Pavel's - The Naked Warrior

[Anthrax Invasion]

Has anyone ever read this book? I know people tend to tout Pavel's works. The guy certainly seems to have some wealth of knowledge, and he doesn't try to sell anything with pseudo-scientific or open vs. closed chain movement bullshit. He admits weight lifting has its place, as does cardiovascular conditioning and balance for a fighter, but that calisthenic movements done with varied leverages and such are something that should not be left out of any martial artist's arsenal.

What do you guys think about this? The whole idea behind it sounds...well, sound. After all, you can be very large and have a huge bench, but pound for pound, in terms of calisthenics and using your own bodyweight against you, can really suffer. Obviously this is more an issue of lean to fat mass ratios, but even still, it made me start thinking - perhaps strength (a certain "type", I guess, even though strength is considered general) is best shown through the ability to manipulate one's own bodyweight. For example, I think being able to do a planche, or 20 solid pullups, is a sign of strength and conditioning. What would "gym strength" be considered, then? 'cause a 405 lb. bench or a 585 lb. squat is damn impressive in it's own right.

 

[Jim Ouini]

I have it and a lot of other of his books. I like them because they're easy to read and the info is different than you'll find elsewhere.

I haven't read The Naked Warrior in awhile, IIRC it's all bodyweight exercises only. Power to the People is better for me because he has more on the deadlift and I think a side press.

But Beyond Bodybuilding I think is the best one, kind of a compilation of everything in one big book.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

Yes, it's focused on bodyweight exercises only. The stuff he recommends is quite difficult, actually. It takes a lot of coordination and muscle pound for pound to be able to do some of them.

What does he have in Beyond Bodybuilding?

The only concern I'd have, is that the bodyweight work wouldn't be useful for gaining mass - and though strength is very important to me, I need to satisfy my vanity.

 

[Jim Ouini]

Yeah that one must have the 'pistol' in it - impossible.

Beyond Bodybuilding may be more your style, he also has some routines like wave periodization (I think) and then a section on each bodypart. But he also has some stuff like Suitcase Deadlifts, basically a one hand deadlift with the bar off to the side. First time I'd heard of those, great for your core and grip. Stuff like that in addition to basic tips on the basic lifts.

Unlike most of his books, it's pretty hefty for the money.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

Yeah, the pistol is insane. I can't do it. I wanna be able to. That's such an impressive feat, as far as I'm concerned.

Why would Beyond BBing be more my style? Is it geared towards mass in some way?

 

[Tweakle]

If mass is what you're looking for then take a look at pavels photo and ask yourself, would you really listen to the guy if he came up to you in the gym ?

he's like brooks, furey, and the others in terms of appeal - I've noticed that the people who pimp him are usually not very strong in the conventional lifts and are looking for validation that lifting sandbags or doing turkishgetups with kettlebells is 'better' in someway than benching 495...

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

I see where you're coming from Tweakle. Still, there's something to be said for people that can do a planche, pistol squats, or any fancy calisthenic moves like that. Then again, I guess at all extremes there is something to be said.

I'm looking for mass and functional strength. Enough mass to satisfy myself, and then strength and explosiveness to move towards being an MMA fighter.

 

[Jim Ouini]

My wife can do a pistol - I hate her for it. She holds onto her straight leg, though, so I suppose it doesn't count

Beyond BB is geared towards stuff you do in the gym with barbells and dumbbells and, since it's Pavel, kettlebells. Mostly geared towards getting bigger and stronger. Even mentions 5 x 5 a few times, although it's quite different, and the Smolov 'squat assault'

 

[Jim Ouini]

Well I don't know about that Tweakle. Pavel certainly comes off as a marketing front man a bit much for me, and he definitely has his share of new age exercises but he seems to quote all the right guys. I think he's buddies with Louie Simmons as they seem to endorse eachother's stuff quite often. Didn't Pavel used to have a column in PLUSA?

On the other hand it could be just another marketing, tool, though.