tatteredxangelx
05-06-2006, 06:58 AM
May 5th 7:21PM
I’ve been asked a countless number of times on exactly what it takes to get strong. Now I can’t give you a point to point blue print because everybody is different, but I can give you an outline. From what I have seen, there are six keys that open the door to superhuman strength:
Diet: Strongman isn’t bodybuilding; you don’t have to stuff your self with 2 dozen egg whites and dry ass chicken all day. When you’re training for strength, it doesn’t matter what you eat, it matters how much you eat. It may take a while, but you have to figure out your metabolic rate. If your body burns 4,000 calories a day, eat 4,100. This not only speeds up your metabolism, but it puts on muscle at the same time so you don’t end up looking like a fat fucking slob. No soda, no beer, and no candy/ice cream/cake. Everything else (including fast food) is good to go!
Training: The average “athlete” trains 200 or so times a year … that’s why he’s fucking average. The only time I take a day off, is when I can’t move around enough to train. If you’re going to let your body tell you what to do, this isn’t the right sport for you. Your mind is controlling the weight you move -.ever wonder why you can magically get those last few inches when your spot touches the bar, even if he doesn’t push? Train heavy, train hard, and train often. There is no set rep scheme, just make sure you switch it up between 2-12 frequently. Getting your body used to what you are doing is the quickest way to plateau. My last point: do not worry about form, cheat to grow. Lift your ass of the bench, squat 4/5ths of the way down, swing a little on your curls; if you do it enough eventually your ass will stay down, your hips will drop and your elbows will keep still.
Supplementation: Supplements not only help you grow, but they keep you healthy and injury free. A few supplements every strength athlete should use: multivitamins, glutamine, amino acids, protein powders, creatine, and glucosamine. There is nothing worse than not being able to train because you were up all night with cramps or your knees are too dry to bend. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Rest: A few hours of sleep here and there will not help your training. I recommend a minimum of 10 hours of sleep for every 12 awake. To some this is not feasible, but you should at least try your best. The human body is like a battery, it will not run to its fullest potential unless it is charged often enough. I am a full time student and work 30+ hours a week, but still find plenty of time to sleep. If it means not going out and getting laid on Friday night so be it. It’s time to pick your priorities, man – do it or don’t, you’re call.
Flexibility: What, never heard about this one before? Yeah, most people haven’t. Your muscle is contained in a tiny pouch known as a fascia. Think of the fascia like a balloon, and what do you do before you blow up a balloon? You stretch it out to make it bigger. The same thing applies for a muscle, the more flexible the muscle, the bigger it can get. Not only does rigorous stretching prevent muscle tears, but it helps muscles grow as well. If the muscle has enough room to grow, it will do just that. Bigger = stronger.
Dedication: The most important key is as obvious as it seems. Without the drive and desire to be the best, you simply never will be. That is why I love this sport so much; you get exactly what you put in. It doesn’t matter how tall you are or how fast you are, if you’re eating right, training right, and resting right, you will be better than the guy who isn’t. Point fucking blank. The other night I was in a predicament. I had to choose whether to go to work and write my paper, write my paper and lift, or lift and go to work. Ha, to make a long story short, I’m not getting a raise anytime soon.
As you can see, I didn’t include everybody’s favorite scapegoat on my list – genetics. Fuck genetics. Strength athletes are NOT bodybuilders. Your genetics decide how high your biceps peak, but they do not decide how much they can curl. Your genetics decide how fast you run, but they do not decide how much you squat. There is a reason why a 150lb woman can squat 720lbs. With proper technique, elastic-like flexibility and momentum that resembles a man fired out of a cannon, the human body can do amazing things. It’s up to you, to decide whether yours will or not.
I’ve been asked a countless number of times on exactly what it takes to get strong. Now I can’t give you a point to point blue print because everybody is different, but I can give you an outline. From what I have seen, there are six keys that open the door to superhuman strength:
Diet: Strongman isn’t bodybuilding; you don’t have to stuff your self with 2 dozen egg whites and dry ass chicken all day. When you’re training for strength, it doesn’t matter what you eat, it matters how much you eat. It may take a while, but you have to figure out your metabolic rate. If your body burns 4,000 calories a day, eat 4,100. This not only speeds up your metabolism, but it puts on muscle at the same time so you don’t end up looking like a fat fucking slob. No soda, no beer, and no candy/ice cream/cake. Everything else (including fast food) is good to go!
Training: The average “athlete” trains 200 or so times a year … that’s why he’s fucking average. The only time I take a day off, is when I can’t move around enough to train. If you’re going to let your body tell you what to do, this isn’t the right sport for you. Your mind is controlling the weight you move -.ever wonder why you can magically get those last few inches when your spot touches the bar, even if he doesn’t push? Train heavy, train hard, and train often. There is no set rep scheme, just make sure you switch it up between 2-12 frequently. Getting your body used to what you are doing is the quickest way to plateau. My last point: do not worry about form, cheat to grow. Lift your ass of the bench, squat 4/5ths of the way down, swing a little on your curls; if you do it enough eventually your ass will stay down, your hips will drop and your elbows will keep still.
Supplementation: Supplements not only help you grow, but they keep you healthy and injury free. A few supplements every strength athlete should use: multivitamins, glutamine, amino acids, protein powders, creatine, and glucosamine. There is nothing worse than not being able to train because you were up all night with cramps or your knees are too dry to bend. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Rest: A few hours of sleep here and there will not help your training. I recommend a minimum of 10 hours of sleep for every 12 awake. To some this is not feasible, but you should at least try your best. The human body is like a battery, it will not run to its fullest potential unless it is charged often enough. I am a full time student and work 30+ hours a week, but still find plenty of time to sleep. If it means not going out and getting laid on Friday night so be it. It’s time to pick your priorities, man – do it or don’t, you’re call.
Flexibility: What, never heard about this one before? Yeah, most people haven’t. Your muscle is contained in a tiny pouch known as a fascia. Think of the fascia like a balloon, and what do you do before you blow up a balloon? You stretch it out to make it bigger. The same thing applies for a muscle, the more flexible the muscle, the bigger it can get. Not only does rigorous stretching prevent muscle tears, but it helps muscles grow as well. If the muscle has enough room to grow, it will do just that. Bigger = stronger.
Dedication: The most important key is as obvious as it seems. Without the drive and desire to be the best, you simply never will be. That is why I love this sport so much; you get exactly what you put in. It doesn’t matter how tall you are or how fast you are, if you’re eating right, training right, and resting right, you will be better than the guy who isn’t. Point fucking blank. The other night I was in a predicament. I had to choose whether to go to work and write my paper, write my paper and lift, or lift and go to work. Ha, to make a long story short, I’m not getting a raise anytime soon.
As you can see, I didn’t include everybody’s favorite scapegoat on my list – genetics. Fuck genetics. Strength athletes are NOT bodybuilders. Your genetics decide how high your biceps peak, but they do not decide how much they can curl. Your genetics decide how fast you run, but they do not decide how much you squat. There is a reason why a 150lb woman can squat 720lbs. With proper technique, elastic-like flexibility and momentum that resembles a man fired out of a cannon, the human body can do amazing things. It’s up to you, to decide whether yours will or not.