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"WET DOG SMELL"
Obj: Power Endurance
Training:
(1) Run/Hike 1.5 miles, 1,500 foot elevation gain, carrying 48# pack
(2) 80x Getups with 80# sandbag
Comments:
EMAIL QUESTION:
Good morning Rob,
First off I just want to thank you for your strong support of the front squat, if you hadn't been such an advocate I would
have never started doing them. But now that I have incorporated them its one of my strengths. Its increased my thruster to
225lbs. Anyway, coach I was wondering if you
ever implement muscle-ups in your training? I can imagine as a climber it would be an invaluable asset as much as a pull-up.
If not just curious as to why? Thanks for all the great posts.
V/R
Steve
COMMENTS/ANSWER
No, we haven't done muscle ups, probably for a couple reasons. First is equipment restrictions. I've got two sets of rings,
and just one set up to do that exercise.
Second, learning curve. Fairly long one.
Third - female athletes. I'm not too sure how many would ever be able to do it.
All that being said, several of my male athletes asked about it last week, and who knows, we may implement it soon. -
Rob
EMAIL QUESTION:
Hi Rob,
I'm curious about the details of your 5.13 climber who could not finish your initiation workout. I can't remember offhand
what you are using as an 'indoc' session these days, but I vaguely remember some alternating rowing and sandbag getups as
part of it.Would you e-mail me with the details of his failure to finish, and what you are using as an 'indoc' session these
days? In one way it's remarkable that someone who can climb so hard couldn't finish-climbing at that level you'd think would
guarantee certain power/ power endurance capabilties. On the other hand your site is full of stories of great athletes with
no experience around the weightroom and big holes in their general fitness.
Did this guy become one of your regulars? Did he see his limitations in the right way, or was he scared off right away?
Certainly he has much potential - and you call him middle-aged, the age of many of your solid regulars, those who realize
what the gym can do for them in terms of longevity/injury prevention/ stamina. I'm not saying that simply being middle-aged
guarantees the right frame of mind - the lack of ego, sense of humor, willingness to suffer that you have spoken to in past
postings- but there seems to be a pattern here. Are most of the "posers" young talented bucks for whom sporting
success has come easy? I know you probably didn't get to know most of them well at all-they were out the door too soon. You've
addressed this before- these guys take a big ego hit their first session or two, and never return. And your indoc session
is designed to humble the newbies and let them know what they're in for- aren't most newbies slow, if not struggling to finish?
If you're a relative newcomer to multi-modal circuits of any sort, and a total novice at sandbag getups or Rob Shauls or
BB complexes etc., doesn't EVERYONE somewhat suck at first? Are the posers simply the ones who don't persevere, or are the
other attitudinal problems evident right away? Thanks for your thoughts on these questions.
- - Alex M.
COMMENTS/ANSWER
Hi Alex -
Q: "Did this guy become one of your regulars? Did he see his limitations in the right way, or was he scared off right
away?"
A: No, he never came back. Also, it seems the best rock climbers tend to be really skinny, and sport-specific. I disagree
that being a good rock climber "guarantees" power/power endurance capabilities much beyond what's needed for rock
climbing. To climb well you don't need any significant cardio, leg strength, or pressing ability, right? You need grip/finger
strength, some body weight core strength, and especially technical proficiency. Even pulling strength is questionable. I have
several good climbers in the gym who aren't very good at pull ups - the best climbers use their feet, right?
Q: "Are most of the "posers" young talented bucks for whom sporting success has come easy?"
A: Many are very talented athletes, but there is no "age" per se. Some are just regular folks too. Our stuff
is too hard, too high impact, too intense, or too different for them, I guess. And that's okay. It's not for everybody.
Q: "And your indoc session is designed to humble the newbies and let them know what they're in for- aren't most
newbies slow, if not struggling to finish? If you're a relative newcomer to multi-modal circuits of any sort, and a total
novice at sandbag getups or Rob Shauls or BB complexes etc., doesn't EVERYONE somewhat suck at first? Are the posers simply
the ones who don't persevere, or are the other attitudinal problems evident right away?"
A: Our first session isn't designed to humble anyone. It is designed to give me an evaluation of how people move and how
fit they are, and give them some sense on how hard we work. Sometimes new athletes join vets in that day's regular session,
and their loads are scaled accordingly.
Q:"Doesn't EVERYONE somewhat suck at first? Are the posers simply the ones who don't persevere, or are the other
attitudinal problems evident right away?"
A: Nope, some people smoke the first session and love it. "Posers" is too harsh a term and I regret using it.
Many people just don't want to train this hard, and that's okay. Others train hard in their sport or current program,
and aren't comfortable being pushed in new directions and not being as proficient. That's okay too.
Please understand that Mountain Athlete isn't an "elite" gym, where only "elite" athletes can train.
If that was the case, my own sorry, weak butt couldn't train here!
We've got elite people who train here, yes, but several "regular" folks too. I don't care what kind of condition
people are when they step through the door, or what their athletic background is. All you have to do to train here is pay
your dues and bust your ass. That's it.
- Rob
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| Mattie |
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