The Iron Samurai is not your average weightlifting blog. So many of the strength training, conditioning, and weightlifting websites and blogs out there on the internet focus on the “hard core” side of strength. Of course, this side exists, but it’s the least interesting part to me.
I’ve spent years practicing Zen Buddhism, which may seem incongruous for a strength coach and competitive Olympic weightlifter. But I feel strongly that a powerful connection between the mind and the body is one of the key factors in an athletes success. And while most coaches and athletes pay lip-service to the idea of mental training in sports, few put it into practice.
70 pounds heavier than when I started. Proof that cleans and squats work!
I’ve never been a “tough guy”. I grew up both skinny AND short. I’m still short, but at least I’ve packed on a substantial amount of muscle (70+ pounds and counting) since I started training. I have a light-hearted and jovial attitude towards life. I’m the guy who’s always making dumb knee-slapper jokes and then preceding to be the first guy to laugh at them! When I was in High School my favorite musician was Prince and I just HAD to dress like him … not a tough guy. I was “metro” long before that word became popular.
Here at The Iron Samurai I take seriously not only training the body but the mind via posts on the science behind weightlifting, the psychology of success, and even how I believe that Zen meditation practice can benefit ones game in and out of the weightroom. And I do it all with a relaxed voice and a decidedly non-hardcore style.
One of the reasons Olympic Weightlifting drew me closer than did Powerlifting was precisely the requirement in Oly lifting that one must focus to a level that just isn’t necessary in nearly any other sport. In Powerlifting, getting “pumped up” is very helpful. While there is obviously some technique in that sport, the key factor is shear strength (because of this, Powerlifting is a much more honest test of pure strength than Oly-lifting is). But, Olympic lifting has far less to do with your strength, than your ability to hit all the right positions at exactly the right time.
You have to stop, compose yourself, save your energy, and make sure all of your efforts and explosion are transferred into the bar in EXACTLY the right way. Any slip-up, and you miss.
The content of the blog centers generally around Olympic weightlifting and other strength sports, training techniques, as well as techniques for fat loss and muscle gaining. But, hey, this is a blog, so you’ll see a lot of my pet interests as well such as Sumo (yes, Sumo) and Trail Blazers Basketball (go Blazers!)
With that said …
About Me
My name is Nick Horton, and I’m a Certified USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach and a Crossfit Certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach. I am the Founder, President, and Head Coach of PDX Weightlifting, which is the name of both my strength training company and of my Olympic Weightlifting team.
I am currently a graduate student studying Mathematics and Mathematical Biology, and write a science blog, Sapien Games, and co-host a mathematics podcast with Tom Henderson called Math for Primates.
I actually started out in college as a Music major, and I still perform and record under the stage name Saij. You can check out my music at The Alterside. I’m a huge proponent of the Portland area Art scene, and I’m proud to be a part of that.
I’m a competitive Olympic Weightlifter myself, Highland Games thrower, and recreational softball player. This is me using my mind to throw the Portland Stone. Mind over Matter!
Using my Mind!
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Where can I obtain world weightlifting records going back to the 1930′s?
I have tried various times and have not found the records.
I would like to do a statistical analysis which will be of great benefit to the weightlifting community.
Thank you.
OK, have you seen this list at Wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_weightlifting
It doesn’t have the numbers of what they lifted, but it’s a start. And here’s the list of world records, but it doesn’t tell us what people were lifting in each year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_world_records_in_Olympic_weightlifting
Oswald, that’s a good question. I’ll do some hunting around for you. If I find anything, I’ll make sure to let you know. It would be great to have access to that information!
This isn’t exactly what you are looking for but it might help:
http://www.lifttilyadie.com/w8lift.htm
Actually, that’s a great resource! Thanks Scott!
Nick,
I enjoy your work.
You have a salient voice among coaches in the strength world.
Keep up the great work.
Fight Until Your Very Last Breath!
Sean Waxman
Waxman’s Gym
Thanks Sean!
Coming from you, that means a lot. I strive everyday to improve my ability as a coach, and I look up to guys like you who have walked the walk, and have been at it longer than I have.
I have always admired your “no excuses” attitude. If you want to improve you have to work your ass off. There is just no other way. It’s something I think we see eye-to-eye on.
Thanks for all the work you do, you’re an inspiration,
Nick
Hello Nick:
Just discovered your site and loved it. Great info and writing.
Im new to 0-lifts and it is my new obsession. Wasted 25 years of doing bodybuilding workouts and now only doing 0lift traiining.
Looking forward to reading more from you and cant wait to get the “deadly sins” book!
Thanks,
Jack
Hey Nick,
Im 13, and have been training for a couple of months, I am trying to find some powerlifting competitions to enter, and I was just wondering, would your method of concentration apply to powerlifting also, or just olympic lifting
Hey Zach,
It definitely applies to both. Though, at your age the best thing you can do is simply focus on those things that will make you a GREAT athlete no matter what sport you choose.
Mainly, that means:
- learning how to squat well and safely.
- Learning the technique of the Olympic lifts (they will help you an ALL sports)
- Getting good at general moves like push ups, pull ups, rows, presses, sprinting, etc
If all you ever did for the next 5 years was learn to squat with great form and DEEP, then you’d be one of the strongest dudes around at age 18. That’s what Donny Shankle did, and now he’s one of the best weightlifters in America.
Yes, concentration works … as long as you concentrate on the most important things.
Hi there,
Just wondered whether or not you accepted guest posts?? Any info would be great.
Thanks,
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
Not all that often. This is such a personal blog, that it usually makes the most sense to keep the posts largely written by me. But, once in a while I do.
If you’re interested, go here:
http://www.pdxweightlifting.com/contact/
And fill out the contact form and give me a proposal, or tell me about what you’d like to write about … and link to a writing sample I can take a look at.
Nick
Hi Nick
I just recently came across your website. It seems to be a refreshing change from some of the other strength sites. I have a few questions for you. I train for fitness and health mainly with a primary focus on getting stronger and bigger. My training revolves around the basic lifts i.e front squats, deadlifts, standing presses, rows etc. AS far as the olympic lifts are concerned, I sometimes perform barbell power cleans and push presses along with the double kettlebell versions of the olympic lifts after reading about geoff neuports experiences in both olympic weightlifting and kettlebell training. What are your thoughts on double kettlebell work as variations of the olympic lifts and using anderson front squats or bottom position front squats as the main squatting exercise?
Thanks
Seth
Hey Seth,
If you are going primarily for size, then I don’t see a problem. If you want strength, then at some point the K-Bell’s just won’t cut it. The reason is that you need to keep adding weight and at some point they become cumbersome in a way that a barbell doesn’t. You can’t do progressive loading on a KB as well as on a barbell.
Anderson squats are great. But even he didn’t just squat from the bottom up. learning to squat from the top down is very important.
bottom line, getting stronger means sticking to the basics … and sticking to the basics … and sticking to the basics … ad nauseum. These other exercises are great, and a good change of pace. But the strongest people in the world got that way by full squatting, deadlifting, power cleans, rows, chins, and press variations.
It sounds to me like you are on the right track already,
Nick
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