Squat and earn health.

Old school

Old school training works. The sciences have had enough time to “prove” (support) the interpretations. The new school is not established and never will be. They are following fads. We need to address wants and needs in training. Motivation is usually not a problem for athletes. People who have no aspirations to compete hire trainers these days. This is a good thing. We all need another set of educated eyes watching, analyzing, and coaching. It does bring motivation into the equation though. We will look at the selection of exercises, new school drive, motivation, and goals.

Training is simply organizing for a definite outcome. The old school chose a variety of exercises which ensure efficiency of effort. Timing is one training factor.

·         Squat

·         Deadlift

·         Bench-press

·         Clean

·         Jerk

·         Snatch

These movements all require full body coordination and this helps all of us in an everyday approach. At the very least they provide a solid foundation for our sculpting efforts. I had a coach who used to bark at us, “You can’t shoot a cannon out of a canoe”. These movements make your canoe a battle-ship. Fundamentals are unavoidable.  Do them and reap the benefits.

Let’s say you want to look better. We all want to look a certain way. The easiest way to sculpt the body is simple. Target key musculatures and create a framework. The important part of this equation is that smaller muscles are just not as important as larger muscles from a health perspective. We can make the abs look great but if the back is not coordinated with its opposition the organism is not in good health. The new term is CORE. The old school term is mid-section and it still works. Forget the CORE and train the mid-section. There is far more valid and reliable science regarding the mid-section and it’s components than there will ever be on the CORE.

The new school is focused on making a living. There is nothing wrong with this we all need to make a living. However, they are selling wants before needs. If my shoulders are operated on because I did too many bench presses in the 70s and 80s I have a need. I still want pecs and delts that catch her attention, this is a want. I hire a trainer. The new school does not offer bench press countered with upper back and internal work, for the rotator cuff, to develop the area. They give me cable work, planks, and other “functional movements”. They are far from functional. This is another term ill-defined by weak, skinny, new school business people. Take a look at the current trainer. He/she is not strong. They are not even lean they are skinny. There is a difference. Lean body mass is muscle and this is a scientific term.

Kirk was and is old school.

American are fat as a population. We need to start training people earlier and earlier in their lifespan. We need to train children so they understand the needs of their bodies and stay physical. Work should not excuse us from behaving physically. Get to work. Train your body and make life easier. Strength is functional. If you are tossing a ball you are not making your body stronger; more coordinated maybe. Coordination is a part of strength not the entire equation. This is only functional in the short term. Making the muscles which toss the ball stronger in a more permanent way is functional for the rest of your life.

Motivation must be built just like a physical structure. Develop a little bit each day and the outcome is awesome. Believing it is inherent is what physically gifted individuals want us to think. I have seen people with few physical advantages go to world championships based on what they wanted to happen. The body follows the mind. If I think I am weak I am. If I think I am strong I am or will be. Be something. Don’t think something. If you want it you can have it.

Goals are important from a training perspective. Goals must be lofty and achievable. The canon of training goals pays motivation. Goals are set with athlete and coach together. Sub-goals are plainly outlined from long-term goals. Adjustments are made when short term goals are not met. In training, this is an art and a science. At Doc’s Gym we excel at this approach. We are old school and old school training works.

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