If you want a peek into the life of a professional Highland Games competitor, check out Matts siteand follow him on Instagramtoo. In that window is really where I perform my best. Focused hypertrophy training is often overlooked by coaches and athletes in competitive CrossFit. As things moved on, Im sure someone took one and said, I think I can throw it further than you or higher. Thats what the original ones actually looked like, and they were counterbalances for the other side of the scale. You are an athletic guy, Bret, which translates well, I believe, into those movements which are more athletic than a static box squat or deadlift. Brett McKay: You mentioned time is fleeting for you. Dan McKim Facebook Fan Page Post-college, I gave It a run at owning a bicycle shop, and that didnt work so well. Nothing is over 56lbs. I do Olympic variations twice a week and get my posterior chain work through lots of back hypers, glute ham raises, curl work, and modified deads such as RDLs and straight leg deads. Its really the easiest way to about it. And yes, for those keeping score at home, we have a set of twins in there! Goodness, that will be quick. Liberty or Death: SCBC goes all in at the LibertyOpen. I feel super confident going into to games this year. Dan is an amazing athlete. Thats never been the goal, but as long as I can still be valuable and help people out. You throw it with one arm and they weight 28 pounds for the light one, and 56 pounds for the heavy. Youre saying youre chasing Daniel, right, in the competition. Mikes core philosophy is that in order to become a better athlete, you must gain strength, but you must also learn how to apply it with speed and precision. (LogOut/ Listen to the episode on a separate page. BC: You dont deadlift from the floor, correct? Its Vanity plays itself into my head plenty, and I dont want to be totally gross, but at the same time, I know that I compete my best when Im between 270 and 280 pounds. How did you get to be a guy who throws around cabers around the world. I cant see myself becoming a guy thats finishing tenth in the world and still grinding at that. Sports Science Topics & Research Guest Articles, Peer-Reviewed Articles (Journal Publications), Coaching, Personal Training, Programming, & Nutrition Topics, Coaching, Personal Training, Programming, & Nutrition Guest Articles, (Brets note: I randomly found a video of Dan performing hex bar jump squats so I embedded it below), (Brets note: below is my friend Jim Kielbaso showing off the glute ham roller), Dan McKim eBook: Behemoth: Power Training for Strength Athletes, How to Isolate the Quads and Hams in a Garage Gym. Injuries are going to happen, and setbacks happen. Was someone like, you should do this? Im not talking about doing sets of fifteen or twenty to really get the pump. This contest was followed by The Laurel Hill games in Ararat, VA. We will feature discussions over training methodologies, program templates, and general weightlifting topics. The North American Scottish Games Athletics (NASGA) website has a great database of Highland Games where you can search for upcoming events and see current stats and rankings. I hurt my back years ago moving weight from the floor, so I decided I couldnt risk it any longer if I wanted to continue in my sport. Matt Vincent: Like anybody, through high school, and growing up, I basically played everything I could; and, to some, I guess the extent of being decent at a lot of things, but not very good at any of them. Theres eight traditional events and in the States, we do nine. Highland Games are as iconically Scottish as bagpipes, kilts and whisky all of which feature heavily at any gathering. Im 32, 65 and my body weight fluctates a bit depending if Im in season or off-season (290-295 in-season, 300-305 off-season). DM: You better believe I do! Throwers perform these exercises throughout training in some shape or form. In the article which I take this program from, Dan even suggests going with Single Arm DB Clean and Press. Brett McKay: Lets talk about the Highland Games, because I think people are familiar with caber tossing. When we were lifting together, you informed me that you cant squat deep, and I saw that you have a nasty case of buttwink when you try to squat rock bottom. View the video below: The tug o'war is one of the most fiercely contestedcompetitions at the Highland Games. How are muscle damage and muscle growth related? Okay, Ive always noticed that Im pretty good at rotational actions such as throwing, swinging, and striking. DM: I have all the throwing implements at my house, so when its time to practice, I load up my truck and head to the park. Thankfully, its still considered a PED in mainstream sports, but my sport has been soft on it. Athletes that had that different drive than your normal people. Give about a 75% effort. If that person is going to squat and kind of grind it out and take two seconds on a way up, like a big, hydraulic, slow, strong lift. From left to right: Richard Sorin, Bert Sorin, Dan McKim, Bret Contreras (hint: being closest to the camera gives the illusion that yourethe most jacked!). What are you going to do, just quit? It doesnt pick you up and throw you on the ground. Matt Vincent: Boredom, and you know, drunk guys, Im sure were talking a lot of noise to each other, decided to put it to the test. I have a twin and we put my poor mother through hell, but you have 5 boys in total, I couldnt even imagine how much of a handful that is. I work them in once a week for looks, but mostly for auxillary work. The object thrown isa 25.4kg (56lb) weight with a handle at the end of a short bar whichmust be thrown using just one hand. How should you setup your Deadlift training? Thats a really bad idea. I kid. Team Juggernaut: Matt Vincent Wins World Highland Games Championship! What you should do is work and do your job every day. 3 Days Per Week, 2 Week Microcycles, 8 Week Mesocycles, 0 Unicycles. That eliminates a lot of the ego. The heavy stone is anywhere from about 22 to 28 pounds and you throw it just standing like a shot put throw, but you dont get an approach. Even the UFC, now, disallows TRT as an acceptable medical treatment. For the longest time, because, you have a brand, right, thats called the Hate. Pleasetell us a bit about yourself, and be sure to include your height, weight, and age. You may have seen theHighland Games online or on television: guys in kilts throwing giant logs, tossing hammers over their heads, etc. I can do that, but Im also going to gain a bunch of weight, lose some mobility and be slower. Dan McKim Website I think weightlifting is the most transferrable but there have been many a successful thrower from strongman and powerlifting backgrounds. Matt Vincent: Of course. I do travel quite a bit, and I like enjoying myself. The structure and exercise choice that he put into his program really let me continue to work on strength but also added additional components of dynamic work, jumps, and throws that really helped my highland games performance. Do you have any idea about the history of the Highland Games? Even though he looks like Goliath, hes a wonderful guy. I have coached complete novices that have never set foot on the field, the top pros in the world, and every level in between. Muscles dont react that way, they grow. I have really enjoyed the addition of the lifting program that Mike created. Improve the most missed lift in Weightlifting. Ive always wanted to get involved with it somehow, get in touch with my Scottish ancestry. Whenever Im not willing to do what it takes to train for it. You have quite the memory, my friend. Matt Vincent: Yeah, for me, I really like, throwing the stones. Vertical pulling. Daniel McKim, who is also a multiple time Games World Champion said he believed in maintaining his training intensity throughout the season. I like being able to move. MILO articles on Highland Games heavy events technique for weight for height, caber toss, weight for distance, putting the stone, hammer throw, seasonal weight training and more, from Jim McGoldrick and others. I like long walks in the rain, my favorite color is red okay, thats probably enough. Since our talk, my knee pain has improved; thanks, man. How many events are there? Learn more about concurrent training for Strength & Endurance, Add some new twists to the traditional plank. Im curious why doing curls to work the biceps always seems to fall into the cosmetic category. Theres a Highland Game usually every weekend. eBook, Try out these drills for a better and more stable overhead position in the Jerk. Brett McKay: Thats an interesting question. So this is why we work the overhead squats and unilateral movements. Because I love to lift, this allows me to get five days of lifting in each week, pushing it hard every day. Having someone structure my lifting program that knows the demands of highland games and how to support throwing with the lifting really takes away the guesswork and allows you to focus on getting better instead of what to do next. Just a few years ago putting testosterone in your body was considered a PED or even steroid use; without question. Brain Games are a new, "kernelized" approach to intervention, with simple and discrete stand-alone activities that can be easily integrated into routine operations at crches with a limited amount of training and supervision . (Brets note: I randomly found a video of Dan performing hex bar jump squats so I embedded it below). This involves eight men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team whoshouts encouragement and instructions to spur them on topull their opposite number across the line. It is a 20 pound bag we throw with a pitchfork for height. Join us in the first-ever JuggernautAI Powerbuilding contest! Is it for anyone, like even someone who doesnt compete. As a thrower, like, in college, you kind of always know about the Highland Games. I dont have anybody in my gym telling me, giving me white lights, and I dont have the ego anymore to say, Well, Ive got to bury all of these squats. What I want to do is perform better and I perform my best when Im not hurt. Price: $97 Buy Now Highland games Online Clinic: Weight For Distance If I want to stay around 300 pounds, I have to consciously eat all the time. As far as how long do I see myself doing this, I mean, Ive seen guys be competitive on the world scale at almost 40. Dan McKim Twitter Great interview, Bret. You believe that this is unfair, right? Set and Reps: We are aiming for 3 X rounds of this workout. Marisa Inda turns her focus to physique training, In the gym with Chad using the JuggernautBJJ App, Quit making these mistakes in your training, In the gym with 3x Jiu Jitsu World Champion. Should I go for that PR so I can be excited that I put more weight on the bar or do I hit what I was able to hit for three now for five. Technique and timing trump overall brute strength. Im going stuff at 75, 85, and 95% weight. I have started to think of pinning my big toes to the bottom of my shoes, which forces my knees to track better and keep me from hitting rock bottom. Matt Vincent: Yeah, man, stoked to be here. Ive since added the rounded back extension (love it) and hip thrusts more readily in my programming. Unfortunately, a popular item is TRT, which is on virtually every commercial break or radio sponsor that you hear. It takes a long time for you to finally learn that, its like, OK, just diet.. With other 1400 articles, we're confident we have what you need. You know, accumulating some implements, and starting to think about training for it. Now lets talk training. Throwing is one of the most overlooked sports of Strength Sports. (Questions not related to today's topic should be directed towards the daily thread.) Brett McKay: Do you have any idea how the Scots invented this stuff? Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! Dan McKim YouTube Thats his goals and his things. But, its the combination of strength, athleticism and explosive ability that makes you a formidable and successful thrower. Thus, Heavy/Light Lifting will supply the strength, power, and physical preparedness that the Heavy Events demand. Whats the saying if looks could kill? I kid. Matt, this has been a great conversation, and a lot of insights about a sport that I knew little about. Matt Vincent: Sure. Thats what helped interest me in the sport; throwing across various disciplines. We also talk about his programming that hes created called The Hate. Well talk about why he calls it The Hate as well, in a bit. Or, Im going to take a big, giant burlap bag and hoist it over with a pitchfork, whats going on there? Chad has lost over 50 pounds since October, learn how he's done it. Great interview Dan. BC: I met Matt Vincent the year before at the Sorinex Summer Strong conference, and hes another strange combination in that hes a humble, gentle giant just like you. Im guessing the throwing ones. Brett McKay: Fantastic. What I do is i keep conditioning in my program. Brett McKay: Got you. Man, life gets in the way. The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. If you do, also try to work some, Power Clean (jerk optional) heavy single, then back off sets with power clean only for triples, Off or find a group of guys you can throw with on this day, Off or find a group of guys you can throw with on this day or start cycle over. I couldnt ignore the results of athletes training in methods beyond classic block periodization. Thursday Incline, strict overhead press, shoulders Im sure its not looking like a body builders diet, Im sure youre eating for performance. Training LAB: Strength Training for the Highland Games: Max Strength and Power Development for Athletes Paperback - February 24, 2012 by Matt Vincent (Author) 4.6 out of 5 stars 47 ratings How much longer do you think youll be doing this and what do you plan on doing after you have to hang up your caber tossing shoes. Matt Vincent: After I hang up the kilt, huh? Thats just from Ive just abused my body for the last two decades and Ive not been that nice to it. "Highland Games is a combination of balance, speed, strength, and technique," says Vincent. Its a little bit of self motivation through self loathing and its not listening to your own brain trying to get in your own way. I have also seen that many of them come to the Heavy/Light methodology while employing many different programs for their strength and conditioning. Brett McKay: Were the same age, then. Try out these movements before your next Snatch session for better mobility and technique. Probably wouldnt hurt to add in some core work. Do you do half squats, or just avoid squatting altogether? So, for me to get the most done in a week that I can, safely, I split my workouts into muscle groups so I can turn around and train hard the next day. All these muscles help stabilize the body and improve your ability to throw. Hes of the move, plus, people in Iceland seem to know how to move heavy stuff. Like, Im not going to be famous, Im not going to I dont need to go have a discussion with Reese Hoffa, for example, you know, Olympic shot putter, about how were both world champions. -Henry Rollins, By Scottishfury in forum Workout Journals, My Highland Games In-Season Training Program, Powerlifting Workouts - Training Journals, Post Your Pictures and Introduce Yourself, 5-3-1 For Highland Games Lightweight thrower. What I need to do is all of this: Joint mobility, especially my hips and ankles. From there, youll actually meet some people, and perhaps find a training group. . Wednesday Back and bis I would take these ideas and implement them as the following: Olympic lift full, power, hang or any combination there of, Unilateral oly movement opposite of the previous, Corresponding squat to the first oly movement. Go train by myself in the garage, or, you know, get up when its cold and do those necessary things. Brett McKay: Is there an event that you specialize in, particularly? Highland Games are as iconically Scottish as bagpipes, kilts and whisky - all of which feature heavily at any gathering. He could help with his hip flexion issues. So today on the show I talk with Highland Games champMatt Vincentto get the lowdown. These were used as counter balances at the feed market. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. What we need is stability work in which the core is a part but not the whole. Bret, you da man when it comes to muscle theory. When I first started, I was so addicted and excited about throwing that I practiced five to seven days a week for 18 months straight; rain, snow, cold it didnt matter. Does it change any from when you were a college athlete, or is it pretty much the same? Im not going to be a guy who just phones it in. The aim is for the caber to land in line with the original run. Thats what brought me to college on a track and field scholarship to LSU down here in Louisiana. Brett McKay: How do you battle with our programming? It looks like the telephone pole. Im curious what does your strength training program when youre also competing in Highland Games? This is going to build strength and power. Hit me up through my contact page or social media. Does this theory still hold water? DM: Many people accuse me of doing a bodybuilding split, as I like to break my days into muscle groups and movements. If you did, you probably lived a really boring life. In the day and age of information overload it is nice to have a way to simplify my efforts and put my energy into lifting and throwing instead of planning what to do next. Man, thats all of the fringe strength sports Ive found. Say, do a hundred reps a day of curls of some sort, and my biceps will better. We at JTS strive to bring the best powerlifting, weightlifting, training and strength content in the world. Doing that is going to allow you to be a little bit smarter in training and think which one actually makes more progress. Im going to get up and do what I can to make myself better. You want to turn your shoulders away from it, and push the hips first, and then really throw a hay maker. This is a program for beginning throwers by Dan John: "For an example, I offer you the world's simplest program: 1. English (North America) English (Europe) English (Oceania) etina Deutsch Espaol (Espaa) Espaol (Latinoamrica) Franais Magyar Italiano Polski Portugus (Brasil) Romn Trke English (Philippines) English (Singapore) Indonesian Ting Vit BC: Awesome. Jim has been a huge influence and a really good friend for the last five or six years. Powerlifting Matt Vincent's Training LAB Thats probably been the event that Ive been the best at over the last couple of years, as well as the weights for distance. Im excited to see how my numbers and strength improves now that I can squat more appropriately within my anatomy. Brett McKay: Boredom probably was the impetus. The centrifugal force here is substantial. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 03-19-09 05:30 PM - Post# 537024. October 13, 2014 at 6:54 pm. I cant just get as absolutely as strong as possible. Your email address will not be published. DM: The best tool is www.nasgaweb.com. I had a weird spot writing the program, because I knew there were a lot of similarities to it and at the end of the day, if it aint broke, Im not going to rewrite it just so I can say this is original. Want to start taking action on the content you read on AoM? So many of us appreciate your work and expertise. What I usually want to do is the stuff I'm really good at in training. Microcycles, 8 Week Mesocycles, 0 Unicycles we work the overhead squats and unilateral.. Team Juggernaut: matt Vincent: After I hang up the kilt, huh you were college... Specialize in, particularly this workout and a really good friend for the other of. Riddles for Kids ( with Answers, man get the lowdown transferrable but there have been many a thrower... Overlooked sports of strength, athleticism and explosive ability that makes you a formidable and successful thrower from and... 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