Neck training has been discussed on this blog before, along with numerous related discussions within the forum.  Use of a weighted harness is one of the most common exercises for the neck.  Below is a video that shows a low-tech variation with bands (starts approximately 50 seconds in).

These band exercises are similar to a partner exercise that I often perform with a towel.  The athlete will hang his head off of a bench or over the end of a boxing ring.  The coach will then stand next to him with a towel draped over his head.  He’ll  apply resistance by pressing down with the towel, as the athlete resists with his neck (typically performed for slow, controlled reps).

With a partner and towel, you can train the neck in several directions.  The athlete will begin by lying on his back, then each side, and finally on his stomach.  Resistance bands can also be used in place of the towel.  The added benefit of the bands is that they are much more useful when performing these exercises alone while standing  (as seen within the video).

Ultimately, the neck is one of the most neglected areas.  All fighters should train the neck regularly.  Resistance bands are a useful tool to add to the neck training arsenal.

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.

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.