Ok so who were my coaches? Dave Tate & Matt Wenning
An experienced lifter would be intimidated by that duo. The excitement came because there was no way i would not improve.
Driving to the Compound i gave the young kid who traveled all the way from Scotland to be at this seminar. It was good to have someone to chat with so as to not let my own mind take over on the drive to the Compound. The added Bonus is that Tom was also in our group of trainees. Upon arriving the Nasty group was already underway, they were going through a simulated meet day. from what i was able to see throughout the day there was some very impressive Lifting. I watched one guy Squat 7 plates aside and make it look like a warm up he moved it so fast.
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| The Compound shortly after my arrival |
It turned out when our group got together i had a few people from the LTT6. So it the familiarity helped all of our nervousness. We all wanted to be there to learn and improve but to humbled in the process is tough for anyone and i commend all the attendees that came out.
I have been fighting my left Hip for nearly 8 mths. I have been working with my RMT to correct the issue. It had gotten to the fact i could not squat due to the pain /discomfort from day to day. I had started squatting again at the direction of Harry onto a high box to avoid the pain but keep weight on my back.
Dave and Matt went through how to squat onto a box because it is the easiest way to teach and correct squat technique. When it came my turn to squat it felt like i was hyper aware of my left hip. I set up as directed (or tried to) and then Dave would correct the minor things i still had to learn to correct. Down to the box, bump!
"Feel that? that is your hamstring weakness" Dave Tate
back up, a little tighter, down and up.
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| Dave and Matt Coaching the Squat |
The crazy part was. NO PAIN. Simply by correct my technique my pain /discomfort was gone. Now the weakness reared it's head as the session wore on. I fought through as best i could but it was good because it allowed Dave and Matt to Assess things and give me feed back on my hip issue
All day Matt Wenning stressed one over riding factor and it sunk home from the very first time he said it:
"Train your Weaknesses, it will make you strong(er)" -Matt Wenning
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| Matt Wenning imparting Knowledge Bombs |
After the Squats Dave and Matt Covered some Accessory movements they use and highly recommend to re-enforce proper Squat positioning by moving into a different position so as to avoid the wear and tear of the movement on the joint but with still re-enforcing the muscle strength required to hold the proper position.
Next up was Bench. Dave had Mike Mireles who was in our group, has his own gym (High Performance Fitness) and has been to a few LTT's. Mike did a great job, it was like watching a Dave Tate Bench video. Dave Commended him and then they took the pressure off Mike. Matt and Dave added a few more minor technique cues for us to focus on.
The biggest take-a-way that Matt hammered home was wrist position (neuatral), elbow position (under wrist) and Push the bar in a straight line.
When things started getting heavy my left shoulder started to show up, to the point where Matt asked if i have had shoulder issues. I told him about last summer and the past yr. This upper back weakness showed up again later and i know how to tackle it.
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| David Allen, Myself, Dave Tate. I really need to learn to smile for photos |
Last was the Deadlift where Matt had us Pull Sumo and Conventional and then when things started to get heavy he had us pick one or the other and then continue to lift. I managed a very fast Sumo of 315 lbs. I could tell that my hip was not liking the Sumo DL positioning, which tells me i need to train more to strengthen my hip and glutes. I shut Sumo down there and then carried on with Conventional. I got to 455 lbs before my weakness should up again. When i went to pull 455 my entire upper back collapsed. Everything before that was nice and smooth
So ultimately i walked away with what i really need to hammer home to improve my lifting. Upper back, and Lat work. Glute, and hip work. This is great and I know where to go from here.
During the day i did get to see a few of the other groups lifting and training.
Bob Youngs & Harry Selkow - Both of these guys have learned a long time ago to live in the moment and are consistently happy. Seeing Bob Youngs all weekend when ever he smiled he smiled with his eyes, he gets it, what is important to him in life. Harry is the same way. It came out in how they inspired, taught, and entertained their various groups of trainees. Watching Harry Coach is part Sideshow and part education but all intensity.
Matt Rhodes & Vincent Dizenzo - These guys are a dynamic Duo. I should also mention Matt was 3 weeks post Op on his hip. His dedication to EFS and to passing on knowledge is intense and shows his passion. He did a great job all weekend articulating and educating what he wanted both during his lecture and during his group sessions with Vinnie. Of course having Vincent, CLHS, who is a 600 lbs bencher in THREE weight classes would be insane for any one to get instruction from.
Q&A - I was given the honour and chance to ask 2 questions. The first one i totally butchered Joe Schillero last name to my nightmare (which for some reason even as i was saying it i knew i was saying it wrong but could not stop my mouth.) It did cause massive laughter with JL Holdsworth who has been giving Joe a hard time about how people mis-pronounce his name all the time. Joe was more miffed because JL will be giving a hard time for another 12 months. I talked to Joe afterwards and he was cool. I am super proud of all he has done especially in the last year. Him and I were in the same trg group at LTT6 and now he is an author with EliteFTS and was one of the coaches at the seminar.
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| Proof that Joe and I are still friends after the Q&A |
The answer to my question: "Discovering how big Training environment is to my own training and learning." Got it Joe I will be mixing things up over the summer.
My Second Question was for Matt Wenning: "In the Army there are guys who like to run and guys who like to lift. What i always stress is that Conditioning comes and goes. But strength takes a long time to build so when things get busy keep trying to just get stronger"
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| Dave wrapping up the seminar. |
Dave finished up the Seminar by answering a few questions, some that were asked of him earlier and some that he wanted to put his twist on.
"When i hear people ask about motivation what i hear is an execution problem. I usual ask them what there execution is like. Usually it fucking sucks." -Dave Tate
This answer has been ringing in my head for a week now. out of everything i learned this weekend if i don't continue to work on my execution none of what i learned will matter.
He also talked about why this is the last LTT Seminar. Where things are headed for Elite FTS and the Family /Team of EFS. What he has entrusted or challenged them with. Dave has started a legacy that has affected a lot of people in very positive ways. He has had a huge impact on me, my life, and my training. I thank him for that. I look forward to what is to come from EFS. But most of all I look forward to what I am going to be accomplishing in the future. Thanks to EFS, Dave Tate, Mark Watts, and the entire rest of the Elite FTS Staff for another amazing experience.
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| Myself and Odin aka Harry Selkow |
