Resistance. [ri-zis-tuh ns]: the act of power of resisting, opposing or withstanding.
So i walk into the gym and see some fellas doing standing side lateral raises. The spotter (A) stands behind the guy performing the move (B). (A) places his palms on (B)'s elbows and lifts the weight up for the first part of the exercise. As (A) completes the movement at the top, the weights fall to (B)'s sides almost instantly on the way down.
At the end of the set, (B) just MIGHT feel a burn in his shoulders. But guess what? By doing this he's not hitting it as much as he can if he used the right weight and; either do it himself or do proper negatives. What (B) is doing isn't training his shoulders, bro, he's training his GRIP, innit? Because that's all he's doing. Gripping the bloody weight and letting the spotter do the job for him. There's no resistance. There's no effort. Especially on the way down, if you're gonna use weights you cant handle. And this applies to all movements, not just raises.
I'm no stranger to negatives. I think they're really important to push the envelope. On certain sets and moves, when i'm close to failure, i'd cheat to get the weight up. But i'd go down real slow. Resistance is key. At least do it right and put the muscle to work. The pump from this would send me to heaven. Or hell, if you don't enjoy the burn.
- Trainwreck
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Mindless bodybuilders
Most of the times when Zeus and I hit the gym, we're slightly on the anti-social side. I met an old friend of mine (havent seen him for years) in the gym the other day. Went to say hi before starting out, and because he was getting ready for presses, i left him to it. He came occasionally to ask about what's happening, etc, but we never really got the chance to catch up.
Not that i didnt want to. I didnt mean no disrespect, i apologized when he left and told him we'd catch up another day. A time and place for everything. I just wanted to be with the weights. Or a catch up could wait til i was done.
If you're one of those i call the 'zombie lifters' (going through routines effortlessly), then you dont really have to worry about mental strength simply because, face it, you're not really lifting. Zombies just be passing time from one movement after another without breaking a sweat. A walk in the park. Get the fuck out.
Point in case: he ain't big is he?
To us, each set is a battle. Who'll win? The mindless weights? Not answering that one. It's for you. I don't lose.
We all know Arnold. Even back when he was training for Olympia, mind you, this was ages ago, he always placed emphasis on visualisation. This guy was revolutionary. He once said that you could even stimulate a pump just by using the mind. Thought it doesn't fucking mean you can slack off.
Apply that to your workouts. When we feed ourselves reasons and negative thoughts like 'oh i'm so damned tired today, i dont think i can do this'; right there; we've already lost more than half the battle. I found this out the hard way, and my figures on lifts used to fluctuate more often than not. I'm never going down that back alley again. If i really wanted to do it, i'd go all out. I'm not the guy looking at what the next person is pushing, or asking Zeus how his day had been. Wtf.
That's the reason why i don't seem too friendly during workouts. I don't mind all that, seriously, after i'm done. But during, i need all the focus, even more after an asshole-made, shit day at the nine to eight.
-Trainwreck
Not that i didnt want to. I didnt mean no disrespect, i apologized when he left and told him we'd catch up another day. A time and place for everything. I just wanted to be with the weights. Or a catch up could wait til i was done.
If you're one of those i call the 'zombie lifters' (going through routines effortlessly), then you dont really have to worry about mental strength simply because, face it, you're not really lifting. Zombies just be passing time from one movement after another without breaking a sweat. A walk in the park. Get the fuck out.
Point in case: he ain't big is he?To us, each set is a battle. Who'll win? The mindless weights? Not answering that one. It's for you. I don't lose.
We all know Arnold. Even back when he was training for Olympia, mind you, this was ages ago, he always placed emphasis on visualisation. This guy was revolutionary. He once said that you could even stimulate a pump just by using the mind. Thought it doesn't fucking mean you can slack off.
Apply that to your workouts. When we feed ourselves reasons and negative thoughts like 'oh i'm so damned tired today, i dont think i can do this'; right there; we've already lost more than half the battle. I found this out the hard way, and my figures on lifts used to fluctuate more often than not. I'm never going down that back alley again. If i really wanted to do it, i'd go all out. I'm not the guy looking at what the next person is pushing, or asking Zeus how his day had been. Wtf.
That's the reason why i don't seem too friendly during workouts. I don't mind all that, seriously, after i'm done. But during, i need all the focus, even more after an asshole-made, shit day at the nine to eight.
-Trainwreck
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The neglected series - Traps exercises
The trapezius muscle is, if i may say so, my most pride body part when it comes to my physique.
As a bodybuilder, whether i'm in a wifebeater, a suit, a shirt, whatever i'm in; my appearance is affected by my traps. I've always known from day 1 that i want mine extra large. For those who don't know which muscle i'm referring to (what?!), here's a look for ya.
Source: Wikipedia
Without upper traps you will not have complete upper body development. Why? Picture boulder-like shoulders tapering horizontally to the neck. 'Nuff said. Casual lifters and even some serious ones often neglect this muscle or feel it is adequately worked when performing other movements. That attitude won't get you anywhere; especially not animalistic, intimidating traps or a thick neck. And the opposite of a thick neck? I don't even have to answer that one.
Faber Castell
The best thing about the trapezius muscle is the simplicity of working it and the extreme pump if done right.
Method: When a teacher asks you a question you don't know the answer to and don't feel like giving a shit, you just shrug. That's right. Shrugs are the answer.
At the end of a back day routine, grab a couple of dumbbells or a barbell, load up on the weights and pump out the reps. Use weights heavy enough to feel the burn. If my description's too vague, it'll look like this.
Source: Animalpak
As grip might be a hindrance from loading up the weights and chalk might not be readily available, it might be useful to get one of these lifting straps.
-Trainwreck
As a bodybuilder, whether i'm in a wifebeater, a suit, a shirt, whatever i'm in; my appearance is affected by my traps. I've always known from day 1 that i want mine extra large. For those who don't know which muscle i'm referring to (what?!), here's a look for ya.
Source: Wikipedia
Without upper traps you will not have complete upper body development. Why? Picture boulder-like shoulders tapering horizontally to the neck. 'Nuff said. Casual lifters and even some serious ones often neglect this muscle or feel it is adequately worked when performing other movements. That attitude won't get you anywhere; especially not animalistic, intimidating traps or a thick neck. And the opposite of a thick neck? I don't even have to answer that one.
Faber Castell
The best thing about the trapezius muscle is the simplicity of working it and the extreme pump if done right.
Method: When a teacher asks you a question you don't know the answer to and don't feel like giving a shit, you just shrug. That's right. Shrugs are the answer.
At the end of a back day routine, grab a couple of dumbbells or a barbell, load up on the weights and pump out the reps. Use weights heavy enough to feel the burn. If my description's too vague, it'll look like this.
Source: Animalpak
As grip might be a hindrance from loading up the weights and chalk might not be readily available, it might be useful to get one of these lifting straps.
-Trainwreck
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