Training Partners

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Permalink Reply by Steve on February 7, 2010 at 1:19pm

I was fortunate enough to train with Jason Powell every friday for a while and continue to be fortunate to call him a great friend. Now, my training partners tend to be less advanced in knowledge than me, so I'm often teaching them at least when it comes to lifting. However, on a personal side, I find my training partners teach me things about life. For instance, my brother, who teaches me about his views on family and raising his kids, shares with me how they're doing in little league, etc. I treasure every story. Another buddy who's one of those "whichever way the wind blows me" kind of guys who don't ever seem to get unhappy about anything - really finds joy in little things like some spice he tried on his chicken and laughing with people. Yet another who has a Christian calm about himself, his life, and seems as well not to worry (Matthew 6:34). All good folks, and I thank God he gave us things like sports to bring us together.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Whitney on February 7, 2010 at 5:05pm

That's a great point Steve, glad you are perceptive enough to gather those things from your training partners. There are quite a few people that come by and train at the Barn with Bill Pearl and they have some great insight. Cool stories of how bodybuilding training was like in the 50's and 60's when they were my age etc.

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Permalink Reply by Steve on February 7, 2010 at 7:49pm

Yea, I bet that is interesting! Back in the 50s and 60s, it was like trial and error, rather that backed by sports science. I remember hearing stories from my high school coach about when he was in school and they thought it was good to work football players in practice without water... crazy... lol

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Permalink Reply by Matt Reile on February 8, 2010 at 9:11am

No training partner for me yet. I had some buddies in college that I would lift with, and they were the ones that really introduced me to weights and started this passion.
I struggle finding a partner that is motivated and can meet me at lunch to workout at the Y. I also hesitate to have a partner because I have a limited amount of time in the gym and I need all the time I have and don't really have time for social hour.
I really want a partner, and know I would benefit from having someone to push me and assist with lifts once my muscles have failed! So if any takers...hit me up.
For now...I have friends on here that are keeping me accountable and who I report to, which helps keep me motivated.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Whitney on February 8, 2010 at 11:47am

I know how you feel Matt. I live in a different city then my training partner so have been lifting alone for awhile now (moving back over the summer though!). I think the best motivation story that I've ever heard came from one of Mr. Pearl's experiences that he told to me. One day back in the 50's he was training in a gym and Steve Reeves was also training there that day. They wanted to hit upper pecs so they took a flat wood board and wedged it slanted in a doorway to make an incline bench. They then had to clean the barbell from the floor and move into the doorway before they could press it, because incline bench press was not around at that time. Now that's dedication!

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Permalink Reply by Marcos on March 28, 2010 at 1:52pm

There are training partners and "training partners". I had one but it was terrible, talking all the time, taking time to catch up with people, going around, always late. Terrible experience. Once he was gone I went up 10 lbs!!!

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Permalink Reply by Ben Whitney on March 29, 2010 at 12:03pm

I've had those kind of training partners too Marcos. Bill Pearl starts the workout at the same time everyday no matter who is there and who is not. And if I take too long between sets he tells me to get going. We do talk while we train but we never lose our focus and intensity.

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