There Are 2 Ways To Do Most Things

If you talk to a real strong man like Dennis Rogers, he'll tell you that there is only one legitimate way to rip phonebooks. That is to push with one hand and pull with the other (top to bottom). In short, flat out rip it!

There is another way that most people use to perform this feat of strength. It involves a "technique". You need to bend and pinch the book with your knuckles (see left). With all due respect to Dennis Rogers, although not as much of a true feat of strength, this method requires a significant amount of grip strength. It is a legitimate challenge for us newbies. This technique is how I learned to rip phonebooks. This method got me hooked. I also built more grip strength practicing the illegitimate method. During this time I've gained knowledge and experience, albeit minimal, in the the strongman game.

I watched Dennis Rogers' video A Grip That Rips - Legitimate Phonebook Tearing. I've been trying his method out. It's a challenge in every sense of the word. But if he can do it, so can I...eventually. My thinking on this: To test myself and my strength I need to rely on my strength not technique.

A month ago, I tried my current best torn with the non legitimate technique (1 & 3/4 inches). I tried 1/2 inch. Both produced the exact same results...an intact completely functioning phonebook. This morning after my "workout lay-off " I grabbed a 3/4 inch phonebook, because I now have them laying around. Thought thru the proper technique. Grabbed the book, got my head straight and bam! ripped it legitimately. It was more like baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam! I won't say I've mastered this size of phonebook but I did it.

THE POINT:
In what ever you do...Sometimes the "easy way" is the only way you know. Go with it. At least you're doing something. But be willing to learn and use the proper way so you can understand yourself and your true abilities.

-Strength and Honor-
Benny

Check Out:

Dennise Rogers - Grand Master Strong Man

Clay Edgin - An Upcommer in the Strongman world

Using My Mind Powers

So my workouts have been non-existent the last several days. I got sick...Niki and the kids got sick...aliens abducted me...all excuses. I should have been more disciplined! During that time I've ripped a few phonebooks, bent 2 nails, and tried to pick up everything the "hard way". I guess you could say I had worked out.

Wednesday the Dry Bones staff took some of our friends from the streets camping. We got to the campsite and lying beside the fire pit is a sledgehammer handle. This is how addicted to this strongman stuph I am; I pick it up and begin levering it. Then I get this idea for an elaborate contraption I could build to add a small amount of weight to the end. I could work my way up to a 6lb. Sledgehammer. Today, I go to the hardware store to see how much it would cost to build the rig and I see the real sledges sitting there. I pick up the 6lb. Sledge and actually lever it to my nose, easily! We'll I grab the 8 lb. and do the same...both hands. I try the 10lb but it felt a little wobbly. So I stop call Lennie and share the good news. This afternoon I'm at another hardware store to buy some junk for Dry Bones and I "accidentally" go by the sledges. I'm pissed I didn't lever the 10lb. Sledge. So I try it. But this time I get my head straight and believe I can do it. I slowly let it down to my nose and slowly raise it up. I was pumped! I don't think the kid working that isle was as excited as me, though

THE POINT---
I thought I needed to start off small and work my way up to a 6lb sledgehammer. I had it set in my mind that I couldn't possibly do it. But 10 minutes in the tool isle with no prep. or warm ups and I exceeded what my mind said I could do by 10lbs.! I'm excited about this stuph.

Passion + Knowledge + Belief in your self = POSSIBILITIES!

I'm passionate about this strength stuph, I've done some research on levering and after I did the 6lb. Hammer I believed I could do more. My possibilities are endless.

-Strength and Honor-
Benny

PS.
Thanks to Steve McGranahan for his encouragment, advice, and generosity. This brother rocks! You really need to check him out at www.stevemcgranahan.com and on "Country Fried Home Videos" on CMT.

for lennie 9-26-06

tuesdays workout felt awsome. this was my lower body workout

cardio - 6 laps in the pool

ab bench - back - 1 set of 50 - 1 set of 30
ab bench right side - 1 set of 30
ab bench left side - 1 set of 30
hip adductor (in) - 2 sets of 20 @ 202.5 lbs
hip adductor (out) - 2 sets of 10 @ 195 lbs
leg extention - 2 sets of 15 @ 215 lbs
seated leg curl - 2 sets 10 @ 245 lbs
seated leg press - 2 sets of 20 @ 320 lbs


knowing others means you are wise, knowing yourself means you are enlightened.

"monk" from the bullet proof monk