RossTraining.com Blog

This shouldn’t come as a surprise…

Cancer Risks

Ross

A few weeks ago, I posted a link to the following video clip.  The blog entry was titled How Bad Do You Want It? 

After posting the video, I’ve received several messages from readers who had misinterpreted the meaning behind my original posting.  I was not suggesting that we make it a daily habit to train until we collapse.  Clearly, we need to push ourselves to improve, but a little common sense goes a long way.

I posted the video to demonstrate the potential of the body and mind. This ‘win at all costs’ mentality is very important as a competitive athlete.  You may never need to display this kind of courage, but it is something that great athletes have in their back pocket if necessary. 

For a combat specific example, take a look back at the first Ward vs. Gatti bout.  The 9th round says it all.  These two men were operating on heart and courage.  Everything else was depleted. 

Clearly, these men didn’t train to this level each day at the gym.  The extra reserve was there if needed however.  Unfortunately, not all athletes have this reserve.  Some athletes have heart, others will break when the going gets tough.  It is often heart that separates the great from the ordinary.  The physical qualities may be identical, but if one athlete has the drive to push through pain and fatigue, he will come out on top. 

And believe it or not, athletes do not worry about health when fighting through an intense battle.  The triathlete in the original video wasn’t worried about her health when she pushed through fatigue.  Only an athlete can understand.  We all know that it isn’t healthy.  Life isn’t just about health however.  Life involves taking risks and going after your dreams.  Some dreams may include danger along the way, but it is this danger that adds meaning to life.  As you push through the extreme challenge, you finally feel what it is to be alive.  If you quit along the way, you must live with it forever.  You can never go back and push through those final moments of pain. 

We only have one opportunity to live, and some have different interpretations of the world ‘live’.  This is similar to the deadlift thread from last week.  Some view the deadlift as dangerous, while others live to pull heavy loads from the floor. 

Once again, don’t worry if someone has different interests and motivations.  We must all live our own life.  Don’t try to live someone else’s as well.

Ross

I’ve learned a few things from my weekend deadlifting experience.  Unfortunately, what I’ve learned is probably not what you are expecting.  Here comes a rant…

I received a ton of email from people who wanted to know how my back was feeling.  It is as if they wanted me to be injured and unable to walk (thanks by the way), so they could somehow justify the use of bodyweight exercise over free weights.  Here is one message that I received on Tuesday. 

I still can’t believe that someone actually wrote this…

“I appreciate that you walk the walk, but haven’t you learned by now that deadlifting is dangerous.  I would have thought you were more intelligent.  I hope you are not out of action for too long after this careless experience.  It is people like you who keep chiropractors in business.  When you wake up stiff and sore, please learn from this experience.”

******

Sorry folks, but my back feels fine.  I woke up fresh and ready to run.  I actually put in a solid interval workout with Matt Godfrey, ranked #2 by the WBC and the current NABF cruiserweight champion. 

******

Now, back to the topic at hand.  If you are ever wondering why our world is so out of shape, here is one reason.  We live in a world where everyone wants to tell you what to do.  The bodyweight exercisers want to diss weights, and the weight lifters want to diss bodyweight exercise.  The newbie who is uncertain of what to do sees nothing but hostility between the exercise community, and decides to opt out.

Why don’t we become more open and receptive to other ideas?  In all honesty, why does anyone care what someone else does in the gym?  I’d rather see people pumping out high rep bicep curls rather than eating donuts and Bic Macs. 

But no, so many people in this industry would rather see someone crippled from a deadlift, so they can somehow justify their own system.  What gives?

Look, I’m all for exercise.  I do a little bit of everything.  I don’t care if you lift weights, sandbags, paint cans or people.  I honestly don’t care.  As long as you are doing something, you are doing more than most of the world.

And here is a news flash to those interested, deadlifts are not dangerous.  Ignorance is more dangerous than any exercise. 

Ross

After posting the last blog entry (regarding the 63 year ‘young’ woman), sh*t hit the fan.  I actually posted the link on my message board first.  Someone immediately chimed in that it was impossible to lift this kind of weight from the floor (which is ridiculous of course).  You can catch up on the thread at this link (it starts to heat up around the 8th page). 

What started as a joke, then turned into an out of control thread.  Considering that the thread has been posted on several other message boards, I’d like to explain…

First, I have no hard feelings against the individual who made the comments.  He manned up and apologized to everyone on the board.  Initially however, he tried to call me out (as a liar) for stating that I could lift the weight.  He then threw out a monetary challenge.  I responded by posting this video clip:

I must say however that I am sick and tired of keyboard jocks.  I bust my ass in the gym every day.  I don’t get to spend as much time with my wife and son as I’d like, as I’m always in the gym testing something or working with one of my athletes.  It’s how I pay the bills.  I am working with a fighter now for an up-coming pay-per-view bout, so the last thing that I should be doing is declaring war on the keyboard brigade. 

I respect anyone who busts his or her ass in the gym.  I have no respect however for those who have nothing better to do than criticize or doubt those who really do put in the work.  What is wrong with these people?  Why not spend the time improving yourself, rather than trying to hate on others?  This is essentially what happened on the message board, as this individual had called out several athletes.  Basically if he couldn’t do something, everyone else must have been lying. 

Look, I’m far from a powerlifter.  These guys would blow me away.  I have never trained for powerlifting and probably never will.  I tip my hats to these athletes for doing things that I cannot do.  We are involved in different sports, but my respect carries over to any sport where others are busting their ass.  If someone does something that I can’t do, I’m going to tip my hat to them and offer my congrats.  I’m not going to start calling someone out as a liar.  Those who do need to find other things to do with their spare time. 

Life is too short already, so why waste it hating on others. Spend the time working to improve yourself, and we’ll all be better off.

Ross

For those who use age as an excuse to avoid exercise, I suggest that you take a look at this woman’s site:

Built Old Lady

This woman is 63 years young, and can deadlift 275 pounds.  She is a NASA USA National Powerlifting champion.  What makes her accomplishments even more impressive however is that she didn’t start training until 2003. 

Now who said that you are too old to exercise?  This woman didn’t begin until she was approaching age 60, and now she is competing as a powerlifter. 

She is living proof that the body can accomplish much more than most will ever realize.  There are action takers and action fakers.  Some people wake up each morning and GO FOR IT, while others sit back and wonder why nothing falls in their lap. 

New flash - If you want something, go and get it.  If you don’t get it, work harder until you do.  That is the real secret to success (commonly referred to as busting your ass).

Have a great weekend,

Ross

It’s amazing how what he said is still true today. 

Enjoy,

Ross

I’m all for all combat sports, and happy to see boxing make a nice comeback this year.  There have been some great bouts, with many others lined up in the near future (ex. Cotto vs. Mosley).

Here is a brief video that shows some of the year’s highlights.

Enjoy,

Ross

I posted a Team Hoyt blog entry earlier this year, but just received this video clip through email.  I like to think that I’m a great father, but I don’t think anyone can stack up to Dick Hoyt.  He’s a true inspiration. 

Prepare to be choked up watching…

Ross

Adding more fresh vegetables to your diet is always a good idea.  This shouldn’t come as a surprise.  The article below is not directly related to this subject, but is interesting nonetheless…

Diet For A Small Planet

Enjoy,

Ross

Patrick - I’ve been trying to respond to your email, but it keeps bouncing back.  You mentioned that you read the blog, so perhaps you can leave a message here.  If not, you can message me through the forum (http://www.rosstraining.com/forum).

Thanks,

Ross