Something new

A few years back I wrote about a guy I saw at the gym that did very heavy lifting but also took VERY long breaks in between each lift.  In the past year or two I got to talking to him a bit and he is a real cool guy, but a little crazy.  He has chronic back problems but he has a hard time cutting back on the intensity of his workouts to accommodate his injury.  When he did push up at the gym, he couldn’t just do regular push ups, he did them with a weight vest loaded down with 130 pounds.

I hadn’t seen him for awhile until today.  It was hard to miss him as he was the guy sitting on the bench with big huge chains hanging off each end of the barbell, wtf???  I asked him what the deal was with the chains.  It actually is a pretty cool concept.  The chains weigh a total of 61 pounds.  When you take the bar off the rack the chains just clear the ground so you are supporting the full additional 60 pounds.  As you go through the rep some of the chain piles up on the floor, reducing the weight as you lower the bar and then increases the resistance as you go back up, pretty cool idea. 

I helped him on one of his heavier sets by spotting him.  On his 8th rep I helped him just a bit.  I had to laugh when a few minutes later he laid down and did one rep.  I asked him if he wanted to do more.  he said “Nope, I just had to do one more because I don’t count the one that you helped with…”  I laughed and told him I am the same way.  If someone touches the weight, I didn’t really do it.

Some blog material by Ali, a rarity.  First off, look at this video, or more importantly, listen to it.  I told Ali she should do this during 5k’s.  http://www.maniacworld.com/most-annoying-runner-ever.html

Second, this funny animated gif.