Lies, Lies, Lies

I'll never forget the first time I lifted a barbell. I was in my cousin's basement laying on a bench at a monstrous 125 pounds. He asked me, "What weight do you think you can do 10 times for a bench press?" I said, "Ahhhh, how about just the bar?" And I struggled to get that bar up 10 times. But it was there, in that basement, that I "learned" how to lift weights... The classic rules applied- body part split with a lot of isolation movements (i.e. curls, tricep extensions, calf raises, etc.). And I continued that for many years getting pretty much no where. But the thing was, I noticed just about everybody else in the gym doing the same exact thing! Monday was bench day, Tuesday was arms day, Wednesday was back/shoulder day, Thursday was calf day, and Friday was... whatever I felt like.

I'm here to tell you that this type of program will (a) not get you anywhere near fit, (b) will get you sub-par strength, and (c) and sub-par results in strength and asthetics. You and I were lied to... The majority of your lifting should consist of the major lifts. Squats, Deadlifts, Presses, Pullups, and Benching should be the focal point of your training regimine... Why? Simple.

I am borrowing this train of thought from Pat Sherwood a head trainer at CrossFit HQ... Why am I training? Well, it's really simple. I want to move heavy stuff long distances as quickly as possible. Now.

Heavy stuff = Big loads = Force

Long distances = Distance

Quickly = Time

Some simple High School Science

Force * Distance = Work

_________________

Time= Power

It's a bit difficult doing math equations using this blogger, but the basis of the premise is that Force times Distance = Work. Divide that equation by Time, and you get POWER. Power on- tap. Hulk like power. Power that can be applied to any situation you find yourself in. Pulling out bushes from the ground, jacking up a flat tire on the highway, playing football, bringing in groceries- endless applications.

My goal is to generate raw power, and the most efficient way that has both been proven with actual numbers and in my own routines over the years has been modeling my training program around those core lifts. So, ditch those bicep curls and "skull crushers," and pick up some functional movements... Trust me, you'll be glad you did. I know I was.

You can see Pat Sherwood's lecture (under 4 minutes) here: http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_SherwoodWhyFunctional.wmv