Today the Zen Master is going to answer some questions, rattle a lot of cages, give a few slaps and whacks – and smile like a deeply breathing Cheshire cat the entire time. Take a look below and you will see what I mean:
Hey Matt,
I tried the Power Wheel and it’s no joke. I thought my stomach muscles were OK but my core is weak. I couldn’t do that movement that makes you look like a bent banana and I always max my situps on the PT test so what do I need to do to pull myself out of this delima.
A.B.
ZM: Glad you got the Power Wheel and are feeling how great a tool it is. Now, in response to your question, I must say I love your spelling for the word dilemma as well as the way you’re using it out of context. What do I mean? I mean that you are not facing a dilemma – you are simply confronted with a better way to train your core. Stop doing the dumb stuff that everyone else does and do what works. And start doing that which you really FEEL more often. Getting to the next level requires nothing more than the willingness to practice each day – or several days a week – as well as the willingness to SEE YOURSELF the way you want to look before, during and after you train.
Good Morning Mr. Matt,
A while back my husband ordered Combat Conditioning and placed it in on the counter. I just HAD to know what this was all about. Started browsing through it, was blown away by your techniques. Stated to him that there is NO WAY a guy could do this, especially the Bridge.
Wrong!
As I have tried it myself, I am amazed at your DVDs, where I have seen YOU fall into a bridge with no spotter, no help, no hands, yet such CONTROL.
I am truly amazed therefore, I keep on trying to do this every day, as I hold on to the door jam and let my hands walk down backwards.
Sounds crazy, yet works for me.
Am working on the husband to try this also, as he is much bigger than I and there is no way I could support him etc.
Yet, I do have to know this one question, Did you get your ideas from the Potato Sisters – as they display the Furey Technique with complete control.
Love your work and your emails.
Warmly,
K.M.
ZM: K.M., thanks for the words of awe about my unreal skills – hu hum – cough, cough. I admire your desire to follow what I’m doing, but you really do want a good spotter. Perhaps some day you and el hubbo will come for a private session and I can get both of you doing things you once thought impossible. Another way is to find a local gymnastics instructor who can assist you.
Matt,
You may be interested to know that it is now established that bench presses are injury prone because the bench underneath your shoulder splints your shoulder blade and stops it from moving physiologically with your effort.
As a result the rotator cuff unit remains in a position where it is more likely to get impinged and damaged. If you must do bench presses, then find a very narrow bench which has the width the same size as your vertebrae, which will improve your balance as well as allowing your shoulder blades to move freely. As for me, I swear by your “Hindu pushups.”
Thanks for you mails. I always enjoy your mix of advice and philosophy.
Best Wishes,
Alistair
ZM: Alistair, thanks for the enlightening email. When a person gets the urge to use the bench press, the best thing for him to do is go take a nap and get back up when the urge passes. Even if you can get a bench that is more suitable for injury-free bench pressing, why bother. It’s a rum dumb exercise.
When you do pushups, how often do you need to find the right surface beneath your hands in order to keep from hurting yourself. Unless you have a fetish for training where there’s broken glass, the answer is NEVER.
You can get more real world functional strength pushing against the ground, your own body – or a tree than you ever will against a barbell.
All for now.
Matt Furey
P.S. How much of your mind is connected to your body? Make sure you strengthen the most important link in the chain by subscribing to my tips at psycho-cyb.com.
