Here is an old video of us hitting heavy support grip holds for time on the GRex.

Support grip is one component of grip strength. The others are crush, pinch, wrist postures and hand health.

Grip strength is the forgotten element of functional training and is essential since the hands are involved in all athletic and strength training endeavor (including building muscle or losing fat).

In fact the hands are the end point of the kinetic chain, so they must be developed if we hope to transfer the power created and accumulated from our bodies and express it through our hands.

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

You’ve probably heard of using foam in the weightroom.  Previously, you might have only thought of using it for resting your knee on, while your stretching your hip flexors.

Well, a recent talk with Mike Hanley of HanleyStrength.com changed that.

He told me that he had his clients marching on thick foam to help with their knee and hip problems.  He said Louie Simmons had told him about it.   How he has been using it for activation and rehab purposes.

It is also well recognized in the powerlifting community that foam can also be used on the box squat, and we will talk about this too, later in this article.

Now, this of course got me thinking about other uses of foam.  I ordered a few blocks and started incorporating it into my program and the program of my clients.

Let’s look at a few different ways that you can incorporate foam into the weightroom.

_________________________________________________________

Quick Studies:

As you learned in the Chaos Manual:

Unstable foam surface = good rehab

Unstable foam surface = not good for power development

Studies from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) confirm my publication:

“Instability resistance exercises induce high muscle activation of postural limb and trunk muscles. The increased activation has been attributed to the increased stabilization functions.  Instability resistance training with its high muscle activation and lower external stress on joints could also be beneficial for general musculoskeletal health and certain types of rehabilitation.”

“Unstable conditions can lead to decreased force and power output, decreased range of motion and velocity. Furthermore ground based weight training exercises such as squats and dead lifts can provide equal or greater trunk activation than using instability devices. Another study has also reported that highly trained individuals do not experience greater trunk activation when performing exercises under light or moderately unstable conditions.”

“Since many of the benefits of instability devices can be achieved with high resistance involving ground based free weights, advanced resistance trained individuals may not need to emphasize this type of training in their strength and power training programs.”

“The benefits of instability resistance training may be more pronounced for those individuals pursuing primarily general health and rehabilitation benefits and not participating in training with free weights involving high loads.”

_________________________________________________________

(more…)

This video demonstrates a tornado ball rotation while bridging on a swiss ball. Dynamic stabilization of the entire torso; the abdominals AND posterior chain. The lifter has to bridge and remain parallel to the floor throughout the movement and remain fixed while the tornado ball is rotating.

If you do not have a tornado ball, a med ball in a sandbag/dufflebag/pillow case can be used.

The great thing about this exercise is that the lifter is isometrically contracting the anterior and posterior chains against a dynamic, ever changing tension.  This increases the frequency AND intensity of the motor unit recruitment which is exponentially more beneficial than a static, long duration contraction.  Not only that, there is also a deceleration and acceleration component to the lift as well.

Think interval training rather than slow, low intensity treadmill.

Also, this version is easier on the shoulders than the standard swinging overhead version of the tornado ball.

Oh yeah, the video is a LITTLE FOGGY :).  We were in the middle of a conditioning circuit and the camera guy was heated!

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

Got Torso Strength?

The core is not only about building strength in fixed movement patterns, it is also defined as developing the required torso rigidity (isometric contraction of the anterior and posterior chains) to prevent injury and express power.

Lats are part of the core too!

In this new video, you’ll see another Diesel Crew original, Kettlebell Rocks.  They are named rocks because you have to remain rigid and unwavering during the partner engagement.

The partner will throw the kb side to side at the peak of the swing.  This is the exact moment that the lifter will brace, flex their lats, contract their abdominals and entire posterior chain to keep the kb path in line with a conventional swing.

The partner should be forceful and not tentative with their part of the movement.  This movement is very CNS intensive and because of this, I would recommend anywhere from 8-12 reps to ensure quality.

Embed this video on your blog or point to it in your newsletter, let’s get the word out.

Oh yeah, check out the side bar.  Make sure you follow us AND send me an email to let me know what your favorite Diesel articles and videos are and we’ll get them up in our new Popular section!

If you want to learn more about strengthening the core, pick up the product that Eric Cressey called “the best product of 2008!”

Thanks everyone,

Smitty

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

AB(Duction) Band Squats

Benefits:
No More Knee Pain
Hit Your Squat Depth
Improve Hip Mobility
Activates Glutes
Activates / Strengthens Hip Abductors
Improves Patella Tracking

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs

AB(Duction) Band Squats

Benefits:
No More Knee Pain
Hit Your Squat Depth
Improve Hip Mobility
Activates Glutes
Activates / Strengthens Hip Abductors
Improves Patella Tracking

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs

Here is footage of Brad and Eli squatting.

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs

Here is a video of some unique step-up squat variations.

VERSIONS
1. Standard – Straight down with back leg, focusing on driving through lead leg
2. Extended Back Leg – Creating more of a hip dominant movements, increasing hip strength mobility
3. Extended Back Leg onto FOAM – Creating more of a hip dominant movements, increasing hip strength mobility, forcing all the focus on the lead leg, negating driving off back foot

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs

Utilizing an Elite Swiss Bar, grappler presses build isometric and decelerative strength in the biceps, shoulders and back.  Football players, grapplers, combat athletes, rugby players and many other sports will benefit from this movement.

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!

Real world strength development.  No messing around, no BS commercial gym rules.  One barbell or on dumbbell and kick ass intensity.  That is all you need.  Don’t forget about the basics.

http://sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Hoffman/wl/wl07b.htm

Here is the video that I promised for this previous post located here:

http://www.dieselcrew.com/tire-flipping-modification/

It is not hard to incorporate strongman training techniques in your athletes programs, but you have to make sure the technique is right.

Otherwise, the benefit will not outweigh the risks.

Key points:

– Do not deadlift the tire
– Keep arms straight
– Hips back
– Drive through the tire
– Do not deadlift the tire

If you are TOO CLOSE TO THE TIRE when flipping (i.e. deadlifting the tire) when you STAND UP you are in a bad spot and have to wrestle with the tire with your biceps. Also, a more athletic position starts with your hips back (in about a 45deg angle) and driving forward.

The video also demonstrates a quick way to modify a tire to make it easier for younger athletes or for tires with bad tread and low profiles.

Smitty

Most strength coaches teach tire flipping all wrong!

Are you in this group?

Do you tell your athletes to get real close to the tire, setup in a deadlift stance and lift.

WRONG!

You are immediately in a mechanical disadvantage, especially with a larger tire. To improve leg drive and explosiveness you have to setup with your feet and hips back and assume a posture at about a 45 degree incline.  If you are too close, after the initial lift, you’ll be fighting with the tire on your knee and with your biceps in a bad position.  Watch the pros, their hips are back and they drive the tire with their chest, not lift straight up.

Do you tell your athlete to lift straight up?

WRONG!

You have to drive through the tire with your chest, not lift with your arms. That is the first step in tearing or irritating your biceps.  And this will not work with a larger tire.  Your arms should be straight and with no degree of flexion.  You will get away with it with a smaller (lighter) tire, but you should drill good form so that as you progress to larger tires, you don’t run into problems.

VIDEO COMING…

Smitty

There is a HUGE sale happening right now, check out:

www.combatcorestrength.com

______________________________________________________

Also, the DVD has just been released – check out:

http://www.combatcorestrength.com/combat-core-dvd.htm

Smitty

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

If you’ve been visiting Diesel for a while or read any of our articles, you know we’ve been hyping grip strength training for years. It is the endpoint of the kinetic chain and power is expressed through the hands.

Training for his upcoming fight Jens Pulver hits us with a very innovative training tip for grip strength.

Check it out:

Smitty

Image from Sherdog

Not only is Kimbo fighting James Thompson this weekend on primetime (CBS May 31 at 9-11 p.m. ET/PT) but Jens Pulver is fighting Urijah Faber at WEC 34 on June 1st.

Kimbo vs. Thompson

Thompson has his work cut out for him as Kimbo is steadily improving under the watchful eye of Bas Rutten. I remember watching Thompson, who has tons of energy and was very hyper in the ring, lose via a quick knockout to Fedor’s brother Aleksander, but since then he has gone on to a solid 14-8-0 record. Kimbo, at 2-0, is fighting to establish his legitimacy in the heavyweight ranks and at the same time, progressively picking his opponents as his skills develop. Kimbo has gone from a homeless guy, to youtube sensation to living his dreams. I think this fight is not only a great opportunity for both fighters, but also the sport of MMA. Being on prime time tv will continue to increase the exposure of a great sport.

Here is a cool story on Kimbo for ESPN the Magazine: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3405201

Faber vs. Pulver

Faber, 20-1-0, is explosive, young and hungry. This is already his 5^th title defense of the WEC Featherweight title. Jens is in need of a win and would love to get a title again. This will, without a doubt, be a quick, fast-paced fight – so don’t blink! Watch on June 1^st on Versus.

Special Note: At the 1:20 mark in the video, Jens talks about training his GRIP and how he hits harder than ever (notice the KB’s in the background).

Check out this trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ZyZvo-N78

Here is another video of Jens doing thick rope pull-ups:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWpPwCCdAMo&feature=related

Leave your predictions in the comments section!

Check out the pic of Kimbo above throwing the medicine ball around, check this out for more sick abdominal training exercises for athletes.

Smitty

Copy the following list and make a comment with your predictions for each fight!

Sean Sherk vs. B.J. Penn

Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida

Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine

Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes

Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic

Smitty