Hail to the Dinos!
Two quick notes, and then we'll talk training.
1. Physical Culture Radio
I'll be on Physical Culture radio at 12:00 noon
today (EST). Catch us live or listen to the
download later on:
http://superhumanradio.com/
2. We're on Facebook and Twitter
I may be a Dinosaur, but you can find me on
Facebook and Twitter. It's a great way to keep
in touch.
3. Exercise Rx for Mature Dinos
We received a ton of questions and comments
in response to yesterday's email about the best
exercises for healthy aging.
We had great feedback from many older Dinos
who train on basic barbell and dumbbell exercises,
and who stand on their feet for most of their
training. They're loving it, and they're getting
great results. They look good, they feel good,
and they're way younger than their years.
We had other Dinos who were concerned that
power cleans or power snatches might be too
hard for older Dinos to learn -- or might be
dangerous for older Dinos.
So let me address the concerns.
1. If you don't want to do power cleans or
power snatches, then don't do them.
2. If you have never done power cleans
and power snatches before, then you need
to learn how to do them properly, correctly
and safely.
a. Most people don't take the time to learn
how to perform power cleans and power
snatches the right way. They end up doing
them wrong, and that can lead to injuries.
b. The best way to learn how to do power
cleans and power snatches is to get some
one on one coaching from an expert. As in,
a weightlifting coach. One or two sessions
can make all the difference in the world.
3. If you have dings and dents that make
any given exercise painful or difficult, then
do a different exercise.
a. Most older trainees have dings or dents
of one sort or another -- and that means
all of us need to choose exercises that
allow us to train pain-free.
4. You can get all of the benefits of cleans
and snatches by doing clean grip high pulls
and snatch grip high pulls.
a. High pulls are easier to learn and require
less flexibility -- but it's still a very good
idea to get some one on one coaching.
5. If you prefer dumbbells or kettlebells for
snatches and cleans, then use them.
a. Many mature Dinos find that dumbbells
are easier on their joints than barbells.
6. If you prefer to do deadlifts, squats and
presses or push presses, and skip the cleans
and snatches, that's fine, too.
a. The important thing is to do ground based
training -- and squats, deadlifts and presses
or push presses are terrific ground based
exercises.
7. If you're older and squats hurt your knees,
then do deadlifts or Trap Bar deadlifts.
a. If back squats are too hard on your lower
back (as they are for some older Dinos), then
try front squats.
The important thing is to do barbell and dumbbell
(or kettlebell) exercises rather than machine
exercises -- and to spend the majority of your
training time on ground-based exercises.
The more time you spend standing on your feet
and lifting stuff, the better.
Why?
Because that's what the human body is designed
to do.
Our entire muscular and neuromuscular system
goes into overdrive when we stand on our feet
and lift heavy stuff.
That's why it's so good for us -- and why it feels
so good -- and why it's so very important to do.
I hope that clarifies things. If you have questions
or comments, shoot me an email.
As always, thanks for reading and have a great
day. If you train today, make it a good one.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Dinosaur Dumbbell Training gives you a
wide variety of stand on your feet dumbbell
exercises for all-around strength and power.
They're fun to do -- and they're great for
Dinos of any age:
http://www.brookskubik.com/dinosaur_dumbbelltraining.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right
here at Dino Headquarters -- along with links
to all of my e-books on Kindle:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Whatever your
age, you're always the right age to train."
-- Brooks Kubik
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