Newest favorite Websites and tips

Obviously, I have some links in my sidebar, but here are some other sites I really like:

Best place to buy kettlebells:

Christian's Fitness Factory in Ephrata, PA

Especially if you live in central/eastern PA, it is worth a visit to Christian's to pick up your bells.

Their prices are the best to begin with and if you can save on delivery... well, obviously.

Most interesting link-hub:

I love the fact that this Orthodox Church has a huge fitness section of their website AND it isn't all dedicated to aerobic exercise, walking and eating vegetables (not that there's anything wrong with that - I love vegetables). Part of me wants to say "only in Texas" but the Russians have a long history and tradition of physical-strength culture. Unfortunately, a lot of the links just go to other link-hubs.

Best recent discovery:

You CAN surf the web for fitness and NOT see lots of semi-erotic under-dressed people!

I normally use Google Chrome as my browser, but I downloaded Firefox, went to "Preferences" then "Content" and UNchecked "Load Images Automatically." Tada! Now I can go back to some certain websites that I stopped going to almost 3 years ago because they always had "fitness model" pinups. They also have some of the best current research and extensive articles and programs by training experts.

Great and Simple:

Hypertrophy Specific Training

I like simple systems to achieve goals. This one is both clear and simple. If you want to add muscle and you can follow directions, this is great.

The Latest Trends in Lifting

No. I definitely DON'T have one of these things in my basement. But, this summer I have been getting back in the game.

So, here's what I'm seeing out there in lifting land:

1. People used to say that "you can't gain muscle and lose fat at the same time." Pick a goal and do it. Now, some people are saying that you CAN in fact do both. By incorporating proper nutrition (and especially nutritional timing) and also by combining raw-strength and dynamic strength and cardio training, you can do it. That doesn't mean its the fastest way to do either, but it is possible. For more check out: Tom Venuto, Lean Hybrid Muscle and others.

2. Intermittent Fasting. Yep. Everybody used to say "eat a small meal with protein every 2-3 hours." Now, lots of people are advocating everything from a 24 hour fast once a week to eating only two meals a day or even only a huge dinner. The idea is that a fasted state boosts growth hormone, lowers insulin so your body starts burning fat and prepares it to make better use of the food you eat, even carbs at night!! gasp!

3. Suspension Training: If you haven't heard of TRX and suspension training, you are probably also not using the internet to read about exercise. Otherwise, use Google. My only addendum is that you can make your own suspension trainer with tow straps from the hardware store and a couple lengths of rope or chain and PVC pipe for holds. I've really enjoyed doing suspended push-ups especially. An interesting alternative to TRX is the USA (Universal Strength Apparatus) and I'm trying to figure out an easy home-made "hack" for it.

My latest training goals:

1. Get my weight back up closer to 200 (I'm about 180 now).

2. Do reasonably respectable at Tactical Strength Challenge (I'm guessing I need a 400# DL, 20 Pull-ups and 100 KB Snatches in 5 minutes with a 24k kettlebell)

Not sure if these goals are consistent, but...