Do you look up at the ceiling when you squat or deadlift? You should probably reconsider. Check out this article by Ron Dykstra to find out what you should be doing instead!
Packing the Neck: An Article Inspired by Clint Darden and Facebook by Ron Dykstra
Mental toughness is something that is severely lacking in today's society. With the options to opt-out, take an easier path, restart, and do-over all around us, the ability to grind, fight, and endure are becoming endangered. Check out these five favorite drills/exercises of mine to get us back to the latter.
1. Plate pushes/Prowler pushes
There are very few physical activities that require more mental toughness than willingly taking the Prowler head on, and walking, or crawling, away victorious.
2. Body-weight isometrics
Isometric push-ups and pull-ups, iron cross, and wall sits are all great exercises to test mental toughness.
3. Farmer walks
You're just going for a little stroll; no big deal. Sandbags, dumbbells, tires, trap-bars, and kettle bells are awesome tools for to use for farmer walks. Wrap towels around the handles to thicken them up and take the game to a whole new level!
4. Weighted Front Bridge/Side Bridge
Front bridge and side bridge are difficult enough for most people. Now trying adding some more weight on to their body using a weighted vest. Like the other body weight isometric exercises, with these you can either find a distraction as the clock ticks or embrace every moment of the experience. Either way, you better not move before the clock runs out.
5. Bear Crawls
After seeing the "Death Crawl" video I posted a few weeks back, there is no way that these weren't making this list. How far can you go? And I don't want anything less than your best effort. You absolute, very best.
Charlie Cates is a strength and conditioning specialist and the owner of Self Made® (http://selfmadefitness.com/) in Chicago, IL. He has worked with competitive and everyday athletes of all ages and ability levels, from 9-year-old kids to NFL MVP's. He can be reached via e-mail at charlie@selfmadefitness.com.
This article may be reproduced with biographical information intact.
PARENTS: Want to get, and keep, your kids moving this summer?? Check out this article by Brett Klika for some great tips!
Summer Sloth Syndrome by Brett Klika
This past week was the end of my singles and beginning of my heavy triples for SMS^2.6. Monday was Memorial Day and I had plyos in the morning. Tuesday was my military press, lat pull-down, and back accessory day. Wednesday was my body weight circuit day. Thursday was a recovery day consisting of incline walks, joint integrity work, and balance drills. Friday I was back under the bar with squats, deadlifts, and lower body accessory lifts. Saturday I was supposed to play in a basketball tournament, but that got canceled due to lack of teams. I did, however, go for a fasted walk in the morning and then drive out to the suburbs to pick up some raw milk. Sunday I had bench, rows, and chest accessory lifts.
I can feel that I am really starting to drag now. On Friday I will start my much-needed deload week and then test the following week. After that I am considering breaking out of the SMS mold for a few months.
I also passed the CSCS exam on Friday, which I was really happy about. Now I can finally get to reading some of the other books that have been on my shelf these last few months.
Sunday morning I sent out the June issue of The Source. To get on this mailing list, fill out the required information after clicking here.
That's all for this past week. Now it's time to go live this one.
Like the idea of adding in strongman work into your current training scheme, but not exactly sure how to go about it? Check out this article by Daniel Kindell for more info!
Incorporation of Strongman Training In Athlete Lifting Cycles by Daniel Kindell
