Training Begins

Training Begins

I awoke the morning after my humiliating arm wrestling defeat to The Griffin with a splitting headache.  Post defeat whiskey seemed like a good idea at the time, it ensured my mind didn't linger on the loss.

I spent the rest of that day considering what I could do to improve my strength.  My first conclusion was to cut alcohol out of my diet, at least for a while.  That aside, I had always thought I worked hard in the gym, convinced I was doing more than enough; but hours of procrastination can draw you towards more accurate conclusions.

The conclusion I reached in the end is that I have been slacking in the gym for the last few years!?!

I spend - on average - one hour a day training.  That is a total of five hours a week.  This five hours is split between weights (three hours) and cardio (two hours), I also work full time in a library; I know, not a particularly demanding occupation.

It occurred to me that during these weights sessions I had fallen into a routine, a routine which had become comfortable.  Instead of improving my physique and strength, I have just been maintaining it.

In order to be successful in my next arm wrestle, I need to make some drastic alterations, and create a brand new routine.

The internet seemed like a good place to start researching this subject.  After a few hours of searching, I found out that I am not in an exclusive club.  I read over and over about people who had been easily beaten in arm wrestles when it seemed they had a massive physical advantage.  What worried me even more was the fact I didn't find a single tale where the tables had turned, and defeat had given way to glory.  Maybe losing an arm wrestle is not a big deal to most people?

Instead, people talked about natural strength and how some people are just better at arm wrestling.  Well, I need some science, I don't buy ambiguous explanations such as: "It's just natural strength".

Just when I was starting to give up on the internet and try searching the library, I stumbled on the training regime of a man called Charles Atlas.  If you are familiar with Greek mythology you will know that the titan Atlas was condemned to stand at the edge of the earth and hold the sky on his shoulders as punishment for standing against Olympus.  This is exactly the type of training that Charles Atlas created, we now know it as Isometric Training.

Isometric training involves holding a weight in a static position for a set amount of time, placing constant strain on the fibres. 

Further research suggested this could yield the results I am looking for.  Finally, I had found something that may kick-start a new increase in strength.

As of now, I am adding the following techniques to my training regime:

• Isometric Pull-up
• Isometric Press-up
• Isometric Preacher Curl
• Isometric Lateral Deltoid Raise

I will keep you updated on how these techniques improve overall strength.

Maybe the first step to redemption is in place.