A day of training at Power B’s can be summed up in one word—hell. Training at B’s provides the guidance, atmosphere, and motivation that virtually guarantees that you will push yourself as you never have before. What makes the training so unique is B. He is the innovator and the motivator. Combine his intensity with a crew, and you have the absolute best place to workout.
Several years ago, B decided to start a training day at his home. I was fortunate enough to be one of those included in this group. This was the true beginning of the crew’s powerlifting career, and the training metamorphosis began. Back then, B’s training was geared toward bench competition, and we trained to compete (this was still when it was a source of pride not to train in your bench shirt). Other days intermingled, but our main focus was the bench. And it worked.
However, B became bored. The question became, how can the crew truly challenge themselves? The answer came from the World’s Strongest Man competition. B decided to include strongman events at the end of the bench training days. The alley that runs beside his home was never the same. This eventually grew to include another strongman day during the summer.
I have had the opportunity to have trained at many gyms and locales. I can honestly say that I have never trained, witnessed, or heard of training that carries more intensity than an all out session at B’s. His intensity attracts those that want to wring the last bit of strength and mental fortitude out of themselves. The only rule that I have ever gleaned is this—you do not quit. It is the only unforgivable offense that will lead to banishment.
The atmosphere is where it starts. When you arrive, you find your way to the basement and are greeted by the latest heavy metal, death metal, or whatever metal B has been able to find (and he is a bit of a music fanatic). Others begin to join the motley crew, some greeted with a respectful handshake, others by one of B’s clever verbal attacks (and no, it is not a good idea to one up the stakes by giving back in kind). As the appointed time looms, various warm-up techniques are employed by the 4–8 guys with the cajones to show up. When the master of the house is ready, the rotation for the first movement begins. Weakest to strongest. No one wants to lose his spot in the rotation, except to advance up.
The music is now loud enough to prevent any jaw jacking, and everyone is spotting, loading, and above all, encouraging the others. Again, no one is insulted for the weight attempted, but the attempt is what matters. You give all or leave.
After the first movement, a higher repetition bench movement is performed, and if possible, the intensity increases. For example, B decided to include a ten rep rule in training. If you fail on the last rep, you start over. Tony Robbins, my arse, this is motivation. And yes, B is not above the law. The point is to progress, and he fell prey to the rule the first day. The 315 he benched 40 times was but one aspect of his training that day.
Various other assistance work is included after these movements (which are by no means written in stone). For example, we did 3 x 20 log presses on a ball (you move one person after another as fast as possible) and triceps death (described in B’s articles). Probably some back work. After the shoulder girdle is wiped, it is time to go to the alley. Strongman events are whatever B or anyone else (if they can think of something) can come up with.
When trying to decide the best way to describe a workout at B’s, I decided to just give you two of my workouts there. I’m including the actual weights so that those of you that follow B’s articles can see the weights lifted by someone other than B. This is only what I was able to do. If you are curious about B’s weights or anyone else’s, ask them or re-read past articles. Just to let you know, I am about 5’9” and weigh about 180 lbs.
Saturday, July 1, 2006
Alley work
Medley:
Then we decided to relay in teams of three. One member raced the linoleum roll for 80 yards, the next ran the kettlebells for 80 yards, and the final member pulled the Prowler backwards for 40 yards. I don’t remember the exact times, but it was about a minute and a half for each time. (B’s team—Brotherhood of the Wolf—was victorious.) Then for some odd reason we decided to run a relay of 240 yards (80 yards each team member). This took about 30 seconds per team.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Independence Day celebration
These are some typical workouts. The training is never the same week to week. There is always some new technique invented or gleaned from various sources. The constant changes make it interesting and challenging. However, what makes B’s so unique and successful is the attitude generated and encouraged by B—everything you have, every time.
Eric Patterson has been ranked in the top 10 in the 220 lbs class, but he now chooses to focus on a wide variety of strength and fitness endeavors. He works at Resultz Fitness in Evansville, Indiana and is an aspiring metrosexual.
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