Brick Laying and Strength Training

How is your foundation? And no I’m not talking about the one under your house!

I’m talking about your body’s foundation. You see building our body is very similar to building a house. You must have a solid foundation in order for it to stand tall and be able to withstand all that life will throw at it physically and mentally. Whether it be in the gym or in everyday life.

A good foundation starts with having control of your own body-weight. I’ve seen many people in the gym throwing themselves under heavy weights, and yet they can’t even do a proper push-up, body weight squat, or blow there back out lifting up their kids or groceries.

So before you go heavy make sure you have mastered the basic body-weight exercises which include; push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and lunges and their many variations. And if you’re already training heavy but feel like your form is off and are suffering from over-use injuries, and aches and pains that are not from muscle soreness, then you may have to take some weight off the bar, and get back to the basics and work on your exercise form, flexibility and mobility. Or use no weight at all and do some body-weight training.

I know I know, there goes the ego! Don’t worry about it, when the other guy injures himself from rounding his back squatting to impress, and is out of commission for several weeks you will be setting personal records with you strong foundation and perfect form.

I always say leave your ego outside the gym!

In the video below I use the basic body-weight and mobility movements in my warm-up which not only prepares my muscles for the movements but also gets me in my “training groove”, revs up the nervous system and increases my flexibility so i can properly execute the movements using the maximum force possible and also prevent injury.

Now building a proper foundation with your nutrition is also key! If you are not consuming the proper “bricks” for your “foundation” then it’s more likely to crumble and not operate at maximum efficiency. The proper bricks are your lean meats, veggie, fruits, nuts, and complex carbs such as oatmeal and potatoes.

So every time you are about to eat something or you are grocery shopping, ask yourself if the food is a solid brick for your foundation. Is it going to make you strong and rigid with a lot of sustained energy or is it empty calories that will make you weak, and cause you to crumble under light weights, light physical activity or a light gust of wind!

Would love to hear your comments on this below, so please post. Thanks!

Think, Look and Be Strong!

-Tommy T