Pushing the Envelope!

Some days I feel like I am ready to push the envelope so to speak.  As Emeril Lagasse would say, "Kick it up a notch!"  Of course if you have been letting yourself down by skipping days in the gym, eating empty food or simply not eating to recover and get stronger, then you might never be ready to push the envelope.  These are what I refer to as fun days in the gym.  You've paid your dues in more ways than one, and now you get to take the new muscle car for a spin and see what's under the hood!  For example, maybe the weight that seemed heavy in the leg press two weeks ago, now seems like a child's toy.  I always recommend moving weights under complete control and never droping them when lowering them in any exercise.  I believe it's important that I share a little experience with you at this time.  About two years ago I was working out in Taos at the Taos Spa & Tennis Club.  I was feeling strong in the leg press and was lifting quite a lot of weight for my size.  I let the leg press sled come down on me too fast and thought I hurt my hip joint.  I walked with a limp for 2-3 weeks thinking I hurt the joint in my right hip.  One day after taking a shower, I noticed in the mirror while shaving that I had a brown bruise on my right hip.  It dawned on me that I had torn my right glute.  So I am passing this valuable experience on to you and I hope you share it with others, always control the weights when lowering them or in the negative part of the exersise to prevent injury and to properly stretch the muscle in the full range of motion.  Tip 2:  In the Preacher Curl, make sure your seat is not adjusted too low, or you can seriously hurt your neck.  I know this from experience too!  My neck hurt for more than a week after doing Preacher Curls with the seat adjusted too low.


Peace,

Steven Brick