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View Full Version : A Time to Train and a Time to Live



James Amos
02-22-2011, 04:51 AM
In 1956 Jim Halliday wrote;


Since lifting is in the main an amateur sport, we must work for a living and consider the effects or our respective jobs on training progress. By this I mean that a lifter should work out a routine to work in with the nature of his livelihood. You must consider energy expenditure, fresh air, correct diet and several other necessary factors.

You job is the means by which you earn the means of existence, and lifting is a hobby, a directed form of relaxation. You cannot always change your job to fit in with your training, but it is always possible to arrange your training to fit in with the work you do.

I have recently accepted a position with a company that in addition to office based duties will require extended periods away (between a total of 100-150 days of the year). Depending on the location, duration of project I could potentially be away for durations of 2-4 weeks at a time.

This was raised in the interview process and concern was given to how I would manage with my training requirements.

I theorised that during periods away I would focus on calisthenics and cardio work. I half joked that I was convinced there would be enough heavy equipment on site to lift or failing that rocks!

Howver, I do have some concern about maintaining pysical fitness and above all strength.

The work is physical in nature but likely to be in areas where gyms are not accessible.

Does anyone else have experience in maintaing base strength levels during extended periods away?

Dave Lemanczyk
02-22-2011, 05:25 AM
When you understand how effective training feels, you can replicate it anywhere with anything. Congrats on your new job!

Zac K. Phillips
02-24-2011, 08:35 AM
Just my .02

I've never been a huge proponent of them but I hear people can do a lot with Kettlebells. Tried em out, just never got into them but some folks love em. You could also keep some gigantic Dumbbells in your trunk and do farmers walks, circus presses, rows etc. (That is if you have a car with you). Good Luck!

Thomas Heikes
02-24-2011, 07:39 PM
What exactly is a circus press?

James Amos
02-25-2011, 02:19 AM
I believe the late great Paul Anderson used to keep huge dumbbells in the trunk of his car so that he could train inbetween his near continual lifting exhibitions and speaking engagements.

The circus press referred to is probably in relation to the 'Circus Dumbell' used at the Arnold contest.

Competitors are given a 90 second limit to 'clean and press' the bell as many times as possible.

This custom made work of strength art, the brain child of Richard Sorin, weighs 202lb. and has a handle diameter of 3". When not in use during the Arnold contest, it resides in Austin, Texas at the National Museum of Strength, operated by Terry Todd. The little brother of the Circus Bell, "Rosey", a red 162lb version of the same dimensions is used as a warm-up bell.

I believe Derek Poundstone holds the world record at 15 reps.

Thomas Heikes
02-25-2011, 09:16 AM
The weight of the circus dumbbell has increased at the Arnold in the last 2 years. In 2010 it weighed around 220 lbs. and in the upcoming 2011 Arnold it is going to weigh around 240 lbs. if I remember correctly. I beleive they fill it with lead so they can pretty much change the weight to whatever they want.

Zac K. Phillips
02-25-2011, 10:49 AM
Thanks Tom and James for the insights. I didn't know that about Paul Anderson....

Pretty much a cool way to say an anyhow overhead and press with a heavy (for you) Dumbbell. Slap some fat gripz on them to make them thick handled if you like....Good Luck!

Look up the Poundstone performance for a show of the awesomeness/motivational material with this lift.

Erick Brown
02-25-2011, 11:07 AM
I've been thinking about getting a 5 foot bar with rotating collars. It will fit in my car and I can do most anything right out of the trunk of my car.
I'm not a large man, so it should do the trick for me. One bar and a few plates.

Thomas Heikes
02-25-2011, 12:18 PM
Thats sounds awesome, if you can find a park bench you can do bench pressing, box squats, seated military press you name it. Throw in a couple dumbbell bars w/adjustable weight and you pretty much got it all. Pretty much the only things you couldnt do would be incline press, lat pulldown and seated rows and obviously leg press.