Times are busy, yes indeed. While I’m limited in being able to write for the site, I’ll try to keep up on the “education and nonsense” front with the Chalk Talk videos. Between a full day’s work and visiting family, I’m nearing completion on another book that’ll help the every day man maximize his upper body strength and jackedness. Look for that one near the new year. Otherwise, the 70’s Big Consultation Team is still active and providing excellent information and programs to trainees and athletes (CLICK HERE to learn more).
We do a lot of “behind the scenes work” to not only train folks, but to develop quality information to you, the reader. In the mean time, use 70’s Big as a way to communicate with your fellow strength and conditioning brethren, discuss topics, share knowledge, and have a jolly good time.
PR Friday — Post your training updates, PR’s, and questions to the comments for the 70′s Big crew.
Weekly Q&A gives you a chance to ask anyone from the 70′s Big Crew a question in the comments below, on Facebook, or Twitter. Follow 70’s Big on Instagram.
Earlier this week Chalk Talk #11 came out and was about barbell complexes.
I’ve been away for a bit, so I’ll be around for some solid question answering in the comments here and on social media. Ask away.
For some people, records exist to be broken. Ilya Ilyin is one of those guys who sees a record and aims to crush it. It’s been fun watching him train over the last year and hit amazing numbers, and even more satisfying to see him hit this 242 kg clean and jerk after moving up to the 105 kg class.
By my count, that’s Ilyin’s fourth world championship spanning three weight classes to go with his two Olympic gold medals. In London two years ago, he hit a 233kg clean and jerk to win the 94kg class, but this year’s 242kg CJ was six kilos over the old world record. Not to mention he currently has the CJ world record in two different weight classes (94 and 105). Ilyin is solidifying his place as one of the greatest weightlifters of our time.
Barbell complexes are merely using a light weight for moderate to high reps in several exercises in a row without rest. In this video, I demonstrate a simple complex of ordinary barbell exercises as well as explain the benefits of complexes. They include building muscle, a low to medium systemic total body stress, a decent workout when strapped for time, and decent conditioning work.
PR Friday — Post your training updates, PR’s, and questions to the comments for the 70′s Big crew.
Weekly Q&A gives you a chance to ask anyone from the 70′s Big Crew a question in the comments below, on Facebook, or Twitter. Follow 70’s Big on Instagram.
Here’s a sweet video of Bill Kazmaier, an admirable strength athlete. Who is your sport or lifting idol? What about them makes you look up to them? I think it’s important to have someone to look up to because it not only sets a good example, but a standard to strive to.
In Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, the Terran Federation is a limited democracy in which full citizenship comes with a price. Earning citizenship and suffrage — the right to vote — was accomplished by two years of voluntary Federal Service (AKA military service). The concept that a society be made of people who have contributed to their country and government was important to Heinlein, who served in the Navy after graduating from the Naval Academy. Earning that voice in government, in Heinlein’s eyes, is better than anyone “who is 18 years old and has a body temperature near 37 °C.”
The idea that veterans are deeply rewarded for their sacrifice is an admirable one; something that would inspire appreciation for gained freedoms and instill a foundation of work ethic. In our society, veterans make analogous sacrifices. First, they pledge an allegiance to uphold the longstanding tradition of morals and honor of their respective country. Second, they knowingly surrender various birth-given rights and are held to a higher standard for their actions. Third, they play their specific role in an organization that provides and maintains the security of freedom for all countrymen. And fourth, they do so with meager compensation and the occasional “thank you.”
Some might say that the veteran has chosen their fate; their own volition led them into their job just as a civilian has chosen theirs. Yet the difference is that veteran made that decision knowing what was at stake. The Airman who works on jets or the Ranger who puts two rounds into a terrorist consciously made a decision that subjects them to the needs of their respective branch. They chose to reduce their freedom so that you and I can under appreciate ours.
Many of you will feel noble on these holidays by publicly saying, “Thank you, troops,” but your words will only accomplish so much. Your support does mean something to a veteran, but you can do so much more with action. While all service members sacrifice, some leave war with mental or physical scars while others return home in a casket draped with their flag. What remains is a person struggling to cope, whether it be with what they could have done to save their best friend or how to move on without their spouse in their life.
70’s Big and I ask you to do more than just speak words today. I ask you to donate $1 to two foundations: The Wounded Warrior Project and The Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Both are legitimate organizations that help veterans or their remaining families in a variety of ways (read their mission statements here and here respectively). I make no apology for asking you to donate your hard-earned, well deserved money; I know it’s hard to come by in today’s economy, yet show your thanks to these veterans with action. I can tell you that veterans, including the fallen or disabled, are powerlifters, weightlifters, strength trainees, CrossFitters, bodybuilders, and S&C enthusiasts. They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and friends. Some of them need more than words and we have the ability to help them. $1 for each charity is all I ask for you to show that you truly support your troops (Update: The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has a $10 minimum).
(Non-American countries can post equivalent charity foundations in the comments)
Thank you to current and past veterans for making the choice to serve your country at the expense of limiting the most important values of all: freedom and liberty.
