December 20, 2010 by Will Brink

Effective Training At Home!

Per a prior vid using some of the same tools (TRX), I decided to do a new vid with more details on how to get an effective workout at home using simple tools, such as a TRX Trainer, SandBags, etc. For me, this type of workout is more a supplement to what I do in the gym, outside, etc, but it’s a perfectly good workout for many, depending on your goals, etc. People are always looking for new whiz bang fancy program or piece of equipment, etc when they can get a better workout using a simple program using these tools.

If you want more information on TRX, sandbags, etc, see the Recommended Products section of the site.

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September 29, 2010 by Sumi Singh

So You Want to Look Like a Fitness Model? Here’s What it Takes!

So you want to look like a fitness model? What does it take to get from the right picture to the left one?

I’ve always wondered just how it is those fitness models and figure competitors get so darn lean for photos and competitions.

I recognize there’s a lot of photo editing that does go on to get models looking so perfect for covers (see here: but for those gals that do decide to compete in a teensy weensy bikini, there’s not much “editing” they can do, other than to look their best, after all that diet, preparation, training, posing, tanning, etc etc.

In preparation for an upcoming photo shoot, I put myself through a temporary “cut” to drop some body fat and look leaner for the pics (more shredded, ripped, etc).

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September 21, 2010 by Will Brink

The Importance Of Proper Program Design!

The Importance Of Proper Program Design A.K.A “Why Your Workouts Sucks!”

This vid is a general commentary on the macro reasons people fail to make progress in the gym. Various articles here on the BrinkZone, such as The Mistake of Linear Program Design and Study Shows Best Way To Train? by yours truly – and other authors – go into more depth and detail on topics such as the importance of periodization, de-loading, etc. My ebooks also go into depth on how to optimize training to get the results you want by avoiding the major mistakes most people make in their program design, if they have any real design to begin with…

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September 7, 2010 by Will Brink

Functional Fitness For Shooters.

The Functional Range Day!

For training that improves both the ability to shoot under physical stress and General Physical Preparedness (GPP)/conditioning, I will have what I call a functional range day. The functional range day, combines functional whole body exercises – using easy to find and transport implements – combined with shooting. I tend to use a level of resistance that’s more toward conditioning* but if I were to stack 3-4 45lb plates, or rocks, or chains, etc onto the sled, use the 120+lb sand bag I have, etc, the intensity levels go up real fast.

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August 4, 2010 by Sumi Singh

Week 12- the “final” week and final body and strength stats

Alright, let’s get right into the good stuff- changes in body stats and strength gains. At the start of the program I weighed slightly over 111 lbs. Flashforward to now, I’m almost 118. I’ve gained 6 1/2 lbs, 6 of which is lean body mass. I’ve gained 0.4 lbs of body fat, but my body fat as a percentage of my total weight has actually gone DOWN. I’ve tracked my strength gains consistently over the past few weeks on this blog, but to pick a couple I’m proud of, at the start of Hybrid, I was benching 85 lbs for my 5X5 day; at the end of the program I’m at 115 for 5 reps. For semistiff leg deadlifts, I was pulling 135 lbs, and now, I can do 155 lbs. There are lots and lots of examples of the strength gains (during 6X6 days and Hypertrophy days) I’ve made over the 12 weeks on this blog, and those gains along with the 6 lbs of LBM are a fantastic accomplishment. I’ve worked HARD!

Although this is the final week of the Hybrid program, I’m by no means done with my bodybuilding project. After this, I’m cutting cals temporarily for a photo shoot, and am back on track. It wouldn’t be fair to the structure of a great bodybuilding program like Hybrid to operate on anything but a caloric surplus. I’m using the awesome guidance in Will’s other E-book, Fat Loss Revealed—there’s a chapter dedicated to advanced fat loss techniques for the already lean. My goal for 2010 is to keep packing on LBM, and though I recognize that’s a tall order for us gals, it’s by no means impossible, and I’m always down for a challenge. Plus it’s been good fun to share my experiences with friends, BBR moderators, and members.

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July 24, 2010 by Sumi Singh

1 week to go? No way!

Time flies when you’re having fun. Hard to believe it’s week 11 already. I’m so happy with all the progress I’ve made on Hybrid (weight gain and strength gain) and can’t stress enough that the variety of routines here is the beauty of the program. Every week it’s a new chance to get stronger, try out a new twist, learn from other BBR members, and enjoy bodybuilding. After the program is over I want to do a fun little photo shoot- and I can share the before and after pics here.

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July 17, 2010 by Sumi Singh

Week 10 and 118!

It’s week 10 on the program and I’m making strides in the majority of my upper body lifts. Oddly enough, my weight is back to almost 118, so whatever weight I lost is back.

This week is hypertrophy week, one of my favorite kinds of weeks, because the workout is hard, fast, efficient, and fun. My last hypertrophy week was only 2 weeks ago (week eight), so rather than do the exact same routine, I switch it up a bit to keep my muscles guessing.

Here’s one proud moment: for the flat bench press, I’m doing 80 lbs for 3 sets for 10 reps. Going back to my very first week on Hybrid, I could only do 5 reps for 85 lbs for my 5X5 day so I’m doing double the amount of reps for a nearly identical weight for 10 reps and a far shorter rest period.

I’m also stroking the 50 lb DBs for one arm rows for 8 reps, again, a weight that I was only able to do for a 5X5 day. For the body weight exercises (unassisted dips and pullups)

I’m getting fewer than 8 reps (6,5,6 for 3 sets of dips and 6,5,4 for pullups) but I truly value the importance of the body weight exercises and am getting as many as I can with clean form. I see an improvement in lat pulldowns (100 lbs for 3 sets of eight) and bicep curls (12 reps by 45 lbs using the Olympic bar.

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July 12, 2010 by Sumi Singh

Week 9- big improvements in the 6X6

So a funny thing happened in Week 9. My weight gain has stalled (and even dropped a little) and I’m back in the 116-117 range. I’m not doing anything different with the meal plan, and my strength gains are consistent so it could be a factor of the heat (it’s hot, hot, hot here!) or water retention, or something (like being a woman). My 9 point caliper test also show that my body fat has gone up a bit in the past month (by 1 % point, from 15% to 16%) and I’ve gained less than 1 lb of lean muscle mass since my last pinch. Not the results I was hoping for, especially since at my last pinch, I had gained 4 lbs of lean muscle mass, which is not an easy thing to do for a women, and in such a short period of time.

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July 3, 2010 by Sumi Singh

Week 8 and holdin’ steady!

This week is one of my favorite types of weeks- hypertrophy week! Hit a set of weight hard, rest a little bit, and hit ‘em hard again. In fact, I think the hypertrophy day is quickly becoming my favorite type of training day (I still love you 5X5!). On hypertrophy days, that minute of rest goes by all too fast for me, especially since I love writing notes in my training log in between sets. This day always requires a wrist watch! For the sake of objectivity, I’m going to compare this week’s (Week eight) results (just a sampling of the exercises) with a similar routine I performed on Week 3 of the program.

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June 25, 2010 by Sumi Singh

Week 7 and past 117 lbs!

Week 7 brings with it the realization that I’ve already surpassed my weight gain goal (115) and am heading past 117 to 118 lbs. The 3000 calories a day meal plan is a heck of lot of food and I’m starting to wonder how much longer I can handle it! Eating to bulk isn’t what some people might think. It’s not like I’m hanging out an all you can eat Chinese buffet all day or eating multiple BigMacs. Bodybuilders all know that meal planning involves prep time and dedication to eating at least 5-6 times a day, and eating clean. Anyway- the only drawback to the weight gain is that my abs feel a little softer and my belly is a little rounder, and the pictures below and at the end of the post might detail that. I definitely “feel” heavier- and my body weight exercises (those darn chinups!) are getting a little harder. Still, it’s a small sacrifice considering the awesome strength gains I keep making on the program!

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