[Al Myers]

I believe that Thom!!! You have never been one to “play by the rules”!

Now I’m ready to post the first winner’s story – do you feel the excitement?? Al

[Al Myers]

That has always been my favorite picture of Jack LaLanne. If you do a google search of his pictures, you will find MANY! Next to John Grimek, he HAS to have been the most photographed strength man (of that generation). Jack didn’t bow out of any photo session – no matter what they asked of him. He even did several nude posing sessions in his early years. In one he posed nude in the same picture with another bodybuilder, who was also nude! They each where tugging on one end of a rope, which was a common old time strength pose. I decided not to use THAT PICTURE for Dennis’s story! We want to keep our website family-oriented! Al PS But for those interested – just google Jack LaLanne Images.

[Al Myers]

Big T, If you have read what I have written about this contest, you would know by now that I have an independent judge for this one – someone who is impartial and will not “pick favorites”. So – I am NOT taking votes for this contest! Does anyone even read what I write???? haha Al

[Al Myers]

Today I’m taking all the submitted stories to “the judge”. I was totally amazed at the number of submissions – I think it ended up being 21 total. The 6 winners will be announced one per day by their stories being the feature of the Daily News, starting on Monday!! Al

[Al Myers]

Jarrod, Just let me know when you can make it to the Dino Gym. We usually have a big training day Saturday afternoons if that would work. Al

[Al Myers]

Jarrod, I absolutely agree with you on stretching. Warming up and stretching are two completely different things. Stretching aggressively prior to lifting increases your chances of a pulled muscle. I do my stretching two days after my hard back/leg workout, and mainly for flexibility and recovery. Al PS I was only poking fun at Ben for rubbing his hamstring after lifting in the video on a one hand VB deadlift of all things!!!

[Al Myers]

The fingal fingers are TOUGH! We also have a set of them at the Dino Gym (300, 350, 400, and 450, and range in hts from 10 feet to 15 feet). 61 -Where do you train at that has a set of fingal fingers? I do know very few strongman clubs have them. Al

[Al Myers]

You may compete in postals without a certified official, but must have someone judge your lifts. If you compete without a certified official, your lifts will count for the meet, but just not for USAWA records. Al

[Al Myers]

The hands must keep their original grip position. The width of hand spacing is optional. The rules don’t specifically state this about not allowing a change in hand position, but instead says, “Hands must remain on the bar throughout the lift”. I guess it would be possible to change hand spacing and not really remove your hands from the bar. Good point!! Al

[Al Myers]

Great lift Ben!! That is quite a bit different than USAWA rules! What were those little colored bottles in front of the weight for? In grip comps, how high do you have to lift the VB, or just off the floor adequate?

Word of advice – you better stretch those hammies first before doing another lift that big!!!! Al

[Al Myers]

Someday I’ll do a story on the BEST GYMS I have ever been in, and I assure you Ambridge BBC will be in the top. It is the type of gym any hardcore lifter would appreciate, and it’s history as displayed around the gym is a great source of inspiration!

This club challenge is one of my favorite meets of the year. The “team approach” is different than ALL other meets, and because of this, enhances the camaraderie between everyone. It is great seeing each team cheering the others on. I was very impressed with the Ciavattones. Joe’s sons are extremely gifted all-round lifters, and someday (probably pretty soon) they will be the main force in the USAWA. It is obvious Joe is leading them in the right direction as a Dad and as a coach. Joe is one of the most helpful lifters I have met. What a great guy!!

And I sure agree with Darren, the gravy WAS GOOD!!! Dinoman

[Al Myers]

What a great weekend!! The 2011 USAWA Club Challenge was a huge success on Saturday. Four clubs took part – Ambridge BBC, the Dino Gym, Joe’s Gym, and Habecker’s Gym. The results are still not in – as I’m waiting patiently for John McKean to get the final calculations made and sent to me so hopefully I’ll have the meet results up on the website by tomorrow.

It was a “whirlwind weekend” for the Dino Gym. Chad, Darren and myself flew to the meet Saturday morning. The meet was scheduled to start at 2:30PM and we arrived at the historic Ambridge Gym a little after 3:00. The rest of the guys were already underway completing the postal meets and record attempts. We finished after 7:00 and finally went out to eat. Chad, Darren and I were plenty hungry by then since we hadn’t ate since 9:00 AM during our layover in Chicago!! With the time change and our early flight out, we didn’t get much sleep! I was back home by noon today and totally exhausted! So in a span of 30 hours we traveled over 3000 miles and completed a meet.

I have to thank John and Art for putting on this great event. You guys are unbelievable hosts welcoming the USAWA into your gym. Thanks! Al

[Al Myers]

Haha Now THAT is funny!! Especially considering the history of how the continental got named in the first place. In the late 1800s the big German lifters (who main nutritional supplement was beer) had guts that were so big that it interfered with bringing the bar from the floor to the chest in one motion, so they started bringing the bar to their bellys first before going to the chest. The more “pure” lifters (mainly the English) thought this was not good technique, and labeled it the continental, which referred to how everyone else was doing it on the rest of the continent. And now we have the continental continental!!! Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, I know 1928 was the year the Olympics reduced the Olympic lifts from 5 to 3, but I’m not sure about when the use of the Continental was disallowed. I do know the Continental WAS used in World Competitions in the very early 1900’s. I’m going to have to do some research on this.

As for allowing the Jerk to be continentaled (and thus allowing a press out), I have NEVER heard of that being allowed before anywhere besides the IAWA(UK) Rulebook. Has anyone else heard of this happening in the history of the Clean and Jerk? What about the Continental Snatch? It seems if you are following the same line of reasoning a press out would also be allowed on the Continental Snatch. The IAWA rules state the last movement of the Continental Snatch must follow the rules of the Snatch, so a press out is NOT allowed there. Hmm.. seems like double talk to me. Al

[Al Myers]

The TGU starts on the platform, and a Half-Gardner starts standing. If you get a chance, check out some of the blogs on this website about these lifts. I know I have written several in the past. You can find them by doing a search of article tags. Al

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