Yours truly, pull-up stud - pushup monster - Mr Handstand Pushup - Mr hill climber - and many, many, many more (including the well deserved "bodyweight exercise guru" moniker I've gotten over the past few years).
Exercise champ, fitness freak, fanatic - and more ... and yet ...
Despite all that, despite all the reps, the sweat, blood and tears, gumption, heat, cold, everything - you know what taught me a hell of a lot about exercising that nothing else ever did?
Writing books.
Right.
No, not just the writing part. That, for me, was easy.
It was the "taking photos" part - and not because I couldn't find people to take the photos. Hehe. I found plenty!
It was because, my friend ....
... Well, take what I have on the homepage of www.0excusesfitness.com as an example.
Me doing a one arm reverse pushup (at one point, I was going to put myself doing it on fingertips there - which is in the book on reverse pushups, of course).
Just getting into a reverse pushup is hard enough for most people, let alone hold.
If you do a one arm - and one leg hold like I am - to DO that itself is tough enough.
And just holding the pose long enough for Cindy to take it ... Gawd, Golly, and everything rolled into one, I still remember shaking to the core as she got it right.
And she was a good photographer.
With my daughter, it often takes more than one take - usually four or so - that is if Madam doesn't zone out in the middle of a photo!
You can often hear me HOLLERING.
"Honey, HURRY!"
Are you DONE as yet already??
I mean, its hard enough getting into some of those positions, let alone hold for time long enough to get a perfect photo.
Some may not think it's a big deal.
Well, I have this to say - the next time you do a TOUGH Stretch and come out of it - try getting a picture taken of it - a perfect picture showing the onlooker via pictures alone, "how it's done".
And you'll quickly start hollering Uncle yourself, hehe.
Seconds will pass - interminably slowly!
You'll wonder "just why the heck doesnt this photographer be DONE with the picture!" Hehe.
And more.
Pushup Central, for one.
Try the extended arm pushup on for starters!
In the book, youll see me doing it on fingertips.
Try HOLDING that pose - let alone the actual pushup.
Then, holding it perfectly for time as someone takes the picture.
It ain't easy at all, friend.
DOING the actual exercise is often easier than holding the isometric.
And thus my contempt for all the bozos out there who claim (despite the plethora of evidence out there stating the old timers all did the so called easy stuff to build incredible strength and power, despite the "easy stuff" being the most important ie basic stuff always being the most important) "it's too simple"
Just static stretches, an idiot once wrote about my great book Isometric and Flexibility Training.
It wouldn't surprise me if this bozo couldn't bend down to tie his own shoelaces.
But anyway, there it is.
Isometrics, my friend, I've often said gives you a workout from hell, and if you dont believe me - just TRY some of what Ive got - not just in the initial book, but the advanced one as well.
And then get back and tell me. Hehe.
As for me, I'm yet to master the clapping pushup - WHILE someone takes a perfect picture of it in "slo mo" hehe.
That'll be in the Advanced Plyometrics book.
Well my friend, I'm off for now.
Back soon!
Best,
Rahul Mookerjee
PS - Only those that have DONE the thing will truly grasp the truism of what I say here, the rest, well..
PS #2 - One of my best books ever, and a book that will make you feel like a billion bucks even if you're long past what some consider "spring chicken" stage?
Well, go HERE and find out!