“You’re Going To Destroy Your Back”
When I was around 10 years old I convinced my parents to buy me a squat rack/bench press/leg extension combo by Weider. I think I got it for grading day and it took up my entire bedroom. When the bar was racked you couldn’t open the door for the room or the door for the closet. It looked pretty much like this…
That was my first introduction to lifting weights. It has been a long journey!
Right from the get-go all I ever heard was, “You’re going to destroy your back with all that working out”, “you won’t have any knees left when you’re 40”, “your shoulders are going to fall apart from all that weight lifting”, “you’re gonna stunt your growth, you won’t ever be tall!’
Turns out, all of that was an absolute load of bullshit.
Old wives’ tales that originated from who knows where, but even today I still hear the odd rumblings about this.
Back then, we didn’t know anything compared to what we do now. Now we know that resistance training with weights is hands down one of the most beneficial things anyone can do. No argument, no doubts. Any age. End of.
I’m 45 now (and 6 foot 2, by the way). it hurts to admit that, but it is what it is. My knees? Perfect. I have squatted well below parallel for years. I run, jump, sprint and squat daily. My back is strong, zero issues, I can still deadlift over 400 pounds regularly, and my shoulders work phenomenally unless one of the killers at ZombieProof Jiu-Jitsu wraps my entire arm around my own head to try and help me meet Jesus, but that is a risk I take. The rewards are worth it.
This isn’t about me though. It’s about what I have learned from owning a CrossFit Affiliate and seeing hundreds of people get nothing but huge benefits from weight training. Sure, there are some tweaks and strains, some pulled muscles, and some serious accidents. But the overall benefits we see, can’t be argued. I have witnessed women in their 60s perform overhead squats with half their body weight, or more. Men in their 70s showing up every morning to lift, and lift heavy. The benefits will always outweigh the risks.
I believe that if you want to take control of your life and if you want to perform in life as you age, you must train and you must train with weights. I believe it is one of, if not the best things that anyone can do.
Having a body full of lean muscle doesn’t have any downfalls.
My dad was the main one who was always warning me. I would get a personal best lift in the gym, call him up to let him know, and the first thing he would say…”you better watch your back buddy! You’re gonna be crippled when you’re older!”
Instead of that, let’s be the Dads that show our kids just how amazing the iron game is and can be, with proper technique, of course. Teach them, take them to the gym or into the garage. Show them how to lift. It doesn’t matter how young they are, teach them the proper ways with a broomstick! Make it a part of their lives.
This could be one of the best things we can pass on to our kids, it’s something that you enjoy doing with them. Bring them along for the ride and hope that in 20 years you can still out lift them…because I’m never to stop. As long as I’m alive, I will always give the boy a run for his money.
The world is in a weird place with physical fitness right now. Walking is considered exercise, we count our steps. Fitness tests have been pared down because most can’t pass them, instead of making people work harder, we make the test easier. Schools used to have mandatory fitness classes…remember when we used to climb a 20 foot rope in gym class? That would spark an outrage today, too many feelings would be hurt.
Be the change for your kids, help them become above average.
DAD SPOTLIGHT: MEET MATT Silva
Head over to www.theforgelife.com and read about Matt Silva.
EMbrace the ninja
Do you have a sweet tooth? Stop what you are doing right now and order yourself a Ninja Creami…
I’ll make this short and sweet, lol. It could quite possibly be the best food appliance I have ever purchased after my coffee machine.
You can make whatever type of ice cream you want with it, hard or soft, smoothie bowls, milkshakes…whatever.
Why is this good? If you have a sweet tooth but don’t want the extra sugars and calories that come with store bought ice cream, or if dairy messes you up, just make your own.
My personal go to is a high protein Blueberry White Chocolate Vanilla Ice Cream.
Ingredients:
5oz of frozen blueberries
250ml Lactose Free Fairlife Milk
2 scoops Whey Protein
White Chocolate Jello Pudding Mix (for the thickness)
Done, it’s amazing, super good for you and the absolute best late night meal.
If you use one, let me know your favourite combo in the comments!
PS. Apparently these things erupt in fire or explode, so be careful…seriously.
