Never Let Go: A Philosophy of Lifting, Living and Learning

by Dan John

2. There are three kinds of strength training: • Putting weight overhead • Picking it off the ground • Carrying it for time or distance

2. Redefine “easy” in your training, too. I like to use my easy days to try a new lift or perhaps even invent something new. The idea of doing snatches followed by sled pulls began on an easy day. I later moved that workout to a hard day. 3. Embrace lousy days. I’ve learned to remind myself easy days are part of the deal, and a great day is just around the corner.

Never shop or go out hungry. That’s right, eat before you go out to eat. Not only will you save money, but you’ll make better food choices. Eat before you go food shopping and you won’t buy stuff that will end up as another chin. You must have a shopping list. I have one at work, one on the refrigerator and plenty of extras in a drawer. Take a few minutes to make sure you have what you think you have. Stick to the list!

The Classic Top 10 Tips Years ago, I offered this list of tips for athletes: • Use whole-body lifts; rarely isolate a muscle. • Constantly strive to add weight to the bar, and move it faster. • The best anabolic is water. • Did you eat breakfast? If not, don’t ask me anything about nutrition. • If you smoke or don’t wear your seatbelt, please don’t tell me the quick lifts are dangerous. • Go heavy, go hard. • Keep it simple. Less is more. • You have to put the bar over your head. • Put the bar on the floor and pick it up a bunch of different ways. • Know and love the roots of your sport.

What you do in the first ten percent of your workouts will determine your level of success for the long haul.

Once again, the most obvious lesson of my coaching life has been reinforced. The more intense you can train, the better. Yep, you knew that. So did I. Why, then, don’t we follow the rule?