"Shutting it down" means that I'm backing off for a while. I've
had a nagging hip/groin problem for about a year. I've been able to
manage it pretty well with physical therapy, stretching, and proper
warm-ups. Now, I'm dealing with another problem on the other
side. My low back is getting pretty bad and my quad is numb and
tingly. This, obviously, is not a good thing. It's only going to
lead to more injuries. As I looked back through my training, I
realized that I had been training around the injuries and not
getting any stronger. On top of that, because I was in pain all the
time, I wasn't having any fun in the gym. If it's not fun, it's not
worth doing. So, I'll be rehabbing and getting myself back in the
game.
I'll be training raw for the next three months. My goal is to
rehab the back/groin/hip and whatever else may be ailing me. I want
to go through a true off-season and make some progress. I'd like to
pack on some muscle and get a little thicker all around. With this
will come some added strength. My training will change
slightly. I'll still be doing the compound movements, just not
necessarily training like a powerlifter. The overall goal is health,
strength, and fun. After that, I'll get back into training for a
meet. As of now, there are no plans to compete any time soon.
What’s going on at Southside? Has anyone from the gym competed
anywhere lately? Have you guys come across any new methods or
techniques in training that you’d like to share with the readership?
We talked at length with Chad "The Chad" Aichs, Rob Luyando, and
Ryan Kennelly about training. I know Vincent and I will start to
implement some of those ideas as soon as we get back in the
gym. This might be a future article.
We also had a few of the younger guys who competed back in
mid-August. Josh Flores came back from a near compound fracture of
his forearm in May of 2007 to bench 515 and deadlift 550. His best
bench pre-fracture was 550, so he's really got his head screwed on
right. He'll be competing again this fall, so we're looking for some
big numbers from Josh.
We also have Karsten "Double D" Luca, who did his first meet in
August. He lifted raw and benched 265, missed 290, and pulled 450 at
22 years-old. Double D was a college football player who started
training with us about a year ago, maybe less. We have him on a
program right now getting him in better shape and prepping him to
start using the gear by the end of the year.
Both Josh and Double D won their weight classes, and Josh got the
Best Lifter award. It was a great day.
What do you actually do for a living? Do you mind telling people
where you work, and what sort of clientele you work with?
I work at The Fitness Edge in Greenwich, CT. I work with the rich
folks in America. I train everybody, from the 12 year-old middle
school athlete to the 60 year-old businessman. And yes, I have a few
soccer moms, which is nice.
I use a whole bunch of different training methods to beat these
people up. Everybody squats, deadlifts, benches, overhead presses,
and does pull-ups. I modify when necessary, but everything is based
around those lifts. My athletes do my version of the 5/3/1 method
that I stole from Jim, sort of. I focus a lot on strength and
flexibility with my clients. I put the responsibility of cardio on
their shoulders. Most of my clients spend a lot of time sitting
behind desks or on planes, so there are all kinds of back issues I
deal with. Come Christmas time, my bonus is usually pretty good.
Who's going to win the National Championship, and why? Is Alabama
for real? Is Penn State back?
I have many "favorite" teams in college football. I
really like the powerhouse teams because as a former college coach,
it takes a lot to keep your teams at the top. That being said, I
thought USC and Florida were the best teams in the nation. WRONG! I
also thought Georgia was one of the best, as well.
Penn State looks great, as well. I think the Big 10 sucks this
year, so that will help them. I don't see another team that can keep
up with them. Maybe Michigan, but with the new coach and new
offense, it's going to take them some time to get things in sync..
Right now, I think Oklahoma and Alabama are the best teams that
have the best chance to pull off the big one. As a side note, my
alma mater is 4-1 and in danger of making a bowl game for the first
time since my graduation in 1998.
I'm cheering for Alabama to make it to the National Championship
game. There's still a long way to go.
Al Davis calls and offers you the head coaching job with the
Raiders. Do you take it?
Yup! My cousin owns 25% of the team, so that's gotta count for
something. Al Davis was a great owner, but clearly, he's on his way
out. He needs to hand over the reins. I'm not sure that Lane Kiffin
was the savior. A 33 year-old head coach in the NFL is crazy, in my
opinion. Not to say he won't be great. His dad, Monte, was/is a
great defensive coordinator. When I was at Richmond, we went down to
visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to learn a few things about the 4-3
and 4-3 over defense. Back on topic. Any chance to coach in the NFL
is a blessing. I think the right situation has to arise. Mike
Shanahan didn't do much in Oakland and look what he's done in
Denver.
It's probably going to be a while until you're competing again,
according to your log. Any parting words? Anything people can learn
from the rough time you've been having, health-wise?
I've learned a lot from this. I've always been the guy, like most
of us, who says that I'll just work thru it. Walk it off, rub some
dirt on it and it'll be fine. Listen to your body. It'll tell you
what it needs. When lifting isn't fun, it's time to figure out what
you can do to make it fun again. Don't be stupid. Go to the doctor,
chiropractor, massage therapist, whatever. Stretch, condition, foam
roll - do whatever you need to do so that you can enjoy training. We
don't make enough money to be tough and work thru it.
I am also looking forward, as I stated earlier, to going through a
real off-season where I can get into shape, get healthy, and really
make some progress. I really believe this is going to teach me a lot
once I get through it.
