Thursday, August 23, 2012

Weekend Q&A - For me and Podcast

All questions welcome.  BOOM!

47 comments:

  1. Paul,
    First of all thanks for all of the great info/wisdom you put out on this site, discovered this blog in the summer and it has really helped me to see that squats and milk is not the be all end all for skinny guys.
    Question, I remember you mentioning on here somewhere that the Deadlift is not a good muscle building exercise (correct me if you didn't write that). If this is true, why so? Conventional wisdom when it comes to mass gaining says that you have to deadlift, is that incorrect?

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    1. Joe, did you buy my book? Totally explained it in detail in there. I write it so you can read it. ;)

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    2. Fair point, looks like i'll be making a purchase very soon!

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  2. I have this weird elbow pain whenever I try to extend my arms fully downward, in like a farmer's walk static hold, or when I bring it up fully in the curl or the incline press. It is mostly in the muscle surrounding the "funny" bone. Any thoughts on what this could be and how to treat it. I had an off day scheduled today from the gym, but I do manual labor so completely resting it probably won't happen. I bought an ace neoprene sleeve for temporary relief and will see how that goes with lifting tomorrow. Love the site man, thanks for taking your time to keep this blog updated so frequently.

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    1. Just sounds like you need more forearm/bicep work and the sleeves. Try that first and see what happens.......

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  3. I tore my psoas on my second attempt deadlift at a meet this Saturday gone. So I have switched to light sumo pulls. I can still squat fine. Been taking lots of naproxen. I need advice on how to rehab this, I have the feeling that it tore simply because it was weak and shortened. So obviously the first thing that comes to mind is wait for the pain to go away then stretch it and work on decline sit-ups. But I'm fumbling around in the dark here

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    1. Dude I'm out of advice on this one. Never had that particular problem. I'd either save money and google some shit, or go see a PT........

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    2. OK :(
      What is the usual go ahead for muscle tears? Like if you tore your bicep, how would you rehab it? I assume the process would be the same as it's a muscle like any other

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    3. Reccomendations for a guy with 2 bulging discs who can't do any spinal loading for a while. What template would you use. Can still train upper body, and hopefully progress to unilateral lower body in a month or so. Trains 4-5 times per week.

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    4. You got it. Train upperbody every damn day if you want. Go for it. Then get to the unilateral work when you are cleared.

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  4. Hey Paul, not a question. I posted earlier this week about a very difficult kid at my camp counselor job. I was actually talking to him today and we had a great discussion. Turns out this kid had a scumbag dad who did a bunch of drugs and got kicked out of his house; so this kid hasn't had a dad since he was 4ish and he's like 12. No father and behavioral problems. Coincidence? Anyway, so I just thought I'd share that because I think it's an interesting thought of what you mentioned a few days ago. How to be a a man and whatnot. Thanks Paul.

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    1. Right. So basically the kid was acting out because of lack of parental love and attention. That's almost always the case.

      Glad you got it worked out man!

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  5. Question just for you. Whats your favorite template to run with the Strong-15? Im sure Im majoring in the minors with a template question. I just have a meet in November and want to make sure Im down the right path. Thanks for all the free info and congrats on the book. The life advice in there is well worth the $25 alone.

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  6. Two:

    What's the oldest/youngest age range for a chick you or Jamie would hook up with - assuming you were both single?

    Worst ideas you guys have ever had in the gym/while training (and actually tried)?

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  7. You didn't answer this question earlier so I thought I'd post it here again.

    As far as I could tell you advocate short rests between sets of assistance (60 seconds or less I think).
    Doing 5x10, would you then keep the weight constant on all the sets?

    Also, my hip has been bothering me for some months now and I haven't really had any serious injury before. It occurred after I first strained something on Deadlifts then I went on like a retard and squatted with the greatest buttwink in history of mankind.
    Basically it originates on my left hip, somewhat under the glute. Is it the piriformis? And if so, know of any particular good stretches?

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    1. Sounds like piriformis. LOL did you get my book? ;)

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    2. I did actually! Just couldn't find the answer in there, but I think I found it now. Thanks for confirming my suspicion on the piriformis! Been stretching it all day.

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  8. I'm really into muay thai. Do you believe that there is anything extra I can do in the gym (unconventional exercises, Oly lifts, box jumps) to improve the power of my striking, or is it strictly a matter of practice and technique?

    I also have a bum shoulder that has subluxated in the past during left hooks and bench presses. It's a problem because I can't always turn my shoulder into jabs and have to be kind of squared up with my opponent to throw it with any power and without the fear of a dislocation. I can't even do Turkish get-ups or face pulls without clicking and a feeling like it's close to popping out of the socket. My thoracic mobility is pretty good and I overhead press a lot. Do you have any suggestions or am I shit out of luck here?

    I appreciate your time.

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    1. Not sure on how to fix it. I know my left pec minor, the side with the separation in the joint, can hurt on left hooks but jabs are ok.

      I'd give internal rotation a strong look. Try em standing with a cable or bands.

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    2. Bruce Lee liked to combine good 'ole strength training with band-resisted kicks against a heavy bag. However, I do remember reading a study that talked about how the more specific you get with resistance training in regards to trying to improve a martial blow, the more it can hinder your performance/technique. So using weights in your hands for punches, or ankle weights on your legs for kicks *might* lead to slower strikes. I guess it boils down to that old adage of trying it, and if it works, keep doing it?

      Though, if it's good for Lee, it's good for me. And, Lee did utilize the Clean & Press/Jerk as well, so... do both for elite pwness!?

      Also, you transfer a lot of power in kicks through the lats, so doing power-related lat movements will probably do a body good too. Once you're shoulder is healthy, you could try your hand at Jamie's "Legends."

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  9. deadlift has sucked forever. I think it's due to a weak back/weak and not flexible hamstrings. Thought about pulling from the floor less and doing rack pulls 2-3x a week from various heights and weights with strict form that puts the pressure on my back. (I'm also running a lot now as well so the added break from legs is nice). Horrible idea, or worth pursuing? I forsee pulling from the floor once every 2-3 weeks.

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    1. You could try, or you could refine your technique a bit and see if you can find that "sweet spot".

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  10. How do you balance lifting with life and shit? I want concrete anecdotal answers more like "a day in the life" kind of thing if you don't mind. I ask because I recently got hired for my first job and it's a fucking pain in the ass to cook my own meals, bring some extra clothes, and get enough energy after sitting in front of a desk for 9 hours. Not to mention my commute to and from work and the actual work itself.

    I'd specifically want Jamie's opinion since that mofo trains 69 times a week which makes it more astounding plus he eats like 30lbs of meat on bone, making me wonder how the fuck does he buy and cook all that shit.

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    1. I'm probably in a similar boat. I have an hour commute each way, and the gym I train at adds another 20 minutes to that. I leave my house at 8:30 in the morning and get home around 10 p.m. on training days.

      It's all just planning. The biggest pain is food. Just cook in big batches and ration out your meals the night before or even a couple days worth at a time. I've been doing it long enough that I don't even think about it.

      I'm interested to hear this addressed on the podcast. I've wondered the same thing about how someone with higher training frequency deals with this.

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  11. I would love if you and Jamie would tell us stories of guys shitting or vomintig during heavy squats and deads :)

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  12. what do you think of lance armstrong and doping? do you care?

    http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/08/23/armstrong-ending-fight-against-doping-charges-putting-7-tour-titles-at-risk/

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    1. Bikers dope more than any athlete out there. I can't see why anyone would be offended really.

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  13. In Strong 15 and any other powerlifting program, How does the author know what percentages to use?

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    1. The percentages are in the strong-15 program. I'm not sure what you're asking.

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    2. I think he's asking how you chose those particular percentages in your program. You know, like whether it's based off of years of experience and logical thinking or if the numbers were passed down to you from a magical toilet bowl apparition.

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    3. Well we've got decades and decades of anecdotal evidence from former greats all the way to guys in their garages and basements that kind of figure these things out. No different than my programming. It's based off of what I have used for so long that worked best for me, and the guys I trained.

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  14. Paul,
    You and Wendler look like badasses with your shaved heads. I'm folicaly challanged but can't take the plunge to shave my head. Any advice?

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  15. Assuming Silvester wanted to direct a movie based on yours and jamie's choices. Who would you guys choose for the action hero role? assuming you guys can pick any jacked person in the world. What would the plot be?
    I'm gonna watch expendables 2 thats why I thought of this.
    And dont pick yourselves. I'm pretty sure if this really happened you guys would just pick yourselves and the plot would be to fuck your way out of a woman prison where all the inmates and guards are megan fox and mila kunis

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  16. For the show- both you and Jamie:

    Who are your top 3 most respected athletes (can be any sport) of all time and why?

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  17. Podcast question: if you guys could go back in time to witness one feat of strength, what would that be?

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  18. Hey Paul, I've been doing the SPPC challenge with great results recently, after ignominious beginnings caused by AWFUL eating. I'm not "dieting" - i got a decent job and mentally un-fucked myself so I no longer need to use food as a crutch.

    Here's my actual question - I hit 185 for sets of 10,8,6,5,5,5 on the military press about a month ago. It was a HUGE goal and I'm happy. I've been doing a lot more pulling and squatting and all my presses have been hit hard. What do I do? Switch to another exercise? start light and bang out some high volume pressing?

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    1. Go for 195-205 or pick a new press and try a new goal.

      And congrats!

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  19. Thanks but sorry, I should've been more clear: I can't press *shit*. I Military Pressed 185 for an awful, shaky 4 today - but like I said: lots of squats/pulls. Currently doing 100 weighted (25lbs) chins during one of my 3 workouts and using the 10,8,6,5,5,5 scheme for squats and/or deads once a week. All this while running hills 2-3 times a week.

    So yeah, recovery has been hit hard, but the volume has improved my technique dramatically and I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm fine with whatever you suggest - I'm just happy that I'm making progress again.

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  20. Question for the podcast

    Are there any bodybuilders you guys are fans/respect the shit out of ? Most powerlifters and strength enthusiasts seem to dislike bodybuilders, even the ones ( specially the ones ) that are actually strong as an ox, for some reason. And in line with this I'd love to know yours and Jaime's thoughts on the latest trend that is to shit/hate on bodybuilders.

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  21. Paul what kind of Protein you takin' brah? You swole.

    Jamie if your girl asks you if she could smash Lexington Steele while you watch on the sideline would you let her? If yes when can I come over mothafucka?!

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  22. So Paul you seem to be fond of Kirk Shrugs lately, any particular reason?

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    1. Just something different. New movements are always fun.

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  23. How to go about explaining your diet while on a date or meeting a woman for the first time. Specifically, if the diet is very detailed (something along the lines of a Keto diet that Jamie is a fan of) how would you try to explain it and not sound crazy or like a complete tool? Obviously you could just try to avoid talking about it in the first place but if it comes up how would you handle it especially if you're the type of person who doesn't like to talk about your diet/training with people who don't really care anyway

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