NATURALSTRENGTH.com – Old School Weight Training Strength Strongman Power Vintage Bodybuilding: 2025: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

     As I write this article, it is only January 10th, but I would not be at all surprised if many of the commercial gyms- which a week ago were brimming with activity- are becoming deserted.  New Year’s resolutions, and the subsequent breaking of those resolutions, go hand-in-hand.  So, if you’re unlucky enough to have to train in a commercial gym, take heart.  That power rack you were hoping to use, or those machines you want to try will no longer have a line of people waiting to use them.  

     I’ve made mention of the phenomenon of the “Resolutioners,” that familiar breed of person who is a cross between a “pumper,” and a “toner” who invade gyms and health clubs throughout the land.  For the better part of the last year, they haven’t lifted anything heavier than a fork.  Like locusts, or gypsy moths, their arrival is expected, their presence annoying, and their departure can’t come soon enough. But every once in a while, you may find one who actually makes it until February before giving up their exercise goals.  So, if you’re dealing with the resolutioners, be patient for a little longer.  

     What about those who are actually serious about working out more?  The ones who actually have a goal, and a systematic plan for achieving that goal.  The person who has the discipline to put in the work to achieve their goals, as well as having the mental toughness to realize that, even if they have a bad day or two, they will not give up on their goal, no matter how tough it may get. The one’s will make sacrifices in order to get their workouts in, and will have the self-control to say no to a hot fudge sundae, if their goal is to lose a few pounds.

     For those of us who are lucky enough to “hoist the steel,” goals are something to which we are not only accustomed, we actually look forward to achieving things.  And believe me, we ARE very lucky to be able to lift weights.  Once you reach a certain age, you will come to understand that being able to lift weights two or three times per week is something for which to be grateful.  And as such, it is something not to be taken for granted.  

     As I look back on last year, I was very happy to have reached certain goas which I had set.  During the Spring, I was able to do a Trap Bar Deadlift of 525 Lbs on my thick-handled trap bar.  Like all of my deadlifts, it was done without straps, belt, or wraps.  And definitely no raised handles! ( Raised handles are a pet peeve of mine!).  The ease with which I did has inspired me to believe that I can move the poundage up and look forward to bigger and better things this year.  

     I was also able to accomplish my annual Birthday Challenge in July, and as always, I plan on doing something similar this year to celebrate my 61st trip around the Sun.  More on that in six months.  I’ve also purchased various size sandbags which I plan on incorporating into my training this year.  This is something new, and I look forward to seeing what dedicated sandbag training can accomplish. I also recently purchased a Titan Yukon Bar.  It’s an awesome bar, and I look forward to using it for various movements.  I think it’s vitally important to always have new goals, no matter how old you are, or how long you have been “in the game.”

     Last month, just after Christmas, Bruno’s Barbarians held their annual reunion dinner.  As always, it was held at Domenico’s restaurant, in Levittown, Long Island.  I’ve mentioned in previous articles that Domenico’s, in addition to being one of the very best Italian restaurants on Long Island, was the site of many post-contest dinners for the members of Bruno’s Health Club.  Since it was only a few blocks away from the gym, it was the perfect location to gather after a contest.  Nowadays, it’s a great place to reminisce.  All of us are in our sixties now, but we are still “breathing defiance” ( as Carl Linich would say).  

     Unfortunately, as I had detailed in last month’s article, one of the Barbarians, Tom Tedesco, died suddenly at the age of 69.  Tommy was a legendary lifter for many years, and while he was missed at Domenico’s, his presence was definitely felt.  But memories are not Tommy’s only contribution to Bruno’s.  He left behind something more tangible:  As I look through my photo gallery of 2024, one of the very last pictures that I saved was from a text that Tommy had shared with us.  It was his final workout session of 2023, which he had posted a year ago, on New Year’s Eve.  The exercises were not your typical “pumping” movements, but rather five or six exercises that combined push/pull movements with isometrics and various holds.  It’s definitely a routine that can be used to build overall body strength.  

1.  Isometric Three-Stage Snatch Pull

          Lift to Knees, hold 5-7 seconds

          Move to Power Position, hold

          Move to Full Extension, Shrug, Hold, Drop

2.    Hack Squat ( Bar on Floor Behind Legs)  5 Sets of 3

3.    Barbell Row  5 Sets of 5

4.    Overhead DB Holds, One-Arm, 5-7 seconds each

5.    Ab Pulldowns with Rope  5 Sets of 7

6.    Push-Ups Off Bench  5 Sets of 3

         For those who believe in the value of abbreviated training, this routine is a perfect way to incorporate olympic lifting movements into your training.  Sort of the best of both worlds.  And while there may be some YouTube warriors who like to claim to be Olympic lifters, Tommy was the real deal.  Anyone who can compete for decades in legitimate, sanctioned contests, and maintain a high level of excellence into his late sixties is someone worth following.  And the best part of this workout is that you don’t have to be skilled in Olympic lifting in order to benefit from it.  The movements are simple, yet effective.  And while you won’t pump up your arms, blast your lats, or blitz your thighs, you will definitely get stronger.

     If you want to try something new for 2025, whether it be for the short-term, or if it’s something that you want to do over the course of the entire year, Tommy’s routine will work, if you push the poundages.  And since this workout is relatively brief, you can incorporate Squats or Deadlifts on your second lifting day of the week, while still allowing for adequate recuperation.  The only downside, if there is one, is that for most people, you will have to have access to an Olympic bar and pulley set up, which means a commercial gym, unless you have a really good home gym set up.  But don’t fret about going to the gym.  As I said before, there’s a good chance that the gyms should be relatively empty soon.  And if it’s still crowded now, just give it a couple more weeks, and then the Resolutioners will have all disappeared!

Happy New Year!