Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 4/27/12

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The Pitfalls of Progressive Overload – Bret Contreras

I love articles that are straight to the point and offer personal perspective from the author. This was a fantastic article by Bret showcasing that you don’t HAVE to go on the “all you can eat” diet in order to get stronger.

“Pick your ideal weight and try to be as strong as possible at that weight”

Words of wisdom from my boy Bret.

If nothing else, read the article to see a picture of Bret when he was fat. Classic (and an awesome way to make a point).

Q and A: How to Write Resistance Training Programs, Part 2: Coaching – Steve Reed

The key word in that title?  COACHING!!!!!!

The only way to get good at something – anything! – is to actually do it. A lot.

Like, all the time.

I’m reading a fantastic book right now called Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success, which, much like it’s predecessors Outliers and Talent is Overrated, hammers the point that PURPOSEFUL practice (10,000 + hours to be exact) is the key to success.

The Beatles didn’t become THE Beatles overnight.  Likewise, Bill Gates certainly didn’t become a kazillion-bajillionaire in a week.  In both scenarios, it came down to unique circumstances, and PRACTICE!

More to the point, in this post Steve notes that the reason he’s able to write such effective programs is because he’s failed numerous times in the past, but consistently continued to PRACTICE writing more of them and then applying them to real people.  In a sense:  he’s learned to coach his ass off, which is something I wish more trainers and coaches would learn to grasp.

Why Women SHOULD Lift Like a Man: Part I – Al Painter

As the titles implies, ladies:  there’s no reason why you can’t train “like a man.”  Here Al does a fantastic job dispelling some of the common myths that women tend to fall prey to:

– You have to do more cardio to burn fat

– Crunches flatten the abs

– You can spot reduce

– It’s impossible to spend less than 30 minutes in the bathroom when getting ready for A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G

Okay, that last one was an LOL added in by me. But nonetheless, the overall message is something that I feel is important to highlight, and needs to spread like wildfire.

Ladies:  it’s okay to lift (heavy) weights and to step away from the Pilates class/not buy those pair of shoes that you can’t afford even though they’re on sale.

Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.

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Comments for This Entry

  • Willlevymsc

    Loved Bounce! Great collaboration of those three books (add The Talent Code to that list of predecessors)

    April 27, 2012 at 8:51 am | Reply to this comment

  • Acv Scott

    Hi Tony,               If you like "Bounce" then read "The genius in all of us" by David Shenk Of particular interest to me was the evidence that gene expression can be passed on to our future generations.

    April 27, 2012 at 9:13 am | Reply to this comment

  • Steve_Reed

    WOW, very humbling to find my name on this list. I appreciate it and thanks for the kind words, Tony! 

    April 27, 2012 at 1:57 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Kyle Schuant

    Women should lift like a man? You mean they should do nothing but bench and seventeen different kinds of curls? Rather than train "like a man" it'd be good if they could train effectively. 

    April 27, 2012 at 7:19 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Nick

    But what if they're those round soled shoes that give you a real work out!?!?! Man, those things are a commentary on society if ever there was one.

    April 28, 2012 at 2:07 am | Reply to this comment

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    April 28, 2012 at 2:34 am | Reply to this comment

  • Pete

    To be honest, I don't really agree with the article by Brett. It seems that he's implying we can either get fat and strong, or lean and weak. What happened to getting  big and strong and not turning into a complete fatass at the same time? It's funny that people will pour over every aspect of training and then be so blase about how they fuel their endeavours. I know it's not fashionable to count calories, but at least it gives you a start point to work from. Begin with a small surplus and see how the gains come. Gaining more than a couple of pounds a month? Reduce the surplus slightly. Not putting on at least a pound? Add a little more food.  Im comfortably gaining about 2 pounds a month at the moment. Im stronger than ever and have seen no increase in bodyfat. I've gained nearly ten pounds this year so far and still look good naked! Gains too slow for you? Well enjoy bulking and cutting your way to being exactly the same bodyweight in a years time. We shouldn't just settle like Brett is suggesting. Get strong and be responsible with your diet.

    April 28, 2012 at 9:36 am | Reply to this comment

  • One4catie

    I still don't understand what's wrong with Tracy Anderson's method.  I want to be dainty because real men don't want someone strong who can take care of their bodies.  That's why I only lift soup cans. (HA HA HA HA!!!  Sorry, Tony!  I know that must have made your head hurt.)

    May 5, 2012 at 2:01 pm | Reply to this comment

    • TonyGentilcore

      haha. Almost. I read the first sentence and was really, really, really scared of what was going to follow. Glad you see your sense of humor is the same as mine....;o)

      May 8, 2012 at 6:59 am | Reply to this comment

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