Snatches in 10 min. Thats pretty damn impressive considering he is 6'2 and 185 pounds. Not a big dude but really powerful. He has put together a series that can take your Snatch to the next level and then some. The Snatch can make or break a conditioning workout so if you don't have the technique down you're in a world of hurt.

Task into consideration if you're a fanatic of kettlebells that many workouts can put you in the elite level of Octane Strength & Conditioning but also if you're careful you will be bruised and it will sting. Work on technique and keep the body in alignment for the Snatch.

Kettlebell Snatch Domination

Superhuman Workshop Weekend

When you go to a seminar where theres just a great deal of energy in the air and even as some things go around something jut stirs in the back of your mind., then you turn around and see Bud Jeffries and now its really on. This wasn't your normal type laid back and do some things for the day type seminar. This was hands on in your face get off your ass and train type seminar and not just physical but mental as well.

I have met a few people in my life that are a bit on the above average when it comes to strength then you meet a man who bottom squatted 1000 lbs. Thats not above average my friend thats just over the top freakish (and thats the simplist way to put it). On a serious note this was one of the greatest weekends of my life and even though i'm known for my memory, I know this will stick with me for the rest of my life. It wasn't just fun but it was very educational with a few laughs and jokes and some outlandish type strength training.

First night was more on psychology with a dose of hypnosis and visualization training. It was an interesting experience and it gave a whole new prespective on mental conditioning. My bud Logan hypnotized a couple people and the way he presented himself was raw and emotional and a good portion of it worked. Then Bud Jeffries walked into the gym and then it went all uphill from there. The man is a freak of nature and thats putting it with great respect.

The second day was probably my most favorite because I got to have full hands on training with the two strongmen. We tore up phonebooks, some ripped up some cards out of a deck and just destroyed good solid steel. Now I don't personally squat weights anymore due to my problems in the lower legs but I did take a shot at partial squatting 500+ pounds which to me felt awesome. Worked on some crazy bodyweight training. Now may I say Bud is nearly 6' and weighs in at a whopping 270 pounds, a good portion of that is powerful functional muscle along with over the top power in the tendons and ligiments. I've heard and seen on video what he's capable of and saw upclose and personal what he can do with steel but the best thing I really saw him do was a full on headstand handstand push-up on the wall at 270 f*cking pounds. I weigh 240 and done quite a few of them myself but at 270 thats just not human.

The third day was just incredible when we all played around with kettlebells and barbells along with a few sledgehammers and tires for superhuman endurance. It was a little emotional at the end for obvious reasons but I truely feel that this was something that just totally helped my life a tad more then usual and it was a lot of fun. Made friends with great people and having the honor of meeting Bud's son Noah who is a 13yr old strongman prodigy with a few things up his sleeve in the Clay Shooting world. This kid is the strongest I have ever met and he's not only that young but pretty damn big too at 6' and nearly 270 himself. I kid you not I personally watched this kid bend a 5 pound 4ft 1/2 inch thick flat steel bar into the breast cancer logo and lets just say that's not normal even for a strongman.

Overall, the presentations were great, Bud & Logan did a hell of a job and I personally believe this is a great moment in both their careers as strongmen and as business men. Meeting Bud to me is like meeting Hulk Hogan or Babe Ruth to me he is that Iconic in the Field of strongmanism and Physical Culture. For that I want to leave this on a high note starting with Bud......

My friend you have turned on a new light in my pursuit to be the strongest I can for whatever I wish to do, your small time to train me was a huge breakthrough for me and I will never forget that. You have taught me so much in a short period of time that I'm still shaking a little. You are one hell of a man and not only are you the world's strongest man but you have just as much as a strong and generous heart both literally and figuratively. I am damn proud to not only call you a mentor but a great friend and I hope one day sooner or later we cross paths again and just hammer out a workout then kick back and tell stories. Your son is one of the most polite young men I ever have met. You raised him well and I see a lot of potential in him and you will agree with me on that. I can't describe in true words really how much this meant to me. You are truly the world's strongest man at your size and power and it was a true pleasure to see a master at work. You are one of a kind and it was an honor meeting you.

Now Logan.....

Dude to me this was a high point in your career and I know in my heart it will only get higher from here on out. I can't thank you enough for letting be apart of this and giving me a chance to not only reach new levels of power but to keep myself educated. You are a true friend in every sense of the word and I'm honored to call you not only one of my best friends but also a brother. That's how much you mean to me bro. You have a such a vast knowledge for physical culture at your age its just unbelievable. You have my full on support for whatever lies ahead and I'll do what I can to help out if needed to. I realize it wasn't easy setting up for this crazy ass weekend but you handled yourself very well and its always a pleasure to learn from you and throw in a few laughs to spice up certain moments. Your mom would be so proud of you man. I'm not really on being so emotional and sentimental but this calls for an exception but you are one of the best teachers and friends a guy can ask for and you will always be a treasure to not only our crazy world of the strongman but a true man for who doesn't let anything get in his way. Almost anyone can and should learn from you.

My Thoughts On WWE Tough Enough

Back in the old days (yes even the 80's) it wasn't easy getting into the wrestling business. It was mostly word of mouth or men and women who have met wrestlers in the gym and if the wrestlers felt like you wanted it bad enough they'd recommend a trainer to toughen you up. Some of the best wrestling trainers nearly took out a wanna-be wrestler and wanted to see how long it took him to quit and how long can he last in the ring doing conditioning drills and ring work. Some trainers were wrestlers themselves at one time or another and some were better as trainers and some were great wrestlers and trainers.

The conditioning is a very brutal process, one wrestler went through NFL camps and said wrestling training was far more brutal. Another wrestler quit the first day but then came back and began one of the greatest careers in the business, even one wrestler was a Navy SEAL and found training as a wrestler was worth the price. You see it takes much more then physical ability to bring something to the table in the ring, you need character, poise, charisma and you need a body that people want to see along with how you present yourself as a character.

Here are a few trainers that have helped pave the way for some of the greatest wrestlers in wrestling history:

Hiro Matsuda- Trained Hulk Hogan

Eddy Sharkey- Trained Road Warriors, Jesse Ventura and Bob Backlaund

Verne Gangne- Trained Iron Sheik, Ken Patera, Ric Flair, Verne's son Greg and Ricky Steamboat

Stu Hart- Trained the Hart Brothers (Bret & Owen), Greg Valentine, Superstar Billy Graham & Chris Benoit

These trainers took these men to limits most of us can't fathom and look where they are today (with the exception of the late Hawk, Owen & Benoit), they went on to have some of the greatest careers in wrestling. Nowadays on the internet you can find schools all over the country, in canada and abroad. Some schools cost way too much, some cost too little without ever stepping into a ring and some even cost when you don't train at all. Very very few schools give you hands on training and some even require experience as much as 2 years in the ring. To get to the WWE or TNA takes hundreds of matches, psychology in the ring, mic work and most of all a good character to sell as a product.

Back in the early 2000's WWE Tough Enough started a new trend of reality TV but began to show what training in the ring looks like when up-in-coming superstars are thrown into the ring and trainers will find out who stays and who doesn't. The first couple seasons were ok and had good trainers such as Al Snow who was trained by a couple of the Andersons (Ole & Greg). The winners went onto a moderate career but a couple didn't last long due to either injuries or wanted to persue other career oppertunities.

Now theres a new season with a new host and trainers in the names of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Booker T, Bill Demott & WWE Diva legend Trish Stratus. Austin as the host takes on 14 contestants including 1 Current Miss America and they all have one thing in common and thats being the next WWE superstar & Diva. I have a feeling this season aside from tensions, craziness and pissing off trainers these new contestants are in for the ride of your life. They will live together, eat together, train together and everything else inbetween (hopefully none of that Real World shit). After seeing the first episode I knew how great this show will be and plus you get to see Stars that have revolutionized the wrestling business and know a thing or 2 about getting their asses kicked in the ring so I don't see a whole lot of sympathy from Austin or Booker so it should be very interesting to watch.

If you feel you want to get in condition like an old scohool pro wrestler like early steamboat or Ric Flair back in his training days in minnesota or better yet like the great legends Karl Gotch & Billy Robinson then look here and if you find yourself on Tough Enough you'll pass the conditioning with flying colors and work on the other things. Also if you don't want to be a wrestler and just wanna get yourself in awesome shape then here are a few links to look at that I personally recommend.














 









 

Super Human Workshop Coming Up

Hello,




Do you want to learn how to bend steel with your bare hands and other crazy feats of strength?



Do you want to discover how to build incredible strength and endurance together in just a couple hours a week?



Do you want to master your own bodyweight, kettlebells and many other training tools?



What would you do to completely unlock the powers of your mind allowing you to build the body, strength and skills you’ve only dreamt of?



Well, you have the opportunity to learn all of the above and more hand’s on in April.



World renown strongman Bud Jeffries, known for squatting 1000 lbs. from the bottom of the rack as well as 3000+ kettlebell swing workouts, has teamed up with Logan Christopher, a guy who pulls firetrucks by his hair, to deliver their Super Human Training Workshop.



From April 15th through the 17th in San Jose, California they’ll deliver ALL their training information to you in a live, hands on, do the drills and get the skills format.



http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=4245713



If you’re anywhere near the area this is a no brainer. And even if you’re not it’s worth flying out for.



Not only do you get the workshop but $775.60 in additional bonuses just for signing up!



You really have to see everything they’re offering...



http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=4245713



This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't miss it.



Ben Bergman



P.S. Be sure to check it out now. You can save money with the early bird registration price, but it goes up in just a couple of days.



P.S.S. Plus they’ve even got a payment plan available.



http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=4245713

Being Creative For The Karl Gotch Bible

The old-time wrestler created or should I say found one of the greatest ways to get in great condition whether for combat sports or whatever. He would have his wrestlers/students work with a deck of cards, shuffle them around and have them see how far they would go. Usually in this manner it be the Hindu Squats and Hindu Push-ups which to Karl himself said to be the foundational exercises for optimal conditioning.

As time went on some wrestling teams or organizations would have their wrestlers play around with the deck and came up with other exercises like sit-ups, pull-ups and others to keep their wrestlers guessing because in competition you never know what's going to happen so this teaches you how to be prepared for the unexpected. Wrestlers in Japan seemed to like this type of conditioning so much that it became one of their tests (I believe) and it made some of the wrestlers practically unstoppable. I don't know if the deck was used in other countries but if they have it shows.

Next time you feel your training is not going anywhere or you're bored and want to change things up, get a god damn deck of cards and pick 2-4 types of exercises and see how long you can go. Time yourself. I have beaten the deck many times but I can tell you first hand that if you jump in too quickly you're gonna be sore like a mofo for days. My best time with just push-ups and squats was around 20-25 min. and with just 4 exercises its roughly 45 min. and I try to take as little breaks as possible because in wrestling there is no rest.

Do you need to be a wrestler to do this? Hell no. I'm certainly not one and wouldn't wanna mess with one. This type of training can be used by anyone who has the desire to get in shape, lose weight, build muscle and burn off fat like theres no tomorrow. I respect men like Gotch, Billy Robinson, Gama, Thesz and other old-timer so thats why I give them credit for building conditioning programs like this. If you're going to talk about old-timers and they're programs for christ sakes show them some respect and never give excuses about these types of programs. At first this type of program will be hard and it may seem impossible but don't give up. I couldn't finish 10 cards at first thats how bad I was and now after training for so long I can beat the deck just about any time I wanted. When you can finish a deck and you're sweating from head to toe and you have a smile on your face and want more either right there or later on, you are one tough son of a bitch and a hell of a conditioned athlete.

It takes more then physical strength, endurance and flexibility to beat the deck, it takes a sharp mind, laser-like focus, concentration and if you think about it, it takes the mind of a great warrior or better yet the mind-power of a REAL Wrestler. As of right now I just do push-ups and Hindu Squats/Jumpers but not just typical standard Push-ups but I do many variations to keep my body guessing and to use different things for different muscles. Be creative and learn how to beat your own deck.

For Those W/ Droids Or IPhone/IPads

Technology has come a long way and still going strong and there is some technology we don't need but I won't reveal what they are. One thing I do like and its having a Droid Phone. There are many apps to choose from and most of what I get has to do with training. I have one for Push-ups, Tabata workouts, Card workouts and Qi Gong.

If you're still inlove with training then I highly recommend these types of apps for the phone. Not only can your training can be effective but it can motivate you to take it to a different level. Now do you need these apps? Of course not this is just a suggestions. Play with the other apps another time and take the time to take advantage of amplifying your training. I'm not into bodybuilding type training but there are apps for those too.

My favorite so far is the Playing Card Workout. It gives you four exercises to do and off you go and lets see how many cards you can muster. You can also change the names of the exercises to whatever you choose. Example do Push-ups for hearts, Squats for diamonds, Hold A Horsestance for breaths instead of reps for spades and V-Ups for Clubs.....You can pick whatever exercises you choose and do what you can. Be creative.

Push-ups app is also a great tool because it keeps track of how many push-ups you want to accomplish in a row and gives a progression system to work with. Push-ups are one of the best bodyweight exercises on the planet and can make you a very fit person. If theres an app where you can do Squat Progressions i'd be all over it. Squats (especially hindu) are foundational exercises for the lower body and high reps can get you winded and when you get out of breath you're building growth hormone which helps build muscle, burn fat and turn you into a fitness machine. I would say that if I were to pick a peice of equipment for my training why not just use your phone and let it help you track your progress. Just keep a journal in hand to track your goals and write down reps/sets schemes for yourself. Here are a couple sites to help you find some great push-ups & squats.

Ultimate Bodyweight Conditioning - Push Ups

Ultimate Bodyweight Conditioning - Squats

Importance Of Flexibility

You can have all the strength, stamina, balance and you can have the most beautiful body on the planet but if you don't have the flexibility, you're not only prone to injury but you'll be stiff as a board and looking like an old man/woman walking around. Flexibility is very important for all athletes and the average Joe. Believe it or not its very important to Dancers, Entertainers & Musicians because if they're not up to par you won't see them perform very long.

I believe in the art of smart flexibility not just stretching in different places. I need to be flexible due to the injuries from my legs. I don't do the typical stretches you see in the gym or in PE class, no. The stretches I do require concentration and pure laser-like focus. I want to focus on moving that extra inch and meditate at the same time. Stretching shouldn't be that painful (Don't think for a second you're a better stretcher then the next guy, the most flexible people are the Shaolin Monks, Gymnasts, & Dancers). Stretching is about control, awareness and the ability to go that extra centimeter without putting so much effort. Every little time you stretch past a plateau with control and without pain, you are becoming stronger mentally and physically.

Its not hard to learn simple stretches but they're not easy either no matter how big or small you are. It takes patience, time and practice. Make the effort to become a little more flexible while focusing on strength gains and/or stamina. Limber up and work them muscles/tendons.

Pain Killers

Advanced Bridging Course

CoreForce Energy & Its Powers

Want to learn how to fly like superman, shoot lasers out of your fingertips, be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Keep dreaming pal because that only exists in comic books but you do have the ability to create super strength and accelerating speed to become somewhat superhuman. Scientists say we only use 10% of our brain power at our highest potential. What if we can bring that up by let say 2% maybe 3% to start? That would really get you going don't you think? Truth is if we are going to learn our brain power to a higher level then we must focus on what can be brought out in us just by thinking and using our imaginations.

Certain sounds make a valid point that can determine what is fast and what is slow.....Lets say a sound of a punch, during a punch yell out "Baaam." What does it sound like like? Is it fast or is it slow? Sounds slow doesn't it and why is that? You see "Baaam" is still powerful but it has no idea where its going except forward straight on. There's no tourquing point to it and plus with that kind of punch, in a fight the guy would notice it right away and has an advantage of getting out of the way. Lets make another sound....."Waaakkkaa." Picture in your mind what Bruce Lee sounds like when he fights. The way he punches is just severely fast and powerful. To give you a fact, during the filming of The Green Hornet, stunt guys, gaffers and even the director had to tell Bruce to slow down because his punching and kicking were so fast they couldn't even see some of the moves being made right infront of them. The told him to bring his movements down to 30% of his power. Now that is fast my friend no matter how you slice it.

Now you may not be able to kick or punch like Bruce Lee but you can jump start your strength possibly more then doubled the amount. With a few techniques, a little imagination and the effort to learn you can bring in far more strength and speed then ever thought possible. The man behind this dare-to-be-true topic is Garin Bader. For years upon years he has made his mark as a entertaining performer such as a martial artist, magician, acrobatic and most of all (his ultimate specialty) a pianist. He has learned some of the best numbers in the world and has performed countless shows such as Carnigie Hall, Cruise Ships, Las Vegas Showrooms and once performed infront of big time figures such as the Dhali Lama. With his craft he is able to generate such ferocity and powerful peices but with accuracy and stamina that is unmatched in my opinion. I have personally trained with the man himself and I guarantee you if you make the effort and learn this system and being open minded you can become stronger you can become more flexible and your speed with jump. Think of a light switch, once you learned this system correctly you can turn it on or off anytime you feel like it.

Don't sell yourself short and start becoming strong and vibrant and POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!

Look to the right of my blog and you will find the Coreforce Energy Links to the website. As a disclaimer, this is not my system and i'm here to help promote it. I have seen and practiced first hand what this can do and it will only work if you make the effort to put in the work. This is not a course on how to fly or leap tall buildings in a single bound nor is it really a course on how to become superman. Yet you can become much stronger once you make the effort to practice this.