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...

First Workout in The New Gym

You may have noticed that things have been a bit quiet on the email front. - it's with good reason.

I just moved into a new house, and we are also moving the FHS clubhouse -- a new office space opened up across the street which was too good to pass up so we are movin on up just like the Jeffersons.

No worries, essentially nothing will change as far as the ordering and contact info, including the phone number -- We have all that covered so everything will be smooth sailing.

Oh, we also just welcomed a new member to the FHS family, please welcome Chris who will be starting up next week.

Anyhow, back to my new place - so it's got something that my last apartment obviously did not have - a garage, or for me, my brand new weight room.

The house and the garage were built back in the 1920s and the garage obviously hadn't been cleaned since then so it required some work to get in usable shape. It took a while, and I'll go into that little adventure later, but finally last night it was ready to roll for the first workout.

Im still deciding exactly what I'm going to do with the space, and have some very interesting ideas on where things are going.

Last night though, I just wanted to get started -- and get started on the right foot.

Some stuff was still packed up so what I did was very simple:

1. Overhead Press
2. Curl
3. Push-press
4. Cheat Curl
5. Trap Bar Shrug
6. Super Gripper
7. Sledge Hammer Lever
8. Situps
9. Bridging

One set per exercise and taken to the limit.

I didn't waste any time, and according to my watch, this workout took exactly 17 minutes and 34 seconds, including a few stops for a drink of water.

All in all, it was a great workout, and a great one to start with.

People get caught up with exercises and techniques and complex theorems, but what often makes a workout "great" is what you put into it.

When you're mind is right, you should be able to get a great workout with any piece of equipment, anytime and any where.

I'm still in the setup phase but the new gym will end up being fantastic.
More details and even a few pics of the new gym coming soon.

Train hard,
John Wood

Another One From KW

3. We're developing a "personal regimen"... and the trick is not just to work hard but to learn to "motivate your self." We want to do the right things...but we want to do them for the right reasons.

The right reason here is to do it for your self. Working to gain the approval of others ain't a part of this process. This process involves challenging your self and stepping up to meet that challenge by working hard...and doing it...and doing it for YOU... When you face your self there is no room for cheating... no goofing-off... no hiding.

You are up against it...and "it" is you. Getting the most out of your body becomes extremely important when you have this mind-set... and "improvement" gains great personal meaning.

Kim 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

SEX MONEY KISS

With everything else going on, I’ve still; managed to fit in a bit of reading here and there.

I recently picked up “SEX MONEY KISS” by Gene Simmons. You’ve probably caught his new reality show (I haven’t since I don’t own a TV) but if you don’t know who that is, Gene Simmons is the Bass Player/ lead singer for the Rock Band KISS.

Yeah, the guy who spits blood.

You may not like his music or the man himself but one thing is for sure, he began with nothing, seized what few opportunities he was presented with and played his cards right business-wise when he had the chance to.

KISS is one of the most successful bands in history and Gene Simmons, the man, is almost just as successful in his own right.

That’s exactly what the book is about – what has made his life “work” and rule #1 is no losers allowed.

Heres a good passage from page 75:

“On the days when there’s nothing to do a winner will find something to do. On the days when there is no work, a winner will create work. On the day when a winner has won the game, its at the peak of his power and is the actual world record holder, the very next day he will (and should) get up at the crack of dawn and try to break his own world record. Life, when youre a winner, is about achieveing. More. Not Less. A Winner never rests on his laurels. A winner only rests when you stick him six feet under.

Contrary to popular belief, winners are too busy trying to win and turn the other winners into a loser. Winners always try to achieve more, Again, the main word here is MORE.

A winner is, in fact, usually surrounded by losers; a winner is fed by losers. A winner is admired by losers, Losers make excuses as to why they aren’t winners. A winner who hasn’t won will simply try harder next time. But in his mind, hes always a winner. If he didn’t win that race, he’s only lost one battle. The war is still to be fought. Never wait for the fat lady to sing.”

Good stuff, more to come…