Bodyweight Training Program to Build Muscle, Burn Fat and Look Great in Less Time
A lot of people make the excuse of not having enough time to train. They come up with a million excuses as to why they don’t have the time.
My boss, my kids, my wife, the car, my job, blah blah blah.
The truth is, even the busiest people on the planet like Triple H have the time.
You just have to make it.
But ok, maybe it can be a pain in the ass to travel to the gym if it’s not close to you and traveling eats up a little bit more of your time.
If you fit into this category then lucky you!
Today’s post is to show you guys how to use bodyweight exercises to build muscle and burn body fat!
A bodyweight training routine that you can crank out in your home, office or backyard, and can be completed in about 15-30 minutes.
Is this type of training ideal to do all the time, no.
But it can 100% get you great results and keep you healthy.
And at the end of the day that’s what is most important to most people.
But before we get into the training routine let’s first discuss some important factors.
First off, please be cleared by a medical professional prior to beginning any type of training program to make sure you are healthy enough for exercise.
Second, you may have to modify certain exercises if you cannot perform the exercises given with close to perfect form.
For instance, if you cannot complete a push-up with full range of motion you may have to solely focus on the eccentric component of the exercise, with the push-up, that’s the way down. Once you develop the strength to come back up then you can begin to perform an actual push-up.
I don’t want to totally leave that up to you guys though, so if you aren’t sure what to do feel free to email us at info@tutelatraining.com and we will gladly help you guys out.
And finally, you will need a few small pieces of equipment that you can easily store in your home. I’ll go into further detail on this later in the post.
With that said let’s put this chisnit together and start changing your lives!
This program will be 3 days per week and you can split it up Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Before you start the actual program, be sure to take a thorough dynamic warm-up every time before you train!
You can find out more about how to do a dynamic warm-up here:
https://www.elitefts.com/education/coaching-education/common-mistakes-to-avoid-in-high-school-and-college-weight-rooms/
Monday Day 1:
1a) Push-ups 3 x 1<max
1b) Alternating reverse Lunge 3 x 15-20 each
2a) Y-W-T-I 3 x 15 sec hold for each
2b) Band resisted good morning 3 x 20
3) Russian twist with leg cycle 2 x 15-20
4) Mountain climbers 3-5x 30 sec on 60 sec off
Wednesday Day 2:
1a) Pistol squat 3 x 1< max each (Start with weaker side and only match with stronger side)
1b) Chin-up 3 x 1< max (You can do these in a park, your garage or buy one that connects right into your doorway!)
1c) Handstand pushup or Hold 3 x 1<max or max time
2a) Bear crawl 3 x 30 sec
2b) V sit-up 3 x 10-20
3) Jump rope 5 x 60 sec on 30 sec off
Friday or Saturday Day 3:
1a) Plyo push-up 5 x 5
1b) Jump squat 5 x 5
2a) Band pull apart 3 x 15-25
2b) Dive bomber push-up 3 x 15-20
2c) Split squat 3 x 15-20 each
3) Burpees 5 x 30 sec on 60 sec off
If exercises are labeled by the same number but with different letters, that means to perform them in circuit fashion with minimal rest in between each exercise. Then take a 60-90 second rest period after you complete one round. For example, on Day 2 you would perform 1a, then 1b, then 1c and rest 60-90 seconds. Then repeat two more times.
Then you would move down to 2a and 2b and complete that 3 times.
I also highly recommend getting a training journal and keeping track of the reps you accomplish.
This will let you know where you’re at and also give you some perspective and help you set goals for yourself.
The only small pieces of equipment you will need is a jump rope, mini band and chin-up bar. You can grab them all at elitefts.com or roguefitness.com.
You can follow this program for 3-4 weeks and if you like it and want to take your training a step further, email us at info@tutelatraining.com.
Quick and efficient.
Like I said before, you can crank out these workouts in 15-30 minutes. If you are really super busy then all you have to do is wake up 30 minutes earlier than you do now, 3 days a week.
I know you can make that happen, and so do you.
If you’re unsure of any exercise a quick YouTube search will do the trick.
This program can be the start of changing your life for the better. We are all creatures of habit, and if you start creating the habit of training 3 days per week for the next 3-4 weeks it will get easier and easier (psychologically) to take your training and life to the next level.
If you would like to add in some extra conditioning work on your days off, then by all means, do it!
I recommend jumping rope, hill sprints and/or bleacher sprints to start.
Mix in good eating habits, adequate water intake (1/2 your bodyweight in ounces daily at MINIMUM) and enough sleep and you will see noticeable changes over these four weeks.
So start getting after it and let’s get you the physique you’ve always wanted.
Remember the recipe to success is simple, not easy.
Work hard, eat right and recover.
Start the process and change your life.
Now get to work!
Life Lessons from LeBron James
Love him or hate him, you have to admit that LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world. Arguably the best ever.
Even if you’re not a basketball fan, you know who he is.
A global icon who just had what was probably the best performance of his career.
But this post is not about basketball.
There are some valuable lessons to take away from what we recently witnessed in the NBA Finals.
Let’s start with ignoring the “haters”.
There is an insane amount of people who hate this man, and when you break it down he is hated for being one of the best ever.
You see, the more successful we are, the more other people like to criticize you.
It’s human nature.
We let our own insecurities seep out so we try to devalue the success or skill of other people.
If human beings are feeling insecure about themselves, we will try to downplay the good in other people.
For example, have you ever started a diet and gotten criticized by your friends or family for trying to get healthy?
“Oh come on, just have one chip, what’s one gonna do?!”
“You’re too crazy with this eating healthy, it’s not even good for you to eat like that.”
Unfortunately, most of us have heard comments like these. And that’s because, whether consciously or subconsciously, these people are trying to sabotage your success, because they feel poorly about themselves.
And that is a takeaway you can get from LeBron’s performance.
“He sucks.”
“He’s a bitch, he always complains.”
“He’ll never win in Cleveland, he needed to go to Miami.”
How about another ring, and another Finals MVP for the 2016 season?!
LeBron didn’t let the shit talk get to him, he just went out there and performed.
At an incredibly high level.
And that’s what you must do if you want success.
Ignore the haters.
Because the better you do, in your fitness, business or relationships, people WILL hate on you, so prepare for it.
And ignore those fucks. The best way to shut them up is to just be you and keep chasing greatness.
Another takeaway for me is sometimes, if you want something bad enough, the best place for you to be is backed up against the wall.
How bad do you want it?
You hear that all the time from coaches or teammates.
But you don’t truly know the answer until you’re backed up against the wall and it’s do or die.
Fight or flight.
This team was down 3-1 against a team who had the best regular season record in NBA history.
They knew if they lost one more game their season was over.
Coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals had never been done before, until now.
And that’s because when we have no choice but to give it everything we have, we have the ability to perform at the highest level, if we want something bad enough.
That’s when you saw the best in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sometimes we say that we want to make a change at some level.
And as soon as we get hit with adversity (which we will always face) we fold up and throw in the towel.
“My diet was great, but then my boss pissed me off so I went to get a burger and got drunk.”
“I work crazy hours, it’s just not realistic for me to eat so healthy.”
Really?
Is it really your job, boss, kids and spouse or is it an accumulation of poor habits and lack of discipline?
Because the truth is, if you want something bad enough you will make it happen.
You will find the time to do what is necessary to achieve your goal.
Life is fucking crazy, there will always be some type of roadblock you will face.
You just have to know why it is you want something in the first place and keep that it mind when you are considering self-sabotage.
It would have been really easy for LeBron and the Cavs to say “screw it, there’s always next season”.
But that wouldn’t have been fulfilling or glorifying for anyone.
So they chased greatness, and look how that turned out.
There is greatness in everyone reading this post, don’t let adversity get in your way of letting it shine.
It didn’t stop LeBron.
And it shouldn’t stop you either.
Thanks for reading guys.
The True Definition of Strength
What does it mean to truly be strong?
Maybe you’re thinking I’m going to start explaining the differences between relative and absolute strength.
Or maybe you think I’m going to say you need to deadlift 3 x’s your bodyweight.
Perhaps performing 25 dead hang chin-ups is the answer?
Well, all are certainly impressive.
But what is even more impressive to me, and my definition of strength is to be faced with adversity and to be able to withstand and overcome.
Let’s look at Mike, the 17 year old kid from the ghetto that gets a full scholarship to a big division 1 football program for instance.
Some people say “it must be nice”, I’ve even heard “its bullshit that this kid can go to school for free just because he can play football”.
Yes I have actually argued with someone who said that.
But here’s what many people are missing.
Mike never met his father, while his mother was busy working three jobs to make ends meet our running back had to raise 3 younger brothers and sisters.
Between taking care of his family, school, football practice, lifting and working a part time job to help his mother pay for some of the bills it would be easy for him to not get up before school and run those extra sprints every day.
But he did.
You don’t know that Mike only slept four hours a night, because he had to make time to lift weights after work.
But he did.
Let’s look at Sarah who owns the successful hair salon.
Some people say “that girl was lucky, she must have had money handed to her”.
Well, those people don’t know that when she was growing up Sarah’s father was a drug addict.
He used to steal from her and beat both her and her mom.
She had this dream of doing hair, and one day opening her own salon so she could get away from her father.
Through the sleepless nights, the lies and the horrible violence she had to face, Sarah stayed committed to her dream, worked two jobs and put herself through cosmetology school.
One day she finally had enough money to now open and run a business which is so “easy”.
You didn’t know that she went through all of that.
And everyone told her she was crazy and it would be too hard for her to open her own business.
But she did.
What about Matthew, who loves playing hockey more than anything?
His lifelong dream was to play in the NHL.
He plays four years at a big time college program and is a top prospect going into the draft.
But his final game of his senior season Matthew takes a bad fall and breaks his neck.
He is now paralyzed from the neck down. His dream is over.
After months or even years of taking in this hard truth, facing depression and adversity something sparks inside of him.
Matthew now has a goal to help people cope with being in wheelchairs and starts a foundation to raise money for his cause.
His foundation is extremely successful, and he now helps thousands of people around the country.
Matthew never thought he would be the head of a foundation to help people in wheelchairs.
But he is.
The point is, we are all faced with some type of adversity in our lives.
Some may seem more extreme than others, and sometimes is.
But what matters is that you understand it’s possible to overcome that adversity.
You have greatness living inside of you, and regardless of the hand you’re dealt you have the ability to get it out.
And to do that you need a goal, a vision, good habits, and an unrelenting work ethic.
If you choose to complain and never take action you will never have a fulfilling life.
There will always people who doubt you, who hate on you and try to bring you down.
Fuck those people.
Hopefully one day they will realize that nothing gets handed to people, and there is a lot more that goes on that you never even see.
It would have been very easy for Mike, Sarah and Mathew to complain about their problems, sell or do drugs, or choose to live in a deep depression.
But they didn’t, and neither should you.
This is your time to be great.
This is your time to overcome whatever adversity you face.
If you do that, you will truly be strong.
That is the true definition of strength.
The Art of Real Strength and Size Development
Most athletes and people want to develop size with the strength and performance to back it up.
A great, powerful look with real word strength, speed and conditioning.
In addition, having tons of energy and feeling great all the time is something everyone wants.
Unless you are strictly a physique athlete and your goal is to become a professional bodybuilder or physique competitor.
Now, you might be asking yourself what the difference is. There is actually a huge difference between just looking great and looking great with the performance to back up your look.
I would first like to preface this post by saying I respect the hell out of any physique athlete. What they do takes a ton of hard work and discipline.
This post is not intended to “knock’ them in the slightest bit. If your goal is to be a pro bodybuilder then by all means, keep doing what you’re doing.
But at my facility, we train mainly athletes and people that want to look great but also need and want to perform at a high level.
So with that said, let’s get into the differences.
GET STRONG BABY!
Getting strong means training with heavy weights for sets between 1-5 or 6-8reps. When you train for strength you will be targeting more of the fast twitched muscle fibers.
Fast twitched fibers are the muscle fibers responsible for strength, speed and power.
When you train mainly to target these fibers with heavy weights in the rep ranges listed above, you will stimulate what is called myofibrillar hypertrophy.
Myofibrillar hypertrophy is the growth of the actual muscle fibers.
So when you train with heavier weights in lower rep ranges, you will get stronger while simultaneously developing the size of the actual muscle.
If you are a natural, drug-free lifter, this is the number one way to get jacked.
ALL SHOW NO GO
Now if you’re training with lighter weights for higher rep sets of 10-20, you are emphasizing more of what’s known as sarcoplasmic hypertrophy.
Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is the production of sarcoplasm within the muscles.
This is a gel like substance that serves no purpose for strength or performance, but will however help increase the size of the muscle.
The size you develop with this type of hypertrophy is not nearly as sustainable as myofibrillar hypertrophy due to the fact that the actual muscle has not gotten bigger. You have just produced more fluid within the muscle that could eventually subside.
That’s why there are guys half the size of bodybuilders lifting twice the weight.
Look at Olympic lifters for instance. They are not as big as bodybuilders but look incredible and are exceedingly stronger than the world’s biggest physique competitors.
Bodybuilders and other physique athletes prefer training in this manner simply due to the fact that their primary focus is their look.
TYING THE TWO TOGETHER
I will say that there is a time and a place for both.
If you have been training for more than 2 years it is important to emphasize the slow twitched muscle fibers that are responsible for conditioning.
The best way to target the slow twitched fibers is by training with lighter weight for higher reps.
Still, the primary focus of your training should be getting stronger on big compound movements like squats and deadlifts, it’s important to throw in some back off sets (sets where you reduce weight and go for more reps) of 10-15.
With that, you can train some of the smaller musculature for higher reps as well like the rear delts.
If you are still in your first year or two of training, just stick with heavier weights for lower reps.
We all want to look great with our shirts off, and the best way to do that is to train with the intention of getting stronger and more powerful.
If you are an athlete, sarcoplasm is just as useless for performance as body fat.
Since there is no functional purpose, it can actually slow you down due to the extra weight you gained.
With that, training for higher reps with lighter weight will actually make you sorer, and will lead to more systemic fatigue.
I don’t know about you but I sure as hell don’t want to be sore and tired every day.
And for athletes that can greatly impede your performance in your sport.
I hope this post helps you see the difference.
If you are an athlete, police officer, firefighter or anyone that just wants to look great and still be able to play pick-up basketball on the weekend with your friends, training for strength is what you want to do.
Train hard my friends.
I’ll catch you guys next week.
Until we meet Again
There are times in life that we must face the things we dread.
Losing a dear friend or family member is above all the most dreaded things we will ever have to face.
On Friday May 27th 2016, we all endured the painful news.
That suddenly, you were gone.
The last time I saw you was about a month ago. I’ll never forget how happy I was to see you. Even after a few years of having not seen each other, we picked up right where we left off.
I made a few bad jokes, and of course you were the only one who laughed.
Your smile and contagious laugh filled the room as always. We laughed about old times, quoted South Park and old movies.
We talked about training and tattoos and I couldn’t wait for you to come check out the new gym so we can train together like the old days.
If I only knew that would be the last time we’d see each other I would have said so much more…
I can’t express how happy I am that I got to spend that night with you, my friend.
We first met when we were 12 years old in middle school wrestling and remained friends ever since.
The laughs, the fun, the parties, the trips, the shore houses, wrestling, football and all the memories will last forever in my heart.
What will stick with me the most is how you changed the mood of everyone around you. You had the ability to walk into a room and make everyone smile.
You elevated the lives of everyone who knew you, and I am lucky to be one of the many people whose lives you have touched.
For years I called you Patrick because Patrick Duffy was the name of the actor from the t.v. show “Step By Step”. Maybe it was funny the first time, but you literally laughed at that every time I saw you.
But funny, kind, supportive, caring and loving were only a few of your incredible qualities.
You were also tough as nails and you’ve shown us that for years on the wrestling mat, and then by defending our country as a United States Marine.
I think I can speak for everyone when I say we are more than proud and honored to have known such a brave soul who was willing to risk everything only to protect all of us.
And for that Tom, we thank you.
It hurts to know that I can’t see your smile anymore, at least in this life.
But I know you will be smiling down on all of us, keeping us safe, as you have always done in this life.
As I write this post I can’t stop the tears from running down my face, or my hands from shaking. You were my friend, my brother, and you will be truly missed by us all.
We lost a great man, a true hero.
And heaven has now become a better place.
But I know that if you were here you would want us all to smile.
So as I try to dry my eyes I am thinking of all the great times and laughs we had.
Like the time when I thought you were the one that wrapped my car in plastic wrap, so I retaliated by emptying about 10 cans of shaving cream on your car. When I walked into the house you asked why my hands were covered in shaving cream. When I replied “Ahh I was just shaving” you simply said, “oh”. As if it made perfect sense that my hands would be covered in shaving cream at a high school party.
I tried my best to hold in my laughter. You walked outside, came back in and, in typical Duffy fashion, you screamed “YOU ASSHOLE” as we started to laugh hysterically together.
I am going to miss you, Duff… I already do.
They say that to find yourself in life you should think about your own funeral. Ask yourself what you would want people to say about you once you are gone. When you answer those questions you should then live your life trying to pursue those things.
Well my friend, you should hear the things people are saying…
How incredible you were.
How you made us laugh.
How you made us smile.
How good it was to be around you.
How you made us happy.
How much fun we had.
How bright you were.
How brave you were.
How you would give the shirt off your back to someone who needed it.
How incredibly great of a human being you truly were.
I can only wish to be half of the quality person you were.
Your legacy will always include how great you made other people feel, and that is a trait that is truly special.
I know you are listening, pal.
So I will leave you with this…
Duff, actually, PATRICK…You are one of those people you only come across once in a lifetime. You have deeply impacted the lives of so many. Through the warmth of your smile, the comfort of your laugh, your intelligence and humor. We have shared so many memories together that I will never forget. From scavenger hunts to beach wrestling prom weekend to searching for openings to become volunteer firefighters and everything else in between. I am so thankful you were in my life and everyone that knew you certainly feels the same. Your spirit will always live on, through all of us, your friends and your family. I promise we will always be there for your family, whatever they may need. We will support them through this difficult time, and from here on after. Keep shining that bright smile down on all of us. Whenever I say, “I’m not your buddy, guy…I’m not your guy, friend” I will always think of you and the times we shared. I love you, Duff and I will miss you ALWAYS. I will never forget how much you made me laugh, and all of the incredible memories. I am a better man for having known such a courageous, impeccable human being like you. I hate that I can’t hear your laugh just one more time.
At least not for now.
Not in this life.
Not until, we meet again.
Rest easy my brother.
The Mother’s Day Post
What’s up guys, I hope everyone is having an incredible weekend!
As you know, this blog is primarily for training, nutrition and motivation.
Tons of free information on how to get bigger, stronger, faster and how to become the best version of yourself.
But today I felt the need to change the pace a bit.
In the spirit of Mother’s Day I’ve decided to tribute this post to all the moms out there of course, but more specifically, my mom.
Maybe I’m getting a little soft, but hey, when it comes to moms I think we all tend to have a soft spot.
I spoke last post about how things weren’t always perfect for us growing up.
When I think of my mother the number one thing that pops in my head is resiliency.
This woman has been through a lot. More than anyone deserves. But, every time I see my mother, she has a smile from ear to ear. She could have had the worst day of her life, but you would never know it.
The people that know my mom would be shocked if they heard what she’s been through. Because if you knew her while she was going through those tough times you better believe she was smiling and laughing every single day.
That alone speaks volumes for the type of person my mother is.
Whenever I’d be facing something difficult in life she would tell me that “It’s always darkest before dawn” assuring me that things would get better.
I’m not sure if I would have gotten through those times without her.
I can honestly say there has never been a time in my life that I was afraid to tell my mom anything… Well, maybe when my parents were on vacation and I had a party and broke her favorite Elvis Presley collectable plates, but that’s a different story for a different day… Sorry mom.
But other than that, it’s safe to say that I never worried about sharing my personal life with her. And that’s because she is literally the most caring person I have ever met and will do whatever she can to help anyone.
She never judges people and always gives them a chance.
That is a quality that is hard to find these days and is something I strive for.
“Never be quick to judge anyone because you don’t know what they’re going through” is something I have always heard her say.
There are so many people that judge others regardless of how little they know about that person.
She has taught me to understand people rather than immediately think less of them.
For that mom, I thank you.
The world would be a better place if more people looked at life the way you do, mom.
About a year ago she underwent a double knee replacement surgery.
This is a surgery that comes along with a very painful recovery process.
Not once have I heard her complain.
Not about the rehab. Not about the pain. Not about the difficulty of doing day to day activities, nothing.
Just maybe a joke and a laugh about it.
That’s because even though she probably won’t admit it, she’s a pretty tough old lady!
Just kidding, Ma, YOUNG lady!
Either way watching her go through her recovery taught me that there is no sense in complaining.
In life you’ll go through painful experiences, but complaining won’t make the pain subside. You might as well take a breath, smile and keep moving forward.
“It’s all you can do.”
She always says that “things happen for a reason” and even when something bad happens she reverts back to that saying and looks at the glass half full.
With everything my mother has been through and the way she has handled the events in her life she’s taught me a few things.
She has taught me that no matter how hard things can get you should never let it break you.
Regardless of how hard life can be the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. You have to keep moving forward.
Without her in my life I’m not sure I would be capable of understanding such positivity.
And I thank you for that, mom.
I have learned that complaining doesn’t get you anywhere.
And when times get difficult to keep smiling.
Be happy. Help people, because you don’t know what they are experiencing in their lives.
Sometimes a simple act of kindness can be the best part of someone else’s day, and with that said there are plenty of people out there who’s day became better when they crossed paths with my mother.
Life is short and sometimes you have to roll with the punches.
But in the end you will be stronger because of them.
Mom, over the course of the years you have meant so much more to me than I can explain.
You are a role model.
You are a friend.
You are someone I can trust with anything.
You are a mother.
You are the best.
And for all of that I can never repay you.
I have found my strength and will through you.
And I can only wish that I can one day attempt to be the quality person you are.
Now your generosity, kindness and loving spirit can hopefully impact the people reading this post the way you have impacted every person you have ever encountered.
I love you and want to thank you for all you have ever done for me.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
And all of the other moms out there!
Enjoy your day.
P.S. Sorry about the Elvis plates. 🙂
Suffering is a Blessing
Nobody is perfect.
We have all made mistakes. We have all done things we are not proud of. We all have some things we wish we would have done differently and have things in life we wish were better.
Many of us wish we were dealt a different hand.
But here’s the reality.
You don’t have the ability to change the hand you were dealt, nor do we have the ability to change the past.
It’s over. Done with.
What we do have however is the ability to control our future.
We are the ones that decide our fate from here on out.
We can choose to stay in a depression from the fucked up things that have happened to us.
Or, we can choose to learn from our past, learn from our dark times; our suffering, and move on.
You can grow from what has happened, and become a better you because of it.
I can speak from experience and say that you can truly get better from tough times, regardless of how bad they may seem.
Growing up I have been faced with many difficult times within my family. I have dealt with anger, pain, confusion and heartache.
At times it was difficult to focus on things that were important.
You are constantly stuck in a world consumed by the problems surrounding you.
There are times that you are consumed with nothing but anger and pain.
But what I have learned over the years is that you cannot focus on trying to control the uncontrollable.
You must realize that some people are going to do what they are going to do, no matter what you say or do.
So why waste your energy?
Instead, channel that energy into something positive. Think of a goal that you want to accomplish and put that energy that is cooped up inside of you towards that.
For instance, when I was 20 years old I began putting my anger into every workout I performed. My pain became my fuel for hard work and commitment to my goals.
With that, I started making true progress in my training.
Once I started achieving success in my training, I learned that I had control over myself.
So, I began putting that same energy into starting my own business.
I relentlessly studied and applied the material that I was learning, which led to me opening up my own, unofficial business in 2009.
I continued to get better as a coach through my efforts, which led to me working even harder.
Studying and applying this knowledge on myself and my clients.
In 2012 I had a decent sized following so I decided it was time to open up my own shop!
That said, in June of 2012 Tutela Training Systems, LLC was born.
As my reputation as a coach continued to grow, I was able to take on the job as head strength and conditioning coach for Union High School football!
A great opportunity where I worked for 2 seasons while continuing to grow my business.
Since then, my reputation is still growing as TTS continues to get bigger and bigger.
Now, please don’t take that story the wrong way. I am not trying to brag by any means.
I am simply trying to tell you that something beautiful can come from darkness.
Joy can come from pain.
I was able to channel the negativity surrounding me into something positive.
I was so pissed off, all the time and due to that I was able to put that energy into my passion.
And you can do the same. You just have to be willing to.
You have to accept the things that are out of your control, and focus solely on what you can control.
And that starts with yourself.
No matter how hard things may seem at times you have to keep going.
Have faith in yourself that things will get better, and be willing to put in the work necessary to achieve greatness.
In Japanese mythology the lotus flower is a great example of this.
The lotus flower grows at the bottom of a dark, dirty pond. Once the flower blooms it rises to the surface, fully bloomed and beautiful, representing that something beautiful can come from the darkness you were born in.
That story has been able to give me some extra motivation through my tough times, and I hope it can do the same for you.
If you are currently going through something difficult, whatever that may be, remember that it won’t last.
You will get through this, so don’t let it consume you now.
Trust me, you are tougher than you think.
Keep your head up and focus on the greatness that is living inside of you.
Find that greatness and put it to work, you owe it to yourself and the world around you.
Maybe one day you will be able to help the people in need because of it.
Stay strong, and be great.
Catch you guys next week.
The Development of an Athlete
Most parents want their kid to become the next Derek Jeter. So, they sign their kid up for baseball at an early age. Then, they sign them up for baseball in the summer, baseball in the fall and indoor baseball in the winter.
Parents do this because they want their kid to get better at baseball, which they usually do. However, in the long run this can actually be detrimental to the athlete’s success.
Let me explain.
When you play a sport at a young age and that sport is the only one you play, you become accustomed to the specific movements of that particular sport.
You overdevelop particular muscle groups and strengths, while the muscles that are not primary movers for that sport are underutilized and underdeveloped.
You have now created a muscular and neurological imbalance.
This is called pattern overload.
These types of athletes do become better at the sport they play, most of the time. But due to the imbalances they have created they usually suck at most other sports.
I know from experience.
Growing up I played hockey. And only hockey from a very young age until I was about 13 and I was pretty good.
But Anytime I played pickup basketball with friends at a young age, I sucked. And pretty much sucked at everything else.
I started wrestling at about 13 and as ok because I had some decent strength in my lower body from playing hockey my whole life, but I certainly was not the most athletic kid. Not by any means.
I know, I know, very sad.
My point is, if you want your child to excel at a particular sport and enhance their athletic ability, they should play as many sports as they’d like. Not just forced to play one sport all year long.
The athleticism they develop from playing multiple sports will elevate their game in their main sport, so let them play.
Once they get to high school then maybe they can decide to only play one or two sports and dial in their focus.
Think of the best athletes you know. Usually they played multiple sports even through high school.
The best ones I know played football in the fall, wrestled in the winter and played baseball or ran track in the spring.
That’s because they developed the proper musculature, mechanics, motor skills and body control/awareness to excel in athletics.
Now, it is possible to develop skills through a good strength and conditioning program.
I also know this from experience.
As I got stronger and learned to train the right way, I became capable of jumping higher, running faster and learned to control my body.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still no LeBron James, but I have certainly enhanced my athletic ability.
And you could too.
Whether you are already in high school, college or at the professional level you can enhance your athleticism.
As long as you are training to get stronger, jumping, sprinting, throwing, pushing, pulling, crawling and carrying heavy shit, you will get better.
But parents please keep in mind that nothing will replace playing multiple sports at a young age.
Between everything I mentioned earlier and the experiences your child will have during their time playing multiple sports, it’s safe to say that getting them involved will be one of the greatest things you can do for them.
And please, let your kids have fun. Don’t make little league baseball and peewee football a miserable experience.
They should learn to work hard, learn how to win the right way, lose the right way, and overcome adversities. But at the same time they need to have fun.
That is the best way to develop an athlete.
So let em’ play!
Hopefully this article can help your child enhance his or her athletic potential.
If you are interested in getting your child stronger, bigger, faster and less susceptible to injuries, try out Tutela Training Systems, LLC in Clark, NJ.
We specialize in all of the above and would love to teach your child how to develop the right way and excel in their sport.
Email info@tutelatraining.com and schedule 2 free weeks of training plus a nutrition consultation and see the difference in what we do.
I look forward to helping you and your children!
How to Lose Fat Without Losing Muscle
The dreaded idea of losing any ounce of muscle while training for fat loss can make me cringe.
All year you’ve put in the work.
Hit the gym hard consistently, never missed a meal and you are happy with the outcome.
You’ve put on pretty nice size and are ready to get your body fat down to single digits.
Now here comes the nightmare… After a few months of “cutting” you are noticeably getting weaker and losing muscle!
WHAT THE FUCK?!?!
How can this be happening?!?!
You wanted to get ripped, not emaciated and weak as piss!
The truth is, this happens way too often but it can certainly be avoided and I’m here to show you how!
My intent is to provide you the information needed to maintain that hard earned muscle and strength while getting your body fat down to the bone! Simply follow these guidelines and you will be on your way to a strong, lean, ripped physique that can help enable you to smash all the cheeks you hope for this summer!
So, pay attention!
Rule # 1: Do NOT completely cut out carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are essential for muscle recovery. If you cut them out completely, you will lose strength and muscle. If you keep them too low, you will lose strength and muscle. But of course you need to monitor and control your carbohydrate consumption if your goal is to lose fat, and you also have to understand that the quality of nutrients that you put into your body will have a direct impact on your physique and performance.
With that said, I prefer cycling my carbohydrates during a fat loss phase, where for 3 days I keep my carbohydrates low, and every fourth day I cycle in a higher carbohydrate day. The high carb day is critical for helping maintain strength and muscle.
But please consider where the carbs are coming from. Are they earth grown? Like potatoes, rice and fruit? Or are they processed, man-made crap?
You obviously don’t want to base your carb intake on the latter if getting lean is your goal. Keep the carbs in, but monitor them wisely.
Rule # 2: Always train to get bigger and stronger
They gym is a place to get big and strong. Your diet will dictate how much fat you lose.
With that said, whenever people begin a fat loss phase they tend to do way more volume, meaning a lot more sets, a lot more reps. In addition, supersets, drop sets and pump sets become the staples in their programming.
For the natural lifter, that can destroy the hard earned strength and muscle you recently gained.
That’s not to say that some of that stuff doesn’t have its place. It does. Sometimes.
But you should focus on trying to improve or at least maintain your strength during a fat loss phase. For advanced lifters it gets tough to get your numbers up every week while cutting your calories back. So don’t get discouraged. Simply keep your reps somewhere between 3-6 reps on your big lifts, with some back off sets from time to time.
For the accessory stuff you can work in the rep ranges of 8-12.
Following those guidelines will ensure that you stay strong and maintain the size you packed on over the winter months.
Rule # 3: Kick steady state cardio to the curb
Hours spent on a treadmill, recumbent bike or elliptical bore me to death. Not only are they boring, they can actually cause you to lose muscle by producing high amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol. Which is detrimental to muscle tissue.
Sure, you can get lean doing steady state cardio, but unless you are a physique competitor why sacrifice losing strength, speed and muscle?
They key is to condition using different sprint intervals and body weight circuits. Not only will training this way get you lean, but you will actually benefit from developing your conditioning.
Here are 2 quick examples…
Example # 1: After a thorough warm-up, sprint 100 yards on a track, then jog or walk the corners, then sprint the next 100 yards and jog the corner. Repeat.
Your current conditioning level will dictate the distance you go for the first time. It may be ½ mile, it may be 2 miles. It doesn’t matter, just try it. I guarantee you will see a huge difference between that and walking on a treadmill.
Example # 2: After a warm-up
150 turns on a jump rope
20 mountain climbers
10 burpees
Going through all of these exercises without stopping completes 1 round. Complete 3-5 rounds the first time through and time how long it took you to do so. Next time try to beat your time.
This will keep things interesting and most of all, fun!
The significance here is that you won’t just be getting lean. You will be learning to move well and developing endurance that will help you in life or sport.
And you won’t be sacrificing any muscle in the process.
Try these examples or be creative and create your own. Either way, try them!
Rule # 4: Drink AT LEAST ½ of your body weight in ounces of water daily
Water makes up about 70-75% of our muscle. Do I really need to say more?
I will anyway..
Water is essential for life. Everything we do down to a cellular level, water is present. The minimum amount I recommend is half of your bodyweight in ounces each day. But you can drink more than that. A good way to tell if you are getting enough water is by the color of your urine.
If your piss is any degree of yellow other than the first urination of the day, you are dehydrated to a certain percentage.
Urine should be clear, if it’s not, drink more water.
To add to this point, human beings can go up to 3 weeks without food, but can only go 3-5 days without water.
If you will die in 3 days without water, what do you think you are doing to the muscular tissue by not hydrating properly?
Exactly.
Drink more water.
I hope these 4 rules help you look at fat loss in a different light.
I don’t think it is the goal of anyone reading this blog to look like Justin Bieber at the end of your fat loss phase. So for the love of God, don’t train like him.
Eat carbs, get strong, condition and drink a lot of water.
Simple recipe. Just follow these guidelines consistently and you will finally achieve the strong, ripped physique you’ve been working for.
Train hard, friends.
I’ll catch you MoFo’s on the next one!