Experience teaches only the teachable: An Amatuer Strongman Log
[center]"Most competitors follow their base training methods with an extra day thrown in to practice the events or just switch their events in for like exercises in their normal routine. With the success seen by their peers it’s hard to argue with results and so they figure this must be the best way to train.
Or is it?"
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[right]- Mike Westerling, Strongman: A Complex, Mathemetical Problem
URL: [url]http://ironmillstrong.com/strongman-a-complex-mathematical-problem-part-1/[/url] [url]http://ironmillstrong.com/strongman-a-complex-mathematical-problem-part-2/[/url][/right]
I am a 20-year old strength athlete who knows enough to know he doesn't know enough. This journal will serve to share my experience in deviating from the dogma I've absorbed through peers in the strength community and most importantly, my ego, in my search the 'best way to train'. I recently have been training under very experienced strongmen in my preparations for teen strongman nationals. I came to my current trainer in search of the best possible peak phase for this contest and got a whole ****load more than I had been looking for. Through serious and joking criticism he (and other strongmen mentors) has helped me see the light and realize it is smarter - not HARDER - training that will lead to a longer, more successful, and injury-free strongman career. I will be emphasizing things like control, technique, speed, and flexibility and allowing strength to build by not beating my body into submission. I STRONGLY recommend reading the article that caused me to see the error of my ways (linked above).
My first full week of training (after nationals) went like this:
Monday
Close Grip Bench Press - 170x15
Pushup/Handstand Hold Medley - 3 x [20/:40]
Wednesday
Deadlift - 225x5 275x5 315x14
Bulgarian Split Squat - 3x12 @ BW
Pullup Medley - 3 Wide, 3 close, 3 neutral, 2 Wide, 2 close, 2 neutral, 1 wide, 1 close, 1 neutral
Face Pulls - 2x20 @ 80
Hanging Knee-ups - 2x12 @ BW
Thursday
Overhead (mix of push press and push jerk) - 135x5 155x5 185x5 200x10
Medley - 2 x [50 Dips, 50 Jump-ropes, 50 Burpees]
Also, here is my video from Teen Nationals victory on July 7th. Bruce is your reward for reading my journal
[youtube]GOYU2oUhd4o[/youtube]