Archive for July, 2009
Who is Dr Mel Siff?
Jul 22nd
I have stated Dr Mel Siff’s name in my previous entries several times. You have might have all been wondering who this man is? And why is that I quote him frequently in my writing? My answer to this query is because I am indebted to him, as he has enkindled in me to understand many concepts relating to fitness science in an exceptional way which most of the fitness experts I read have failed to do.
Dr Mel Siff was a sport scientist and a biomechanist who specialized in applying these disciplines to enhance human performance, fitness, and injury rehabilitation. His Master degree in Applied Mathematics was awarded suma cum laude (highest honor added to diplomas and degrees for work that is considered to be of highest quality) in brain research. He has presented papers internationally at conferences in sports science, physiology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, psychology, engineering, ergonomics, physical education, linguistics, and communication. He has published widely and lectured in several countries, including the U S A, England, Israel, Australia, and the Far East. He was also a former weightlifter who received university, provincial, and national awards for many years, he was the chairman of the South African national weightlifting team in 1983 and 1984. After several visits to Russia he wrote the magnum opus Super training which is arguably the definitive treatise available on human performance. He died at the age of 59. It is a great loss for the fitness community, as Dr Mel Siff had continued to work tirelessly to expose the myths involved in training and had encouraged others to think analytically, as it will help us all to understand fitness science in a better way.
My deepest gratitude goes towards one of the greatest mind in fitness field: Dr Mel Siff. . It has been many years I have been fascinated with fitness. Meanwhile, to satisfy my hunger relating to fitness science I have read and have been reading numerous books. And, after reading several books I have to state that I have reached the crest of fitness books. Reading Mel Siff’s magnum opus Super training and Facts and Fallacies of fitness, it feels that my much awaited questions regarding fitness and nutrition have all been answered. No matter how many books I read on bodybuilding, fitness, and nutrition I still had a sense of void in my questioning mind. But, the perspective which Dr Mel Siff provides is very thought provoking and unparalleled. I am unable to fathom the number of years of research Dr Mel Siff would have dedicated to have completed this encyclopedic books. I have to say that the books written by this man by all means are an eye opener. His works will continue to evoke in us a sense of wonderment and will help us to scrutinize each and every aspect of fitness with our eyes wide open, as he has dwelled deep into the realms of fitness science which is unmatched.
This man will continue to educate us all. Though we have lost him, his legacy will continue to live through his books which will continue to help us in a very important aspect of our lives: Fitness.
Here Is Dominic For You Again.
Jul 16th
You have heard of Dominic before, as I had written about this man in a previous entry. Dominic was born in 1941 and if you see him going through his workout routines, you will never feel he is 67 years old. What interested me more was his approach towards training. If you view the video, you will realize that he is a genuine follower of functional training, for you will see him throwing, lifting, rotating, and kicking the tyre. He astutely creates his own way of routines which is really appreciable. In this era where we are swamped by endless bodybuilding routines, we get to see a man who is writing his own rules. We all should take lead from this man. At the end of this video he flaunts his physique very proudly and rightly so, for many of us will be ashamed, as at his ripe age he displays far less fat than we all do. This man will truly continue to inspire me.
Single Finger Pull-up
Jul 7th
Here is a video which showcases me doing a single finger pull up. Trying to achieve mastery over a movement takes time. But, at the same time, I am glad to inform that I wasn’t carried away with any of these strength feats. I was never obsessed with any particular movement. Contrarily, anybody can become obsessed with these movements and try to master them, but it may turn out to be very detrimental to the body, as repeated performance of the same movement day in day out my result in some nasty injuries which may force us to stay out of training for quite a long period. In addition, we may actually encounter permanent injuries.
However, I have to say that many years of consistent performance of the pull up including various variations helped me to do the single finger pull up. I could have never imagined doing a single finger pull up the day I started training at my house. I first started training with a few adjustable dumbbells and bars. There are many repetitions, sets, routines, days, months, and years of training pull ups BEHIND executing a single finger pull up. I strongly believe that performing weighted pull ups helped me to develop strength in my fingers which in turn helped to perform the single finger pull up. Back then and even now, I rarely indulge in performing strength feats. It is not wrong to perform these feats, but one should not do them as being the only means towards achieving long-term strength and fitness.
Nevertheless, a well structured training cycle centered towards mastering the desirable movement performed consistently will help us to perform it effectively. At the same time, it is most important to listen to our bodies and be heedful about any warning signals, as these strength feats can jeopardize our efforts by causing serious injuries.
However, I have found that some of the difficult exercises to be relatively easy for me to perform. Nonetheless, it would be beneficial if we consider developing strength and fitness in its totality. It is good to have short term goals, but we should know that life is a marathon, and optimal results don’t occur overnight.
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