Return of the Iron Suitcases

The farmers walk is a great exercises and has always been one of my favorites -- just grab a weight in each hand and start walking. How far you go is up to you, but one thing is always for sure: you can go a lot farther than you think you can since your mind will give out before your body does.

Needless to say, this is a great exercise for building hand strength AND mental toughness.

As far as the weights you can use, a pair of dumbbells is a good choice, as are sandbags, or even some specially made handles which some folks like to use.

If you got a chance to check out some of Brooks Kubiks old Dinosaur Training videos, you saw Brooks performing the Farmers walk with some highly unusual impliments: a pair of 180-pound iron suitcases made by Dr. Ken.

Imagine two pieces of metal each shaped like an " I " with handles welded on top and that's what we are dealing with.

Brooks, the madman that he is, decided to take these little monsters for a walk around the city block in his vid and if you've seen it, you know it is in-tense.

Well, this past weekend I decided to dust off the Suitcases and take em for a spin for the "Farmers Walk" portion of the training dvd we are currently in the middle of shooting.

Let me tell you, they sure havent gotten any lighter over the last 10 years.

Anyhow, give the farmers walk a try if you've never done so, and see how far you make it. Also be on the lookout for more details on the new video.

Train hard,
John Wood

P.S. If you want to learn more about the Farmers Walk and several other great grip exercises, theres two whole chapters on them in Dinosaur Training. If you STILL dont have a copy, do yourself a favor and sprint on over to this page asap: Dinosaur Training

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Happy April Fools! -- Now go buy a copy of Dinosaur Training!

Secrets...

I've read in more than a few places that "there aren't any secrets" in strength training... but I know thats not the case.

You see, a "Secret" can be something that you just dont know, or it can be something that you once knew but forgot for one reason or another - but regardless of its classification, when you start applying that "secret" (whatever it happens to be) your training begins to change for the better.

Of course, "Secrets" are also relative. - they are based on who you are and where you are in your training.

It might be that something as straightforward as keeping a training log, is the "Secret" which you havent been doing and which will suddenly skyrocket your training.

It might be that finally understanding how certain exercises fit together better than others which make the missing piece of the puzzle.

It be something you have been told time and time again, only to finally listen to what should be obvious.

It might be the revelation that there is such a thing called overtraining and realization of the fact that you have probably been suffering from it for far too long which will transform your training.

It might be the simple understanding of what specific exercises actually "do" and what would make one a better choice over another in order to accomplish some specific goals.

It just might be to start doing "something" -- as opposed to nothing -- which causes a miracle to occur.

Secrets might be big things, they might be small things, they may be physical, they may be mental, they may be obvious, or they may be truly profound - regardless, they are undoubtedly out there, just waiting for you to find them -- or find them again.

And yes, we all have to be reminded of many of them from time to time which means that much of training is simply "going back," to what we thought we already knew and taking another look.

I know that no matter how many times I read a book like Dinosaur Training by Brooks Kubik I'll always find something new, when I flip through it.

The material hasn't changed, but where I am right now has - something that was
never relevant before may be just the thing I need.

Funny how that works.

Keep digging, you never know what youll find, but only as long as you keep looking.

Train hard,
John Wood

P.S. A lot of people have two copies of Dinosaur Training, one they
keep mint, and one thats all dog-eared with notes in the margins from
being read and read again. In either case, whether you need to read it
the first time, or need a new one because your old copy is falling apart,
heres when you can pick one up:


Dinosaur Training
by Brooks Kubik

Why Ask Someone Who Doesn’t Know

"Who in the hell told you to train like that? He should be shot."

That was my reply when a friend of mine told me his current routine. It's always a bit of a shock finding out what people actually "do" when they train.

Of course, a while back I told him exactly what to do, and exactly how to do it, although it evidently wasnt what he wanted to hear so he started asking around until he got the answers he wanted and started training on some mess of a program.

The answer, of course, was "some guy" on the internet - obviously "some guy" without much of a clue and the advice in question was obviously not something with any basis in reality.

And although he may have meant well the training advice which he gave was just plain wrong wrong, wrong (not to mention stupid.)

These days where there’s one "expert" there’s probably a thousand more.

Interesting enough, this exact situation was happens to fit pretty well into an interesting book I was reading yesterday: "The Cult of The Amateur" by Andrew Keen.

The book boils down to how the fate of “knowledge” on Web 2.0 will from now on be corrupted as a result of the fact that anyone can say pretty much anything. – especially people who, quite frankly, do not know a damn thing.

I couldn't agree more.

You wouldn’t ask your car mechanic what to do if your dog was sick, nor would you ask your landscaper for legal advice – and I hope you wouldnt ask someone who doesnt even train how to lift weights.

Now, the reason people look to me for advice is that I am an expert and I know what Im talking about. Any information or equipment that I put in front of you is done so because it has been "battle tested."

The things I talk about and the products I promote are here for one reason only and thats because I believe in them 100% - And I know they work because I use them myself, and I actually train, which seems to differentiate me from many of the so-called experts out there. (And I wouldnt recommend anyone who did otherwise.)

If you are going to put the effort into training, you owe it to yourself to do it right.

Heres a few recommended sources from guys who really know training:

It was just about a decade ago when Brooks Kubik first wrote Dinosaur Training and we are still feeling the impact today. Brooks pulls no punches when it comes to what constitutes serious training.

In addition to teaching you how to build super strength with traditional barbells and dumbbells, Brooks also teaches you how to get stronger with sandbags, barrels, anvils, sledge hammers or other unusual implements, you need this book in your training library:

Dinosaur Training by Brooks Kubik

Ellington Darden is a guy who has damn near seen it all and lived to write about it. And boy did he ever write about it, with over 50 books and counting, he is the very best strength writer of all time and his latest book does not disappoint.

Flip through the pages and take a journey back through strength history and use any one of the 20+ different workouts to skyrocket your training:

The New Bodybuilding for Old School Results by Ellington Darden
Thats enough to get you started on the right path – or keep you there if you're already on it.

Train hard,
John Wood

Secrets of Building 43

Most everybody knows that the headquarters for Google, the most well-known search engine on the 'net is located in Mountain View, California.

What you may not know is that there is a secret area of the Google compound known as Building 43, where behind closed doors an army of techies are constantly tweaking and refining the Search Engine algorithm for Google.com.

Each day hundreds of Google engineers are hard at work trying to "balance the equation" to make sure people actually find what they are looking for...

But like something right out of The Matrix, thousands of Search Engine Optimization experts around the world are working just as hard to "unbalance the equation" and to "beat Google" in order to get their pages ranked higher.

Here's the interesting thing:

No matter how complex Google makes their algorithm, the majority of how it works will still be based on a few simple concepts... and if you understand those concepts and apply then in your website, you'll get the high rankings or be infinitely "findable" without a whole lot of effort.

Of course, you still have to know what those things "are" and how to apply them -- and then do so. I was fortunate enough to find someone who was willing to teach these things to me.

Thing is, once I learned what to do, I was quite surprised, the "secrets" of Google are very simple, anyone can get high rankings -- it doensn't take as much trouble as people would have you believe -- and what needs to be done should, quite frankly, be so obvious that everyone could use it to their advantage.

But like most "secrets" it often gets ignored by just about everyone.

How am I so sure that I know what I'm talking about? -- Take a look at the last six months of search engine searches per-day for my two most recent websites:

Daily Stats for www.bodyweightbasics.com - Live Since March 2007

Daily Stats for www.oldtimestrongman.com - Live since October 2006
Amazing isn't it? -- And it's no accident either. Needless to say, everyone with a website woulkd benefit greatly from this info. -- perhaps I'll go into that at a later date.

Now, the reason I bring this up is that essentially the same concepts that allow me to control Google are the same concepts that make my training (or anyone's training) work -- just a different application.

-- a few simple things, (that most people downplay or ignore) done correctly over time.

A graph of my training progress would look remarkably similar to the diagrams pictured above. – the graph just keeps going up.

The "Secret" to Success in anything is right there -- far more obvious that most people realize.

Sun Tzu understood it, so did Miyamoto Musashi, so did George S. Patton, so did Bear Bryant -- and all of the other great strategic minds in history... And it's wide open for you too if you open your eyes to what should be obvious.

Training-wise, here's some nudges in the right direction:

Dinosaur Training by Brooks Kubik

The New Bodybuilding for Old-School Results by Ellington Darden, Ph.D.

Combat Conditioning by Matt Furey

Train Hard,

John Wood

Home |About John Wood |Hand and Grip Products |Contact Info

The Secret to Life

'Do you know what the secret to life is?' asked Jack Palance in the 1991 movie City Slickers.

'No, what?' says Billy Crystal.

'One thing, just one thing. You stick to that and everything else dont mean spit.'

'That's great, but whats that one thing?'

'That's what you've got to figure out.'

It's hard to argue with that logic, especially when it comes to training and yet many trainees dont want to hear that. 'Course, in training its a few 'things' but not that many, and far fewer than most people would care to believe.

A friend of mine once said: 'There is Power in Simple Things.'

Why? - because there is less room for error, and simple things are more likely to get done. And by that rationale, any training program should begin at the most basic level and build from there.

Thing is, more often than not, going beyond that most basic level is unnecessary (but many people dont want to hear that either.)

I could dazzle you with the 1578 different 'never before seen' grip training exercises that I know but when it all comes down to it, there are only about a dozen or so that are worth a damn.

Of that dozen, only a further fraction can be incorporated successfully in any routine in any given time. Any attempt to do otherwise is simply foolish.

---Take it from a fool who learned his lesson.

Aint necessarily what you do but how you do it - yet keep in mindeven simple things can fail if they are done incorrectly. Every day I hear from folks who listen then apply. Those who have taken the time to understand what really makes their training work, then go out and do so.

The ones who 'get it.'

I also know of many people who refuse to listen - who have a 'yeah , I already know that' attitude when it comes to the basic concepts that they obviously havent a clue about (and which arethe very reasons they are not getting the results they want.).

Not real concerned with them - they have made their choice.

So what about you?

Train hard.
John Wood

P.S. It was just over a decade ago that Dinosaur Training made a big splash in the strength world and the ripples haven't settled down yet. The reasons why this training guide is so well respected are the very same ones listed above - Dinosaur Training is simple, basic and if you do it right, you will get results.

Take this opportunity to grab the book that could change your view of
training forever: Dinosaur Training

Why I Still Read Muscle Magazines

I was in a bookstore recently and thought I would mosey on over to check out the latest muscle mags. The cover of one of them claimed that by following the workout on page 72 I could "put 2 inches of muscle on my arms overnight!"

"Wow, overnight!" How sweet is that?

So I turned my brain off and flipped through it for a laugh. Among 500 pages of supplement ads and bikini babes, I found my article which recommended over a hundred sets per workout with multiple workouts per day.

It might even be funny if they were kidding - but they weren't.

Somewhere out there are many people turning to that magazine for advice on how to get stronger. They believe what it says and, attempting to actually do the suggested workout, end up with nothing in the way of meaningful results.

Why? – because no one could do that workout, its a figment of some writers imagination.

But, believe it or not, I still read muscle magazines because it's my job to know the kinds of information people are getting, both good and bad.(mostly bad)

The truth is, everyone can get substantially stronger than they are right now. Yes, some have more potential for size and strength than othersbut again EVERYONE, can improve (and a lot more than they think)

Instead, let's look at the facts:

1. You have about an hour of productive training time per day (maybe less)This is defined by your other time commitments, your ability to focus on your training without becoming bored and the level of stress of everyday life

2. You can (and should) train every day, just not the same way every day

3. Proper nutrition (and not supplements) is all that is necessary. That's right, actual good food.

4. You must allow proper recovery to take place. The physiological adaptations of training (ie muscle growth etc) can only happen outside of the weightroom as your entire system recovers.

5. Strength training will undoubtedly enable you to become a better athlete but keep in mind that strength is only developed in the weight room. That strength must then be applied correctly on the field through proper practice.

6. With all other factors taken into account – progressive resistance training, in all its forms, manifestations and techniques, is what makes workouts work.

7. Passion and enthusiasm are as much a part of training success as sets and reps.

8. If you do end up quitting, it will be the result of two things: boredom or injury. You have control over both of these factors

9. Some training techniques, pieces of equipment and workout styles are better than others. What makes them better is that they accomplish the job either more efficiently or more effectively (sometimes both)

10. You will not start to see real results unless you stick with it and improve over a sustained amount of time.

11. Theres a difference between "getting stronger" and building strength.

12. The possibilities of intense, proper training, are greater than most people can even dream about.

13. Training will work amd it will work well, but there are definite rules as to how to do it right.

Like it or not, these are the realities of your training.

Whew! Good thing I know all this stuff, a week from now I wouldn't have wanted to follow that program and had to shell out the dough for a new wardrobe to fit my 27" arms.

Anyhow, if you are interested in getting strong, and I mean really strong, here are a few books that you need to read:

1. Dinosaur Training

2. The New Bodybuilding for Old-School Results by Ellington Darden

3. Super Strength by Alan Calvert

4. The Key to Might and Muscle by George Jowett

5. Combat Conditioning by Matt Furey

Train hard,
John Wood

Eye of The Tiger - Bring It Back

One was an executive in his late 50s, another, a former teammate of mine in his mid 20s and the last a total stranger standing in line at the bank, I would guess in his early 30s.

All of them were athletes at some point in their lives. These were three different people in three different places but all shared one common trait:

I had the same conversation with each of them, and, in their own words, they all said the same thing:

'I used to workout.'

'I'm so out of shape now.'

'I wish I could get myself to start training again.'

If you were to ask, I bet 97 out of 100 people would tell you something similar.

I cant tell you what makes people stop training but I will say that its a challenge for everyone to keep going (yes, even highly motivated folks like me.)

So what do you do?

Let me first mention the fact that human beings seem to have this desire to make things more complex than they are (and certainly need to be.)

Here's what Apollo Creed said to Rocky in Rocky III:

'Now when we fought, you had the Eye of the Tiger, man -- the edge -- and
now you gotta get it back -- and the way to get it back is to go back to the
beginning.'

Going back to the beginning - to simplify your training for one reason and
one reason only: to take it to a level that you know and will actually do so
you can get started.

Now here's the Secret - training never needs to get more complex than 'the
beginning' -- basic exercises, done well, are all you ever need.

At this point, I can only hand the ball off to you, dear reader, because you are the one who makes the decision to go out and train or stay on the couch eating potato chips and living a life of regret.

If you need a little fire in your belly, if you want the Eye of The Tiger,
here's something that will help you bring it back.

Train hard,
John Wood

According to 'Bombardier' Billy Wells...

In strength training, there are many books that are well thought of as 'classics.'

One great example from way back in 1926 is 'Super Strength' by Alan Calvert, another more recent example is 'Dinosaur Training' by Brooks Kubik

Im talking about the books that are well known and highly regarded, in terms of the quality of information and/or the reputation of the author.

If you are seriously interested in training you cant help but run into classics like these either though word of mount or through your own individual research. Even if they havent read them, most people are at least familiar with the titles and so they are pretty well known in most circles.

There are, however, some outstanding training books that have slipped though the cracks somehow.

To me, these books are like buried treasure since they often contain information written from a totally different perspective than the typical stuff youll find.

You would be every surprised at some of the names who have written training guides - many people you would not expect although most are written by very obscure authors who simply thought enoughof their experience to put it down on paper in order to teach others what they have learned. Quite by accident, I ran across a great training book written in the by 'Bombardier' Billy Wells, a well known English prize fighterfrom the early part of the last century. He was British Empire Champion from 1911 until 1919 and was the winner of won one of the first Lonsdale Champion belts. Evidently he had quite a bit of personality outside the ring and it is certainly reflected in his writing. I think he took up acting later on after his fighting career.

"Bombardier" Billy Wells

Anyhow, as far as what he recommends: plenty of physical training (usually Boxing related drills and calisthenics), fresh air, healthy living, a sound diet, mental clarity, building 'nerve' force and other methods of training that are as simple as they are effective.

He also wasnt afraid to say what was on his mind either and has some pretty interesting observations on a few topics that I will share with you later.

Train hard.
John Wood

P.S. If you havent done so yet, I highly recommend that you zip on over to our Old Time Physical Culture Library and check out some of the classic titles that you may not even know about yet.