Ode to Chris Mason:

As an athlete who’s new to strength training, I’ve definitely benefitted from the knowledge that Chris Mason possesses about effective training, proper recovery, and optimal nutrition.  Initially I was skeptical about asking for his recommendations as I thought his response would include something along the lines of “buy three of everything I sell”, but his feedback has always been scientifically-based and applicable to my specific circumstances.  I have a tendency to over-train, as most new athletes do, and while Chris Mason has made a few suggestions regarding various products, he’s been more direct about the need for me to change my training approach.  Actually, he was pretty blunt about it and I was kind of pissed off at first, but in retrospect penetrating the ego of a powerlifter with sound advice isn’t easy, so his bluntness worked.  The fact that he was willing to correct my habits versus making an easy sale spoke worlds about his business ethic, and his genuine interest in promoting healthy behavior within athletes.  I trust his product recommendations, and I feel secure in the knowledge that I only use the AtLarge Nutrition products that will offer the most benefit to my desired outcomes.

Nitrean is My Universe:

The supplements offered through AtLarge Nutrition have made a substantial impact on my training successes.  I’ve been using their products for about three months and not only have I seen sizeable gains in my totals but I’ve noticed that I’m able to maintain a high level of energy throughout my training sessions, versus losing steam about halfway through.  I admit that the first time I tried Nitrean I was definitely more than a little doubtful- it really does blend suspiciously well and it tastes good without leaving a thick, chalky feeling in your mouth- but it’s surprisingly effective.  I’m not knowledgeable about how much of what type of protein is best or how specific amino acids can help in whatever way, but my experience with these products have proven an increase in my strength levels, greater muscular endurance, and reduced fat/increased lean muscle mass overall.  AtLarge Nutrition is a fantastic addition to my strength training lifestyle, and I’m confident that their products will help me attain a level of performance that I wouldn’t have been able to achieve otherwise.

 Jamie J.

My name is Russell.  I just tried your products for the first time and had to contact you about it.  Wow!  I’ve been using supplements for 10 years and RESULTS is the best tasting supplement I have ever used.  I like it so much I decided to switch my protein from a BSN product to your Nitrean+. 

Russell from VA

Please check this out. AtLarge Nutrition athlete, multi-record holding, and pound for pound one of the strongest women on the planet Laura Phelps Sweatt and her husband Shane have a new YouTube page. They own Sweatt Shop Personal Training and this page logs not only Laura’s amazing feats in the gym, but also the training of their clients and athletes:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sweattshopcincinnati?blend=1&ob=0

Injuries are a part of sport

 by Kate Rawlings

A month ago I completely ruptured my Achilles heel.  You might think it would elicit some sympathy, and it did, but it also brought about much debate and criticism via my blog and Facebook.  The gist of the negative comments was that I train improperly whether it is bad form, excess volume, inadequate recovery, or a host of other potential injury causing practices.

I think negative comments like those I received stem at least partially from a need that people have to blame something for tragedy.  It allows us to continue with our lives safe in the feeling that we are doing it “right” and are therefore immune to life’s many potential pratfalls.

As is evidenced by this blog, the negative comments gave me pause for thought.  After careful consideration I came to the conclusion that injuries are part of sport.  Attaining the highest level of performance from the human body is a true tightrope walk between training optimally for performance adaptation and overtraining/overuse.  That is why virtually ALL athletes get injured at one point or another in their career.

I am not trying to dismiss the possibility that injury can occur for preventable reasons, but I DO want to make the point that no matter how conscientious the athlete and how great their training program, injuries can and do happen.  I have replayed the moment of my own injury over and over in my mind and I would not have done anything different that day.  I was properly warmed-up, my technique was sound, and the 27^th box jump felt just fine and provided no warning to the impending injury on the 28^th. 

So, don’t live in fear, but don’t delude yourself into thinking it will never happen to you.  If injury does occur, use it as I have as a learning and personal growth experience.   Oh, and don’t kick a man or woman while they are down J. 

Want a little New Year’s Resolution encouragement?

Ed Walsh is a real AtLarge Nutrition customer.  He sent this information to our contact email just a few days ago.  We have paid him nothing for the following. 

Needless to say we were impressed and thought you would be too.  With no further ado, Ed’s pictures and what he did in his own words…

Ed Before and After 60 Days!

“I finished a 12 week body transformation just ending 11/18/11 and I only used your products to help me reach my goal.  I used Nitrean and BCAA+.  Please see the attached pictures for my results.  I am 46 years old and hope to achieve an even more ripped physique this summer.

Ed Walsh”

An overview of Ed’s diet and training during the program:

12 week diet plan

7:00     Nitrean Protein shake, a little less than 2 scoops mixed with water

9:00     Banana, 100 calorie yogurt, 3 hardboiled egg whites

11:00   5 oz. protein, roasted mixed vegetables (  I use California mix )

13:00   low fat cottage cheese, apple, 3 hardboiled egg whites

15:00   Nitrean Protein shake, a little less than 2 scoops mixed with water

15:00   5 oz. protein, roasted mixed vegetables ( I use California mix )

17:00   cottage cheese,  pear,  3 hardboiled egg whites

I would have 1 scoop mixed with water of BCAA+ and drink anytime during the day.

5 oz of protein can be:  chicken breast, tuna, salmon, Pollack, tilapia, flank steak, top sirloin steak, beef tenderloin, lean pork loin, turkey breast, ground bison

Consume 1.5 to 2 times your weight in grams of lean protein per day. Example, if you weighed 150 lbs, you should consume 225 to 300 grams of protein per day.

12 week work out plan

1 hour of cardio each day

25 minutes of abdominal training

1 hour 20 minutes of resistance training 5 days a week

I would do the cardio and abdominal work before work and the resistance training after work.  I was not specific on the resistance training or the abdominal work because I always mixed it up to spur growth. I read Men’s Health often to get ideas for  different exercises and copied others in the gym.

Ed is just one example of the amazing things you can do in 2012 with the right work ethic and AtLarge Nutrition supplements.  Let us help YOU reach your physical goals this year.  Order now and get on the road to optimize your body!

The Jimmy Lamour Experience

AtLarge Nutrition (www.atlargenutrition.com) has teamed up with athlete and athletic trainer extraordinaire Jimmy Lamour for his final run at the NFL.  Like so many of us, it has been a dream of Jimmy’s since his youth to play in the NFL.

After solid high school and college football careers his first attempt to make the NFL did not work out.  His passion for athletics never diminished and he continued to make it his career. Through self-study, trial and error, consultation with top strength and conditioning coaches, and his own work with hundreds of athletes, Jimmy developed his 4.30 40 Speed System. He was able to take his own 40 time from a fast 4.66 seconds to a blazingly fast 4.30.  Speed like that does not go unnoticed and Jimmy was again able to secure tryouts with some NFL teams.  Amazing athletes are the norm in the NFL and despite his phenomenal speed Jimmy was again unsuccessful in securing a position with a team.

Life goes on and Jimmy continued to hone his system.  Lamour Training Systems was soon launched and with the help of his lovely wife Charlene they have created a program which not only transforms the athletic abilities of the youths they work with, it also helps to transform their lives by providing them educational and other opportunities.

Dreams don’t die easily with someone as dynamic as Jimmy and he has decided to make one more concerted effort to land a position in the NFL.  Part and parcel to his strategy for success it to team-up with the best of the best.  That is where AtLarge Nutrition comes in.  Jimmy knows that he needs to optimize every aspect of his physical being for this chance and that the right supplementation can bring him one step closer to his ultimate goal.

On March 10, 2012 Jimmy will have a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons.  With his training methods, our supplements, and your support, the sky is the limit!  We wish Jimmy the best and hope that he can make his dream a reality.  No matter what, he is a winner in our book.

Current Stats -

Height- 5’10”

Weight- 179.5 lbs.

Bench Press Max- 320

Bench Press 225 Rep Max- 12

Vertical Jump Max- 38”

Short Shuttle- 4.29

Broad Jump- 10’0”

40 yard Dash- 4.52

10 Yard Dash- 1.59

Goals for March 10th

Height- 5’10”

Weight- 185 lbs.

Bench Press Max- 350

Bench Press 225 Rep Max- 20

Vertical Jump Max- 41”

Short Shuttle- 4.09

Broad Jump- 11’0”

40 yard Dash- 4.32 or less

10 Yard Dash- 1.46

A question often posed to me is, “How do I take my training to the next level?”  The following is my answer:

1)    You have to possess the mental will to push beyond the normal pain barrier.  I am not talking about pain from injury, rather the burning and discomfort produced by high intensity training.  A huge part of what separates those who are successful from those who are not is the ability to push themselves beyond their comfort zone on a regular basis.

2)    Passion.  You have to have a passion for your training.  A burning desire to succeed!

3)    Consistency is another huge component to training success.  Consistency in your diet as well as training is a requisite for extraordinary results. 

Allen Cress is a multi strength sport athlete as well as a highly sought after trainer. Allen owns Maximum Performance Training, LLC where he offers both online and one-on-one training. He has an eclectic variety of clients ranging from bodybuilders to high school, college, and professional athletes. He also works frequently with injured clients referred to him by both orthopedists and physical therapists.

It Really is the Little Things That Matter…

Many athletes and trainees, me included, have a tendency to focus on the big picture when it comes to our training thus often forgetting the little things.  The problem lies in the fact those little things are what can make the difference between stagnation (and or injury) and progress.   

A dynamic warm-up is a great example.  I am the worst when it comes to any kind of meaningful warm-up.  During my soccer career and now as a professional CrossFitter I admittedly have not yet gotten consistent enough with pre-workout warm-ups.  I just want to “get to it” and my impatience sometimes compels me to skip a step which I know can help.  I know it can help because when I do a quick dynamic warm-up (see my dynamic warm-up here: http://chewablechunks.com/?cat=14 ) I find my joints are more readied for the impending forces from training. 

Another common training omission is working on skills and drills.  This is especially true as it applies to Olympic lifting.  It is easy to neglect working on components of a lift vs. doing the full version.  You have to remember that doing the component drills will translate to a superior full lift and thus greater progress and potential.

How about working to improve your recovery?  Most people just want to go home after their training session.  Take a few minutes and stretch and work on yourself.  I have found stretching with bands and self-trigger point work (using a lacrosse ball) to be best.  My resource for such matters is www.mobilitywod.com .  It’s a great site, check it out. 

Work on the little things and you will see BIG results.

Kate Rawlings is a high level competitive CrossFit Games athlete. With strength and endurance to spare, she is an excellent example of what the CrossFit lifestyle can do for you.

“Comment: Hey Chris,

Just wanted to let you know I placed my second order for the Dutch chocolate Nitrean+ along with the free BCAA+ offer! What a deal! I’ve found the Nitrean+ to be great tasting stuff, even mixed with water — and especially when compared to a competing product I got from a certain local mall store that put my stomach in knots. I also enjoyed the samples you sent last time of the vanilla Nitrean+ and strawberry Nitrean. Those are on my list for the future! I’ve already spread the word of your product and have turned one of my friends into a customer for you, so keep up the great work!”

Mike

Something I often see with trainees is a lack of intensity.  Most people simply do not employ enough of it, or don’t understand how to apply it.  Most correlate training intensity with simply adding more weight to the bar, or taking a set to failure, but that isn’t what I’m referring to.  What I see as intensity is fully involving the musculature throughout the entire range of motion.  For example, if doing a flat dumbbell press you don’t simply push the weight up, you squeeze it up constantly focusing on the muscles you are trying to work, your pecs.  Once at lockout you continue to keep a conscious tension on the muscles and then do the same as you lower the weight.  This style of training will recruit more muscle fibers and thus be a more efficient way of developing your body as well as a safer way to exercise.  For you ego lifters out there, yes, you will have to reduce the loads used at first, but you will quickly be lifting more than ever and look the best you ever have.  Train your muscles, not your ego, and you will be well on your way to achieving your goals.

Allen Cress is a multi strength sport athlete as well as a highly sought after trainer. Allen owns Maximum Performance Training, LLC where he offers both online and one-on-one training. He has an eclectic variety of clients ranging from bodybuilders to high school, college, and professional athletes. He also works frequently with injured clients referred to him by both orthopedists and physical therapists.