Training For The Long Haul After 40 Using Dopamineo Bands

 

When we hit a certain age, there are things we will need to adapt to. Doesn't mean we stop going after things that matter, it's just another route that leads to places where we can still thrive. We do need to train with a bit more sense once we reach 40, 50 and beyond which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The main goal isn't to punish ourselves and go to limits that lead to injuries. It's to be able to build that continuation in our journey that keeps us capable, strong and conditioned. 

This is where I believe in the Dopamineo Bands and what they represent, beyond the ability to train for specific sports and turn people into explosive machines. It's another aspect of Resistance Training to help maintain muscle and strength as we get older. However; we don't need to suffer in every workout in order to make this a possibility. These bands give you the opportunities to develop these qualities without relying on gym equipment. Is it the end-all-be-all? Hell no, but if you like training at home or want to get in some solid training while traveling, these are top notch for that. 

You can push, pull, squat and all sorts of things that keeps things flowing and come out of it feeling like a million bucks. Use them for circuits, intervals, high rep work, build technique through slow and controlled movements or combine them to your current routine whether its bodyweight or weights. Use them as a warm up if you like or as finishers to your gym work, so many options. That's how versatile they are. Versatility is a key ingredient when you're training for the long haul.

Some of the mistakes people make (myself included, I'll admit) as we get older, is believing progression is about hammering out more and more reps and making exercises harder than they need to be. Making an exercise harder can be subjective whether it be another variation of something or creating more tension. The thing is, in most people's definition of harder is through the difficulty of an exercise itself and stop making it just a simplistic move which is bullshit. Simplicity is the real key, not turning an exercise into some circus act where you end up trying to balance on a slam ball with a barbell on your back or something ridiculous. Progression can mean greater endurance, better control and utilizing range of motion to a better quality of movement. It could also mean less fatigue during the same types of workouts. 

That's the type of stuff the "Extreme Workouts Everyday" crowd tends to forget. It's not possible to adapt well if you end up beating yourself into the ground all the time. Do you really think you can stay consistent if you're injured the majority of the time? Not on your life. It's not about tolerating the punishment you put on yourself and try to train for decades doing that. It's going to bite you in the ass if that is your goal. Our bodies need time to adapt and recover with efficiency. In my own sessions, I don't push so far that I can't walk out without looking like I was in a war, I do what's necessary and hit certain levels of fatigue that I can still come back when I'm ready or do other workouts that are less intense and recover that way. 

The major aspects of the Bands is that they're portable as well. Hook them to the door at home, to a tree at a park and be able to change exercises on a dime. Throw them in a bag and be able to take the gym with you everywhere. I've used them at lakes, on the beach, at parks, in hotel rooms, gyms, rec centers, shit even in the damn parking lot. It just makes the process and journey less complicated. Sometimes we need that.

After 40, we shouldn't really need to prove to anybody how much we can dish out or show up some moron on the internet who's only purpose in life is to be an asshole and make everybody else feel less along with practicing being superior even though it's insecurity. It's about staying as capable as we can for the next 30-40 years or more. Maintaining our levels of strength and keeping our conditioning up. Moving our body and performing tasks while also enjoying the activities we love. Stop trying to train like you're 20 years old again. It has come and gone but that doesn't mean your journey stops. It just means you put in the work that sets aside the ego trip and do things that have you moving forward as you celebrate life. 

Keep finding ways to better yourself, adapt with gusto and do the best to your abilities to keep moving forward. Be amazingly awesome and grab some bands so you can become fitter and healthier as time goes on. Use the coupon code POWERANDMIGHT to get a percentage off your order. 

Want anymore info on them, use the contact form below or find me on social media through my linktree.

RIP To Dory Funk Jr. A Champion Beyond The World Of Professional Wrestling

 

If there was anyone synonymous with the words Professional Wrestling, it was the legendary Texan Dory Funk Jr. A man that represented his craft with respect, grit and earning his dues at a time when you had to be one tough son of a bitch in order to get in the door to this business. 

His big break came in the form of becoming one of the greatest champions in the NWA when he won the title from Gene Kiniski way back in 1969. Over the next four years, he made that belt not look like some prop or fashion accessory, but a reign that made people understand the word Toughness. Wrestling night after night, 60 min broadways and wins over the best of the best in every territory. Carried the NWA on his shoulders that still holds merit to this day. It wasn't hype, it was pure dominance. Years later, his brother Terry won the belt. With that win, it will forever stand that Dory & Terry are the only brothers to hold the NWA Championship. 

If Texas had a true man to call son, it was Dory. It was his home, enhanced its status in the Amarillo Territory with his father Dory Sr. and his brother Terry. It embodied what being a pro wrestler was at that point in time and that was hard-nosed believable wrestling. The territory wasn't full of flashy gimmicks, entrances and catch phrases, it made you believe in the villain and the hero using matches that were drenched in blood, showed technical skill and a level of ring psychology that set a gold standard. 

Japan, was a place that not only Dory made his mark in, but was a pioneer along with a few others that sent the international territory into the stratosphere. He helped establish places like All Japan Pro Wrestling by wrestling the very best there with names like Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta and many more. Unlike most guys who traveled abroad to the land of the east, Dory was more than just a mere attraction, he was treated like Royalty because he respected the culture and the business there. 

Another thing he was well known for....Being the consummate professional. He kept his ego in check, didn't act like a circus clown and acted like a man towards the boys in the locker rooms. He showed up, did the work and made opponents look like a million bucks. That approach built a Hall Of Fame career while several today in the business that barely can talk build a lasting reputation. 

His greatest contributions were really outside of his powerful in-ring career. Long after the championship reigns, the countless matches everywhere and setting the standard for the wrestling world, there came the Funking Conservatory where he trained a who's who of future talent such as Kurt Angle, The Hardy Boys, Edge & Christian, Mark Henry and many more. They were pushed in fundamentals, conditioning and professionalism. Dory never let up. If you really want to understand the word Influencer, Dory was the cream of the crop in that regard.

The legacy of a champion isn't measured by by just belts and HOF plaques, its through those that came after and got better because of the knowledge they gained within that champion's example and influence. Dory Jr. didn't need to be loud to be noticed, his wrestling and other work ethic did that for him. 

Pro Wrestling holds a great debt of gratitude for him, he stepped through the ropes, pushed himself in workouts and left fingerprints that nobody will ever match. Respect the legends, Dory sure as hell earned his. RIP champ, say hi to Terry and your dad for us and may your spirit shine in every squared circle in this life and the next.

Don't Let Another Immortal Release The Power Of Your Quickening

One of the most common themes of the Highlander Franchise is in order to have the strength and power of another immortal is to decapitate them using the stroke of a sword that releases what's called the quickening. In other words, if you won the fight, you gain power and knowledge of your opponent. Enhancing the abilities of the victor.

So, what the hell does this have to do with fitness? Well, in a nutshell, it's the training of the neck. A fun little tidbit of developing real strength and conditioning for one of the most neglected body parts in the Fitness Culture. Unless you're a football player, MMA fighter or wrestler, you don't see a ton of programs involving Neck Training. 

Working your neck is more than just building muscle, it's the possible prevention of injuries and concussions that occur a lot with Spinal issues and recurring neck problems. Many don't train their neck in a typical gym setting or even at home because there isn't a ton of information and whatever is, usually involves using weights, bridges on the head and merely using a wall or laying on your side as you only use the head. Weights have their place in training the neck and bridging is a cornerstone for building a strong neck to prevent being pinned down or getting out of a jam if you're fighting on the ground but it doesn't always constitute the idea of working the neck for longevity and strength.

If you know anything about what I love doing, it's finding exciting and cool ways to train using practicality and realistic ideas to keep things going in the long run. Neck Training is no different. I've done Bridges, Mobility Work and Self Resistance stuff for many years and rarely ever got injured in my neck. Had plenty of soreness at times but I feel grateful that I've never had a concussion or had to wear a neck brace from having whiplash or worse.

One of the best pieces of equipment I've ever used so far since earlier this year has been the Neck Flex that was the baby of the man known as Mike The Machine Bruce, a Marine with a background in shoot fighting and wrestling. Also is dubbed the man with the World's Strongest Neck, holding records such as Neck Curling with 300 lbs, having rebar and horseshoes bent across his throat and other things. In his prime, had a 20-21 inch neck that you really couldn't get a good choke hold on. He inspired me to get this crazy looking thing. Since I've had it, I've done thousands of reps doing exercises in various directions. Working up to 300-400 reps per session, sometimes more with experimenting the door anchor style. 

I use the resistance band variation of the NF because it's just my preference and I can hook it up to the D Rings and just go to town man. Here is my Demo of exercises and some Neck Curls using a strap. This has kept my neck thick, strong and mobile. I plan on testing out more exercises in the near future, even might work on Isometrics using chains, that would be bad ass to do LOL. For real though, you don't have to be a wrestler or a fighter to train your neck, it's an add on to what you can do for your current program or do Neck Work on off days so you can give the other muscle groups a break, whatever is comfortable for you. 

When you train the neck with intent and safety, you're learning to value the body from another perspective. We have to keep our heads up high and let people know we are strong. Guys like George F. Jowett knew this, Farmer Burns and others that made the importance of building a powerful neck worth the effort. In a nerdy sense, there would be more immortals in Highlander if those people knew how to truly their neck and those swords would have a much tougher time to cut. Then again, the villain The Kurgan had his throat cut and didn't get decapitated the first time, maybe there was some special training he did because you never see that happen at any other time in the films or tv series. 

Be amazingly awesome and remember.....THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!

*If you click the link to the Neck Flex, you can get a special discount off your order if you use the code POWERANDMIGHT at checkout.  

Being On The Oregon Coast And Training To Keep Things Flowing

 Being near the ocean again was just incredible and putting in some training doing Isometrics, Dopa Bands & the 2 + 1 Sapate HIIT Workouts. Feeling the air, the sound of the waves, it's one of those great places to clear your head. Each day, there was a fun way to get some exercise in and then enjoy the rest of the time doing whatever. First night after getting into our Hotel in Lincoln City, did some Isometrics and using the band to stretch my body after being on the road for over 8 hours. The rest of the week was Sapate Workouts and a couple more Dopa Circuits doing 500-600 total reps each in Coos Bay. When we came home Saturday, I did a 500 Rep Dopa Circuit after a long travel day. 

I turned 42 last Tuesday and the older I get, the more I'm understanding that in fitness, it's not about who the toughest is or who can be so damn extreme consistently, those can be subjective but the latter has become more of a joke because of how much it's pushed by certain people. It's really keeping things flowing, especially after reaching 40.

I'll still push myself at times, hell those Sapate Workouts are hard and I do enjoy them. Testing things out but also being smart about what I do. I rather do things that build a future over beating the crap out of myself that leaves me wanting to sit out for days. I'm not breaking my streak to do that shit. Being on the sand and seeing the waves while feeling the wind of the sea reminds me of these things. Sometimes it's calm and other times, it creates a greater force but they always keep coming. Always in motion, that's a big proponent of my fitness journey.

It's those days where you can hammer out a high rep workout that can have you breathing like you ran sprints but other times, you can do some Iso Training, creating heavy tension and letting those muscles work without pounding the joints into an oblivion. Being over 40, I know I haven't peaked yet but I also know that when to go hard and when to back it up a few notches becomes an art form.

It also doesn't mean slowing down or making excuses. It means you're training with purpose, a structure that has meaning. Being able to train anywhere has become somewhat of a lost art, sure you can do just body weight and be cool with it, I encourage it wholeheartedly but having things like Bands on hand just adds not only the variety, but also getting an on site education to what you can come up with and developing abilities that keep you young and vibrant.

There's nothing fancy about old school training, it's the consistency and the use of your imagination that will have you going into new realms of strength, health and durability that didn't seem to exist before. Too many these days feel turning 40 means you're going downhill. Not me man, I don't believe it for a second. Do I train exactly the same as I did at 21? Nope, but that's ok. Do I believe I'm doing better now? Very much so, because I've learned that wisdom comes with age and experience. Adapted to what my body responds to and how to progress intelligently. That's what knowledge through trial and error over the years gets you.

Nature is a great teacher. Giving us lessons that can last a lifetime. When we pay attention to things in a different light, it shows us what we are capable of. The weather changes, the tide can be low or high, the wind can be calm but out of nowhere can be gusty. It teaches adaptability. The way we train shouldn't be any different. Some workouts can feel incredible, others can be humbling and even question our life's choices, we can seem invincible in one sense, at times just showing up and doing what's possible in the moment is our victory for the day. Just don't stop moving.

For those over 40, don't spend so much time worrying about what was in the past, stay the course on what you can do today. Experiment, learn new challenges, the journey doesn't end because a calendar tells you you're a year older. Think of it as a new chapter, a new adventure on the horizon. 

As for our time on the coast itself, we saw beautiful sunsets, witnessed a proposal within yards on the beach and even celebrated a little of it, some awesome lighthouses and spending time with people that we don't see very often even though each time we do, we pick up where we left off last. We smiled, took little trips down the coast and created memories that will never leave us. Being loved and sharing it with the people that matter to us. Life can be hard at times but there's beauty in it as well and that is also what keeps things flowing. Be amazingly awesome and have a great Monday.

Share some of your favorite travel memories in the comments.

A Hater's Workout: Lots Of Typing, Zero REAL Training Done

 I saw a lot of this with a hater of my own. Some idiot who barely does 10 Squats on a Youtube Video will write a Tolstoy like Novel of a post about my own form and say the dumbest things that make no sense, not to mention plagiarizing my articles to make up fake reviews for his so called Isometric Course (if you even want to call it that, mainly copy and pasted garbage with no originality or actual training structure). Hell, he couldn't post a video of a real hold to save his life.

It's funny how some of these people utilize anecdotes more than actual science and individual adaptation and only post what they believe is right otherwise anything else outside their messed up bubble is wrong. 

Let me tell you the truth.....

Pseudoscience isn't real science. That should be a painfully obvious "No shit sherlock" moment but most of these guys can't get that through their overly biased thought process. Realistic research starts with the actual work being done, I've shown things like my bands and even performing a full Deck Of Cards Leg Workout. All he really shows is dumb rants and small little "hints" of his superiority to things like Pull-Ups when he struggles to get 6 yet claims he can 25 like its nothing. Talk about bullshit. 

Anecdotes aren't evidence either especially when it comes to the most exaggerated claims. Things like losing 132 lbs in less than 6-8 weeks. How the bloody hell is that even healthy? Where's the science behind that and being able to function? Even losing that in 6 months would be pushing it. It's not true, sure he lost a lot of weight but it wasn't in that period of time unless he did some kind of liposuction and made sacrifices to maintain it like his sanity. Making up stories like being able to casually swing a 40kg Club in each hand. I've seen footage of several people doing this but its nowhere near casual, it takes a load of coordination and not only strength but to even get those damn things upright in the first place. If you're claiming crap like that while weighing less than 135 lbs soaking wet, you better put up or shut up and not just picking it up and actually swinging it, put it on a scale to see the actual weight. For the record, 40kg is 88 lbs.

What's their biggest tell?

The Obsession. I've never met a strong dude that spends his day bitching and moaning about other people's training style or doing everything possible to debunk them. Real men, spend their time training and doing things to make it better for themselves. Weak men, take more time to hate. It's practically a full time job: Scroll, Analyze, Debunk and repeat over and over. No training that means anything and stay stuck as a pencil neck twig with a grudge. 

If your training works for you, that's awesome. If you like pull-ups, do them until the cows come home, like swinging clubs, cool. Just make sure you write the accurate weight instead of some outrageous arbitrary number that makes people question your math skills. Don't tell me about my form in certain movements like Hindu Push-ups while you turn it into something overly inappropriate. What is wrong with these people?

Here's an idea: Put your damn phone down or put the laptop away and actually move your ass doing something. Spend less time writing your little pity parties playing the victim and actually train. I highly doubt you will since you seem to care about what I do more than what you can do for yourself. Quit the hating, click baiting and be a man. Actually do something productive in your miserable life. 

Damn that was quite a rant wasn't it? Sometimes you just got to get stuff out every once in a while. Keep kicking ass everyone. Be amazingly awesome.