Here’s all three of his attempts at each lift compiled. Notice the wild way he misses his last clean and jerk. He gets driven down by the spring of the bar in the set up for the jerk, so that he can’t use the bounce to get the weight up. Shockingly, he still rides it down to a full squat jerk and misses behind. One strong dude, no doubt.
Tommy Kono is arguably one of the greatest weightlifters who ever lived. But he was also a good bodybuilder. Here’s a slide show of some of his greatest photos:
Here’s a short documentary on one of the greatest weightlifters of all time, Vasily Alexeev of Russia (Soviet Union). He broke over 80 world records in his career. Just outstanding.
This is great stuff
Here’s a video compilation of the 5 lifters of mine that competed at the Iron Works Olympic Weightlifting meet in Creswell, Oregon. 2 of them were brand spankin’ new. So that was fun. Every one of them either matched or broke personal records. And Leslie won her weight class again!
If you find yourself wanting to join in on the fun, click here to find out how.
BTW, in case you’re wondering, the music in the background is mine. Roy thinks I have a career writing music for the “adult” film industry. Maybe I should stick to coaching …
Here’s a video of a 62k and a 77k lifters doing squats before the Arnold.
Check out this great interview with Shane Hamman that Mark Rippetoe did (click here). They cover a bunch of info in about 1 hour including Shane’s early powerlifting career where he dunked 1008 pounds in the squat. His Olympic career. The state of American Weightlifting. And what we can do about it.
What I enjoyed the most was their discussion on the importance of strength training for Olympic weightlifters (as opposed to a fanatic focus on technique). Shane mentioned that the guys who beat him at the 2004 Olympics were much stronger than him (that’s saying something!) and as a consequence could pull things out that he couldn’t. He also mentions that the same was true for the lighter weight classes. That is, our guys weren’t as strong as their competition.
Why this is relevant is that much of the American “style” is directed at technique work at all cost and speed development. Both of which are clearly important. But, heavy deadlifts and heavy squats done throughout the year is rare.
One of the things I did differently this year with my athletes that I will certainly do again was a modified version of the Smolov Squat cycle. They all nearly killed me for making them do it! But, holy heavens, it did wonders for their overall strength levels which is paying dividends now 5 months later.
I think this type of training (a clear focus on strength development along with power and technique) is particularly useful for older and masters lifters who are always going to be behind the curve in their technique. The more strength you have, the more you can pull out a not-so-perfect clean or snatch.
Of course, technique is majorly important. Don’t take this the wrong way. But, if you let strength levels hover in the background, and don’t pull heavy shit off the ground, then you’re selling yourself short.
Yesterday I posted the workout routine of Mariusz Pudzianowski. Today, I’m posting a link to a great video on my favorite strongman competitor of all time: Magnus Samuelsson.
In addition to being a Worlds Strongest Man winner, he is a down-home Swedish dairy farmer and a truly laid back and nice guy by all accounts. This video highlights some of that, and includes his at-home training and contest shots. It even includes his 8,500 calorie a day diet!!
Magnus is also a lifetime drug-free competitor, which as we all know is a rare commodity in any strength sport.
My ambition was to see how strong I could get, and I am totally clean, which proves that success is possible without drugs.
OK, here’s the video. Note: it’s long, about 40 minutes, so sit back with some protein and get inspired to workout – farm-boy style!
OH, and if you haven’t seen him on the Swedish version of “Let’s Dance” (seriously!) click here.
Here’s Cara Heads, the 2000 Olympian taking someone off the street and teaching them the Olympic lifting movements to prove her point that anyone can get into this sport for fun and fitness.
I have proven over and over in my coaching practice that I can show ANYONE how to do the basic Olympic lifts in under 1 hour. Period.
You don’t need to be a world champion to get in great shape!
And here’s Cara working on her Snatch technique off the blocks:
OK, now the following is going to look outright insane. And it is. But, then, so is Mariusz, the multiple time Worlds Strongest Man (WSM) Winner.
I remember the first time I saw Mariusz competing in the WSM, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The guy looked, and performed, unlike any of the other competitors. He was leaner (much leaner), faster, and unstoppable.
How did he get that way? A ridiculous training program and an even more insane diet. Mariusz trains twice a day, 6 days a week. He’s got 3 workouts that he alternates. In the morning he does gym training, and in the evening he does event training. Let’s take a look:
Day One – Morning Workout – 9am
Back Squats: 8 x 6-2 (sets x reps)
Leg Curls: 6 x 20
Leg Extension: 6 x 20
Pull ups: 6 x 15
Chin ups: 6 x 10
Behind the neck Pull down: 4 x 15
Rows: 4 x 15
Abs: 6 x 30 (on exercises like hanging leg raises, side bends, etc)
That is not a joke! He does all of that in one session only lasting 90 minutes! He works FAST. No wonder he’s so ripped.
Sandbag Carry: 3 x 170 meters
Conan’s Wheel: 3 x 2.5 revolutions
Tire Flip: 3 x 10 flips
Day Two – Morning – 9amFront Squats: Up to a single at 250 kilos
Calf Work: 6 x 15
Overhead Press: Work sets – 6 x 5-4
Deadlifts: Up to a set with 300 kilos (for a few reps, 2 or 3)
Good Mornings: 8 x multiple reps
Bushman’s Walk: 3 x 15 meters @ 300 kilos
Presses with Machine Used in Competition: 3 x 10 @ 120kg
Crucifix Hold: 40 kilos for 30 seconds
Day Three – Morning – 9amBench Press: Multiple sets of 8 to 2 reps
Barbell Triceps Extensions: work up to 80 kilos
Standing French Press
Same as Day One plus Power Stairs and Parallel Stairs
Doesn’t seem like enough? Well, apparently Mariusz didn’t either. So, he also does Karate twice a week, swimming, and medium distance running! He also jump ropes daily.
What about diet? Here’s a quote from Muscle and Fitness magazine:
“My energy comes from my diet. Breakfast is 10 eggs and 2-3 pounds of bacon. Between meals, I eat lots of candy…I need it for energy. Lunch, at 1 or 2 p.m., is a double meal of a Polish pork chop, sauerkraut and potatoes.
An hour later, I work out, then take lots of supplements: magnesium, creatine, amino acids, all that stuff, and more chocolate.
Dinner is whatever meat I can get: steaks, pork chops, bacon, plus more sauerkraut and potatoes. [After I work out] I have a protein shake and more chocolate.”
Yes, he said “candy”. But, if you trained like he did, you could eat all the candy you wanted also!
Personally, I think the “secret” is the sauerkraut.
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