Category: Strength & Conditioning

Understanding Strength: My Journey So Far And The Types Of Strength

For a long time, I always really thought of strength as being strength. You either had it or you didn’t. Some people were strong and others weren’t.

Sure, that’s a simplistic breakdown of it–I understood that some were stronger than other strong people, for example–but I really figured that if you were strong, you were strong.

However, I’m ashamed to say that it took me this long to recognize that there are different types of strength. Continue reading “Understanding Strength: My Journey So Far And The Types Of Strength”

Study Looks At Kettlebells And Strength Gains

Kettlebells and strength gains. That’s a really big question and it’s not discussed nearly as much as I think it should be. After all, while we have tons of studies about how dumbbells and barbells can increase strength, there aren’t quite as many dealing with kettlebells.

And, to be fair, some of the kettlebell studies are flawed. I took a look at several studies here, and a look at another one here.

All in all, it looks like one can gain strength with a kettlebell, which stands to reason.

However, the science is far from settled on the matter, which is why a new study from August, 2020 deserves some attention.

Continue reading “Study Looks At Kettlebells And Strength Gains”

My New HEMA Training Plan

As promised yesterday, I kind of have a basic outline for my new HEMA training plan. What I have here are various phases. There’s no set period of time on how long a phase actually is. It takes as long as it needs to take and possibly even longer because, like most people looking at their training, I’m an idiot sometimes.

Remember, this is gearing an individual up for longsword fighting with an eye toward also performing grappling-style combat as well. That said, there are worse ways someone can get in shape than to follow something similar to this.

However, if you’re training for a completely different sport, don’t be surprised if this approach doesn’t work for you at all. Hell, this is something of an experiment anyway, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work for you if you compete in longsword.

So, without further ado…

Continue reading “My New HEMA Training Plan”

Planning My Training Part 2: Assessing My Needs

When I wrote Part 1 of this series, I talked rather vaguely about my needs for my training plan. I knew what I wanted from my training in broad strokes. I even talked about my “needs,” but again, those are all discussed in very broad terms.

The thing is, you can’t make a plan with that.

Don’t get me wrong, it helps to know where you’re going, otherwise, how will you know which direction to go?

So, it’s time to honestly assess my needs. This will not be fun in the least.

Continue reading “Planning My Training Part 2: Assessing My Needs”

Planning My Training Part 1: What I Want From My Plan

So, now it’s time to get into my new training plan. There’s just one little problem. I…uh…haven’t planned it.

See, I know I need to train, and I sorta kinda know where I’m going with a lot of this, but I’m not remotely read to say “here’s the plan.” Why? Because I’m going to have to go a bit beyond my comfort zone.

Continue reading “Planning My Training Part 1: What I Want From My Plan”

So…I Ran A 5K Race This Past Saturday

Me trying to look even more exhausted by panting like a dog. It didn’t work. (Photo by my wife, Jennifer)

This past weekend, I ran a 5K race. It was my first 5K in more than a quarter of a century.

Damn I’m old.

Anyway, I thought I’d take a few moments to chat about just what that was like, how it felt, how I did, and all of that jazz. You know, in case you wanted to know.

Continue reading “So…I Ran A 5K Race This Past Saturday”

Review of Couch To 5K

Photo from Upsplash

Having just about completed the program, I thought I’d offer up a review of Couch to 5K. It’s a popular program and is generally considered to be a solid way to get someone started running.

The question has to be, “Is it really all that?”

Continue reading “Review of Couch To 5K”

Why You Need To Pick Your Own Wars

You need to pick your wars.

Of course, the question is, “Just what the hell do you mean by that?” Well, Barbarians like a good fight, that’s sure. However, for better or worse, we live in a society that frowns on fighting…to a point. What they frown on is the idea of hurting one another.

There’s another kind of fight you can engage in, though, that will be celebrated, even if a civilized society such as ours. You just need to pick those fights.

Continue reading “Why You Need To Pick Your Own Wars”

My New Favorite Exercise: The Barbell Pullover

While trying to make my way into being capable of something like a Spartan Race, I’ve had to step back and look at every exercise I do. With three days per week taken up with running, I don’t have all week to train.

Well, I do, but I don’t. I mean, I have more free time available than most due to the nature of my job, but I also have to practice with a longsword, prepare food for the family, etc. I just don’t want to spend all day training.

Besides, I live in South Georgia and it’s freaking HOT!

Anyway, I take a look at what exercises I was doing and I also watched a number of Spartan Races themselves. Now, not all obstacle course races are Spartan Races, so I watched a bunch of those too.

My goal was to look at what would be demanded of me so I could tailor my training accordingly. In the process, I started doing a movement that’s become one of my favorite exercises: The barbell pullover.

Continue reading “My New Favorite Exercise: The Barbell Pullover”

Dave Goes Barbarian – Rocking the Connective Tissues

Hail, Barbarians, and well met! I see Jorge has brought a trophy along for Show & Tell tonight. I hope the Saxon dog met his end gloriously, though I’d ask that in the future, you give your trophies time for the flesh to rot from the bones. A good soak in 40v hydrogen peroxide will de-yuck and brighten the skulls of your enemies right up! If one of you lovely savages will raid the nearest cosmetology supply depot, we can have arts and crafts next week.

Tonight’s self-care subject was set to be the proper care of your flowing, warrior locks, but Bjorn Bjornson went a bit berserkrgang during the recent battle and was last seen attacking the forest with his teeth. Hopefully, he’ll be back in his right mind soon, and we can benefit from his experience, then. Always remember to chain your berserkrs to avoid this in the future. In the meantime, I’d like to talk to you about the white bits of tissue holding your joints together, and your muscles to them. Olaf the Flayed has graciously consented to act as my visual aid for tonight’s presentation. Don’t mind the whimpering: he just does that. Continue reading “Dave Goes Barbarian – Rocking the Connective Tissues”