This is Why My Job Is Better Than Yours Part II

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I’m going to keep this one short and simple today because, well, the video speaks for itself.  Simply stated:  training environment is everything.  Or, put another way, a component that’s – at the very least – highly underrated and something that most trainees never really get to experience.

In addition, one of the things we pride ourselves most with at Cressey Performance is the sense of camaraderie and “family” that’s instilled amongs our clients and athletes.  We don’t have a secret handshake or anything (Note to self:  we totally should), but everyone knows that when they walk through those doors, it’s go time.  It’s time to work.  And, even more importantly, there are absolutely no cell phones allowed.

^^^ See, I’m not kidding.

Anyways, getting to the point, the video below shows one of our clients, Dr. P, hitting a personal milestone of his – a 315 lb bench press.

Setting the stage, he actually missed his first attempt – bringing the bar down a little too high and failing just off the chest.

Not to be defeated, though, Dr. P wanted to give it another shot.  He waited another 5-10 minutes, fired up his iPod, and set up for another attempt.  Now, when I say that the entire gym literally stopped to watch and cheer on Dr. P, I’m not exaggerating.  The video doesn’t show it, but there was a circle of clients and CP staff surrounding the bench as he set up for his second attempt.  And well, I’ll just shut up now and show the video:

BOOM!  Smoked it.  Yeah, yeah, we can get all nitpicky and say that the descent was too fast, but it was under control.  Don’t be a hater!

What you can’t appreciate, however (because the video was cut short), was that when Dr. P racked the weight, he leaped off the bench and was swarmed by everyone.  People were jumping up and down, patting him on the back, as if he had hit a game winning walk-off homerun or something.  It was pretty freakin cool.  The only thing that would have made it more baller was if, after racking the weight, Dr. P got up and karate chopped a 2×4 in half.

Next time.

Congrats Dr. P!!!!  You worked your ass off, and we couldn’t be prouder.

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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Plus, get a copy of Tony’s Pick Things Up, a quick-tip guide to everything deadlift-related. See his butt? Yeah. It’s good. You should probably listen to him if you have any hope of getting a butt that good.

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Comments for This Entry

  • Steve

    2X4 karate chop should be mandatory after smoking any PR.

    August 15, 2011 at 8:20 am | Reply to this comment

  • JC Wise

    today I busted a PR on a Side Plank with Row!!! it was over lunch in a small town gym and the only person there was some hot chick on the stair master. she acted like she didn't even hear my Rebel Yell!!! (frowns) jc

    August 15, 2011 at 12:25 pm | Reply to this comment

  • DJ

    Hi Tony. I also have bitchy knees. I saw your Trap bar deadlift at 505. How do your knees feel after that. Do bilateral post chain exercises give you relief. How long have you stayed just in a single leg lift/rehab program. And, how are your knees. Thanks mate.

    August 15, 2011 at 12:52 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Mike Skrzek

    Tony, I agree with you on the training environment. The one thing I miss the most about training at CP is the environment and camaraderie. It's freakin' awesome.

    August 15, 2011 at 1:54 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Steve: HA! I wish! @ JC Wise: Well, a PR is a PR. Nice work! @ DJ: While I've had my fair share of knee issues in the past, I LOVE the trap bar (or any deadlift variation for that matter) because it doesn't require a lot of knee flexion. Plus, one advantage the trap bar has over other DL variations is that is "recruits" more of the quads, so I'm still able to get some quad work in without having to squat. Although, to be fair, I still do squat. All In all, my knees are fine. So long as I'm consistent with my foam rolling and getting some soft tissue work (massage, ART, Graston), I'm good to go. @ Mike: Well, we hope to see you back soon!

    August 15, 2011 at 7:28 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Dr P

    Tony, Training environment is everything. You crazy bastards are on the same frequency as me. Your interpretation of the celebration was right on. I told my patients that it was as though I scored the game winning run. For the first time in a long while, others were celebrating my accomplishment. It was epic. I can’t wait to return the favor to another athlete.

    August 16, 2011 at 9:44 am | Reply to this comment

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