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Robert V
05-21-2004, 08:02 PM
"Lord Have Mercy...because the Bruiser doesn't!"

I got mine the other day, and I just stared at it for a couple of hours. I felt totally intimidated. The last time I felt this "fear" was during my first Judo Shiai. I thought I would be playing against old white belts...instead I found out I was facing a multiple time state blackbelt champion, who had already injured me at the Metro Fight Club a few month prior.

Anyway, the ABC manual didn't arrive with the 45. So, I just work on one hand swings and clean to order. I was whipped after 20minutes!

The next day(today) the ABC manual arrived and I saw all exercises were done with "two-hands". I thought, thank God!

So tonight, I experimented with swings and cleans with two hands. I'm sorry to be graphic, but it was like "good sex"!
I also continued to work on one handed cleaning to order(I love that feeling, simple but still my favorite).

I am not going to take the weight behind my back for awhile. My elbows are still "soft" from my surgery last year. But, it's so tempting. I really want to do one handed swipes. But I have to embrace my wisdom, oppose to my ego!

It's difficult to explain the euphoria of the "Bruiser". I have to be very careful not to overtrain and become "addicted" to it. Yes, I feel that strongly about the "Bruiser".

You see, I was born and raised a poor country boy in NC who was doing hard and heavy farm labor before I was 12 years old. At that time, I also got my hands on a magazine, the name I can't remember, which highlighted guys like Paul Anderson and Slim "the Hammerman". I was intrigue by absolute strength. I love lifting bails of hay that were as big as me and chopping giant stumps with an ax or slegde hammer and wedge. I was always proud of the callouses on my hands. Before I ever began weight training, I'd already developed functional strength from farm labor.

Using the "Bruiser" takes me back to that "special" time in my life that was innocent, yet fortifided by hopes and dreams. The "Bruiser" is "hard labor".

If there was any piece of equipment built for me, it's the "Bruiser". Thank you so much Scott and Doug for making it possible.

Robert

I still can't imagine how Scott, Doug and a few others can throw this thing around behind their backs. That kind of skill is "haunting".

Dan Chomycia
05-21-2004, 10:01 PM
What is also Haunting is that,

Coach Sonnon did 1 set of 610 reps Mills with a 25lbs. Clubbell in 25 minutes 9 seconds! NON STOP!
&
Coach Szolek is doing a density cycle with his Metronomes from his new book Core Cadre Cirriculum (http://www.profcs.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=79892&u=http://www.circularstrength.com/corecadre.html).

These are great times indeed!

Doug Szolek
05-23-2004, 04:19 AM
Robert, thanks for the detail of your early experiences with the Bruiser. I am really looking forward to the growth that it will open to you.

As a suggestion, when you do feel ready to take the weight behind your back, Start with Standard and Reverse Parry Casts, they allow for a slow controled range of motion that is not likely to be injurious if you attempt it before your skill/strength is ready.

In faith,

Robert V
05-23-2004, 06:57 AM
Thanks, Doug!

I will do.

Robert

Robert V
05-23-2004, 08:19 PM
I tried the parrys tonight during my workout and it felt great. Oddly enough, the "Bruiser is getting lighter and lighter with every workout. Just how much of the "Bruiser" is mental?

Scott Sonnon
05-23-2004, 10:27 PM
Just how much of the "Bruiser" is mental? Just how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop. (Blasted meme fits.)

Robert V
05-23-2004, 10:46 PM
Funny!

You are showing your age, Scott!

Doug Szolek
05-24-2004, 04:11 PM
"One, Tahoo, Three *crunch*. Three."

Anyways,

Robert, I don't know that it's mental just because that sort of seperates it from the physical, which that 45lbs. chunk of steel is. To me, it seems more like the "nerve force" that is gained rapidly within the first couple of weeks of which explains the jump in strength at the early stages of use. The real fun begins when the muscle growth kicks in to "catch up" to the "nerve force." Let me know if this makes sense.

Peace,

Robert V
05-24-2004, 07:02 PM
It makes perfect sense, Doug. It's like a "honeymoon" period where your neuro-muscular system adapts quickly initially.

But you are right, 45lbs is 45lbs. Period!