Hi Friend,
Most everyone has a list of their favourite strength exercises. For chest, it could be bench press. For arms, barbell curls. For legs, squats, etc…
Yet there is ONE exercise that almost NEVER tops the trainees hit parade. But more importantly, this missing exercise is a guaranteed game-changer.
And its name?
Loaded carries.
What Muscle Does This Build?
But here's the thing… unlike our favourite exercises, this movement can't be neatly pigeonholed. For example, when you curl a barbell, you FEEL the tension on your biceps. When you bench press, the tension goes onto your chest.
Loaded carries are a horse of a different colour.
This reminds me of the question strength coach Dan John fields from confused athletes when confronted with this movement for the very first time.
Their question: "What muscle does this build?"
Writing in Intervention, his response makes his fellow lifters gasp. Dan says, "I like to lean over and fill a cup with sweat drops and toss it on him."
Dan continues: "This is the biggest area where I can have an immediate impact in an athlete's conditioning level. When this is missing, I guarantee adding it will be a game-changer."
So you perform loaded carries to get tired?
Nope. Not at all. That's not the goal.
Your intention using loaded carries is to simply expand your athletic qualities.
It's true. Loaded walks and sprints don't target specific muscle groups like benches and curls. And that's OK, because they're not supposed to. Instead - and this part is important - loaded carries ramp-up your ability to handle more load in all the other areas.
You know the saying, "all boats rise with the tide"? Well, it resonates strongly here...
Improve your athletic qualities and everything else improves.
A true story. I began using loaded carries a few years ago, and noted a curious thing. The heavy trap bar deadlifts I performed every Sunday no longer wiped me out.
Previously, my 5x5 workout and back-off set of 10 would have me winded and sucking air like a steam train. But no longer. In almost no time at all, the loaded carries I now used had begun to work their voodoo magic.
The transformation was remarkable.
And here's the thing… not only did my workouts start to feel easier, but the weight on my trap bar began to steadily go up.
So what muscle does this build?
The answer is a simple one, and strength coach Dan John would readily agree…
Loaded carries help build everything.
Let's Get Loaded
Loaded walks and sprints come in all shapes and sizes. Farmer's walks are a tried-and-trusted example, as are sled pulls and prowler pushes.
If you're looking to boost your conditioning and add strength and size all over your body, then check out the article and video on my site below.
Here is your link... Powerful Prowler Alternatives
Until next time, Squat for Glory! Lee +++++ You Are Subscribed to Ordinary Joe Muscle Building c/o Sitesell, Inc. 1000 Saint-Jean Boulevard Suite 702 Point-Claire, Quebec, H9R 5P1 Canada |
