Good luck, man. Keep us updated.
well, here’s the news: april 23, houston, then off to st. kitts for the honeymoon. as far as the general stuff, i just started a really good job this week at rice university. after several months of lame temp work at random places and submitting hundreds of job applications in my new home of houston, i was temping at rice, waiting to hear if i got a permanent job for which i had applied. they offered and obviously i accepted. after probation is up, i’ll begin to take classes there. rice is the 17th-best doctorate-granting university in the US, so i’d be retarded not to take advantage of a tuition waiver. i have a BA already, so graduate work shall commence in the near future. other than that, we’ll be getting a new apartment shortly, maybe trading in our 4runner for a newer 4runner, and who knows what else.
after months of hesitance and anxiety over an upcoming marriage while not having a secure job, things are finally coalescing into something not just good, but brimming with potential. that tuition waiver? it applies to my woman, too, when she says “i do.”
now back on topic … thanks for all the tips. since i have the new job, i, too, can keep my CoC in my desk. when my coworkers wonder what that odd sound is, i’ll just say, “oh, nothing. i’m just squeezing my …”
as far as doing higher-volume squats first being counterproductive, i’m just thinking that any fatigue that occurs before i dead simply means i won’t be able to pull as much. a lack of pulling power means weaker gains, both in amount i can pull, as well as lessened improvement in other areas (like me traps, joints, etc.). it just seems to make more sense to do the low-volume work like 2x5 deads first, then go on to higher-volume stuff like 5x5 squats. that’s why i dead first, and why i’m hesitant to switch that up.
I am glad you can afford to buy a clubbell or two if you wanted to and I am sorry if you were offended what I wrote. Being cheap and frugal isnt a sin or even crime in my book and it is totally acceptable for those who have a limited budget and those who are unsure of the investment in such an equipment. If my opinion counts, then Kettlebells and Clubbells are good products and worth the long term investment toward your training. Health and fitness is a lifestyle for me and not a hobby. So my investment in KBs and Cbs makes sense in my world and maybe this does not any make sense for others? From my own experience, I have found them to be very useful in my own training. Out of my own curiousity, may I ask how long have you worked with your make shift clubbells? What is your opinion on Clubbell training? And is this type of equipment benficial to you?
I used leverage bars before I bought clubbells. I’d have to say they are basically the same thing. I didn’t feel as comfortable doing the ballistic exercises with leverage bars as I did with CB’s, but other than that, I don’t see much of a difference. A set of bulldog collars helps negate that.
At my old wing chun school, sifu Allan Lee had iron leverage bars of different widths, lengths, and weights and it was very effective for forearm and hand conditoning. While I agree that leverage bars are great inexpensive equipments. However they are not the best tool for CST exercises. I can not imagine doing some of the ballistic exercises using the leverage bars I used while studying at Allan Lee’s academy.
I’ve worked with my homemade clubbells for a month now. Probably twice a week. I do 2 sets of 4 exercises. I enjoy it very much and it has improved the stability of my shoulders. I had (and still have) some rotator cuff issues and wasn’t even sure if I would be able to use a clubbell. Fortunately I was able to do the training and see strength/stability gains.
I am sorry to hear about your shoulder problem and maybe you should go see a sport doctor. I believe it would be in your best interest and you dont want any future chronic problem later in your life or in your training. Personally I have indirectly injuired up my right shoulder from weight training, western boxing, wing chun, and unfortunately not too long ago from a grappling session at Sambo. However I have done rehab, used traditional chinese sport medicine treatments, and have exercise common sense. I hope you will recover soon and glad to see you have benefit from clubbell training. If you any questions about CST, I am more than happy to help in any way.
I have seen a couple doctors and there is no damage. I then went and got some ART therapy and this worked wonders for the shoulder. I’m on the road back to 100% but it is a long road. I’ve found that the clubbell work as well as swimming has helped in my recovery. Thanks for the concern. I was thinking about picking up Clubbell® Training For Circular Strength (the book) any rocommendations?
You can get the CST book if you want to understand the whole history, training theory, and periodization methodology behind Clubbell training as well as explain its difference from other leverage equipments. I would recommend it if you’re the brainy type who like details and principles. However if you are trying to save $$$ and arent much into reading and just want to learn the exercises and see ideal forms, then get the CST DVD instead. I hope this helps. By the way, it would ideal to have CST book and the DVD. LOL. I am almost close to my goal of doing a 100 reps (density program) of performance swipe and once I accomplish that goal. I shall challenge myself with Clubbell 45 bruiser and plan on developing my own program called TRINITY program. I think I can accomplish this 100 reps mark by next week, but I think it would be wise for me to rest up for my CST certification next week in Bellingham.
Congratulations RTB. If you are squatting and deadlifting the same day than I wouldn’t do 5 x 5 for either one. I would think that you could do 3 x 5 squats then 2 x 5 deadlifts. My theory is that you could get the same overall effect of lifting a heavier weight by lifting a lighter weight in a pre-fatigued state. Neurologically this may not be the ideal way to train for a max lift, so pulling first 2-4 times a month should keep you used to handling a heavy weight in your hands.
Rub, I do PTP in the mornings and twice a week a forearm workout at night. I do experience some fatigue, but I do a light forearm workout early in the week and a heavy one on Friday. I don’t do PTP on the weekends, but my grip is definitely fried on Saturday mornings. Choosing the days like I do means my lifts aren’t affected.
I wasn’t offended because the post wasn’t directed at me. I just pointed out that it was offensive to call someone cheap when you know nothing about them.
As for homemade clubbells, if you want to try out the exercises and see if it’s something that might work for you, why not knock something up at home and give it a try? Just load up one end of a dumbbell for example. You shouldn’t have to spend a heap of cash every thime you want to try something new. Then invest if you like the concept and want to take it further. Or just carry on with your one ended dumbbelss if they’re working for you.