Figure It Out

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Look, I know a lot of you are training out of CrossFit facilities. There ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. But, most people wanting to get better at doing CrossFit stuff will do so by getting stronger. This isn’t new, we’ve been saying it for a while. It may not be in everyone’s best interest to weigh 260+ and be a lifter. That is okay, although the lot of you guys reading the site are horrendously underweight, regardless if you compete in anything or not.

My friend Gant moved up a weight class in Judo (from 90kg to 100kg) and has won his last two tournaments. The point is that he maintains a bodyweight below 220, but still has the 70’s Big mindset. He strength trains properly and conditions very well for his sport. Oh, and he also eats like a man should: heartily. Actually being big enough to be considered 70’s Big will not be in everyone’s best interest, but the quest of 70’s Big is one that aims to get stronger and improve.

“The Scott” is a good example of this. He’s a guy who got involved with CrossFit after a period of dicking around in gyms, and then got pretty damn strong by lifting and drinking his milk. Recently he competed in two CrossFit competitions; he weighed 215 for the first, and then 205 for the second. During one of these he was interviewed by a camera crew, and they asked him a series of questions. When they finally asked about his beard, Scott replied, “It’s all about 70s Big, bulking, chocolate milk and lifting heavy.” Scott is a patriot.

Oh, for those of you who were upset to see him lose ten pounds, he told me in the e-mail, “I am glad that I’m going back to strength training and minimal [conditioning]. This winter my goal is to [weigh] 225 lbs, a 500 deadlift, 450 squat, 400 bench press, 250 press, and 270 clean and jerk.”

In any case, Scott is a guy who really found his niche by going through CF first. CF can be a gateway to lots of competitive endeavors, yet I still stand by the statement that hardly any people that “do CrossFit” put their necks out on the line to actually compete, and this is an integral part to the whole “70’s Big thing”. If you aren’t interested in powerlifting competitions, or you are unable to get into weightlifting, that is fine. But it is in your best interest to pick something, train for it, and compete in it. You’ll learn more about yourself than you would by just dicking around and hoping you’ll get good at something. Figure it out.

Scott educates the people about 70's Big



And, yes, that is a Hulkamaniac bandana



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70’s Big TSC

A lot of you are sacking up and competing in something this month. If you’re still on the fence, you are invited required to participate in the Tactical Strength Challenge this month.

The events are simple.

1. Max deadlift. You get three attempts to find your max pull. Do it meet-style. If you make an “AC-jump” between your first and second attempt, there is no going back.

2. Max pullups. Dead hangs. No chinning (palms must face away), and absolutely no kipping. Kippers will be shot, killed, and then banned from posting here.

3. 5 min Kettlebell snatch test. 24kg kettlebell. Unlike GS, you may set the weight down or switch hands as necessary.

That’s it, three events. Perform these in one session, and rest at least 15 minutes between each even (or more if you have time). Perform the TSC the last week of April and post your results on the last Saturday of April (I’ll make a weekend post for it). Good luck!

For more info, go here.
-Gant

Edit: After posting this part this morning, I got an email from Kettlebell Athletics about the kettlebell snatch. Jason is a good dude, and he puts out a nice newsletter. Today’s topic is how not to bang your wrist while doing KB snatches, a big problem with beginners. If you’re new to this exercise, check out this video and practice your technique before doing the TSC. I also recommend wearing wrist bands the first few times out.

The video is here.

40 thoughts on “Figure It Out”

  1. and just because you said it, are pro wrestlers 70’s big if we’re not talking about their beards, shorts or socks of choice?

    What do you mean “because I said it”?

    –Justin

  2. I competed against Scott in the NorCal sectionals. Your beard and redness rocked! This was my first competitive event and I was not at all big enough. This is also my first post here. Since last week I have committed myself to 70s Bigness. Watch out Scott, I got my milk and downed indian buffet and a whole pizza tonight while reading Starting Strength. Its on.

  4. Thanks Justin, AC and 70sBig for the post.

    Back in Decemeber, the owner of crossfit centurion, Ian Carver and Rob Peters started telling a few guys about 70sBig. Of course it was an instant hit. From the articles, pictures, training, etc…it really got me training hard and eating big. Besides blasting 4000-5000 calories in mainly meat and dairy, the only supplement I took was Progenex protein.

    I did the 24hr thing for years got bored and totally became a crossfitter. For a year, competing only against myself and a few others in class. Justin you are right about competing. If it weren’t for 70s Big I probably would’ve competed at NorCal sectionals. The reason being is I wasn’t as strong as some of the top athletes. After going big for a solid 4 months, I not only put on strength and size, but was more confident and picked up some fashion tips along the way. When I compete next year I am wearing a leather fanny pack with my chalk, singlet and oakley razor blades…who knows, maybe a few lines shaved on the side of my head or a mullet. LOL…hmmm, maybe not. The 70sBig thing is really a way of life now. All of crossfit centurion knows, with more eager recruits starting. The crossfit community in general is starting to know, The wife know about it, and the rest of the family, I feel great, strong and confident…and the beard definitely adds the intimidation factor.

    @Tom, thanks, cool pic. My squat clean and jerk was more of a squat clean with a push press…LOL.

    @Zac, hell yeah buddy, time to get big and strong…next year you will be more prepared.

    @everyone, To all my little Hulkamaniacs, say your prayers, eat massive amounts of food and you will never go wrong.

    Ha, people named Scott on this website are always funny.

    –Justin

  5. Also, one more thing…now that I did compete I plan on entering powerlifting meets sometime later this year. You only live once, make the best of it. Competing is really awesome feeling, that is hard to describe. Intensity, relaxed, pain, pumped, excited, nervous, quite, loud…so many different things you experience and can only really fully understood once you are in that setting. At the of the day you learn a lot about yourself.

  6. I was there competing against Scott as well last weekend and I must say, the beard stood out (in a good way!). As far as strength and Crossfit goes, I think it’s obvious that strength is among the most important components if you want to really be competitive. If you look at any of the people who are top Crossfit athletes, virtually all of them came from a strength background and then picked up Crossfit later. I figure that makes sense, it takes years to build real strength but only about 6 months to a year to make a physiological adaptation to Crossfit workouts and build up some decent metabolic conditioning. Strength is the base of the pyramid. If you really want to be a great Crossfit “athlete”, you should spend a year or two (minimum) building the strength base you need.

  10. I’m competing in my first powerlifting meet this weekend. I’ll probably hit 450kg, which is weaksauce, but I’m not embarrassed (except about my bench). A local crossfit franchise, just like 10 minutes away by train, is having a non-sanctioned weightlifting meet at the end of June. Despite what I usually say about crossfit, I think that’s pretty cool, so I’ll go and probably hit 180kg, which is weaksauce, but I’m not embarrassed. WOO! COMPETITION.

    There are a lot of good people in CrossFit who get people competing in a good way. Don’t be quick to throw them all under the bus.

    –Justin

  12. peng – kipping is when you use the momentum of your legs to help you do a pullup. A strict pullup will mean your legs are in a dead hang the whole time.

  13. Even though I already compete, I’d like to try the TSC sometime. Would it be suitable to replace the 24kg kettlebells with 52.5lb DB’s? My gym does not have KB’s.

    Ehh…It wouldn’ t be the same, but it’d be better than nothing, I suppose. Gant?

    –Justin

  14. I’m in for the TSC but I have a few questions:

    -By last week/last Saturday do you want results on April 24 or May 1st?

    -No kettlebells and 0 snatching experience. I will be using a 40lb dumbbell with a wrist weight. It’s more like 20kg but maybe harder to hold? Regardless, I’m not going to let equipment hold me back on this one.

  16. @Peng: Exactly.

    @Rygor: Not for this. The dynamics of timed KB snatches and DB snatches are completely different. Borrow a KB from someone and get it done. If you can’t find a KB, just do it with the DB and note that on your results.

    @Everyone. I added a resource on how to do KB snatch without breaking your wrists. Even if you do compete, you can work this in there. The TSC is a nice full body workout. I’m wedging this in between a couple tournaments. Make it work.

  17. TheScott,
    Excellent beard! After you said you competed there and was interviewed I went and looked for the video from there, and saw your interview. Unfortunately they cut out the 70’s Big part. Bastards. And one of the events, an 800m run with max rep overhead squats with 115 in 6 min or something like that, well the guy who won that one was a rather large fella. He was interviewed too. But someone put in the comments that he had told them it was no big deal because it was only half his bodyweight. I guess that wasn’t worth including either. Haha

  18. @Ryan, thanks…I felt like Leonidas with that beard…with all the people cheering I actually ran my fastest 800m ever, it wasn’t fast at 3:03, but 70s Big fast. I managed to put on my Oly shoes, catch my breath and bang out 33 OHS at 115lbs. Not bad…I was expecting more.

  19. grammer error, I typed, I would’ve competed, I meant to say I wouldn’t of competed if it hadn’t been for 70s big. Yeah, the biggest guy weight aroundd 240lbs and he banged out 71 reps, his clean and jerk was also 325lbs, so strength and size translates well into crossfit.

  21. @A.C.

    It may not be a good thing, it may turn into like “Munson”

    Did you just reference Kingpin?

    –A.C.

    +1 for Kingpin.

    This is a fine thing. It’s very high praise coming from me. AC is a man among men. Yes homo.

    -Gant

    Gant, If I was half the man you were I would be a much smaller human being. Thank you sir.

    –A.C.

  22. I clicked on the 70’s Big shirt link in the store section and it’s not working. Actually, it takes me to the Aasgaard Co. site but says “product not found.” Am I doing this wrong?

    Negative. I am fixing the link right now. Store will be up soon. I will make a post.
    Oh, and new shirt almost here.

    –Justin

  23. Did Doug Young ever do “Fran?” No. DOUG YOUNG ATE FRAN.

    PS- Scott, Great beard and nice bandana. But if you dye the mustache blonde and keep the beard, well….. that is just completely unacceptable. Hollywood is 90’s small.

  24. Alright guys. You’ve beat it into my skull enough already, I accept your challenge to compete in ‘something’ and will take part in the TSC at the end of the month. I will elicit the help of my current gym buddy, I’m pretty sure he’ll allow me to hold his P90x for a day to help me out. Now I gotta pick up a kettlebell.

  25. I train with “The Scott” at our local Crossfit affiliate, where we are desperately trying to convert all our 90’s small guys to 70’s BIG. We have recently started a strength and conditioning program based off Starting Strength (with a linear progression). I was expecting only a handful of people to start the training. To my surprise, we have nearly half our affiliate participating in the program. I think this is in large part due to the “The Scott”. The members see Scott and the gains he’s made in such a short period of time, and they realize with proper eating and dedication they can achieve their strength goals. Thanks guys for a great site!

    Excellent. I’m curious to hear what you guys are doing at the affiliate. Feel free to e-mail me.

    –Justin

  27. I didnt even have to read anything on here before I new I wanted to compete. I am very competitive by nature and I hate it when someone is better at something than more or when they are stronger so it makes sense that I do it even if I suck.

    So with that said, does anyone know a good gym in houston by any chance?

  29. @kittenSmash, Thanks, yeah, back up to 210lbs. The last time I did my PRs they were, Back Squat 405, Front Squat 300, Bench Press 365, Deadlift 445, Shoulder Press 235, I am starting to work on my Oly lifts right now along with starting another linear progression program. Squat Clean and Jerk 225 however, I have to work on my flexibility on rack portion and getting under the bar faster, with my front squat and shoulder press numbers being good I should be able to get up to 250+ soon. The beard took about 4 months to grow…I only trimmed the sides a little and keep the goatee part longer to make the beard more like “Leonidas”.

  30. @ “THE SCOTT”:

    Can you please email me? I am a CF affiliate owner and would like
    to know how you guys are programming your 70s big regimen at your box.

    Lowther.scott@gmail.com

    Thanks

    I’ve also got a program that used to be used more at the WFAC, but works well in CF-type gyms (or for certain stages of conditioning depending on what sport someone is getting ready for).

    –Justin

  33. Looks like I need to order a KB!
    For anyone in the PacNW, keep an eye out for a Tom Corrigan KB workshop. He’ll teach you how to KB snatch properly without abusing your wrists. The workshop I went to at CF Bellevue was excellent, and pretty cheap ($25, though they’re typically a bit higher). His assistant, Misha Marshak, is a Russian 70sbig fella, as well – you can google or youtube him.

  35. TheScott, you are a Man. Way to represent, brother! Rare to see a press higher than a C&J…I have a feeling with some practice you’ll be blowing away your goals in no time.

  36. @A.C.
    @Gant

    ‘Twas indeed a Kingpin reference, thanks for the props…

    how do I limit my back rounding on deads? just keep the weight light until my back stays locked in all the reps? then load in small increments from there?

    Exactly what part of your back rounds? Thoracic or Lumbar?

    –A.C.

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