Jedd: Please tell us a little about yourself – your athletic and training background and how you got involved with training athletes.

Chris: My name is Chris Miller, and I’ve been a certified Personal Trainer, and Strength/Conditioning coach for over 10 years in Columbia, Maryland. My company is called Maximum Fitness; which is located in Columbia, Maryland. My athletic background consists of playing Pop Warner football as a child, High school football, as well as college football. My training background consists of clients that are; little league football players, high school football players, basketball, lacrosse players, college football and soccer players, as well as MMA fighters, and boxers. I also do personal training and boot camps for the novice clientele to experienced clients.

I became involved with training athletes from the passion I had for sports growing up, and as an adult currently. I looked back on how I trained and viewed the workouts I used in order for me to prepare myself for football; and realized it was a totally different way of life training in the 1980’s. After I graduated from college, I started coaching little league football and high school football. I would see how uneducated these athletes were, and how wrong their workouts were in the weight room. This encouraged me to branch out, and develop ways in which I thought would be more effective in training these athletes. The fitness industry is ever changing; so I researched different training methods and products and created my own system in working with athletes; as well as used pieces of other systems I would see during my research.

Jedd: Many members of the Diesel Universe either compete in strongman training or do strongman training on a regular basis. Do you have any experience with Strongman Training?

Chris: Yes, I have trained with various strongman techniques; but have never competed. I’ve always wanted to compete, but never took the plunge to pursue it. Working at a landscaping company throughout college; me and a few other guys use to perform lifts of logs, trees, cement bags, and rocks all the time. We thought we were the famous guys that competed on ESPN. LOL…

Jedd: Have you included Strongman Training or Odd Object Training into your athletic training protocols?

Chris: Yes indeed! Strongman training is a great way to turn any athlete into a powerful force. I’ve used everything from Keg throws and lifts, heavy cement bags and tires, as well as tractor-trailer rims; before all the common day objects became available to purchase.

Jedd: Since incorporating Strongman Training into your routines, what benefits have you seen?

Chris: I’ve noticed an increase in power, strength, range of motion; as well as muscular endurance.

Jedd: Which athletes do you incorporate Strongman Training with? Football Players? Baseball? Etc.

Chris: I incorporate Strongman Training with all of my athletes; from high school age, college as well as my MMA/Boxing clients.

Jedd: What lifts do you find to have the best carry-over to athletic performance?

Chris: Tire flips, Sled pulls, Sled push, heavy med ball throws, sledgehammer slams on tires.

Jedd: How do you include Strongman Lifts into the routines? Primary movements? Explosive Movements?

Chris: With my offensive/defensive line clients, I like to use explosive movements, since the average play in football is 3-4 seconds; I like to work on explosive movements that simulate coming off the ball in a violent, but controlled manner. The MMA fighters I train explosive and some primary movements; due to the nature of simulating the actual combative movements during competition. I’d say I combine the two on occasion, but mostly using the explosive method for stimulating the fast twitch muscles which are used very much in these sports.

Jedd: How do you go about monitoring your athletes’ performance when using Strongman lifts? Do you ever “dial back” the intensity of the strongman lifts?

Chris: I monitor my athletes by measuring his/her threshold and tracking results through reps and time. Measuring how effective their body reacts pre- and post-lift is key for me. I try to “Dial back”, the intensity a few days before games or matches, because I don’t want to over work a particular muscle group; causing fatigue and muscle tear-down before they compete. I try to keep the intensity at 70-80% 2 days before games, and 60-70% a week before my MMA clients compete.

Jedd: What is the number one Strongman Lift you suggest other strength coaches put into their programs, out of all of the possible choices?

Chris: I’m glad you asked this question, because I personally say, don’t prescribe an exercise to a client, that you wouldn’t do yourself. I suggest all strength coaches incorporate the Deadlift into their programs. Every athlete needs a strong back and core in order to compete week in and week out. There are many variations of the Deadlift; therefore you can reap benefits from many variations, as long as safety and form is monitored.

Jedd: Have you had athletes push back on you when you introduced Strongman Training?

Chris: I train a college Division I Lacrosse player and Division III football player currently; and I’ve been training these kids since I coached them in high school. When I introduced the heavy chains and sled pulls 3 years ago; they looked at me and thought I was crazy. They refused at first, because their college strength coaches were stuck on the basic barbells and dumbbells exercises. After a few days of training, and 3 years later; they can’t get enough of the Strongman exercises.

Jedd: What is one piece of advice you would give to other Strength Coaches about instituting Strongman Training into their routines?

Chris: Great question! I first would advise the coaches to research the routines and experiment amongst the staff, then introduce the routine to their athletes. I would also remind them of the safety issues concerning these routines.

Jedd: Thanks so much for your interview. Please feel free to tell us where we can learn more about your training.

Chris: Thank you sir; it was a pleasure having the privilege to participate in this awesome interview! The Diesel Crew is doing big things, and I appreciate the education, and information that is being delivered daily by you all!

My company is called Maximum Fitness, and we are located in Columbia, Maryland. Website and contact information is below.

Maximum Fitness
Email: maxxfit@comcast.net

Chris thanks so much for the interview. DIESELS, Strongman Training is an excellent way to take your athletic training to the next level of Strength and Power. If you want to include this type of training in your programs in order to start reaping the benefits that Chris Miller is seeing with his athletes, pick up our Intro to Strongman DVD, so you can see how to perform the lifts properly and keep your athletes injury free while also becoming brutally strong!

All the best in your training,

Jedd

• Strongest Strength Coach at Juniata
  Demonstrating the Lifts for the Competition
• Grip Training for Track and Field Throwers
• Best Strength Training Exercises for Baseball
• Cool Video – Important Lessons
• Grip and Forearm Training for Baseball

Below are the events for the Strongest Strength Coach Event at the 2011 PA Strength and Conditioning Clinic at Juniata College on June 17, 2011.

Log Clean and Press for Reps

The Log will start on the ground, weighing roughly 150-lbs. The coach will pick the log up and clean it to his/her shoulder and from there Press/Push Press/Jerk it to the locked out position overhead for a “GOOD” call. For each subsequent rep, the log should taken back below the waste and then cleaned and pressed again. There will be a one-minute time limit. Points will be awarded for each good Lockout with head through and feet even upon recovery.

Mace Swinging

A StrongerGrip Mace will be used, loaded with roughly 12-lbs of shot. The coach will stat by bringing the Mace to the Vertical position (Order) and then swing it back behind his/her body, and returning it to the Order position. The coach will have one minute to complete as many repetitions as possible. Each rep must begin and end with the mace being vertical, but there is no need to pause.

Reverse Sled Drag

A sled loaded with 50 to 100-lbs will be pulled 50-feet as quickly as possible. The coach will need to be well-conditioned for this event and this will be a test of Grip Endurance because instead of a conventional handle to pull on, a Kettlebell will be used. The coach must pull the sled backwards and time will be kept on the event.

Scoring

First place will receive ONE point, second will receive TWO points, etc. Fewest points at the end of the three events is the winner!

How do you enter? All you have to do is attend the Juniata Clinic on June 17 and 18, 2011. To sign up to attend the seminar, check out this link: Juniata Clinic.

So, What was Your Personal Challenge This Week?

If you are on my newsletter, you know that I asked everyone to challenge themselves this week by doing something new. I gave a few examples of things you could try or get ready for. I later shared what I challenged myself to do as well.

I don’t think it’s right for me to put a challenge out there to all of you without also challenging myself, so I want to tell you about TWO THINGS I did this week to challenge myself. One has to do with training and the other doesn’t.

FIRST OFF, I was recently inspired by a post on Jason Ferruggia’s blog about the value of sprinting for Fat Loss. And since I am always in the need of a little more fat loss, and since Beer League Softball Season is coming up and I always find a way to manage 6 to 10 groin pulls each season, I started doing sprints at the end of my workouts.

I even shot some video of it to get an idea of how poor my mechanics are and to give myself something to work with in improving them. Below is the video…

SECOND OFF, I also sat my ass down in front of my PC and began editing a DVD that I show back in November. You see, when I was in Ohio for Leg 4 of the World’s Strongest Hands Series, I met up with a longtime friend of mine, Steve Slater and we filmed the first of hopefully many projects together. This one is an Introduction to Strongman Training. This is going to be the GO-TO product for Strongman Training done safely. This one is going to be for ANYONE who wants to start including Strongman Training in their routine but who doesn’t want to get hurt doing it.

I can not believe the crappy instruction that is out there on Strongman Training, especially the Tire Flip. I surfed around the net for other DVD’s on the market and found one of the leading ones and the instructor is showing the WORST FORM EVER for the Tire Flip. I can’t believe the kid demonstrating hasn’t torn a bicep with the form that is being taught in that DVD.

This DVD is going to be different. It is going to show you how to do the events THE RIGHT WAY so you can build muscle, speed, and athleticism while developing BRUTE STRENGTH at the same time.

This DVD should be ready very soon, because I have a good head of steam going. If you want to be one of the first to know when it is ready, make sure to sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this post.

Between Sprinting and Video Editing, I really challenged myself this week, getting WAY out of my comfort zone. So, the question is…

What did you do this week? Leave a comment below and tell us about it, Diesels!

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• Strongest Strength Coach at Juniata
  Demonstrating the Lifts for the Competition
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I trained with the rest of the Diesel guys, the dudes from Krank Systems, Mark from Elmira Fitness Club and Taylor Sexton a few months back.

As a finisher to the already 3-hour workout, we finished with the Diesel Man Maker.

I admittedly do not do enough conditioning in my normal routine, so this killed me.

I don’t have all of the weights that were used, but it was ENOUGH – I can tell you that much. Check out the video…

Sled Dragging and Prowler work is a fantastic way to improve your fitness, conditioning, and strength levels and I’d like to help more people get started with this type of training.

In fact, tonight at 9PM EST, I am holding a Twitterchat with my longtime friend from “Down Under” Scott Bird.

Never done a Twitterchat? No problem, it’s easy.

First off, add me as a friend on Twitter => Jedd Johnson on Twitter.

Next, check out the background info on this week’s Twitterchat.

Third, write down any questions you might have about Sled Dragging, Prowler Work, the video above, ANYTHING you’d like to ask me and Scott.

Lastly, log onto Twitter or your favorite Twitter platform (I prefer TweetDeck) at 9PM tonight and ask away!

It should be a cool time, tonight for the Twitterchat. I have done a few of these with Scott and we always get the chance to interact with a lot of good people and help them get started in new directions in their strength and fitness journeys.

I look forward to chatting with you!

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Looking for the Ultimate Resource on Sled Dragging?

Check out the Ultimate Sled Dragging Manual.

Don’t have a Sled and need a cheap alternative?

Check out the Home Made Strength On-line DVD.
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Improve Leg Drive and Mental Toughness for Athletes

By Jim Smith, CSCS

Here are some clips of the heavy prowler finishers we have been doing after our workouts.  Finishers are a great way to jack up the intensity when everyone is dragging ass after the workout.  You turn the finishers into “challenges” between the training group.

Prowlers, sleds, dumbbells, kettlebells, bodyweight and everything else under the sun are used to build serious complexes that are done for time or for a certain number of reps.

Nobody is tougher than Dalton son!

Finishers are a great way to also build mental toughness.  This is something that many young athletes lack and I really feel it can be learned in the weight room.  As a former wrestler, I used to only say wrestling built character and mental toughness.  But since I’ve been away from competition for so long, finishers have really stepped in to show not only me, but those I train with, what it means to be tough.

With winter coming, I hope you have a great training facility where you can do prowler inside.  If you don’t, you still have tons of complexes (multiple implements) you can design to create a killer finisher for you and your athletes.

Heavy A** Prowler

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Dude, Halloween is my favorite holiday. Last weekend I walked through the haunted house the ambulance company was putting on as a fund raiser and loved every minute of it.

This weekend I have a ton of stuff planned. In the morning I have some work to do, but after that I plan on doing a scary Halloween workout right in the comfort of my own garage.

You can bet I will be hitting it hard. In fact I have a bunch of stuff written down that I am going to hit for my big weekend Grip workout.

I am going to hit grippers, pinch, and thick bar all in one day and I just might put together a highlight video.

Maybe there will even be a Halloween theme to it. Scary Grip sounds pretty cool.

Speaking of developing a scary grip, let’s take a time out for a quick tip…

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Quick Grip

Hey, here’s something to keep in mind when you are training with the Rolling Thunder. I keep seeing people make this mistake all the time.

Don’t load your hands up with too much chalk on the Rolling Thunder.

Especially when training with the old style of Rolling Thunder, too much chalk on your hands will hinder your lifts.

When using slick implements, especially plastic ones, chalk can kinda act like ball bearings in your hand and work against you…

What I like to do is just use enough chalk to keep my hands dry. Below’s a picture of about how I chalk my hands when I lift the Rolling Thunder. This is also how I chalk for tearing a deck of cards.

As you can see, it doesn’t take that much chalk to keep the hands dry. That’s all you need for a lot of implements and feats.

Keep that in mind next time you train Rolling Thunder and I think you will see some bigger lifts and scarier grip.

Once my grip workout is over this Saturday, and the video is edited, then it is time to head out for a Halloween party I have been told about.
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I love Halloween and I know a lot of you do too, so to celebrate I am running a sale on my feat of strength ebooks on Nail Bending and Card Tearing.

From the start of Friday through to Sunday morning, anybody who picks up any of the products below gets 25% off and a copy of Grip Considerations for the Bench Press, a video I did for AJ Roberts when he released his Bench Press Improvement Product, Up Your Bench.

Just click the images below to take advantage of the Halloween Specials.

Nail Bending eBook - The Most Complete Reference on Nail, Bolt, and Steel Bending in the World

When you buy the Nail Bending eBook, you’ll find out

How to condition your hands and wrists for bending to avoid injury
How to wrap nails, bolts, and stock for big bends
How the various pieces of bending stock compares with bolts and nails
The various certifications that are available for bending steel
A ton of exercises that will strengthen your hands, thumbs and wrists

Card Tearing eBook - Learn How to Tear Cards with Your Bare Hands

When you purchase the Card Tearing eBook you’ll learn

Multiple techniques for tearing decks of cards
How to utilize finger pressure to tear any deck of cards you come across
How to go beyond tearing a deck in half – quartering decks, cornering decks, and more
A ton more exercises to strengthen your hands, thumbs and wrists

Home Made Strength On-line DVD – Build Strength Without Breaking the Bank

When you buy Home Made Strength, you’ll see

The cheapest way to build yourself a pulling sled
How a damaged bowling ball can be turned into a vicious piece of strength equipment
How to build 8 pieces of essential equipment and various ways to use them for strength
More sick ways to train your hands, thumbs, and wrists

The Ultimate Sled Dragging Manual – Innovative Ways to Train with Out of One of the Most bBasic Implements

When you purchase Sled Dragging, you’ll see

Why sled dragging is important for conditioning and recovery
How sled dragging can be combined with other training implements for the biggest effect
Ways to improve explosive strength, leaping ability, upper body strength and stability
Still, more ways to get major hand, thumb and wrist strength.

Enjoy your weekend – Train Hard – Be Safe.

-Jedd-Similar Posts:

• Intro to Nail Bending
• Demolition Club Update
• From The Mail Bag – Card Tearing Feedback
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• Diesel Interview with Dan Cenidoza of Be-More Training