Diesel Crew - Muscle Building, Athletic Development, Strength Training, Grip Strength

Strength and Conditioning for Elite Athletic Performance - Free Articles, Videos for Coaches, Fitness Professionals, Personal Trainers, Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists for All Sports

As Seen On
  • Home
  • Media
    • Video
    • Articles
    • Galleries
    • Interviews
    • GS Radio
    • Contact
  • Products
    • eBooks
    • Manuals
    • DVDs
    • Services
  • Team Diesel
    • Napalm’s Blog
    • Smiitty’s Blog
    • Spray Series
    • Testmonials
  • Resources
    • Links
    • Contact
  • Forum
  • Home
  • Media
    • Video
    • Articles
    • Galleries
    • Interviews
    • GS Radio
    • Contact
  • Products
    • eBooks
    • Manuals
    • DVDs
    • Services
  • Team Diesel
    • Napalm’s Blog
    • Smiitty’s Blog
    • Spray Series
    • Testmonials
  • Resources
    • Links
    • Contact
  • Forum

Posts Tagged ‘how to build muscle’

Trying to Do it ALL…Safely and Wisely

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011


I don’t think you know how bad this hurts…

Let’s Talk about Goals

I’m sure during January you were assaulted by people talking about setting goals. I know I was. I may have even hit you with an email about getting your head right.

Today I want to talk about how my goals have changed over the years and then I want to hear about yours.

Like many of you that visit the site, the purpose of my training involves four main goal areas:

1. Build Strong Muscle

2. Burn Fat

3. Stay Healthy

4. Compete at a High Level

I took up serious training in the gym because I wanted to be strong
. I wanted to be like my grandfather who everyone has always told me was a very big and strong individual with a real “presence,” although I never got the chance to meet him. I wanted to grow to a very old age and always be in good health and never have to walk around with a cane.

I started out on the right foot, thinking about injury prevention and health just as much as the effort I was putting into getting bigger and stronger.

Then there came a time where Competing at a High Level ruled my training
. I constantly trained balls to the walls with very little consideration to my joints, connective tissues, etc. It became more important to me to constantly put up more weight, burn more calories, and stick in extra training time to get ahead of other individuals, especially when I was doing Strongman competitions routinely.

Unfortunately, this savage determination to constantly improve and get stronger began taking a toll on me and I started having more and more injuries. That is when I had to take a step back from Strongman, although I definitely loved the sport and am glad for everything I have experienced with the sport.

These days, my approach to training is much more like what it was when I first started training and I design my workouts to meet all four of the goals mentioned above.

One of the things I am trying to stay much more aware of in my training is Contra-Specific Training, or Antagonistic Balance. Essentially what I do is try to select exercises that will compliment one another by training opposing movement patterns.

For instance, because I have sat at desks and other workstations for my work over the course of the last 10 years or so, I now have a wonderful set of tight hip flexors and questionable posture. I don’t want my training to worsen the situation, so I choose my lifts wisely.

I am including a lot more conditioning in my workouts lately, and have found a pretty damn intense combination that is freaking awesome.

Contra Specific Hybrid Cardio – Sledge Hammer Slams with Kettlebell Snatches

As you will see, this combination hits all four of my goals.

1. Build Strong Muscle – Sledge Hammer Slams with the 20-lb Sledge (20 Reps) followed by Kettlebell Snatches with my 53-lber (20 Reps) – fairly heavy for the combination selected.

2. Burn Fat – The movements are done back to back with very little rest. Right-hand dominant Sledge Hammer Slams onto the tire followed by snatches for a set of 20 with the righthand. After a short rest, the same is done with the left hand.

3. Stay Healthy – Not withstanding the health benefits of the cardiovascular demands of the movement, these two movements are also contra specific (opposite movement patterns). The Snatches involve ankle, knee, and hip extension with shoulder flexion. Sledge Hammer Slams work the antagonistic movements of hip flexion, shoulder extension, etc. They compliment one another very well.

4. Compete at a High Level – This is also naturally a very Grip-dependent combination, plus I wear gloves which make the implement handles seem even thicker than normal. This is a great finisher to an otherwise already solid workout, but if you’re looking for a way to work the grip for endurance, this might be just what the doctor ordered for you.

Incidentally, this combination also helps me accomplish another goal, which is to spend more time outside in the fresh air. I tend to spend a lot of time stuck inside.

Going outside in the dark
is NOT something I am working on, but when you are as busy as I am sometimes you don’t get the chance to train until night time when the only light available is from the old and sickly 2001 Explorer in the driveway.

I love this combination and think you should try it out as well.

I will be bringing more combinations like this to you in the future as well as other beneficial resources.

So, speaking of goals what are your top 3 or 4 goals that surround your training? I’d be interested in hearing more from you guys about what makes you train the way you do.

Heck, when it comes right down to it, I haven’t heard from many of you in a long long time and I would like an update.

Drop a comment below and let me know what is motivating you in your training. I know your going to the gym and hitting the weights for some reason other than to pass time.

Now, leave a comment below and update me, or I’ll come after you with this chain-decked anvil, brother!!!!

Jedd

Tags: get stronger, how to build muscle, perform better, stay healthy, training approach, training goals
Posted in athletic strength training lift odd objects, biofeedback, grip hand forearm training for sports, how to improve fitness and conditioning | 21 Comments »

Athletic Movement Skills – Balance Your Strength Training

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Athletic Movement Skills

Balance Your Strength Training

This video shows Martin Rooney discussing the need for athletic movements in your program.  It is not enough to just perform strength training movements.  You have to be able to express strength, power, agility, balance, coordination and optimal movement as well.

Sometimes your strength programs works against this goal because a lifter doesn’t perform mobility movements, a good warm-up, static stretching and they lose the ability to move freely.

Tags: agility, athletic movement, balance your athletic strength training program, developing athletes, flow, full range of motion, gain strength, how to build muscle, mobility, move better, move freely, movement skills, plyometrics, strength coach
Posted in accelerated muscular development, strength training muscle building workouts, strength training powerlifting, strength training to improve athletic performance, strength training workouts, strongman training for athletes | 5 Comments »

Guest Blog Post – Eric Cressey – SWS – Real Activation

Monday, June 1st, 2009

eli-sws-activation

Here is a guest blog post I did for Eric Cressey.

It dealt with modifying a conventional activation exercise and you know, here at Diesel, that is what we are famous for.

What I do with my athletes is introduce an elastic band into their rehab / activation protocols for scapular wall slides (SWS).

Here was a question from one of Eric’s readers:

“On the surface, the sounds extremely innovative and effective, but it got me wondering…..I thought the purpose of low(er) level activation work was merely to get the muscle firing and then to integrate it in other training (rows, pull-ups, etc) to derive further benefits in MU recruitment, strength, and so on.

For example, “classic” scapular wall slides followed by a chin or pull-up with full scapular retraction and depression, possibly even with iso holds i the top position.

I am genuinely curious and do not mean this post in an offensive way.”

Here was my response:

You’re exactly right in your progression model. The intent of the exercise is to transition from low threshold motor unit (LTMU) recruitment to a higher threshold motor unit (HTMU) improving intramuscular coordination prior to integration (intermuscular coordination).

You can read all about it HERE.

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs | Build Muscle, Muscle Gaining Workouts | Build Muscle Membership Site

Tags: build, how to build muscle, injury rehab recover from injury, muscle
Posted in accelerated muscular development, injury rehab recover from injury, muscle building anatomy, strength training muscle building workouts, strength training to improve athletic performance, strength training workouts | 3 Comments »

AMD Week Coming Up

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

amd-release

Midnight, May 24th is the Day!

I can’t wait until AMD is released and I can get some sleep.  I was really hoping to have it done sooner, but I keep adding to it.  As many of you know who have bought my products, I am a perfectionist.  I want to make sure all of bases are covered and you have everything you need to reach your muscle building goals.

Post your comments below and tell me if you’re excited about the AMD release.

Thank you everyone for following us here at Diesel.

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs | Build Muscle, Muscle Gaining Workouts | Build Muscle Membership Site

Tags: how to build muscle, lose fat, strength training muscle building workouts
Posted in accelerated muscular development, how to build muscle, how to tear cards, strength training muscle building workouts, strength training workouts, your daily inspiration | 20 Comments »

Latest AMD Video – Get the PROOF!

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

amd-vimeo

I’ve been around a long time and I’ve seen most of the muscle building programs promoted on the internet.  And let me tell you something, they are missing MANY very essential components.

I’ve summarized these missing components in my new killer video.  It is the one you’ve been waiting for from me.

It has PROOF!

Proof that AMD works and builds sick muscle.  I know what I’m talking about and guess what, in the AMD manual, I list all of the scientific studies that back up the program!

I think you’ll like this one, you have to check it out.

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs | Build Muscle, Muscle Gaining Workouts | Build Muscle Membership Site

Tags: abs, build, core, fat, get, how to build muscle, intense, lose, muscle, ripped, short, six-pack, strength training muscle building workouts, strong
Posted in accelerated muscular development, how to build muscle, strength training muscle building workouts, strength training to improve athletic performance, strength training workouts | 286 Comments »

TheFitCast Fitness and Nutrition Podcast!

Friday, October 10th, 2008

I was honored when Kevin Larrabee wanted to interview for the TheFitCast. It is the premier podcast for all things fitness and nutrition related.  If you hate reading or don’t have time to sit down at the computer, downloading all the episodes of TheFitCast is the perfect solution!

Throw them on a CD and listen in the car on the way to the gym, school or work!

All of the big names in the fitness industry; Cressey, Robertson, Berardi, Gentilcore, Abel, Boyle, Mohr, Waterbury, Staley…the list goes on and on – have done interviews with TheFitCast.

Get over there and sign-up right now, there is a HUGE repository of information and new episodes every week!

Tags: athletes, coaches, fitness, get fit, healthy, how to build muscle, lose fat, podcast, strong
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

3 Quick Fixes for Your Squat

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

Nick McKinless

Photo courtesy of beyondstrong.typepad.com

Tip #1 – Falling Forward in the Hole

– Keep elbows facing down

– Chest up, head up

– Keep weight on heels

– Force abdominals out, create intra-abdominal pressure with breathing

– Incorporate Anderson (bottoms-up) squats at various pin levels

– Incorporate RDL’s, back extensions, bent over rows, good mornings and pullthroughs

Tip #2 – Not Going Deep Enough

– Work on hip mobility

– Stretch and activate glutes / rectus femoris / psoas

– Work on ankle mobility

– Widen stance slightly, toes turned out, knees tracking over toes

– Incorporate more full range, single leg movements

– Just go lower!

Tip #3 – Upper Back Rounding / Shoulders & Elbows Hurting

– work on thoracic mobility

– develop upper back musculature

– technique, technique, technique

– improve scapular mobility and strength of serratus anterior

– utilize specialty barbells until improvement is seen from corrective exercises

– incorporate more rowing and external rotation movements

– check mobility of opposite hip and ankle

Smitty

Tags: athletes, how to build muscle, mobility, power, rehabilitation, squats, strength, strong
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Combat Core - New Artwork
T-shirt Design Contest!

Diesel Crew Newsletter


Get Diesel Blog Posts Emailed to You:

  



DIESEL DIRECTORY

Find EVERY Single Post Ever Written on DieselCrew.com.

Click Here: All DieselCrew.com Entries

Search DieselCrew.com

Upcoming Events

CONTEST: Grip Hogs Day, Wyalusing PA

Click Here


Motivation & Muscle Podcast

Featured Products

DC Grip Strength
how to train to lift the blob

bend steel, bend wrenches, roll frying pans




How to Bend Horseshoes








How to Bend Horseshoes
    How to Tear Phone Books
Card Tearing Ebook
     Bending Manual
Nail Bending DVD
Euro Pinch Two Hands Pinch Yraining
Nail Bending DVD
    build grip strength hand strength forearm strength
Diesel Strength Training Products

build strength strongman training information
Advanced Kettlebell Challenges Build Strength with Kettlebells
    improve strength conditioning recovery grip strength
home made strength training equipment
how to do strongman atlas stone training
Members Only
build grip strength and learn feats of strength

Stay Connected – Jedd

Friend me on Twitter!
Subscribe to my Youtube Videos!
Friend me on Facebook!
Check Out my Images on Flickr!
Join my Network on LinkedIn!
Check out my blog!

Training Center

FREE EBOOK - AWESOME

How to Build Muscle Articles

3 Insanely Effective Upper Body Warm-ups

Ultimate Lower Body Warm-up

Ultimate Pull-up Video

How to Shoulder Rehab

How to Bench Press

How to Squat

How to Deadlift

How to Train with Odd Objects

Top 7 Tips for Building Muscle

Massive Back Training

Massive Arm Training 1

Massive Arm Training 2

Massive Arm Training 3

Advanced Activation Techniques

Speed Training for Athletes

Perfect Workout for Travelers

Popular Videos

Shoulder Rehab Protocol

Ultimate Two Minute Warm-up

No More Knee Pain - Part 1

No More Knee Pain - Part 2

Advanced Pull-up Training 1

Advanced Pull-up Training 2

Improve Pressing Power 1

Improve Pressing Power 2

Popular Articles

Celebrity Fitness - Build Muscle

How to Build Muscle

Build Muscle Now with Ladders

19 Tips for Fixing Your Squat

Fix Your Squat - Part 2

Fixing the Shoulders

The Summer Six-Pack

Keys for the Hard Gainer

Improving Your Deadlift Grip

Top 5 Core Exercises

Media

Home Team Diesel
Media Resources
Products Forum

MUSCLE BUILDING / GAIN MUSCLE MASS / HOW TO BUILD MUSCLE:
Accelerated Muscular Development | How to Build Muscle | How to Bench Press Muscle Building Anatomy | Muscle Building Nutrition - Build Muscle Mass | Sled Dragging Workouts Strength Training - Muscle Building Workouts | Strength Training Powerlifting | Strength Training Workouts How to Lose Fat - Fat Loss | Kettlebell Training | Strength Training Workouts Injury Rehab - How to Rehab an Injury

CORE WORKOUTS / CORE TRAINING / SIX PACKS ABS:
Core Training Workouts | Core Workouts for Athletes

ATHLETIC STRENGTH TRAINING / STRENGTH WORKOUTS / BUILD STRENGTH:
Athletic Strength Training Train With Odd Objects Strength Training to Improve Athletic Performance | Core Workouts for Athletes | Strongman Training for Athletes Baseball Strength and Conditioning | Improve Speed Bag Training

GRIP STRENGTH / IMPROVE GRIP STRENGTH / GRIP TRAINING FOR ATHLETES:
Bending Grip Strength | How to Tear Cards | Grip Strength Blob Lifting | How to Improve Crushing Grip Strength Improve Grip Strength | Improve Crushing Grip Strength | Grip Strength Blob Lifting | Grip Strength Competition

OLD STRONGMAN / OLD TIME STRONGMAN / STRONGMAN FEATS OF STRENGTH:
Old Strongman Feats of Strength

DAILY MOTIVATION / INSPIRATION:
Daily Inspiration - Motivation

BUILD YOUR OWN GYM:
Create Your Own Garage Gym

Copyright © 2006 – 2009 The Diesel Crew, LLC. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

Cleantalk Pixel