Burning Like Wildfire

 The desire to be fit is more than just creating something within time, it has to spark a side of you that burns within the psyche. Training programs will always come and go, some don't need to have a ton of skill to get results but there's always that plan. Being your own architect so do speak. You make the designs, the structure, the foundation and the map of where things go. You lay out the dream on paper or in your mind, then you take action and start building.

Sometimes, a program takes on a life of its own, it consumes you because of your time and investment in the project you want to see come to fruition. It's one of the things I like about Suspension Calisthenics; its not very difficult to understand what exercises work, but in order to make them work, you need to lay the ground work. You can possess the knowledge, but its the application that pieces together brick by brick.

Doing things like Push-ups, Squats, Pull-Ups, Dips and even Curls for that matter may not seem all that simple when in reality they're the keys that unlock the doors to what can be accomplished. From a Suspension Trainer like the WorldFit Iso or even a typical Suspension Setup , you have the most basic tools that can be put into a bag. Multiple Variations that are like the rooms in your floor plan, each room may have similarity but it has its own character it's own personality in the designs you made. Even something like the Pull-Up can be constructed by doing a move where you start with a certain progression that has on your feet and the only muscles you're working is your grip, the back, arms and shoulders. Learning to create tension and master before going to a harder progression. 

Too many people in the fitness industry make things complicated and that's really by design because simplicity doesn't sound flashy or extreme. Those who want you to be flashy and extreme are the ones who don't give a damn about you, they only care about convincing you that what they're selling is the only thing that works when in reality, it's cheap knock offs that don't deserve anything more than a fuck you to the person who thinks they're better than anybody else. Simplicity, utilizing tension, train the muscles to stimulate, not annihilate and be in control. 

Doing hundreds of reps have their perks, shit you've read enough about my Dopa Band workouts or my 500 Squat Sessions or 1000 Step Ups. It's not that they don't work, they absolutely do, but they're only a part of the puzzle. Doing very high rep workouts have their place yet some only care about that and that alone which is why they don't build muscle very much yet they think they look like Bruce Lee or something. Bruce was as shredded as they come and despite his small size, the amount of muscle he had was incredible compared to those who believe in their own hype and look like they could barely carry grocery bags. If I had to pick an athlete that remotely had a build like Lee, it was guys like Maxick. 

Back to the task at hand, using greater tension to stimulate the muscles has perks most don't realize. When you can program the idea of Muscle Control into movements in a Suspension Style Workout, you're putting in work that has a much better capacity to put on muscle. You may not look like a Bruce Lee or a Mr. Universe but you can pack on natural muscle that not only brings out a great physique but also puts real strength on the tendons and ligaments. Combine that with Isometric Training and you got yourself some insane Strength & Muscular Development. That's one of the main ingredients to getting bad ass results. 

There will be people who will try to convince you otherwise because it doesn't suit their narrative or vision for what they want to sell you. They'll try to sell you some stuff that seems promising and talks a good game, but in the very depths, it's nothing more than desperate attempts to make you believe everyone else is full of shit and they're the ones that can't do anything wrong. It's manipulative tactics that show that they're in it to take your money and don't care whether you get hurt or not. It's stupid and makes them look weak to such a degree that regardless of their claims, an 11 year old can beat them in Arm Wrestling. 

With something like Suspension Calisthenics, there's no manipulation, there's no dark secrets hiding behind the exercises or making ridiculous claims. It's in your face and direct to the point but using words of encouragement and making you the star of your own program. Sure it has routines and all that to give you something to look into, but it doesn't have that "I'm better than you" bullshit antic and Matt Schifferele doesn't treat you like you're a loser if you don't follow his style, he wants you to succeed, he wants you to become a greater version of yourself and shows with enthusiasm and preaches about using simple tools to build strength you couldn't have dreamed of that lasts a lifetime with consistency. 

Bodyweight Training is a powerful asset in your fitness arsenal and when you can use things that could fit in your pocket, you have a whole new world of knowledge at your disposal. I never want you to feel and neither does Matt, that's why we want to give you the resources you deserve and want to create something for yourself. Be amazingly awesome and get cracking. I leave you with these words from one of the best Journey songs:  

In the shadows of a golden age 

A generation waits for dawn 

Brave carry on 

Bold and the strong

Love this song. 

So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

 Training will come and go and you learn to adapt as time goes on. For instance, I love my Dopa Band Workouts and the last time I did one was when we got back from my Montana this past week which was a "quick" 500 rep circuit. I've hit a goal of beyond 50,000 Reps with these fucking things and I've slowly drifted out to working the bands on occasions or whenever I have an urge and focused on more neck work, Isometrics, O2 Training and some bodyweight. 

 Yesterday, after doing 1000 Step Ups using the Deck Of Cards as my guide, I went out and sold my Pull-Up bar that I've had for close to I think 8 years because there wasn't much use for it and was taking up space in our storage. Saying goodbye to that thing wasn't easy because I don't normally sell off my equipment, actually this is the first piece of equipment I've actually sold as far as I know. Sold it to someone who was looking for a bar to train on and he was all excited with the deal I gave him. Good kid and I got more than what I was asking for. Fully assembled and he just fell in love with it. Glad it made him happy and hope he gets success out of it. 

Fitness has a lot of ups and downs, a number of quirks but also has its dark side to things. We do what we can and we can often get shit just for existing and making something of ourselves. Nobody is above anybody else, there's always someone stronger, faster and more knowledgeable than us. Some act like they're all high and mighty just because they think they need to prove how much of an expert they are when in reality, they can't back up a damn thing and would get their ass kicked by a teenager. Others who not only talk the talk but walk the walk have far better outlooks on the realistic approaches to fitness and health that they don't need to prove themselves, they're just themselves and are successful at being good people.

When I sold off that Pull-Up Bar, I did have mixed feelings. I didn't really want to sell it but in the grand scheme of things, there's something better out there that will bring better success than just a piece of fitness equipment. There's a bigger plan in the works that will have me evolve in other aspects of my training and I will be putting in another pull-up bar that is better equipped to be in a place where I can get better use out of it and be more than just a bar, but also be a dip station as well. In the words of Wayne Campbell "It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine." So, in this context, I'm saying goodbye to one thing but will welcome something new in the not too distant future.

In the fitness industry, it can be extremely hard to trust people when it comes to knowing what the hell they're doing. Among the hundreds to thousands of influencers out there, you'd be lucky to find 10-15 people that actually have real world knowledge, a backbone into actually helping others & not treating them like they're losers and find those who talk the talk and walk the walk with a powerful presence. Men and women like Matt Schifferle, Dave Whitley, Logan Christopher, Paul O'Brien, Tyler Bramlett, Brooks Kubik, Steve Maxwell, James Cappola,, Curt Ligot, Melody Schoenfeld, Kirsten Moore, Amit Elor and others that show true aspects of being a phenomenal asset to building people up and giving them opportunities to better themselves without abusing their power and being an asshole towards them to get their point across. 

The true suckers and losers of the Fitness Industry are those that tear people down, treat them crap in order to sell you what they think is high quality but is worth far less than a pluck nickel because of unrealistic standards and thinking you need to be exactly like them in order to get results which is far and away from the truth. They're scammers, frauds, marketing scumbags and don't have the ability to be empathetic and/or sympathetic to those who want to better themselves. They talk a good game to be convincing but don't show any actual evidence that what they do is applicable long term or healthy. Some of these numbnuts want you drinking something like 10 Liters of Water minimum which can actually lead to Water Poisoning, even world class pro athletes don't do this or find it possible. They act like they're the very best at everything when they can barely handle a few things before they give in and call it extraordinary in their own head. They may even tell you to go extreme all the time because that's the only way to results. That is dangerous, unprofessional to customers and you're forcing beliefs that can hurt others before they even have a chance to get the results they want. It makes you look like an idiot.

The fitness world has a lot of great people but it has just as many assholes with a Superiority Complex that will do anything to make a buck, even as far as to sell pre orders of products that will never be made public. Taking people's money like that is sick, degrading and destroys any credibility to what you think works but never have people see it.  Don't fall for these people, find the ones that have real credentials, real trials and errors and still have the ability to make you feel you're worthwhile instead of worthless. You know what I say to those asshats, so long and thanks for all the fish because you are what's wrong with this industry that would have men like Bruce Lee, Maxick, Zass, Sandow or Saxon rolling in their graves. 

 Be better and show what compassion and teaching really means to those who want to be better for themselves and help them with tools that mean something. Quite frankly, we all could learn a thing or two but it's also important to show that results are worthy of the effort without breaking someone's spirit or calling them losers because they don't follow your path. That's what cultists and egotistically brainless bullies do. Sometimes, it's good to get a few things off your chest and be open about what's important to you. Be amazingly awesome and I hope you all find success that leads down a path that is going to give others the chance to have success of their own. 

Am I Not Turtley Enough For The Turtle Club?

Sometimes, certain lines from a movie just make you laugh. That's one of my favorite lines from the movie Master Of Disguise. Sure it's corny and has its own flaws but its a fun movie nonetheless. Can't beat a legend like Dana Carvey.

Back to the task at hand....Turtles are known for their long and even strong necks. Some species have longer or shorter necks for specific purposes like some have long necks to reach for food, others have shorter ones for their movement in water. When it comes to our own necks, it is often the top of the heap of the most neglected muscles in our body. 

Unless you're a football player, wrestler, boxer or even an MMA Fighter, many don't train the neck to the extent where it can be a life-saving aspect of fitness and overall health. Some may claim to know a thing or two on training the neck but when you actually look at them, they've got the pencil neck thing going, those are the type that think they know about neck work but would get choked out by a 5 year old. Learn from the REAL ones that have been through the ringer and actually put in the effort, not act like some guru or "expert" that sounds convincing but in reality has a glass jaw and a broken ego with a neck that looks like a stick figure. So be careful, it just might save you financially from buying crappy books that never go anywhere and better yet, keep you safe from their bullshit tactics like their way or the highway or hear them say they're the very best at this or that (they really aren't and it shows in their own desperate attempt to prove themselves). 

You don't need to have a 20+ inch neck to be noticeable, hell mine is barely 18 inches around and I'm happy with that. George F. Jowett once wrote "In both men and the other male beasts, the neck has always been the true indicator of quality and quantity of his concentrated nerve power. A strong healthy man always has a powerful neck and he always will have one." Notice he never said thick neck, powerful. Although a thick neck (that is also healthy) isn't too bad either.

I've been doing neck training off and on for years to the point where I've accumulated about 18 inches or so and without using weights. I've been slowly and consistently doing more of making my neck a priority by doing bridges, working the Neck Flex that was birthed by the true king of Neck Strength, Mike "The Machine" Bruce. If you doubt me, look him up and see the type of things he does or even done that would make a normal man run for the hills. Even at 53 years young, the odds of you able to choke him out would be slimmer than winning the lottery. I've even kept up my Neck Mobility Training.

Having a strong neck goes beyond just muscle building and strengthening the nerves surrounding those muscles; it's about strengthening the spinal column and even working the neurons of the brain which can lead to stronger cognitive function. You don't always need to practice bridging in order to do this but if you're interested in that type of training, check out Advanced Bridging by Logan Christopher, pound for pound one of the strongest motherfuckers on this planet. 

Neck Training can also prevent or even lessen many possible injuries. Outside of sports, the strength of your neck can keep you alive from whiplash in a car accident or possibly get out of a jam if you get locked in a hold in a fight. Having a pencil neck isn't fun, trust me I've been there. When I was a young wee lad in the days of Elementary school, I had a bit of a bobblehead thing going on, big head but thin neck and I'm lucky I didn't get injured doing some of the stupid shit you do as a kid. By the time I was in high school and really started moving weights around, my neck got a little bigger from doing shrugs and lifting heavy shit (at least what I thought felt heavy at the time). Wasn't until after turning 21 that having a strong neck was vitally important. I just started with bridges and went from there.

As time passed throughout the ages which is now practically old enough to be my kid if I ever had one, I've learned valuable tools of the trade beyond bridging and keeping my neck healthy and strong. I can still bridge well if I wanted to but working with the Neck Flex has been a great asset and addition to maintaining a thick neck well into my 40's. Guys like Mike Bruce showed that you don't need to be a pro athlete to have a bull neck but you shouldn't be having a pencil neck one either because it will haunt your ass if you don't train your fucking neck.

I'm grateful to not have injuries to my spine and neck because of the training I pit myself through and some of it is tough as shit. Hell, at one point in my life, I was falling back into a bridge, kicking over and back on my head as heavy as 260 lbs. I may not do that kind of stuff anymore because I don't really need to or have a purpose in doing it but it was a blast doing it at the time. Just holding and rocking in the bridge is good enough for me and doing neck exercises in a standing position from isometrics to dynamic tension to using the NF and my mobility work is the sweet spot for me. When I do self resistance exercises, I'll do a total of 200 reps per workout, done that many times, with the NF I'll do anywhere between 150-300 reps using a resistance band that has a resistance of 19 lbs doing several exercises or simply do isometrics in several positions. 

Conditioning and strengthening that area not only keeps your head on your shoulders (May even save your life from being decapitated by another immortal) but it also fires the neurons in the brain which helps with the functioning of the brain and reducing headaches and/or possibly migraines. Don't know for sure about the last one but in my experience, whenever I had a headache, I wasn't training my neck. 

Don't lose your head and keep on working that neck so you can live a solid quality life and be able to withstand some crazy things that may happen. I don't recommend you test that just to prove how tough you are but building a powerful neck comes in handy when you least expect it. Be amazingly awesome and remember...."There can be only one."  

Princes Of The Universe And Fun Times In Montana

 In my opinion, when it comes to an underrated Hard Rock song but also at their heaviest, Princes Of The Universe by Queen is right up there. A true theme song to an ok Franchise (aside from the first film and TV Show) of Highlander which is in a reboot right now with former Superman actor Henry Cavil playing the lead as Connor MacLeod. One of my favorite action filled stories that blends sword fighting, romance, piece periods and the pros & cons to immortality. 

Guess I got caught up in a bit of nostalgia (or did I?). Anyway, onto the article at hand. Throughout this week, was a great time in the state of Montana where the wife and I celebrated a late anniversary trip at a fun little spot next to the Cark Fork River. A cabin a with an awesome view, a porch swing where we had little moments of just being together. I love that shit.

A few days soaking up pools, eating good food and even went on a fun hike that took a good couple hours. Some of my training was more on the lines of Isometrics than most. One morning I did a 500 Rep Circuit with the Dopa Band and then filmed a demo of Dopa Band Exercises in the morning sun. Being able to train anywhere gives off the perks of doing what's possible with what you have, even if its just yourself. 

Isometrics is by far in my opinion, the ultimate method for training anywhere and everywhere. Don't have to move but you can contract muscles hard and still get something out of it. With my trusted WorldFit Iso Trainer and my Isometric Loop, got in some solid workouts hitting every muscle possible in a short amount of time. The morning I did the circuit and the filming was the same one where we did the hike soon after. Pretty fun climb to get to a waterfall area and just let the beauty of nature sink in. After we got back, had a little bit of food and went to the pools. Swimming and just enjoying the scenery. Surrounded by the awesome mountain area and seeing some wild life like little birds, a rabbit and some ospreys. 

No matter where you are, you can always have a fun time and be able to train, even if its for a few minutes and just kick back in the meantime or do a micro workout here and there. Even threw in some O2 Training working the number 2mm cap doing 30 reps within about 6 minutes. Helps keep up the conditioning especially for a hike. You live for moments like these and enjoy the company of the person you love. 

Have a blast with the life you have, don't always get caught up in the bullshit of the world, it's always going to have moments. Treasure the moments that matter with the people that are important to you. Don't waste it on haters and easily triggered individuals that have no productive life and only live in a screwed up bubble of hatred, jealousy and are disturbingly obsessed. No time or energy for that crap. 

Be amazingly awesome and have a great Friday everyone. Wish you much success and may the force be with you. 

Want to get in contact, go to the linktree below and shoot me an email or find me on social media. Let's hear from you. 

A Hidden Factor In Building Upper Body Strength With Jackknife Pull-Ups

 Pull-ups in and of themselves are a great exercise for many reasons, although in reality they're still a tool for building solid upper body strength, certain variations have hidden carryovers that fitness enthusiasts overlook and/or forget some true importance.

Some pulling variations are easier or harder than others depending on where you're at and what goals you want to strive for. I'll do different forms of pull-ups from time to time like regular bar ones or use the WorldFit Iso Trainer but one move that holds dear to me and it may help others understand what it means to get around when you're limited. 

The Jackknife Pull-Up or the Seated Pull-Up is that one variation that goes beyond just a stepping stone to progress to regular pull-ups, it's an upper body strengthener that can factor in how people can get themselves in and out of wheelchairs, hospital beds, in and out of a car or getting themselves off the floor without assistance from somebody. It can be difficult getting out of a bed at times when you can't walk (I know this all too well) and it's important to know that when your legs don't work but you have an opportunity to strengthen your upper body, it gives more of a reason to even attempt to being independent as best as you can.

I knew and have seen several people who can do pull-ups and muscle ups while in a wheel chair and it's fucking incredible those people made that happen but they all started somewhere and that was just getting themselves off the floor or into a bed or their chair. This is more about that stage where pulling yourself up gives you the strength to show you are not giving up and doing what's possible. 

Another formality of building this kind of strength is if someone is elderly and wants to be more independent. Training to pull themselves off the floor can reap many benefits. As we age, if we're not consistent with movements, we lose our ability to use the muscles and develop problems like arthritis, osteoporosis and other things so it's very important we make decisions so we can have the strength to do things in order to live with what's possible. 

Jackknives are not so much about doing pull-ups easier in this context, that's not the idea here. I want to help you see the big picture that this variation whether your legs work or not can be beneficial to building those muscles so when the time comes when you won't always be able to use your legs but can still use your arms, you have abilities that can be possibly life saving. You are strong and if you have the ability to use your arms, you can make things happen. I believe in you and want you to be strong enough to live without always having to rely on someone, yes we can always use a little help but not everyone will be around to pick you up, so when the time comes, you will or can learn to have the knowledge to get yourself into things. Don't you fucking give up, get up anyway you can. 

There are a couple variations of the Jackknife you can do, one is planting the feet flat in a seated position holding onto a bar or strap with handles and pulling yourself up which I do in the video above, the other is where it can be trickier and a bit harder (but more in tuned to those who can't walk) is where the legs are a bit more straightened and you pull-up without the assistance of your legs while the feet remain on the ground. Getting to that variation and working on it is a step in your journey to get yourself off the floor or into a wheelchair or whatever without the use of your legs. Below, Matt Schifferele shows this variation far better than I could. 

Shit, when I was laid up I had to do jackknife like variations at various times and even got strong enough to pull myself up with one arm and get into a chair or the car. I've had help a time or two in several situations where it was struggle on my own when pushing and pulling wasn't always an option but if I needed to at other times, I made myself get into the bed or chair pushing and pulling any way I can. When I would visit my dad, you had to climb stairs to get to his place so I pushed myself up backwards up the steps. I'm stubborn like that LOL. 

I don't ever want anyone to feel they can't be strong to do things for themselves, it's already heartbreaking seeing others either give up or don't have the willpower anymore to help themselves so make those opportunities count and show the fuckers who doubted you that you are a bad ass and can do things when it can be limited in certain ways. You got this and keep being amazingly awesome. 

Let's hear from you, use the linktree below to send me an email or find me on social media. I want to read your stories, your victories and triumphs overcoming those obstacles. Keep at it everyone and pull yourself to power.