AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE

ISSUE 60 - 3/23/2005

1. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“My confidence came from knowing that I was good at what I did. I did not need approval or support from others.”
- Jada Pinkett

Many people are at the mercy of the “public opinion” in their lives. In other words, they look for approval from family, friends, and even strangers before taking any action. Moreover, if others tell them that they are great at something, their energy goes up. If others tell them that they are horrible at something, their energy goes down. Especially if this negative feedback comes from family or close friends. Nevertheless, I have seen people’s spirits get crushed when strangers give them negative feedback as well. We all know people like this. One day they are super excited about something, the next time you talk to them, they have already moved on to something else. What happened? Most likely they caved to some negative feedback.

Being a pendulum is not a good thing to be in life. While it is advisable to seek feedback from others and listen to constructive criticism, you have to be your own motivational coach to be successful at anything. Otherwise, you are simply letting others have too much power over your life. When you know inherently that you are good at something, then you do not need approval or support from others as you have confidence. Moreover, no one is going to care more than you whether you are successful or not which makes it critical to be your own confidence supplier.

While it is nice to get positive feedback from others, you do not want that to be the focus of why you make moves. If you rely on the positive feedback too much, you will be crushed by the negative feedback that is sure to occur.

Where to start? Let the positive feedback energize you and let the negative feedback inspire you to be better at what you do. Just remember that ultimately, the most important thing is whether you feel good about what you are doing. If you do not think that you are good at what you are doing then it will not matter how many others think that you are great. Moreover, if you believe genuinely that you are good at what you do, then it will not matter how many people blast you with negative feedback. However, what matters more than how you feel is taking action and achieving goals. Nothing can take the place of real world results.

Live Life Aggressively!

Mike Mahler

Mike Mahler

2. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ARTICLE

High Volume Rotation Training

It is no secret that high volume training is the most effective way to pack on size and strength. While it is not for beginners, it is a necessary path for intermediate and advanced trainees that want to continue to get bigger and stronger. Some great high volume programs include Charles Staley’s EDT program and German Volume Training (GVT) that Charles Poliquin has written extensively about.

GVT calls for ten sets of ten reps using 60% if your one rep max to start. Once you can complete all ten sets with the same weight, increase the weight. While GVT is effective, is can also be painfully monotonous. The first thing that I would do to make GVT more effective for strength and size is to reduce the reps and increase the weight. Instead of 10x10, try 10x5 with 80% of your one rep max. Next instead of doing ten sets on the same exercise, try changing the exercise every two sets. Here is an example for overhead pressing:

Repeat above sets for one more cycle.

Now you could also do rotate every set as follows:

The options are endless and this is a great way to shock your body and keep it guessing. Also keeps training novel and interesting. Make sure to keep a training log so you can track your progress. Also, pick an exercise to test every four weeks. For example, if your focus lift is the Barbell Military press, then test that every four weeks.

Final reminder: When using High Volume Rotation Training (HVRT), pick exercises that are very similar. For example, if you are going to use the bench press as your focus exercise, pick exercises such as: floor presses, one-arm dumbbell bench press, dumbbell bench press, bottom position bench press, board bench press, band bench press etc.

If you have never done high volume training before, then stick with something more basic such as 10x5 with the same exercise and weight on all ten sets. However, if you are an experienced trainee, looking to shake training up, then HVRT is for you.

For more info on personalized program design services, click here.

3. GET THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH DVD COMBO PACK TODAY

"Kettlebell Solutions for Speed and Explosive Strength is incredible! All of the exercises are explained and displayed perfectly and leave you with no questions. There is absolutely no filler and it gives so many options to add to your arsenal. Watching it gets me so amped up to train! One of the best things is the Free DVD User guide to set you on the right track. I love all of the exercises and together with Tke Kettlebell Solution For Size and Strength, I will never get bored of training!"
- Chris Pontius of MTV's Wildboyz and Jackass

Kettlebell Solution for Size and Strength

Kettlebell Solution for Size and Strength

If you enjoy lifting light kettlebells and have no desire to be strong with a powerful physique, then this DVD is not for you. However, if you are ready for a new challenge with kettlebells and desire to maximize the benefits of kettlebell training, get this DVD today.

The Kettlebell Solution For Size And Strength will show how to get much stronger with kettlebells and build a muscular physique as well. This detailed DVD is for all levels and covers the basics enough for beginners and offers new challenges for experienced kettlebell lifters.

» Click Here for More Information, or:

Kettlebell Solution for Speed and Explosive Power

Kettlebell Solutions for Speed and Explosive Strength

Super comprehensive kettlebell training DVD that goes over how to build speed and explosive power in four different categories: Full body explosive power, Upper body explosive power, Lower body explosive power, and Rotational explosive power. Translation? You will be one explosive hombre after you practice the exercises on this DVD and follow the programs in the Free Kettlebell Training DVD E-book. I did not leave anything out on this DVD. Even if you do not care about getting faster and more explosive, you will love the wide variety of exercises that this kettlebell training DVD contains.

» Click Here for More Information, or:

4. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PERSONALIZED PROGRAM DESIGN SERVICES

"Lost 10 lbs and went down from a size 12 to a size 8 in jeans – that was something I expected not to happen for another 10-15 more lbs! So thanks for your guidelines – they really have helped a lot."
- Michele Milevoi

Tired of trial and error? Want a training program that actually works? Click here for more info!

5. NEW AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

I have just added some great new products to my website including: medicine balls, the ultimate portable gym, and some pull-up straps that allow you to do a pull-ups anywhere! Click here.

6. THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH SOLUTION FOR THE ROAD WARRIOR

Tired of terrible hotel gyms and getting out of shape on the road? Tired of doing bodyweight only routines in your hotel room because there are no other options? You need Lifeline's resistance cable products. Not only are they light and portable but they provide enough resistance to humble the strongest athletes around. Click here for more info

7. KETTLEBELL TRAINING INFORMATION PAGE (NEW)

http://www.mikemahler.com/kettlebell_info.html

8. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

http://www.mikemahler.com/newsletter

9. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH ARTICLES

http://www.mikemahler.com/articles.html

10. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING JOURNAL

http://www.mikemahler.com/journal.html

11. RECOMMENDED READING LIST

http://www.mikemahler.com/reading.html

Until next time.

Live Life Aggressively!

Mike Mahler

Feel free to email me with your comments and feedback at mahler25@yahoo.com

Mike Mahler