This was a crazy experience for me. I began The Executioner, by John Meadows, on Monday of this week and was already getting brutalized. I came in from a strongman training background so this was a massive change in more ways than one. I began this session by doing my prescribed work on the leg curl and ended up working in with Meadows and Dave. I assumed I was just going to work in for the leg curls and that was it. I understood Jon was 4 weeks out so I planned on following my prescribed routine to not get in the way. After the last set I thanked them for letting me work in, Dave let me know that it was a full time commitment and I was stuck for the session.
Let me begin by saying it was all surreal that is was actually happening. Next we moved to leg press. This is where the learning began to take place. It started with Dave asking “how does fiber digest?” in the middle of one of my sets, to which I agonizingly responded “not very well,” both John and Dave chuckled at the scenario. There is of course reasoning as to why Dave asked but this certainly helped ease some nerves for me. The emphasis for the rest of the session was getting the proper contraction and doing the exercise with the correct intent. I used to pride myself in training with precision and intent but I was humbled and glad I was. Ive noticed that right when I begin to get confident with knowledge being humbled is the best way to continue my learning.
Dave and John cued me to flex the muscles to their fullest capacity prior to the lift, to move slowly and really get the most blood to the area as possible. Dave gave me a cue that resonated with me and has helped me to understand this style of training more and more as I think about it “Do the opposite of what your brain tells you too.” Seemingly simple but for me it worked perfectly. My motor cortex is hardwired for speed and force production, it is what got me recognized nationally in strongman. Basically the opposite end of the sliding scale. Right when fatigue kicks in, I want to dive bomb my leg press reps to bounce out of the hole. I now force myself to do the opposite, slow it down, contract my hamstrings, quads, glutes, as hard as I can and the intense contraction of those muscles is what causes the weight to move. Very very different. The session left me wobbly legged but wanting more.
My biggest take away from this session was to train the muscles properly, not the movement. There is a clear cut difference between the two.
Andrew Triana is a Springfield College student studying Applied Exercise Science. He competes in Strongman.