I regularly receive questions from athletes who have experienced ankle injuries while competing.  Resistance bands are one of the best tools to prevent injury to the ankle.  If you are consistent with the bands, ankle problems will be a thing of the past.

Below is one excellent video from Dick Hartzell, the founder of Jump Stretch.

Following my last entry, I came across two additional videos from the same Youtube channel.  Both focus on strength and conditioning for parkour.  The first video is from 2006, while the sequel was added in 2010.

Each video demonstrates the potential for low-tech gymless training.  The video creators have  turned their surrounding environments into highly effective training areas.  The results speak for themselves…

Part 1

Part 2

Below is a documentary on parkour that was recently posted to my Facebook page.

The embedded player includes all four parts.  The arrows on each side of the player can be used to navigate from one part to the next.

The full playlist can also be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=98E854F495913919

As stated by the creators of this documentary:

Made by practitioners, we have tried our best to ensure that this short film gives the most accurate information possible about parkour and the methods and ideas behind it. It is a deliberate departure from the typical ‘media parkour’ you might see on TV and aims to provide reliable information to both newcomers and experienced practitioners alike.

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I am fascinated at the amazing abilities of these parkour enthusiasts.  These individuals regularly defy the limits of the human body.  I’m also a fan of their training methods.  There is no better example that showcases the potential of low-tech (often equipment-free) training.

Although I’ve never participated in parkour, I truly enjoyed this brief documentary.  I recommend this film to anyone with any interest in physical culture.

The video below was sent to me by a proud daughter.  Within the clip, you’ll see her parents (who are also grandparents) training for the Tough Mudder obstacle course.

In the words of their daughter,

“One of the things I like the best is they do a lot of training together (even though they are very different sizes), and always have a fun and playful attitude. My mom just took her first parkour class a few weeks ago, and they are constantly looking for new challenges. They are great parents, grandparents, and role models.”

This brief compilation video is awesome on so many levels.  Not only are these grandparents in excellent shape, but it is also obvious that they have a great time together (while tackling difficult challenges).  I certainly hope to follow their example later in life.

Thanks to Kami for passing this video along, and thanks to Mark and Cathy for the inspiration.

Tyler Carron became a double amputee after a tragic car accident on January 15th, 2007. He and his best friend, Nikko Landeros, were struck from behind while changing a tire on the side of the road. Fortunately, these young men refused to give up on life after the tragic accident.  Both were recently named to the 2010-11 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.

Tyler also recently took part in his first ever bodybuilding competition.  A related story can be found at the link below:

Ft. Collins bodybuilder without legs an inspiration

An accompanying video can also be seen:

I’ve never had any interest in bodybuilding, but I certainly tip my hat to Tyler for getting up on stage and competing.  While some people complain about how their feet hurt or that their legs are tired, Tyler gets by without either.  He’s gone on with life and has inspired many.

Thanks to Brian for passing along the story.

In the video below, bodybuilder Kai Greene discusses the significance of rage as it relates to training intensity.

I enjoyed this short clip as I understand Kai’s message.  There is a time when it is useful to call upon the rage that lies within.  Harnessing this rage does not make you a bad person.  It often just confirms that you are human.

In listening to Kai, two particular lines stuck out to me:

“There’s something else that has to be motivating me…”

This simple line carries a powerful message.  To stand out from the crowd, you’ve got to push yourself to another level.  You can’t conform to the norm when trying to be (or do) something that isn’t normal.  I’m a different person in the gym than when I’m around friends and family.  I’m not an angry person, but I can put myself in another state of mind.

Kai shares a similar belief…

“Be able to call on that when I need to, and that’s what makes me proficient at my job…”

You don’t need to live your life as a raging lunatic.  You can however call upon the rage and intensity (or whatever you want to call it) when necessary.  I might laugh with my children at night, but early in the morning when I’m back in the gym, I go somewhere else.  I’m not a happy-go-lucky person in the gym.  I’m  focused and intense.  I can’t find this intensity if I’m not in the right state of mind.

I prefer to train alone.  I’m not looking to make small talk in the gym.  I don’t care what you did last night or what you are doing tonight.  I don’t want to be bothered or interrupted.  When I’m in the gym, I like the music loud.  I might get loud myself.  I often pace back and forth between sets.  I may grunt, scream, and mumble obscenities.  I probably look and sound like a lunatic.  Fortunately for me, no one is watching.

Find What Works For You

Please don’t misinterpret the message behind this entry.  I’m not suggesting that you act like me.  I’m simply sharing some of the things that go on inside my head.  I love the intensity.  There is no way I would achieve the same results if I trained peacefully with opera music playing in the background.

It’s also worth noting that such rage and intensity are not required for general health and fitness.  You can certainly get in shape with a more peaceful approach.  I do however believe that certain activities require a more intense state of mind.  For example, if I’m training a fighter, I want him to be ready for war inside the ring.   He needs to find that intensity in the gym.  You can’t live without it and expect to find it on fight night.  The intensity must be harnessed all along when training.

How You Do What You Do

I’ve often said that how you do what you do is more important than what you do.  This is particularly true for those who bring real intensity to the gym.  While training tools and styles are often debated, many forget to consider the significance of the individual factors.  Intensity is one of these factors.

I don’t care what program you follow.  If the intensity and drive isn’t there, you aren’t going to achieve anything significant.  Conversely, if you are truly committed with raging intensity, you are likely to do well with almost anything, as no matter what you do, you’ll constantly be seeking out a greater challenge.

I believe my greatest strengths are my intensity and competitive drive.  I like to be challenged and I like to challenge myself.  I want to feel like a beast in the gym.  I want to feel and harness the rage.  Once I hit beast mode, I feel like I can do anything.

Below is a neat video that I came across on Youtube. Within the clip, you’ll hear what has become a well known speech from the most recent Rocky movie. I actually posted the original scene to the blog a few years ago, but this display of kinetic typography is worth a look as well.

“We acquire the strength we have overcome.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson