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Jon S: Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1:41 PM
The first time I tried this program I added 15 pounds to my lifetime best incline bench press during the 21st workout, approximately a month after starting the program. I did this max with no spotter (not recommended), and I got the lift for a double (2 repetitions). It was a 15-pound improvement over my lifetime best with an extra rep as a parting gift without doing a single hard workout. Just 2 sets of 5 repetitions anytime I entered the gym. |
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Jon S: Posted on Monday, May 14, 2012 12:01 PM
It has been a while since the last post. Things have been pretty crazy around here in preparation for my wife's trip to China to "retrieve" our new daughter Mia who is 2 years old. She leaves with a good friend of the family on Thursday 5/17 and returns Friday 6/1. Keep them in your prayers. We'd appreciate it!!! Now...back to the"40-Day Journey." Last Friday I deadlifted and bench pressed more weight than I have handled in 20+ years. Hows did I peak for this moment? |
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Jon S: Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 11:03 AM
As I've used the "40-Day Journey," I have learned some things about myself and incorporated some adjustments that have, and are, working well. Perhaps they will be of some value to those of you are older trainees and/or have very busy lives! 1. I do not recover as well from training as I used to...and I have a very difficult time holding back my weights...even in the 40 Day Journey. It takes a concentrated effort and patience to complete the entire Journey. |
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Jon S: Posted on Monday, April 30, 2012 11:13 AM
I'm a bit leery to share this next thought with you, but hope that you will not misuse the concept before the time is right. By now you should realize that the "secret" of the40-day journey is consistency. Most of you should be doing 2 sets of 5 repetitions for your base exercises (DLs, Pushes, Pulls). The variation should be coming from the amount of weight you handle each session (random fluctuation from 40% to 75% of your 1-rep maximum). Stick with this for at least the first 4 weeks. |
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Jon S: Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2012 9:13 AM
Why does the "40-Day" workout WORK?! - You are doing as much work as possible while staying as fresh as possible. This is an organized version of what Pavel calls "Greasing the Groove." Literally...your muscles are learning to perform the movements as effectively and efficiently as possible without overly taxing them on any one day.
- What doesn't appear to be too much work is actually a staggering amount of volume in any given week. The secret, like all great secrets of strength training, is the repetitions.
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Jon S: Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 9:59 AM
In the last post I promised to give you a "secret" workout. But before I spill the beans I want to remind you of why we train... 1. To take care of the "temples" God has entrusted to us. 2. To enable us to enjoy life and serve both God and our fellow man even as we age. 3. To apply what we learn in training to the rest of our lives. I hope you'll take a minute and re-evaluate your approach to physical training no matter what your methods or tools. |
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Jon S: Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 11:16 AM
If you follow the industry...no doubt you've got to be impressed by how creative the fitness industry has become. With names like "Insanity" and cutting edge strategies like "muscle confusion" you'd think we are on the verge of a "physically Brave New World"! Before you decide to plunk down your hard earned cash in 47 easy installments of $39.99 I'd like you to think about a few things and offer you some sane and simple advice: Firstly - You want to get in shape? |
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Jon S: Posted on Monday, April 02, 2012 2:11 PM
As I sift through the bodybuilding/strength training literature (esp. magazines) I realize how advertisement- driven these publications are. Page after page of this supplement which will "bring out your vascularity" and that powder which will "blow your muscles up with the greatest PUMP you've ever had"!!! And every one of them is an ABSOLUTE MUST if you are going to make REAL progress and train like Mr. So-&-So, or the reigning Strongest Man! Now while I enjoy reading SOME of the articles, etc. |
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Jon S: Posted on Monday, March 26, 2012 12:07 PM
It has been a real mixed bag around Higher Power this weekend. For those of you who remember our friend Dan recovering from liver transplant surgery...things are progressing...slowly...but progressing, thank God! On the other hand, a friend of my wife passed away this weekend from pancreatic cancer. She was in her early 30's with two young children. Please say a prayer for Denise and her family. May God grant her peace and her family - strength. The Book of Psalms (139) says: |
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Jon S: Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2012 8:54 AM
The older I get, the more I come to realize that the most sophisticated training is often the simplest looking. No balancing on one foot while reciting the pledge of allegiance blind-folded to maximize the pump in the inner portion of the outer head of your bicep muscle. Some of the greatest athletes perform the simplest training regimens. At least that's what it looks like. The truly great ones train "deeply." What does this mean? - Their focus is intense.
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