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Written on June 26th, 2012 , Uncategorized

Jo has a very demanding job that requires flying 3-5 times a week, every week. I have developed a program for him that works around his crazy schedule and still allows him to get stronger each week.

He is very gracious with his words and I would definitely NOT call myself a “training genius” by any means. What I have learned to do is help people get strong by applying two major components: Smart lifting, with a simple, effective and easy to follow plan. You Lift heavy things with good form the way I tell you, I schedule strategic deloads and program a variety of assistance work that will attack whats missing in the major 3 lifts, to improve them so you hit PRs.

Jo is a good example. 5 months ago, he could’t even pull 315.

“Upon concluding my first 10 week program with Brian there were two things that were apparent. First, the man is a training genius. Second, I had to keep working with him. And continue to work with him I did.

I just finished week 5 of my second program and there was zero disappointment. Five weeks ago I hit 2 all-time PRs and matched a previous PR on the bench. In 5 short weeks I set 3 all-time PRs.  I went from a 405 squat to a 415, 420 would have been in the bag if I attempted it so that’s a lesson learned. While I previously went for a small PR in the Deadlift, I decided to push it hard this time around. My dead went from 485 up to 505!!  The smallest PR weight wise actually had the biggest impact on me this time around. I’ve never been a strong bencher and have had many issues along the way. I’ve attempted 295 more times than I care to count and have never completed the lift, until now. Thanks to the programming and dedication of watching my videos and critiquing me, Brian helped me achieve this major milestone in my powerlifting journey.  

My diet program is nothing if not in line with my training. Brian knows I want to compete in the 242 class and I’m on my way. I’m currently at 225lbs carrying the best I ever have. That means I gained about 7lbs in 5 weeks while still looking damn good and getting stronger every day.

I have 5 weeks left on this current program and I can’t wait to see the progress this time around. I’ve already talked to Brian about what’s going to happen after these five weeks.  My meet is in Egg Harbor, NJ in November and I have all the confidence in Brian to get me through it and no intention of stopping my training with him even after my meet.  Now if only I could figure out how to get him to New Jersey for the day of the meet.”

Written on June 7th, 2012 , Uncategorized
Written on June 5th, 2012 , Uncategorized

Mike is new to powerlifting, and I believe he was competing in his 2nd or 3rd ever powerlifting meet, the weekend I spent time with him. Mike is a great guy who has a big desire to train hard, and in some ways I think that has hurt him in the past. Going back to the competition, Mike missed a 500 raw squat and was disappointed. He went on to have a pretty good meet and finished with a 410 bench and a 575 pull.

He and I discussed a plan, I put together a simple 5 week program for him, and all BUT promised him that he’d squat the 500 which he missed and pull the 600 he missed. In short, Mike Killed 500 within 5 weeks, and in the same week smashed 600 and 622 in a meet, without a deload of any kind and with heavy doubles the week before. This is all without peaking for a meet etc, just rolling with training and getting a feel for the progress we made. Also, if I’m not mistaken, he matched his best gym bench as well.

Mike is super gracious in his overview of the first 5 weeks, and I dont really feel worthy of it, but thats just the kind of guy Mike is. Check mike out at his website which is listed below – He has a MASSIVE crossfit gym in Ft Lauderdale. Great facility.

“I first met Brian while reading the Power Magazine approximately a year and a half ago and numerous issues since. I was amazed by this man, his strength, and the training programs Brian discussed in his articles. It was all new to me as this was also the time that I got into Powerlifting. At the time I was using the Westside Conjugate System and I had pretty good results in a year and a half. As I began making progress and moving some weight, I started dealing with certain issues in terms of burning my self out and not being able to recover properly. The highs and lows were rather drastic and I found my self having to take a week off completely every 3-5 weeks. Although I had attended Powerlifting Seminars by Louie Simmons; Shane and Laura Sweatt; and Mark Bell and Jesse Burdick, I still felt like I was missing something. This is no way a bash on the Westside system, I just think that I needed more guidance as I began handling heavier weights. It was obviously my fault for not knowing how to properly adjust. I guess that is why everyone needs a coach.

Fast forward to April 14, 2012… We were very fortunate to host an SPF Meet at our gym – www.CrossFitFtLauderdale.com. A few weeks prior to the meet I was introduced to Brian through a mutual friend and I learned that Brian was going to be attending the meet with his team – Team Samson, and that Brian was going to be benching. I was pumped to finally meet the man and pick his brain about the Powerlifting Game. Needless to say Brian and I made a deal to have Brian and his team do a Powerlifting Seminar the following day after the meet. Besides the fact that the seminar sold out in a day, the information provided by Brian, Clint Smith, Adam Driggers, and Tony Garland was straight up dope and covered pretty much everything that has to do with Powerlifting – not just the three moves which we had all went through with extensive instruction.

It was during these 2 days that Brian got to watch me lift and I was very fortunate to be able to pick his brain over a few hours that we had to chill together. Brian told me that he can help me and that he will be willing to coach me. Brian told me that he will give me a diet plan, vitamin plan, and the training plan which he has structured by 5 week cycles. According to Brian, he was going to take care of everything and “all I had to do was LIFT”. That was perfect for me as that was the only thing I wanted to worry about. Brian’s program was a lot different than what I had been used to and was based on 3 days a week with one max effort session every 5th week. I was used to maxing out 2 times a week and training 4 days instead of 3. I never doubted the program for a second, but I did ask Brian numerous questions about it and how it works and if it was enough for me. Besides getting a proper explanation for every one of my question, Brian said “trust me” and that I did. On the fifth week of the first cycle I hit a 20lb Squat PR and a 42lb Deadlift PR. Throughout the entire 5 week cycle I felt well rested, prepared, and always on top of my game. I don’t think I’ve felt like that since I started Powerlifting. Don’t get me wrong, the sessions and hard and brutal and last 2-3 hours. But I feel better than ever and this is the off season. Can’t wait to finish my second cycle and test again on the week of June 25th.

Thanks Coach!”

Written on June 5th, 2012 , Uncategorized
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