I had a subscriber ask this question:
"Is it possible to build strength, put on muscle and burn off fat if I don't have a power rack and I only have access to a barbell? Not even an Olympic barbell, but one of those old crappy cement filled barbell sets"
I know precisely the weights this guy is saying. I believe nearly everyone of us grew up with them right? They were basically cement weights covered in plastic, and over time the plastic busted up and the cement started to get busted below remember?
I guess I'm showing my age :)
To cut a long story short...
Of course! Why not?! You can absolutely build strength and power with an outdated equipment!
You just need somebody to teach you exactly how. Fortunately you met me. And thank heavens I just read a large amount of Dan John's awe-inspiring "From the Ground Up".
In this outstanding little ebook Dan John explains the "Rapid Ascent Program", which contains three workouts:
1. Explosive/Hamstring move
2. Military Press
3. Front Squat
And here's how you did the program (from his book):
"The program was incredibly simple. In the beginning, groups of four boys were given a bar. The bars were weighted from very lightit could be 25 poundsup to possibly close to 100 pounds. Each group of boys would lift one at a time, put the bar down, then the next boy would lift. The four would continually move from lifter to watcherthe bar never stopped. The three sets (explained in just a moment) would not take very longactually, at times it was hard to catch your breath in time for your next set.
The reps were very simple:
* Set #1: 8 reps
* Set Number 2 -- 6 repetitions
* Set #3: 4 reps
The goal was simple: once you got all 18 reps (8+6+4), you added weight. If you started with a bar that was excessively light, the succeeding workout, you would be bumped up to the next weight and a stronger group. (Needless to say, actual variations could include making a whole new group with more weight, tooor whatever necessary to make the group work together)."
Sounds simple doesn't it?
That's the upside of this program!
You don't need a great deal of equipment to achieve maximum strength and power and build mega-muscles... all at the same time as increasing your cardiovascular fitness and stripping off stubborn pounds of fat.
What you DO need is a little "do or die" attitude. You have to decide you really WANT to achieve your fitness goals, then you'll find a way to use whatever equipment you have available to make it happen.
I love program in view of the fact that it follows the DoubleYourGains' philosophy of training movement patterns rather than a bunch of exercises. The Rapid Ascent program has a press move (military press), a pull move (power clean), a squat move (front squat) and an explosive/hamstring move (power clean).
How to perform the "Rapid Ascent" program for cardio and fat loss:
Coach Dan highlights that you could also acquire a great cardio workout and nuke some fat:
"To "hurry up" the trainingas if it was critical, there were times when Mr. Freeman suggested combining the Power Clean and Military Pressesone clean and one press, repeated for a total of eight reps. This was made with a lighter weight. One could also perform the Front Squats after the clean and presses, too. I have only done this onceand it was an astounding cardiovascular workout."
So if you think you don't have enough equipment to get into great shape and achieve your fitness goals you are wrong. You are wrong. You are wrong.
As a matter of fact, you don't even need a barbell. You can be on your way with the DoubleYourGains' bodyweight program. You can do pullups on your door frame (for extra strong fingers) or just grab the top of a door and go to town (or a tree limb, anything you can hang from, and all that) Believe me, if THAT workout gets easy for you - you will be a certified STUD.
And, the minute you gain access to a good Olympic barbell set you can start the DoubleYourGains' 3-5 Program. - 15995
"Is it possible to build strength, put on muscle and burn off fat if I don't have a power rack and I only have access to a barbell? Not even an Olympic barbell, but one of those old crappy cement filled barbell sets"
I know precisely the weights this guy is saying. I believe nearly everyone of us grew up with them right? They were basically cement weights covered in plastic, and over time the plastic busted up and the cement started to get busted below remember?
I guess I'm showing my age :)
To cut a long story short...
Of course! Why not?! You can absolutely build strength and power with an outdated equipment!
You just need somebody to teach you exactly how. Fortunately you met me. And thank heavens I just read a large amount of Dan John's awe-inspiring "From the Ground Up".
In this outstanding little ebook Dan John explains the "Rapid Ascent Program", which contains three workouts:
1. Explosive/Hamstring move
2. Military Press
3. Front Squat
And here's how you did the program (from his book):
"The program was incredibly simple. In the beginning, groups of four boys were given a bar. The bars were weighted from very lightit could be 25 poundsup to possibly close to 100 pounds. Each group of boys would lift one at a time, put the bar down, then the next boy would lift. The four would continually move from lifter to watcherthe bar never stopped. The three sets (explained in just a moment) would not take very longactually, at times it was hard to catch your breath in time for your next set.
The reps were very simple:
* Set #1: 8 reps
* Set Number 2 -- 6 repetitions
* Set #3: 4 reps
The goal was simple: once you got all 18 reps (8+6+4), you added weight. If you started with a bar that was excessively light, the succeeding workout, you would be bumped up to the next weight and a stronger group. (Needless to say, actual variations could include making a whole new group with more weight, tooor whatever necessary to make the group work together)."
Sounds simple doesn't it?
That's the upside of this program!
You don't need a great deal of equipment to achieve maximum strength and power and build mega-muscles... all at the same time as increasing your cardiovascular fitness and stripping off stubborn pounds of fat.
What you DO need is a little "do or die" attitude. You have to decide you really WANT to achieve your fitness goals, then you'll find a way to use whatever equipment you have available to make it happen.
I love program in view of the fact that it follows the DoubleYourGains' philosophy of training movement patterns rather than a bunch of exercises. The Rapid Ascent program has a press move (military press), a pull move (power clean), a squat move (front squat) and an explosive/hamstring move (power clean).
How to perform the "Rapid Ascent" program for cardio and fat loss:
Coach Dan highlights that you could also acquire a great cardio workout and nuke some fat:
"To "hurry up" the trainingas if it was critical, there were times when Mr. Freeman suggested combining the Power Clean and Military Pressesone clean and one press, repeated for a total of eight reps. This was made with a lighter weight. One could also perform the Front Squats after the clean and presses, too. I have only done this onceand it was an astounding cardiovascular workout."
So if you think you don't have enough equipment to get into great shape and achieve your fitness goals you are wrong. You are wrong. You are wrong.
As a matter of fact, you don't even need a barbell. You can be on your way with the DoubleYourGains' bodyweight program. You can do pullups on your door frame (for extra strong fingers) or just grab the top of a door and go to town (or a tree limb, anything you can hang from, and all that) Believe me, if THAT workout gets easy for you - you will be a certified STUD.
And, the minute you gain access to a good Olympic barbell set you can start the DoubleYourGains' 3-5 Program. - 15995
About the Author:
Visit the experts website to read more more about front squats and some weight loss tips for women.
