RESULTS MAY VARY
By Aaron Gonzales Fit-Nex training
A friend and client, Michael Carnes, (who is a naturally gifted athlete) was previously outmuscled by an opponent in the finals of the U.S National Jiu-jitsu Tournament. After analyzing his performance I approached him and informed him of my interest in tapping into the inner beast-like strength that I knew he possessed. He was instantly sold on the idea, and after the initial screening (CK-FMS) and Fit-Nex, we addressed some asymmetries and stability inconsistencies. For the first four to six weeks we worked on corrective strategies and exercises.
After the opening screening we purposely went to “Gold’s Gym”. Before we started our journey (introduction to RKC KB Hardstyle)I wanted to do what any true muscle heads would do; We tested his brute strength with the 1rm Bench Press;).So I threw a couple plates on there (225lbs), and to my surprise he couldn’t get it off his chest. I then looked at Michael and said, “We will never step foot in this gym, nor will we do another bench press for 12 weeks. For s@#ts and giggles we’ll come back in that time and see the improvement, if any.”:) Starting with the corrections and then introducing him to the swing, clean, press and dead lift (he couldn’t press a 24 kg KB), we began our journey.
While working with Michael I attended “Hardstyle Ventura” with Pavel, Doc, and the Iron Tamer himself. Through that experience I enhanced my repertoire and returned re-polished and newly armed with some good stuff (wall planks, pushing wall away with heels, one arm push-up progressions, and pistol and pull-up progressions). I laced Michael up by incorporating my newly acquired tactics on top of the foundation we previously established. WOW! Wait till you hear this! We integrated rope and sandbags to our regimen, and after moving up to the 28 kg KB, I immediately had him wall plank. I than pulled my infamous switch-a-roo and slid a 32 kg KB in front of him. To his surprise he cleaned and pressed it with ease! You should of seen the look on his face when I told him to check the size of the KettleBell [ Priceless;) ].He has since has thrown up the 36 kg KB and is eyeing the 40 kg KB like his prey!
12 weeks after we started our expedition, we stayed true to our word. We returned to the gym to see if there was any carry over in the strength gains. Keep in mind he did not touch a bench press in 12 weeks. Strictly KB’s, ropes and a little sandbag. A whole lot of queuing, proper breathing, recruitment of multiple muscles, full body tension, corkscrew and pushing from the armpits (getting the lats involved). Armed with all this he lays on the bench. I start by throwing a 45lb. plate on each side for warm up(135lbs), and he tosses it around about 15-20 times. He then takes a long rest and I carry on and throw on another plate on each side (225lbs) and he throws it up about 10 times. I ask him to “Shake it out” and take a long respite while I plan my next caper (the good ol’ swindle). I then throw another plate on there. Now we have 3 plates on the each side of the bar [315lbs of pure steel and sex appeal;)] and he has no knowledge of this. He un-racks it, brings it down to his chest slowly and controlled, and then explodes with a beautiful bench press. I had him come around and take a look at how much weight he had just thrown up and I recall his exact words were, ” How is that possible?”. I am sure he could have thrown it up twice but he was arm-barred in our jiu-jitsu class the night before. And knowing him personally (being a Pan-Am World Champion),I am sure he didn’t tap out until it was hyper extended:). Comrades I think it is safe to say our system works ( and that is being extremely modest). If you evolve and stay involved in the RKC,CK-FMS community there is no limit to what we can achieve. Ever since the “Iron Tamer” himself failed me at my first RKC, I have rebounded with conviction and become RKC, CK-FMS, and followed through with the martial arts aspect of it. I have never thanked you for failing me Mr.Whitley. That was the best thing that could have happened. That has helped make me the best instructor I could possibly be, kept me humble and hungrier than ever.
P.S Michael has also dropped 12 lbs., and is not very fun to roll with:)
Aaron Gonzales
Fit-Nex
