Hafthor "Thor" Bjornsson Wins the Crown at the World’s Ultimate Strongman Competition
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The Icelandic powerhouse continues to blast through his competition and reeled in another first-place finish at the inaugural World’s Ultimate Strongman competition in Dubai. This win is coming off the back of his victories at both the World’s Strongest Man competition and the Arnold Strongman Classic. Hafthor "Thor" Bjornsson was followed on the podium by Brian Shaw in second place and Mateusz Kieliszkowski in third.
[RELATED1]
This new event was made up of six iconic strongman events:
Thor posted several impressive clips from the event, where the musclebound marvel completed a 1,145-pound silver dollar deadlift. Let that sink in.
He also powered through the super yoke event as well.
This Icelandic warrior clearly did an excellent job at prepping for this competition, judging by his extensive training regimen.
Thor is having a career year, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
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Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 29, 2018 at 10:47AM
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Top Down Recovery
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The Universal Monsters, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon are Halloween Legends. They have sparked countless sequels and spin-offs. They even inspired one of the few Halloween songs, "The Monster Mash." It was a graveyard smash. Out of all of them, Frankenstein is arguably the most beloved, complex, sympathetic, and frightening character. Although some modern incarnations of the nameless creature are mostly grunting and stomping, the original version was intellectual, poetic, and brutal. An incredible fact is that the author, Mary Shelley, was twenty years old when the novel published in 1818. Running less than 300 pages, Shelly wove together a story of science colliding with God and its terrifying results—guilt, remorse, revenge, and violence. It's a tale of the limits of science, man's repercussions for his actions, and fear of the unknown. It is also a parallel story of searching. The creature searches to discover its soul, one it never had upon its creation. Victor Frankenstein searches to recover his soul, one that he lost in his obsession. The story reveals a clue about our own exploration of recovery.
We will leave the deeply philosophical book behind, and focus on the 1931 masterpiece, the movie "Frankenstein." The movie stands in contrast to its source material but presents a creature that is embedded in our memory. The flat-top head, oversized boots, and gruesome electrodes protruding from its neck are not featured in the novel but are what we now associate with the Monster. It's the film that made Boris Karloff famous. Younger people might not recognize the name, but they will recognize the voice. Karloff lent his voice as the narrator and the main character in the famous, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas,"
"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." That's Karloff. Thirty years before Whoville, Karloff was the creature.
The film introduces us to Henry Frankenstein, a notable departure from the book, where he is known as Victor Frankenstein. He is accompanied by Fritz, the loyal and deformed assistant. He has no such assistant in the novel. The hunchback helper is a recurring motif in classic horror movies, also going by Igor. Dr. Frankenstein wants to recreate a human life by piecing together various body parts from the recently deceased. He assembles an ominous laboratory for this exact reason. Henry and Fritz scour the cemetery, stealing bodies to add to their "inventory." All they needed was a brain. Henry commands Fritz to sneak into a medical school to steal a specimen. At the school, we meet Dr. Waldman, Henry's old medical professor. He lectures to his class on the differences between the two brains on his desk: "normal" and "abnormal." After class is dismissed, Fritz breaks into the room. When he turns to exit the classroom with the "normal" brain, he drops it, shattering the jar and ruining the organ. The faithful servant doesn't want to disappoint his master, and fearing his disapproval and wrath, grabs the "abnormal" and leaves with it, foreshadowing future events.
His beloved fiancee Elizabeth worries about the doctor's strange behavior, but he refuses to see her—his work must not be interrupted. Dr. Waldman, Elizabeth, and another friend enter the laboratory to save their friend from doing the unthinkable. It's too late. The inanimate and unnatural body lays on a table, cloaked in cloth. Lightning and thunder explode overhead. The three spectators look on with grim anticipation as the doctor raises the table towards the sky. The laboratory buzzes with electricity and doom. The body is exposed to a blitzkrieg of fury from the clouds above, then slowly lowered back down. The right hand, as it dangles from the table, begins to move.
Photography by Jeffrey Perez of Oahu, Hawaii
"Look. It's moving. It's alive. It's alive. It's alive, it's moving. It's alive! Ho ho, it's alive! IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE!! IT'S ALIVE!!! In the name of God, now I know what it feels like to be God!"
After the creature's reanimation, things go array. The monster is confused, sprung into the world as an amalgam of parts, with no origin or context of its existence. It is fearful and disoriented. Dr. Frankenstein and Fritz mistake the monster's bewilderment for aggression and have it locked up. The creature manages to escape captivity, killing Waldman in the process.
The monster wanders into the town, where his most charming and tragic interaction takes place. The monster meets Maria, a young girl from town who is not afraid and treats it with compassion. She gives him flowers and they sit by the lake. She proceeds to fling flower petals into the lake to watch them float, bringing a smile to the monster's face. The creature slings the flowers she gave him in as well, bringing him his first experience of happiness since entering the world. When the monster runs out of flowers, he becomes frustrated. The delight he felt from throwing beautiful things into the lake came to an end. What can only be described as disastrous ignorance, the monster reaches for Maria, a beautiful child, and throws her into the lake, drowning her. The monster's fate was sealed.
Enraged at the murder of a small child, the townspeople quickly turn into a bloodthirsty mob. Torches light and the townspeople track the bewildered monster, carrying his creator in tow, into an old mill. The creature furiously launches Dr. Frankenstein towards the Earth, but fortune smiles upon him as he survives the fall. With the monster trapped inside the mill, the mob sets it ablaze. The inferno engulfs the structure and everything inside. The monster, that unceremoniously entered the world and shunned by those who were to nurture it, perishes inside the fire. The sounds of his panicked and desperate moans are heartwrenching. The film ends with Frankenstein resting in bed and his father, Baron Frankenstein, toasting to the news that he will have a grandson.
The Link Between Horror and RecoveryIt's no accident Frankenstein is one of the most revered stories of all time. Despite the creative differences between the book and film, the love for the story and the creature remains. Frankenstein and his monster are profoundly complex and layered characters, making the connection to fitness and health, a challenging one. I'd like to discuss the creature prior to its reanimation. What was it? It was a random combination of parts, cobbled together with an abnormal brain. In the film, the urgency surrounded getting the correct brain and creating life. The flesh was subservient to the mind.
When we think about exercise, we must also consider recovery. In recovery, the same principle holds true—the flesh is subservient to the mind.
You might ask, "why are you talking about recovery?" First, it doesn't get discussed enough. Secondly, most of us, if not all, want a positive change from our training and diet. Otherwise, we wouldn't be doing it. For training to be of any benefit, an "overload" must be experienced. I hesitate to use the word "shock," an overused fitness term, but it does coincide well with the lightning bolts that awakened Frankenstein's monster. This overload or "shock" must be slightly beyond your body's capabilities in order for it to improve. The body's ability to recuperate to the overload determines the overall likelihood of progress. Research abounds with evidence that higher frequency training improves one's results. If time was no issue, like work or other responsibilities, your ability to train frequently, depends on your recovery. The formula is simple: train, recover and improve.
Systems of RecoveryMost people that enlist recovery techniques, utilize a "bottom-up recovery." Similar to Dr. Frankenstein, they cobble together various pieces to address the body. Some of these techniques include cryotherapy, IV therapy, and active release techniques. These systems of recovery are very effective but are stifled by the bottom-up approach.
Cryotherapy You're undoubtedly familiar with ice baths. Nordic cultures have used cold-water immersion as a rite of passage and athletes use it to hasten recovery. Cryotherapy is a souped-up version of an ice bath. It reduces inflammation as well as accelerating tissue recovery. There are also novel findings that it increases the metabolic rate at the onset of immersion and for several minutes afterward. Other effects are improved mood, decreased arthritic pain, and a stronger immune system. It has also been shown to be a valid therapy for osteoporosis. Cryotherapy is certainly not a fad and has a place in anyone's recovery toolkit.
IV Therapy Intravenous fluid drips deliver essential vitamins, electrolytes, and antioxidants. What was solely a method to nourish people in hospitals, IVs have become vogue for athletes, students, and business people. Why IV? Oral or topical delivery have reduced absorption, whereas the body absorbs 100% of an IV. Certain nutrients, like vitamin C or magnesium, when dosed to their optimal levels, can trigger gastric discomfort when taken orally. Since IVs bypass the digestive system, this problem is avoided. The efficacy of the IV bag comes down to what is inside the bag and why. Therefore, I don't recommend someone to get hooked up to a Betty Crocker, garden-variety IV bag without customization based on your physiological needs and goals. While this can be an issue for places that provide "drive-thru bags," there are facilities that take great care and caution when delivering these valuable treatments.
Active Release Techniques When Michael Leahy began performing active release techniques (ART), he changed the industry. ART is a patented method used worldwide to treat a multitude of dysfunctions from carpal tunnel, nerve entrapments, reduced flexibility, strains, as well as improvements in performance. Active release is the official soft tissue massage partner for the Ironman Triathlon. The organization, world-renown for excellence in athletic ability, considers ART "The most effective treatment protocol for soft tissue injury." Active release works to restore the natural function and resiliency the soft tissues—muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Considering all of your exercises, from spinning to weights, involve these tissues, ART is crucial to progress. There are "MacGyver" ways of self-administering active release, but its best, and safest, way is with a qualified professional.
Your Brain Limits RecoveryThe problem these recovery tools run into is the same problem Dr. Frankenstein and Fritz had with the monster—the brain. The best illustration of this is in Mel Brooks' 1974 side-splitter, Young Frankenstein. In a hysterical scene, Dr. Fredereick Frankenstein, played by the incomparable Gene Wilder, is dumbfounded as to why his creature is so "imperfect." He asks his trusted assistant Igor (Eye Gore) what brain is in his creation.
DF: Now, that brain that you gave me. Was it Hans Delbruck's?
Even a fully-recovered and animated body is of no use with an abnormal brain. In this context, abnormal means a lack of attention paid to mindfulness. The "top-down recovery" approach focuses on mindfulness first and foremost, then the bodily systems. Since there are many ways to categorize it, I will limit them to gratitude and meditation--or prayer. Each one has a myriad of benefits that go beyond mere "recovery." A researcher for John's Hopkins said of mindfulness, "if we could put mindfulness into a pill, it would be the best-selling supplement in the world." It's that good. The practice of meditation, worshipful prayer, and gratitude reduce aches and pains, toxic emotions and thoughts, improves sleep, self-esteem, and courage. What the "train, recover, improve" formula doesn't take into account, are the things that prevent the first two from occurring.
Practice GratitudeImagine what sort of training, if any, takes place with low self-worth, self-defeating thoughts, and fear? How does your diet advance when the will is weak and discipline lacks? How can you objectively judge progress when you always feel less-than? Recent data shows more people suffer from a lack of purpose, meaning, and an opaque sense of responsibility. It is a sentiment shared throughout time among statesmen, philosophers, and people of God: though the body may weaken, the mind and spirit remain strong. Weekly cryo sessions, ART treatments, and IVs reconstitute the flesh, but without a daily dose of gratitude, meditation, or prayer, we are merely lost creations, wandering, in fear of our own shadow, destined to be driven from joy.
Fitness via Breaking Muscle https://ift.tt/1GxgPEe October 29, 2018 at 10:12AM
The Battle-Rope Finisher for Muscular Endurance
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Per Bernal
WHEN TO DO ITGive this battle rope finisher a go at the end of yourweight training to prevent fatigue beforehand. WHY DO ITFor one, you’ll be a hell of a lot more conditioned—in terms of general cardio and in your arms and shoulders—by working with battle ropes. Also, the series of unique moves listed below will tax both your upper and lower body in a variety of ways. GET IT DONEPerform the first exercise in the sequence for 15 seconds, then rest 15 seconds before starting the next one. Repeat this process for every move. [RELATED2] THE BATTLE-ROPE FINISHERComplete five rounds of the following moves. Dirty Bird
Reverse Lunge With Small Waves
Reverse Slam
Side-to-Side Slam
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Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 26, 2018 at 03:19PM
The 11 Most Outlandish Ring Attires in WWE History
https://ift.tt/2CJd6Nj Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 26, 2018 at 12:00PM
How Much Muscle Can Someone Really Put On In a Month?
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Tim Tadder/Getty
You’ll hear reports about a Hollywood movie star packing on 20 to 30 pounds of muscle in a few months like it’s nothing. Well, most of the time the number is skewed and that added weight includes a lot more fat than that actor is willing to broadcast. So, that begs the question: Just how much muscle can someone really put on in a month? “I think definitely a pound or two pounds of muscle. I think that’s very attainable to do that naturally,” says Sebastien Lagree, who was a competitive bodybuilder before he became the founder/creator of the renowned Lagree Fitness Method and inventor of the Megaformer and Supra machines. “Ten to 15 pounds the first year [of weight training] is very realistic for anyone.” He specifies the “first year” of working out because newcomers to the gym are most likely to experience significant muscle growth compared to a gym veteran, who’s perhaps older. Curious and determined to confirm Lagree’s synopsis as fact, Muscle & Fitness looked up a bunch of different takes on the subject and almost all agree that one to two pounds—possibly three pounds—is the most muscle someone can really put on in a month. Earlier this year, celebrity fitness and nutrition expert, Obi Obadike, said it was “virtually impossible” for someone who’s been regularly training to add 30 to 40 pounds of muscle in a year—let alone a few months. However, he did say packing on 18 to 20 pounds in a year is an attainable goal for a new weightlifter. That breaks down to roughly 1.5 pounds per month. Last September, Brad Schoenfeld, an NSCA Personal Trainer, also told LiveStrong that a beginning bodybuilder can add roughly 2.5 pounds per month to his frame, so that’s keeping it within pretty much the same ballpark that Lagree gave us. “The body doesn’t like to put on too much muscle at once because then it requires a greater number of calories in those muscles,” Lagree reasons. “The body tries to get more efficient when it adapts to exercise and so, that’s why I think one to two pounds per month is accurate.” Obviously, having this kind of muscle gain in a month entails following the right workout regimen and what Lagree called “impeccable nutrition.” But one to two, maybe three, pounds of muscle gain per month is doable.
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Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 26, 2018 at 11:32AM
Low-Tech, High-Effect Still in Effect
https://ift.tt/2qbj1Dh In recent weeks, I’ve demoed a few low-tech exercise flows with simple tools such as furniture sliders and a wooden dolly. Following those demonstrations, my inbox has filled with questions about where to acquire such equipment. Yet, while I can easily provide Amazon links to furniture sliders or any other tool, that’s not why I filmed these exercises. My low-tech demonstrations aren’t about what you need, but rather a reminder of what you don’t need. With a little creativity, you can train almost anywhere with almost anything. Low-Tech, High-EffectIf you missed the previously referenced videos, have a look below. First, you’ll see an inexpensive wooden dolly doubling as a full-body exercise tool. When I filmed these exercises, I hadn’t used the dolly in several months. Instead, I was moving some equipment one night, noticed the dolly, and suddenly it was kicking my ass. That’s often how my training goes. There’s not always a preconceived plan. Sometimes I’ll just get a random idea and start moving based on how I feel. Next, you’ll see the same furniture sliders that I first demoed on this site almost 10 years ago. At the time, I would have never guessed that my $10 purchase would provide so many years of use. I’m happy to have been wrong. What’s the Point?Long time readers of the site have likely seen these exercises before. Some might be wondering why I’m demoing them again. Fortunately, the answer to that question is simple. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been training for a long time and am fairly capable with my body. Yet, despite all my years of training, I can still walk into an old garage and get my ass kicked from a pair of sliders and a wooden dolly. And don’t just take my word for it. I’ve had world class fighters train in the same garage, and struggle with the same simple tools. The message therefore is straightforward. You don’t need fancy equipment or facilities to challenge yourself, and that message will never expire. On the contrary, you can train almost anywhere with little or nothing, and get the job done (regardless of your ability). IntangiblesWhen I started this site many moons ago, my goal was to knock down the fictitious barriers to training that the fitness industry has fooled many to believe are in existence. For example, I’m sure we’ve all seen a commercial or advertisement stating that you need a particular tool, supplement, or program. That couldn’t be further from the truth, as the word “need” is grossly overused and abused. In fact, if we were to examine what’s truly needed to train effectively, my list would be full of intangibles. Unfortunately, there are no Amazon links to the intangible qualities that are necessary to excel at anything in life. Attributes such as dedication, effort, consistency, and perseverance are invaluable, yet can only be found within. It is up to you. Final ThoughtsIn summary, everything you need is in front of you and inside of you. Ultimately, it boils down to priorities. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way. There’s almost always someone out there who has done more than you (and me) with less. So, use what you have, be consistent and creative, and good things will happen in time. There are no secrets to success, just consistent and concerted efforts that eventually produce results. Related Entry: +++++
The post Low-Tech, High-Effect Still in Effect appeared first on RossTraining.com. Fitness via RossTraining.com https://ift.tt/yhOp7p October 26, 2018 at 08:37AM
Dolph Lundgren on Becoming Ivan Drago (Again)
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The action star re-teamed with Sylvester Stallone to step back into his iconic role in 'Creed 2.'
Rocky IV villain Dolph Lundgren reprises his role as the infamous Ivan Drago in the newest Rocky spinoff, Creed II. He talks about stepping back into Drago’s trunks over 30 years later to play an older, wiser, and more angsty version of Rocky Balboa’s arch nemesis. Catch Lundgren as Ivan Drago, alongside Florian Munteanu as his son Viktor in Creed II, in theaters November 21. And watch what Lundgren had to say about teaming up again with his friend and five-time costar Sylvester Stallone. Check out the latest issue of Muscle & Fitness featuring Dolph Lundgren on the cover.
JW Player ID:
3CzOzpvw
Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 26, 2018 at 08:13AM
Instant Pot Kale Stuffed Sea Bass
https://ift.tt/2JgSWeJ Elevate your Instant Pot presentation by placing a flavorful stuffing inside your protein. Do this simple trick and you’ve instantly got a gorgeous meal in minutes that’s fit for your family and looks impressive for guests.
In this version of stuffed sea bass, Greek herbs are added to the steaming liquid and infiltrate the fish with a hint of additional flavor while cooking. Sea bass is a protein packed fish that gets much of its flavor from the healthy oils that it contains. This lean, buttery meat has a rich assortment of nutrients and is high in inflammation fighting vitamin D and essential omega-3 fatty acids.
For the filling, a traditional kale dip is modified into a healthy stuffing mixture by combining fresh chopped kale with yogurt instead of mayonnaise and cream cheese. The tartness of the yogurt pairs perfectly with feta to give this filling a unique taste and creaminess that is reminiscent of a tzatziki sauce. Serve this up with additional kale prepared as a fresh chopped salad or steamed at the same time as your sea bass for an easy Instant Pot side dish.
Instant Pot Kale Stuffed Sea BassCalories 191, Protein 32g, Total Carbs 4g, Fat 6g
Prep time: 15 min, Closed Pot Time: 20 min Serves: 4
Ingredients:
Steaming liquid:
Preparation Instructions:
Fitness via Breaking Muscle https://ift.tt/1GxgPEe October 26, 2018 at 03:59AM
Khabib Says He Wants to Fight Mayweather in Moscow
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Steven Ryan / Denise Truscello / Getty
In case you haven't heard, we've got another potential megafight on our hands—maybe. Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his UFC lightweight championship belt againstConor McGregor, he's been talking some trash with none other than retired 50-0 boxer Floyd Mayweather. At first, we were pretty sure Nurmagomedov wasn't serious. After all, he was clearly laughing and joking during the first "callout" video a few weeks ago. Then, Mayweather replied with what seemed like a more legitimate callout. Since then, things have escalated, and it's getting tough to figure out whether this is all a lighthearted joke or anactual megafight in the making. Let's not forget that trash talk led to an actual professional boxing match between Mayweather and McGregor. In his most recent post about the potential fight, Nurmagomedov said he'd want to fight Mayweather in Moscow.
Not fluent in Russian? Here's how Google translates the caption: "A meeting with the Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation @umar_kremlev was held today. We discussed the fight with Mayweather. We want the fight to take place in Moscow at the legendary Luzhniki arena. They are sure that we will gather 100 thousand spectators, and also set a world record for the sale of paid broadcasts. And, most importantly, my father will be in the corner; a visa to Moscow is not needed. And so a question for my fans: do you believe in me? Or do you also think that he will knock me out of boxing?" Those are some fighting words, for sure. But Nurmagomedov isn't sporting his usual trash-talk glare in the photo, so we're still not totally convinced. Besides, boxing isn't the only thing on his mind following his UFC 229 title defense and the chaos that ensued post-fight. He and McGregor were both suspended for 10 days due to the post-fight brawl, and Nurmagomedov's $2 million purse was withheld. On Wednesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to extend the fighters' suspensions indefinitely, according to ESPN. It also voted to shell out half of Nurmagomedov's purse while the investigation continues. The NSAC hopes to wrap it up and determine the fighters' fines and penalties by the end of the year. [RELATED1]
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Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 25, 2018 at 01:23PM
Eddie “The Beast” Hall Has Lost Over 70 pounds and May Start Boxing
https://ift.tt/2CFSB3V One year ago, Eddie Hall accomplished his dream of capturing the title of World’s Strongest Man. But the 6’3” 30-year-old knew that he had to make a major change to live a healthier life. The biggest issue was his weight. At his heaviest, Hall tipped the scale at 440 pounds and, if you peep the picture below, looked like a completely different (and rounder) person. Hall changed his diet and training routine to incorporate more HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), swimming, and higher rep training. He lost 60 pounds last time we wrote about him, which is an enormous feat for the former Strongman. But it seems like Hall isn't slowing down and has lost another 10 pounds, making him look more beastly than ever. But Hall—at his core—is a competitor who won’t be happy sitting idle for too long. In the 2017 movie, Born Strong, he said, “Honestly, I’ll probably take up another sport, bodybuilding or boxing,” in front of his wife who breaks down, begging him to “just be normal.” If it’s one thing Eddie Hall is not, it’s normal, and if the increasing number of boxing videos showing up on his Instagram is any indication, Hall’s 2017 prediction may be coming true. After all, it wouldn’t be too far fetched to think that Hall would try his hand at the “sweet science.” (He’s already had a go before.) As for what weight class he’d fight in, who knows? But one thing is for sure, we wouldn’t want to be to step foot in the same ring as “The Beast."
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Fitness via Muscle & Fitness https://ift.tt/2zjtGBz October 25, 2018 at 01:08PM |
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