The world's oldest competitive oarsman and bodybuilder, Dr Charles Eugster. Still competing at 93.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Gem From the Vault : Giving it Away II (Donating Disused Training Equipment to Charity)
  Scott Andrew Bird
  Thanks for all the kind words following the 'Give It Away' piece last week, it's greatly appreciated. Here's the follow-up.

  
  

• Looking At : Oct 28, 2012
  Scott Andrew Bird
  We've been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : A Parkour Symphony

Nice one.

Gymchat 189 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion, I'll post those shortly (on the blog, Twitter, Google+ etc - you'll certainly hear about it). In the meantime, if you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, get in touch. Look forward to hearing from you.

NB : If this is the first time you're joining us for one of the Video Gymchats, welcome. There are three basic ways to watch this (depending on whether you want to ask a question or two, or just sit back and take it all in) - full details here. However you like to do it, we've got you covered.

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Details -

Who : TBA
Topic : TBA
When : Wednesday, 9pm EST
How : Google+ Hangout. Follow either Kirk or Scott for details on the live feed.

See you there.

Last Week : In Gymchat 188 we discussed Training Athletes (with Kyle Bohannon). Thanks to everyone who was able to watch live, always the best way to keep up with what's going on.

Tip of the Week : Bending Steel = Increased Strength Endurance

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

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A friend of mine asked me over the weekend why I bend things. It's partly because it's fun, and partly, well, I'll let Adam explain.
There are many great reasons for bending things, as 'Unbreakable' Adam Glass notes in the article Why Bend Steel? Apart from the simple 'because it's downright fun' :

The increase in strength and power naturally will carry over to an increase in your endurance. Anyone who has bent a nail will tell you the first time they bent it was so tiring. I have watched people sweat bullets bending their first respectable nail. As time goes on you gain huge reserves of power. A personal testament to this level of power for me was October 2007 when I bent 150 60D nails in one hour using the double under (DU) grip. That represented a massive improvement from Jan 2007, when bending 10-15 nails left my hands extremely fatigued.

Good stuff.

Checking Out : The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning

This looks superb.

If you've just learned the basics of kettlebell training (or know someone who has) and are ready to make the most of this wonderful tool, check out The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning. An incredible collection.


As you'll see, this book manages to distil an awful lot of RKC wisdom into a single package. A snippet from the Dragon Door site will give you the overall idea :

Since 2001 and the world's first Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Instructor Certification workshop, thousands of individuals--martial artists, first responders, military, and fitness and strength professionals, have learned how to use kettlebells quickly and safely. And then introduce the remarkable benefits of the kettelbell to a global community of kettlebell enthusiasts.

Many of these RKCs have created a wide variety of effective workout programs for their clients, customers, teams, and units. So, who better to answer the question "How do I use kettlebells to get the best possible results for ME and MY goals?" than these same RKCs?

We asked the RKC Instructors to submit their most prized workouts, so you can not only see, but also use proven programs that have been successfully used by these qualified experts. The result became The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning, replete with time-tested, results-producing kettlebell workouts that can satisfy the needs of newbie and pro alike, for years to come.

Some workouts are used to develop strength. Some are used for conditioning. All have produced results either for the instructors themselves, their clients, or both. Enjoy the pain!

Once again, it sounds fantastic. And if you check it out, drop me a line - I'd love to hear what you think. Cheers.


Quick update on the StrongerGrip Modular Grip System (MGS) we mentioned recently - absolutely fantastic.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the video. Warning : you will want one.

Beautiful.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us for the discussion last week. Much appreciated.

As we received so many questions afterward (and as the audio quality was a little sketchy in parts), we'll be holding a 'Part II' this week.

NB : If this is the first time you're joining us for one of the Video Gymchats, welcome. There are three basic ways to watch this (depending on whether you want to ask a question or two, or just sit back and take it all in) - full details here. However you like to do it, we've got you covered.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Forums and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Gem From the Vault : Give it Away : Donating Disused Training Equipment to Charity
  Scott Andrew Bird
  When it's time to update your home gym, what happens to the old stuff?

  
  

• Looking At : Oct 21, 2012
  Scott Andrew Bird
  We've been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : The Low Kettlebell Windmill

Interesting variation.

Nice one Forest.

Gymchat 188 - Training Athletes (with Kyle Bohannon)

How do you help someone become a highly successful athlete - to throw further, run faster and generally move more efficiently than everyone around them?

This week we're returning to the sporting field to discuss precisely how to do this. Helping us tackle this one is Strength & Conditioning Coach Kyle Bohannon, as well as Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Should be a great one.

NB : If this is the first time you're joining us for one of the Video Gymchats, welcome. There are three basic ways to watch this (depending on whether you want to ask a question or two, or just sit back and take it all in) - full details here. However you like to do it, we've got you covered.

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Details -

Who Strength & Conditioning Coach Kyle Bohannon and Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine
Topic : Training Athletes
When : TBA. Kirk will post the full details in his Google+ stream (you can follow him here).
How : Google+ Hangout. Follow either Kirk or Scott for details on the live feed.

See you there.

Previously : In Gymchat 187 we discussed Bodyweight and Suspension Training (with Pierre Johnson). Thanks to everyone who was able to watch live, always the best way to keep up with what's going on.

If you missed the discussion (or are new to the Video Gymchats and just want to see what they're like), it's available on Kirk's Youtube Channel. Enjoy.

Tip of the Week : Use Checklists in your Training

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

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Checklists are one of those things that seem so simple as to be almost pointless. Not really worth the effort.

However, they're very powerful things indeed.


The basic logic behind using a checklist is pretty straightforward. As Adam Stoffa notes in the article Checklists and Complex Problems :

An example from training might be properly warming up. Everyone knows it's foolish to engage in physical training without warming up first, but with time pressure, competing interests, or environmental stress, this step occasionally gets skipped. The risks associated with skipping this step, are significant. Pulled muscles are a major setback to a training program. When you balance the interests involved, saving a few minutes versus suffering a major setback, the risk associated with skipping this key step is unacceptably high. Therefore, item number 1 on your checklist could be:

1. Complete Warm Up Exercises

And yes, although it looks almost laughably simple, this absolutely works. The checklist approach is very highly recommended indeed.

Checking Out : 20% Off the Ultimate Sandbag

Fantastic.

We've noted the Ultimate Sandbags several times before - beautiful things. There's a full review here.

And if you're considering getting yourself one (or buying one as a gift), now's the time. For a whopping 20% discount, simply enter the coupon code MAGAZINE when checking out.

Brilliant.


Quick update on the StrongerGrip Modular Grip System (MGS) we mentioned recently - absolutely fantastic.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the video. Warning : you will want one.

Beautiful.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Forums and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

How do you help someone become a highly successful athlete - to throw further, run faster and generally move more efficiently than everyone around them?

This week we're returning to the sporting field to discuss precisely how to do this. Helping us tackle this one is Strength & Conditioning Coach Kyle Bohannon, as well as Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Should be a great one.

NB : If this is the first time you're joining us for one of the Video Gymchats, welcome. There are three basic ways to watch this (depending on whether you want to ask a question or two, or just sit back and take it all in) - full details here. However you like to do it, we've got you covered.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Gem From the Vault : DIY Hanging Handles
  Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker
  If last week's Gymchat got you thinking about all kinds of suspension training equipment, check these out. Brilliantly simple.

  
  

• Looking At : Oct 14, 2012
  Scott Andrew Bird
  We've been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : Hammer Get-Up

The Iron Tamer demonstrating a very unusual combination at the AOBS dinner. Nice one Dave.

Gymchat 188 - Training Athletes (with Kyle Bohannon)

How do you help someone become a highly successful athlete - to throw further, run faster and generally move more efficiently than everyone around them?

This week we're returning to the sporting field to discuss precisely how to do this. Helping us tackle this one is Strength & Conditioning Coach Kyle Bohannonn, as well as Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Should be a great one.

NB : If this is the first time you're joining us for one of the Video Gymchats, welcome. There are three basic ways to watch this (depending on whether you want to ask a question or two, or just sit back and take it all in) - full details here. However you like to do it, we've got you covered.

---

Details -

Who Strength & Conditioning Coach Kyle Bohannonn and Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine
Topic : Training Athletes
When : Wed Oct 17, 9pm EST (here's how to find out when that is in your timezone)
How : Google+ Hangout. Follow either Kirk or Scott for details on the live feed.

See you there.

Quick update on last week's Gymchat, Bodyweight and Suspension Training (with Pierre Johnson) : Thanks to everyone who was able to watch live, always the best way to keep up with what's going on.

Still, that isn't always an option. If you missed the discussion (or just want to go over part of it again), it's available on Kirk's Youtube Channel. Enjoy.

Tip of the Week : A Moment of Silence

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

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How do you mentally prepare for a workout? Listen to heavy music and generally get psyched up?

Try doing the opposite. Parth explains.


In the article Silence for Intense Workouts, Parth shares an interesting idea :

There is a moment right between my warm-up, and workout. Sometimes it is brief, perhaps lasting a few seconds, but other times it is long, lasting almost ten minutes. It is a moment of silence. Of reflection. The quiet before a storm. The soothing nature of the wind, steadily picking up the dead leaves off the tree and dropping them gently on the ground before the final gust of wind begins the season of autumn.


This is my moment of ZEN. To make sure that I am mentally THERE. I don't want to be thinking about my job interviews, about that girl I like, or about that thing I wanted to buy but was too broke 'cause I still live with my parents. No, it all goes away.

And yes, the music can come on right after this. Works well.

Checking Out : Convict Conditioning , Volume 5: Maximum Strength: The One-Arm Pullup Series

This looks great.

As the name implies, this is a progression of exercises designed to take you right up the the incredible one-arm pull-up. And if you've checked out any of the other Convict Conditioning offerings, you know just what to expect.

Beautiful.


Quick update on the StrongerGrip Modular Grip System (MGS) we mentioned recently - absolutely fantastic.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the video. Warning : you will want one.

Beautiful.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Forums and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

There are three ways to watch or participate in these Gymchats. Here's how to do each :

Watch the live stream, without sharing your own video (like watching TV) : Just turn up at the event page at 9pm Eastern (or whenever that is in your timezone), and Josh will share the link. Alternately, head over to Josh's Youtube Channel ( youtube.com/user/RealJoshHewett ) - it'll also be streaming there.
To share your own video, and ask questions of the interviewee : Answer 'Yes' to the 'Are You Going?' question on the event page. And once again, Kirk will share the relevant URL just prior to the Gymchat.
If you can't make it, or would like to watch it again : The entire video will be available on Josh's Youtube Channel ( youtube.com/user/RealJoshHewett ), shortly after the Gymchat each week. You can also subscribe to future episodes on that page.

NB : We announce the topic for these (and the person being interviewed) in the Strength & Fitness Newsletter each week. To get these automatically sent to you (absolutely free), head over to the main Strength Kit page :

http://straighttothebar.com/strengthkit/

And if you'd like to be interviewed in a future Gymchat, just send Josh a message. Cheers for that.