Strength at Any Age

You may think that a 315-lb bench press doesn’t amount to much. Let’s consider a few factors. First, Mike Brown is 68 years old. How many other 68-year-old men do you know who can bench press 315?

Second, Mike Brown does not—and has never—taken a steroid. As Doug Hepburn points out in his book, Strongman, if you take steroids you will normally add 30% to your lifts. E.g., if Mike Brown took steroids, he could conceivably bench press 409.5 pounds.

Third, as late as 1959 there were only 13 men in the world who could bench 400, according to the Bench Press book written by Bill Anton.

Fourth, as you can see by the video of the lift, Mike Brown probably could have done 325. Mike has two training partners (one is 20 and weighs 250 pounds and the other one is 33 and weighs 220 pounds). They both lift the same weights as Mike. Mike has trained more than one 400-lb. (steroid free) bencher.

Mike predicts that both these young men will bench over 400 before the end of the year. Anyone care to bet that Mike won’t bench over 400 himself at the age of 69 before this year is over?

THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

On September 23, 2010 I went to a seminar given by Pilates instructor Shelley Hampton at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

One of the things she demonstrated was the connection between the mind and the body during exercise. The way she demonstrated it didn’t appear—at least to me—to be very convincing. Her opinion was that you could increase another person’s strength by simply putting your hands on that person, which would help them to concentrate and, by that, increase their strength.

The next day I tried it on a fellow I was training named Adam. Adam had done his first set of bench presses with 250 pounds. He did 3 reps and then failed halfway up on the 4th rep.

Then I had Dianne place her hands on his upper pectoral muscles for his next set with the same 250 pounds. He did 5 full reps.

Seeing is believing.

We took this video afterward just to demonstrate the concept.

Warming Up To Do Military Presses

If you want to use a light weight--but not too light--to do military presses, you don't need to go to the dumbbell rack.

Simply grasp the middle of the bar with one hand and use the other to stabilize the bar. What you will have is the equivalent of a 45-lb. dumbbell

Winner of Samson Cable Set Video contest

The winner of the video contest is Joe from Texas showing his unique use of the Samson Cable Set to strengthen his core.

Samson Cable Set Video Contest

Some of you may have seen the video of Mike Brown doing 115-lb. dumbbell bench presses with the hot chick in the background (we didn’t even know she was there at the time) and the many comments. That video has generated over 50,000 “hits” on YouTube.

We want to get the same type of reaction with our Samson Cable Set in a video. For this contest we’re looking for a video, such as you take with a cell phone or camcorder, that we can post on YouTube of someone using the Samson Cable Set.

So here’s the deal.

If you have one of our Samson Cable sets, take a video of yourself using it that you think will draw attention. Please, nothing that will get any of us arrested. Use your imagination. Be creative. Try to keep it less than 2 or 3 minutes. The video needs to be submitted by March 31, 2010.

What will the winner get?

First, you’ll get exposure. If a girl in your video is so hot she’s smoking, she may get offers (such as modeling, etc.). If you’re the star, anything is possible.

Second, and most important, the winner gets $500 worth of products from Dianne Miller at leviticus11.com. There will be two honorable mentions that get $100 each worth of products. Dianne and I will determine the winner and the two honorable mentions.

Born to Run

If you include running in your training (as you should), you need to read this book, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougal. McDougal demolishes the idea that you need expensive shoes to run in. In fact, he demonstrates the fact that a lot of running injuries are caused by expensive running shoes.

McDougal even goes on to show that the best way to run may be barefoot and that you need to run on the balls of your feet, as nature intended। He then gives specific examples, including the story of a tribe of Indians in Mexico whose members regularly run 50 to 100 miles.

McDougal also refers to a sort of gel that you can make out of chia seeds, called iskiate (see Chia Drink below)। One of our trainees tried it and said it doubled the distance he could run.

If you want to increase your endurance, read the book. It is on sale at major bookstores. Or, click on this link: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

CHIA DRINK

It looks strange, but tastes good and helps to recover after a run. To make 1 serving (a glassful):

8 ounces of water
2-2.5 teaspoons of chia seeds
1 lime to squeeze
2 teaspoons of sugar (or your favorite substitute, i.e., honey, stevia, etc.).

Mix water, sugar, and juice from the lime until dissolved. Add the chia seeds and shake or stir. Serve chilled. If you put it in the refrigerator overnight, it will attain the consistency of jello.

The chia seeds turn into a slimy substance, but it isn’t that noticeable unless you try to chew the seeds. The drink is very refreshing and clean tasting. It also goes down easy and quick.

Experiment with Sticking Point Smashers

Mike,
I wrote to you about a year ago after purchasing your “sticking point smashers” (one of the greatest training aids ever invented in my opinion). I have a question and was wondering if you had or any of your clients had tried to do this.
Have you thought about adding a little bit of “weight” every day to your sticking point smashers and doing “presses” every day for a few reps? If you have tried this, was it successful or did one quickly burn out? I am tempted to take full advantage of this type training but unsure how well it might work in the real world? What would you suggest I add everyday if you think this is a worthwhile endeavor?
Love your blog and health tips. Keep up the great work.
--Sincerely, Patrick

Patrick,
I suspect you might be on to something. Back in 1915 Henry Higgins taught his trainees a “ten minutes a day program” and almost all of them could “put up” 200 pounds overhead with one hand (though I suspect it was a bent press). You can read more about him and other old-time training methods in my book, Diagnostic Bodybuilding.
My suggestion would be to add one .44 caliber lead pellet to each of the sticking point smashers every day, do several sets, add cleans, vary your hand spacing, and restrict your workouts to ten minutes a day (or less). Then report back to me. I’m as curious as you are.--Mike