Olympic Lifting Benefits

I want to start out by saying that I am not a big shot Olympic Weight Lifter proficient in it by any means, but I will say that having a basic knowledge and a basic intelligent of implementation, they have had positive benefits into my strength gaining program. Honestly, with some dedication both in and out of the gym, they are not as complex as one would make you believe. What is complex is executing them correctly, but everyone has to start some where wether you are Shane Hammands or Joe Schmoe Gym Rat the Third. Also, let it be known, that when I speak of Olympic Lifting, it does not necessarily mean the Clean and Jerk and the Snatch. In fact, those are probably the last two things I would reccomend doing if trying to gain strength and explosiveness. For the athlete/lifter looking to strengthen core levels, flexibility, and develop explosivness I would suggest the follwing routine:

Monday: Jerks from the rack, heavy
Strict Press
Tricep work
Lat work
Rotational abbs

Weds: Cleans, 15-20 reps total
Squat heavy
Over Head Squat
Hamstrings
Abs

Friday: Snatch, 15-20 reps total
Drop Snatch
High Pulls
Shoulders
Rotational abs


Saturday: Deadlift Heavy
Front Squat
Bent Over Rows
Biceps
Abs

Thats just a sample, and similar to something I am doing at this point. I must admit that I was against including Olympic Lifting at first but I was also against adding in Strongman training as well. Everyday I am "emptying my cup" and learning something new. The full results of how Olympic Lifting has changed my strength levels will be in later, but from a pretty early perspective I can only say "Where have you been all my life?"

Stay Strong,
Mike Pelosi

What is Strength?

I often get the question, "What exactly is strength?" This is a subject open to interpretation, and virtually no one is wrong. With that being said, I will tell you a little bit about what I feel strength is. Strength transcends being big, muscular, and strong. Strength transcends the ability to K.O. someone in the first round. What strength actually means is the ability to live optimally by getting rid of the negative shit in your life, wiping away the tears, hoisting the flag of victory, and finally just FUCKING LIVE! The person I know who has the most strength is my mother, so I will use her as an example. Her daily routine is this:

4:00 AM. Wake up, turn on news, drink some coffe.

5:00 AM. Half hour on the treadmill, then hits the bands (which can be bought from www.elitefts.com) for close to twenty minutes. She does a full body workout, 3 times a week, and when she does not do a full workout, she does the treadmill and works her abdominals.

6:00 AM. Go in shower and start getting ready for work. My sister and I start getting up at this time as well.

7:00 AM. Makes lunch for work

7:45 AM. Leaves for work. My mother supports two children on a salary thats less than 40 grand a year. Sure she gets upset, but she never complains.

5:30 PM. Come home, cook dinner if needed.

9:00 PM. Go to bed

Wake up repeat again, again, and again.

My mother just does it, and thats it. Thats strength. People complain about working out and not able to eat healthy? Come the fuck on. People complain that their lives just suck, or they don't make enough money? Come the fuck on. Im no motivational speaker, but I do speak on behalf of Strength.

Get Strong or Die...thats answer to life.

Stay strong,
Mike Pelosi

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