Comments on: Mandatory Muscle – Here’s 3 Basic Requirements Of Strength You Should Be Shooting For http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/ Workout routines, video tutorials and fitness articles that produce results Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:38:32 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: diamond http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-5409 diamond Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:28:43 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-5409 When pullups become easy, take a bath towel, fold it over twice, throw on top of a sturdy door, and do door pullups. You can kiss your forearms goodbye after the first session.. great workout. When pullups become easy, take a bath towel, fold it over twice, throw on top of a sturdy door, and do door pullups. You can kiss your forearms goodbye after the first session.. great workout.

]]> By: gary http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4991 gary Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:12:01 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4991 Chris its not your body weight on a bar it's you doing free squats[no bar no weight just you] Chris its not your body weight on a bar it’s you doing free squats[no bar no weight just you]

]]> By: Andrew http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4960 Andrew Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:41:24 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4960 Hey um, I don't have an adjustable bar, only got one hanging on top, do you think reverse pull ups or chin ups are good. If they are, how many seconds should I hold it at the top and how many seconds to go down. Also how should i be breathing for that? Thanks Hey um, I don’t have an adjustable bar, only got one hanging on top, do you think reverse pull ups or chin ups are good. If they are, how many seconds should I hold it at the top and how many seconds to go down. Also how should i be breathing for that? Thanks

]]> By: Rannoch http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4831 Rannoch Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:30:32 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4831 Hombre! Thanks for pitching in. You are on the money. The speed ball analogy is a good one. And it's the consistent practice that makes this stuff come together. People find it easier to be average at everything and a master of none. And another point, like Marcus says, mix it up. I teach 10 push up variations at my workshops. We teach 5 squat variations. For pull ups, check the clips at Simple Strength. I will post a clip of this drill this week end. Hombre! Thanks for pitching in. You are on the money. The speed ball analogy is a good one. And it’s the consistent practice that makes this stuff come together. People find it easier to be average at everything and a master of none.

And another point, like Marcus says, mix it up. I teach 10 push up variations at my workshops. We teach 5 squat variations. For pull ups, check the clips at Simple Strength.

I will post a clip of this drill this week end.

]]> By: Marcus http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4821 Marcus Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:06:23 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4821 If something is easy then why do it. If you struggle to do pull-ups like most people do then don't avoid them do them and do them at the start of a work out to get them out the way. Like Rannoch says conssitency is the key. I train with guys who can do Lat Pulls with strict form with much more than their body weight but they struggle with the pull ups. Remember you have different pulls, ones incorporating the arms or wide using the back. The tendency people have is when using wide grip to start using their arms more than their lats which are the huge big muscles that shift your body up to the bar. Like R says, if you can do 3 then do 3 do something else then try again and keep trying until you get there. Mix it up do the negative portion only once every few weeks and see your regular chins soar. It's not rocket science guys. And remember the chin bar is like the speed ball in a boxing gym. The most under used bit off equipment, why? Simply because it's a little harder to get the hang off. Anyway bash on with this good routine and stop flaffing. And yes, women can do chins. If something is easy then why do it. If you struggle to do pull-ups like most people do then don’t avoid them do them and do them at the start of a work out to get them out the way. Like Rannoch says conssitency is the key. I train with guys who can do Lat Pulls with strict form with much more than their body weight but they struggle with the pull ups. Remember you have different pulls, ones incorporating the arms or wide using the back. The tendency people have is when using wide grip to start using their arms more than their lats which are the huge big muscles that shift your body up to the bar. Like R says, if you can do 3 then do 3 do something else then try again and keep trying until you get there. Mix it up do the negative portion only once every few weeks and see your regular chins soar. It’s not rocket science guys. And remember the chin bar is like the speed ball in a boxing gym. The most under used bit off equipment, why? Simply because it’s a little harder to get the hang off. Anyway bash on with this good routine and stop flaffing. And yes, women can do chins.

]]> By: Jesus Sanchez http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4818 Jesus Sanchez Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:39:56 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4818 Here is a great link to a web site run by Jason Ferruggia that covers how to improve the Pull Up (which seems to be the biggest weakness amongst us ALL on this post). http://jasonferruggia.com/top-10-ways-to-improve-your-pull-ups/ Blessings, Jesus Here is a great link to a web site run by Jason Ferruggia that covers how to improve the Pull Up (which seems to be the biggest weakness amongst us ALL on this post).

http://jasonferruggia.com/top-10-ways-to-improve-your-pull-ups/

Blessings,
Jesus

]]> By: Rannoch http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4817 Rannoch Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:54:59 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4817 Michael H - ATG is the ideal but parallel or below is good. Full asian style squats are best for body weight but only is you can get there comfrotably. You will build the depth over time simple by doing them. Clement - Single limb drills are a logical extension for this but not recommended til you crank out the basics with ease. Also, for sinlge limb drills I'd be much more conservative on the numbers to avoid any tendon issues. Chris Beardsley - These drill as all body weight so if you are talking about adding the bar you are well on your way already! Laura - Pull ups are more challenging for women but 10 is completely doable. Just start with what you've got. Consistency will deliver results. Remember, this is base line stuff butthat doesn't mean it is easy. Loop a stretch band round a pull up bar, stick your feet in the loop and use that to get reps as you groove the move. Sam - Just work the numbers round. Nothing stopping you doing single reps for example to finish the set out. Get creative! Dave - I am 47 Hombre. Age is nothing. Fitness is not fixed. Start with the basics and work your way up. In the last 5 years I have gotten stronger and leaner. I will post a clip of the drills to clarify things. Andrew - If you can adjust the bar to about waist height you can start by doing reverse rows with your feet on the ground. As you get stronger simply raise the bar. Jesus - good stuff. Mind those injuries. Lee - You know your body, mess with the numbers. Don't let one move hold you back from pushing the others. Sue - You hit the nail. Everyone should aspire to this base line. Is it easy, NO! But that is why it frustrates people. But seriously, pulling yourself up should not be impossible. Should ou ever find yourself in a "cliff hanger" situation you'd want to be able to deal with it! Jesus - You are on the right track. The body is a single unit. we need to train in a way that reflects that. There is a high degree of technique to getting reps with pull ups. Again, I will post a clip on this. Eric - Good going! To put this in perpective, if you simply practice, you will get there. For some it will take months, for others ,weeks. But hey, there is no excuse for not working towards it. My son is 15 and we now challenge ourselves to bang this out in under 2 minutes. This time last year he could barely do a pull up. Hasta Rannoch Michael H – ATG is the ideal but parallel or below is good. Full asian style squats are best for body weight but only is you can get there comfrotably. You will build the depth over time simple by doing them.

Clement – Single limb drills are a logical extension for this but not recommended til you crank out the basics with ease. Also, for sinlge limb drills I’d be much more conservative on the numbers to avoid any tendon issues.

Chris Beardsley – These drill as all body weight so if you are talking about adding the bar you are well on your way already!

Laura – Pull ups are more challenging for women but 10 is completely doable. Just start with what you’ve got. Consistency will deliver results. Remember, this is base line stuff butthat doesn’t mean it is easy. Loop a stretch band round a pull up bar, stick your feet in the loop and use that to get reps as you groove the move.

Sam – Just work the numbers round. Nothing stopping you doing single reps for example to finish the set out. Get creative!

Dave – I am 47 Hombre. Age is nothing. Fitness is not fixed. Start with the basics and work your way up. In the last 5 years I have gotten stronger and leaner. I will post a clip of the drills to clarify things.

Andrew – If you can adjust the bar to about waist height you can start by doing reverse rows with your feet on the ground. As you get stronger simply raise the bar.

Jesus – good stuff. Mind those injuries.

Lee – You know your body, mess with the numbers. Don’t let one move hold you back from pushing the others.

Sue – You hit the nail. Everyone should aspire to this base line. Is it easy, NO! But that is why it frustrates people. But seriously, pulling yourself up should not be impossible. Should ou ever find yourself in a “cliff hanger” situation you’d want to be able to deal with it!

Jesus – You are on the right track. The body is a single unit. we need to train in a way that reflects that. There is a high degree of technique to getting reps with pull ups. Again, I will post a clip on this.

Eric – Good going!

To put this in perpective, if you simply practice, you will get there. For some it will take months, for others ,weeks. But hey, there is no excuse for not working towards it.

My son is 15 and we now challenge ourselves to bang this out in under 2 minutes. This time last year he could barely do a pull up.

Hasta

Rannoch

]]> By: Eric http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4815 Eric Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:21:17 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4815 Wow I had to try this for my workout today. I have been missing some of my gym time the last month and then a few times I have done ladders for pull-ups (where I never do more than 5 at a time but I do 50 total over the work out). So I was not sure how I would go today. But I was able to hit Vic's 10/30/60 (first set only) and had a harder time on the push ups and squats than I thought I would! Second and third I followed the formula (7/21/42 & 6/18/36). What a great workout and a good benchmark for progress every so often. Thanks Vic! Wow I had to try this for my workout today. I have been missing some of my gym time the last month and then a few times I have done ladders for pull-ups (where I never do more than 5 at a time but I do 50 total over the work out). So I was not sure how I would go today. But I was able to hit Vic’s 10/30/60 (first set only) and had a harder time on the push ups and squats than I thought I would! Second and third I followed the formula (7/21/42 & 6/18/36). What a great workout and a good benchmark for progress every so often. Thanks Vic!

]]> By: Jesus Sanchez http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4814 Jesus Sanchez Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:36:49 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4814 Sue that is a a great way to see it. I myself got better at Pullups by decreasing the bulk of my legs. So, I focused on conditioning my legs instead of building muscle. Now that I can squat 60 full reps no problem, I'm also 20 pounds lighter. So, my pullups are coming along because I'm pulling less. Like I wrote, I had elbow surgery last year, so I'd be doing more full pullups, but I'm shooting for 10 by the end of the year. AND, like you wrote, I'm doing them more times per week. One day 5x5, another 4x12 assisted, and one extra day (more mental) of 5x2(slow). Blessings, Jesus Sue that is a a great way to see it. I myself got better at Pullups by decreasing the bulk of my legs. So, I focused on conditioning my legs instead of building muscle. Now that I can squat 60 full reps no problem, I’m also 20 pounds lighter. So, my pullups are coming along because I’m pulling less.

Like I wrote, I had elbow surgery last year, so I’d be doing more full pullups, but I’m shooting for 10 by the end of the year. AND, like you wrote, I’m doing them more times per week. One day 5×5, another 4×12 assisted, and one extra day (more mental) of 5×2(slow).

Blessings,
Jesus

]]> By: Sue http://www.gymjunkies.com/mandatory-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-4813 Sue Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:22:51 +0000 http://www.gymjunkies.com/?p=2767#comment-4813 While I am in a similar situation regarding pull ups as almost everyone who posted, I think that is the whole point of Rannoch's writing - maybe we are not able to perform because we aren't training the right way/muscles or aren't in as good shape as we might believe. The only way to get better at pull ups is to do them all the time. I rarely see anyone doing many at my gym, men or women. I am fortunate to have access to a Gravitron for assisted pullups and have made great progress in lowering my counterweight each month. My goal is to do unassisted, but I can't get there overnight. Persistance will pay off. Don't give up, you will see the results. While I am in a similar situation regarding pull ups as almost everyone who posted, I think that is the whole point of Rannoch’s writing – maybe we are not able to perform because we aren’t training the right way/muscles or aren’t in as good shape as we might believe. The only way to get better at pull ups is to do them all the time. I rarely see anyone doing many at my gym, men or women. I am fortunate to have access to a Gravitron for assisted pullups and have made great progress in lowering my counterweight each month. My goal is to do unassisted, but I can’t get there overnight. Persistance will pay off. Don’t give up, you will see the results.

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