Here are some clips of me reverse band deadlifting. The first is with 635, the second with 685.
I'm pretty pleased with the progress overall, but I need to continue working on the hammies (via the GHR) to get my hips a little lower and get more leg drive. It's hard to tell from these clips if my hips are always that high, or if I'm simply adjusting to how the bands are loading me (e.g. more need for hip extension strength at the top).
Time will tell - getting stronger, though.
Stay strong
MR
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Reverse Band Deadlift
JW Front Squat
Instead of writing something inspirational today, I thought I'd throw up some training clips of myself and my buddy Justin Ware.
Justin has been a trooper - 6 months ago he was on his way to a rotator cuff or labral tear, or maybe just some serious lower extremity issues. He talked to Bill Hartman (who has fixed up his upper body) and me (who fixed up his lower body).
Justin couldn't squat to save his life. His hip and ankle mobility was terrible, and he was actually getting numbness and tingling in his legs just from sitting!
We employed a basic plan to get him moving better - tons of soft tissue work, acute corrective static stretching, and basic mobility drills. As you can tell from this video (his first time squatting in over 6 months) he's got a little way to go, but that's a damn good front squat
without heels!
Start squatting like Justin - check out Magnificent Mobility today!
Keep training hard
MR
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Dazed and Confused
As I was sitting here, about to type up my intended blog entry for the day, something hit me:
Why is fitness in general such a mess?
Why is it that even though we KNOW more than ever, we're fatter than ever? Or less mobile than ever? Or quite simply, less healthy than ever before?
Let's be honest - there's a ridiculous amount of training information out there nowadays, and almost everyone has access to it. I spent 2.5 hours hanging out with Bill Hartman today, and I wish I could've audio taped the entire thing.
But that's not the problem. Lack of information IS NOT the problem. Quite simply, it's a matter of willpower and motivation.
You want to eat get lean - but are you willing to eat in such a way to achieve that goal?
You want to get strong - but are you willing to train your ass off, day-in and day-out, to achieve that goal?
Are you willing to get off your duff and do some mobility drills instead of sitting like Quazi Modo in front of your computer all day?
If anything, this is a call-to-arms. Quit blaming your lack of success, both now and in the past, on extrinsic factors.
YOU have the ability to change - but it takes a hell of a lot more than "wanting" to do it.
Stay strong
MR
Why is fitness in general such a mess?
Why is it that even though we KNOW more than ever, we're fatter than ever? Or less mobile than ever? Or quite simply, less healthy than ever before?
Let's be honest - there's a ridiculous amount of training information out there nowadays, and almost everyone has access to it. I spent 2.5 hours hanging out with Bill Hartman today, and I wish I could've audio taped the entire thing.
But that's not the problem. Lack of information IS NOT the problem. Quite simply, it's a matter of willpower and motivation.
You want to eat get lean - but are you willing to eat in such a way to achieve that goal?
You want to get strong - but are you willing to train your ass off, day-in and day-out, to achieve that goal?
Are you willing to get off your duff and do some mobility drills instead of sitting like Quazi Modo in front of your computer all day?
If anything, this is a call-to-arms. Quit blaming your lack of success, both now and in the past, on extrinsic factors.
YOU have the ability to change - but it takes a hell of a lot more than "wanting" to do it.
Stay strong
MR
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Insight from the Experts
"Insight from the Experts" is a compilation project that I've developed to thank all my newsletter subscribers for their loyalty to myself and Robertson Training Systems.
If you're not a newsletter subscriber, check out the list of authors who have contributed to this project:
Craig Ballantyne
Chad Waterbury
Eric Cressey
Brijesh Patel
Mike Roussell
Tony Gentilcore
Zach Even-Esh
Craig Rasmussen
Nick Grantham
Joe Stankowski
AJ Roberts
Kevin Larrabee
Jimmy Smith
Keith Scott
Jonathan Fass
Mike Yuhaniak
Needless to say, I think it's a great project and the initial feedback has been great.
If you're interested, all you have to do is go over to my website (www.RobertsonTrainingSystems.com) and sign-up for the newsletter. Once you've signed up and opted in, you'll receive a link to download the special report. It's that easy!
Again, thanks to Lisa Holliday for her help in creating the project, as well as all the authors who have contributed. I couldn't have done it without all of you!
Best
MR
If you're not a newsletter subscriber, check out the list of authors who have contributed to this project:
Craig Ballantyne
Chad Waterbury
Eric Cressey
Brijesh Patel
Mike Roussell
Tony Gentilcore
Zach Even-Esh
Craig Rasmussen
Nick Grantham
Joe Stankowski
AJ Roberts
Kevin Larrabee
Jimmy Smith
Keith Scott
Jonathan Fass
Mike Yuhaniak
Needless to say, I think it's a great project and the initial feedback has been great.
If you're interested, all you have to do is go over to my website (www.RobertsonTrainingSystems.com) and sign-up for the newsletter. Once you've signed up and opted in, you'll receive a link to download the special report. It's that easy!
Again, thanks to Lisa Holliday for her help in creating the project, as well as all the authors who have contributed. I couldn't have done it without all of you!
Best
MR
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
A Question Regarding Bulletproof Knees
Q&A
I read over your Bulletproof Knees site and at first was a little worried that I may know most of the information contained. I've subscribed to a program very similar to the ones outlined in your postural and hip strengthening articles. I've already used a lot of posterior chain exercises with many of the 1-leg variations. In fact, I have intense pain while performing a movement like the squat (or sitting down into or out of a chair), so since January, I have not squatted and have mostly strengthened the posterior chain.
Bulletproof Knees is a comprehensive resource when it comes to post-rehab and performance based knee training. Is there going to be overlap with regards to what I've discussed in my articles? Absolutely! However, just because you've seen or heard of many of the exercises or training tools before doesn't mean they're being correctly applied into your current training program.
One point I'd like to make is in reference to an earlier blog post about people always looking for "new" information. I understand the want and need for "new" information, but the fact of the matter is we already have a lot of the answers out there - we're simply not APPLYING THE CONCEPTS properly.
It's like a great set of tools; you could have the finest tools known to man, but if you aren't using them properly, you're not going to maximize their performance. The same could be said with your training program: Using the right tools for the job is part of the battle, but the other part is using them correctly.
I know and understand that this manual can't solve everyone's problems; I'd be a fool if I did. However, I firmly believe that many people out there are suffering from debilitating knee pain because no one has taken the time to help them overcome their limitations. I may not get you to 100% of what you were in your prime, but I feel like this manual can get you to your best current functional outcome, whatever that may be.
I can't magically heal torn or repaired ACL's, I can't prevent structural biomechanical abnormalities, and I can't reverse the effects of osteoarthritis. But I CAN help you make the best of what you've got, and that's why I created this manual. Good luck!
Stay strong
MR
I read over your Bulletproof Knees site and at first was a little worried that I may know most of the information contained. I've subscribed to a program very similar to the ones outlined in your postural and hip strengthening articles. I've already used a lot of posterior chain exercises with many of the 1-leg variations. In fact, I have intense pain while performing a movement like the squat (or sitting down into or out of a chair), so since January, I have not squatted and have mostly strengthened the posterior chain.
Bulletproof Knees is a comprehensive resource when it comes to post-rehab and performance based knee training. Is there going to be overlap with regards to what I've discussed in my articles? Absolutely! However, just because you've seen or heard of many of the exercises or training tools before doesn't mean they're being correctly applied into your current training program.
One point I'd like to make is in reference to an earlier blog post about people always looking for "new" information. I understand the want and need for "new" information, but the fact of the matter is we already have a lot of the answers out there - we're simply not APPLYING THE CONCEPTS properly.
It's like a great set of tools; you could have the finest tools known to man, but if you aren't using them properly, you're not going to maximize their performance. The same could be said with your training program: Using the right tools for the job is part of the battle, but the other part is using them correctly.
I know and understand that this manual can't solve everyone's problems; I'd be a fool if I did. However, I firmly believe that many people out there are suffering from debilitating knee pain because no one has taken the time to help them overcome their limitations. I may not get you to 100% of what you were in your prime, but I feel like this manual can get you to your best current functional outcome, whatever that may be.
I can't magically heal torn or repaired ACL's, I can't prevent structural biomechanical abnormalities, and I can't reverse the effects of osteoarthritis. But I CAN help you make the best of what you've got, and that's why I created this manual. Good luck!
Stay strong
MR
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
"There's Nothing New Here"
I HATE IT when people say that.
I know, I know - hate is a strong word. But this is one statement that I can't stand.
Why do people always assume that if something isn't NEW, it's not useful? Could it be that we already have access to tons of answers, but we aren't applying the skills or concepts correctly?
In all honesty, I feel like the people that are always looking for "something new" are really missing the boat. They're so caught up in learning something new, trendy or that shows off their "knowledge," they probably aren't getting the most out of what they already know.
Next time you read an article, attend a seminar, or purchase a fitness info product, forget about finding something new. If you should in fact find something new, GREAT! But if not, don't worry about it. Instead, focus on taking what you've learned and applying it more appropriately into your current regimen. Quite often, you'll find a lot of the tools are already in your toolbox - but maybe you're using the wrong tool for the job. After all, a screwdriver does a great job of inserting screws, but it does a crappy job of driving nails!
Sometimes it's not about finding a better tool, but becoming more skilled with the tools you already own.
Stay strong
MR
I know, I know - hate is a strong word. But this is one statement that I can't stand.
Why do people always assume that if something isn't NEW, it's not useful? Could it be that we already have access to tons of answers, but we aren't applying the skills or concepts correctly?
In all honesty, I feel like the people that are always looking for "something new" are really missing the boat. They're so caught up in learning something new, trendy or that shows off their "knowledge," they probably aren't getting the most out of what they already know.
Next time you read an article, attend a seminar, or purchase a fitness info product, forget about finding something new. If you should in fact find something new, GREAT! But if not, don't worry about it. Instead, focus on taking what you've learned and applying it more appropriately into your current regimen. Quite often, you'll find a lot of the tools are already in your toolbox - but maybe you're using the wrong tool for the job. After all, a screwdriver does a great job of inserting screws, but it does a crappy job of driving nails!
Sometimes it's not about finding a better tool, but becoming more skilled with the tools you already own.
Stay strong
MR
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