How I Play the Game

You can look around the Internet these days and see it - but it's always been this way. People talking about tips and tricks and shortcuts to Strength Success...

Of course, there's a right and wrong way to train but that's the incorrect mindset to have and let me tell you why. When trying to accomplish a goal, there is only what is necessary and what is relevant, all else is a waste of time.

And lots of people waste lots of time trying to figure out shortcuts instead of correctly applying their time and effort into what it takes to get stronger. So my feeling is that instead of spending time trying to figure out "tricks and shortcuts" of the game, my philosophy is to just play the game better than anyone else.

That's to say, simply do the simple, basic (although possibly mundane) things that make the greatest difference in terms of Success.

You know what they are. You know exactly what they are...

Its just a matter of "doing it."

Take hand gripper training for example. You would be amazed at the lengths that people go for "tricks and shortcuts" for closing the big grippers.

I have seen folks close a gripper with two hands, hold it with one and then announce to the world how strong they are. Ive seen folks heat up grippers with a blowtorch, or put it in a vise in or put it on the ground and step on the handle over and over to try to weaken the spring.

Bear in mind a lot of thought has gone into these tactics.

Evidently "just getting stronger" involves too much time and effort for many folks.

Funny thing is, it always does...

I say focus on just getting stronger every single workout - then there's no excuses...

Do You Know The 37 Components of the Perfect Repetition

A century ago people trained to get stronger because they didnt know any other way. If something worked, they kept using it, -- if something didnt work, they discarded it until they found something that did.

And then they just trained -- hard, serious, purposeful training.

Progressive strength training made a lot of sense back then (still does) but these days, it would appear that the main pastime of the modern Iron Game is to make strength training as complex as possible.

Did you know that there are 37 different components of the perfect repetition?

Yeah, neither did I, but theres some guy out there layin em all out just the same.

Now the thing is, when you train, you have to concentrate, but there is only so much concentration to go around and if you have to think about 37 different things for each REP then you lose focus on the actual training.

So, with this in mind, the best training advice isnt necessarily the longest, or most detailed, or even the oldest for that matter – it is what can be applied in the simlest manner.

As far as the "perfect" repetition all you really need to keep in mind is this:

1. Pick Up.
2. Put Down
3. Repeat as needed.

Train hard.
John Wood

The Return of The King

There hasn't yet been a man on this Earth who could duplicate this feat. Guess who makes it look easy? Learn how to train for it right here.

Why I Didn’t Train Yesterday

Just a quick one:

As I write this, the clock on the wall says 1:41 am. I just woke up from a 5 hour “nap” which I was in dire need of. With all the holiday excitement it has been increasingly difficult to find time and energy to train but I have been very good about doing so.

I finally crashed this evening – my body is telling me that I need the rest more than anything else.

While I certainly could “gut out’ a workout, I know I will be better off waiting until tomorrow and as soon as this email is finished, you can bet that I’m going to go back and hit the hay. Tomorrow is a big day and I need to be on point.

In this case, taking the night off is the right thing to do. I know this because I know my body and I also know that the next time I do train, it will be that much better.

I know I always talk about never missing workouts but it should also be understood that there is a time and a place for doing so.

You see, there will be times when missing a scheduled work out is the smartest thing you can do. (Although this should not be confused with laziness.)

Listen, and pay attention. - When it comes to your physical wellbeing, your body will tell you all you need to know.

Train hard.
John Wood.

P.S. Been getting a lot of questions about Bill Hinberns New Hand Balancing
Course. It has been our top selling training guide this year and you can get
a copy ASAP for yourself or someone you know right Here.

Back in The Saddle

Amazing how much things can get all out of whack with a sudden change in schedule. Let me tell you what I mean. Training-wise, things have been going unbelievablely well. I'm stronger now than ever before and hitting PRs every time - but last week I was in Atlanta for a seminar and coudn't stay on my regular routine.

I trained early Wednesday before I left. The seminar ran from 7am every day until well after midnight with all the networking opportunities present. After two days of that and without more than a few 15 minute breaks throughout the day, I was in no shape to train on Friday.

Sometimes an unscheduled break can be the right thing to do. Once I got back though, getting motivated to train just wasn't there - so I did what I always do (and what everyone should do - begin at a managable level and build from there.

Monday's entire workout consisted of 3 exercises and lasted less than 10 minutes - and I didn't feel like doing any of them... But I did anyway.

That was the spark I needed. Last Night's session was back to normal with everything cranking on high gear. If I had skipped Monday, I probably would have skipped Wednesday too and the viscous circle begins. Don't let it happen to you.

Tis a good rule of thumb which is applicable to many things - begin at a managable level and build from there.

Train hard.

John Wood

What its all about...

"The heights achieved by men, and kept,
were not attained by sudden flight,
but they, while their companions slept,
were toiling upwards through the night!"
- Longfellow

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.