Tuesday, October 09, 2007

I can't press?



For some reason, there is a nasty rumour going around that I cannot press weight over my head anymore. This, friends and neighbors is just not true.Now, it is true that I chose to stop doing military presses for the last year or so as it made my previously injured right rotator worse and I didnt want to exacerbate the strength imbalance by continuing to press with my left.

I taught the press at the Sept cert and had no problem pushing the 24 kg overhead slow motion for the entire hour, bottoms up pressing it as well.I did use my left but it was no problem, even though I hadnn't pressed anything for months.

For the record, I can press the two pood for sets and reps with either arm,anytime, although it would not be a smart thing to do with my right and would probably overwork my 'healing nicely' right shoulder.I just did 80 push presses( 40 each arm) with the 24 kg Wednesday, the second push press workout back with no problem and it's more press than push.

I can easily say with confidence that I have pressed more weight, more often , than ANY of my detractors have done in their lives.If there is one thing I know, and have confidence in, it is my pressing ability.I never concentrated on the bench because it was such an easy lift for me. One works their weakness to bring up a total,not their strengths.

5-6 hours a day of gymnastics training involved pressing virtually every part of every workout, most of the time just to get in position to do a trick. Floor exercise, rings, parallel bars and conditioning all involved numerous presses of various kinds.

My record for handstand pushups was 22 reps on the still rings with no feet on the straps. Yes I know that was a long time ago but hey, I did it, can my detractors say the same? Could they do one? Do a free standing handstand on the rings? Hell, on the floor?

I did incline db presses with two 140 lb dbs for 4-5 reps regularly in my bodybuilding workouts and flat db benched the 150's for 5's as well.Lets not even talk about dips.Dips are like getting out of bed in the morning for gymnasts.

I have an official 435 bench at 181 pounds and 45 years old in a three lift meet as well as a few Calif. state bench records.I also did 490 in the gym, which doesnt count except to make a point:I know how to press. my gym pr is a 345 close grip incline, a 405 close grip decline and too many others to mention. You get the point.

Another thing to say though, my right shoulder injury is not the result of faulty exercise training but a gymnastics training ACCIDENT 30 years ago. The fact that I can do anything with it is a plus, but of course that will be missed by the nattering nabobs of negativity that are only looking for ways to pull others down.
It always amazes me to see those who have never risked anything and gotten knocked down in the pursuit of their goals slander those who are unafraid of failure in the pursuit of their dreams. Let 'em talk.

26 comments:

Bill Fox said...

Rif

It's a shame you have to even respond to this bullshit.

Bill

Mark Reifkind said...

bill,

I can't beleive they picked this to come after me on.I hate to respond as it
just fuels their fire but I can't leave blatant lies and attacks like that go unanswered.
thanks man.

Lauren Brooks said...

Sorry you had to go through that BS! I never had a single doubt that you couldn't press. No doubt you are an amazing athlete. Even if you couldn't press you are very respected with what you do and I'm sure most people in this community would agree with me.

8-)

Mark Reifkind said...

thanks Lauren. some people just can't see anything but the negative side of things and want to pull everyone down with them.No worries I know how far I've come and what the truth is.

Kettlebell Lady said...

some people need to get a life

Howie B said...

Hey Rif, it was your writings and achievements that inspired me to order my first kettlebell 5 months ago and I've been an avid reader ever since. Everything I've ever read from you or about you has been positive. You have and continue to inspire many of us. Keep up the good work!

Mark Reifkind said...

howie,
thanks man and so glad I could help. thats really what I am and always have been about; trying to get better myself and helping others do the same.
some people are just not happy as long as other people are.

fawn said...

Anyone who has trained with you, Mark knows what a talented coach you really are. I pay no attention to hearsay, I already know the truth. I guess some people feel compelled to elevate themselves by slandering others. Sad.

Mark Reifkind said...

thanks fawn but it just kills me not to be able to respond to this type of crap the way I used to, on the platform. not competing really sucks.
but for some no matter how much someone does it would never be enough,regardless of how little they themselves can do.perhaps thats the reason.thanks again and have a great time with Tracy! so wish I was coming up there as well.

Aaron Friday said...

490 is obscene. I'd say you know a thing or two about pressing.

Mark Reifkind said...

yeah I was on a roll then.decided that if I couldnt squat heavy I would push my bench. but it's just too boring to train hard. its ok as a filler between squats and deads but on it's own its pretty ugh...

Anonymous said...

What the Hell?? what did I miss? who is talking bullshit?
Rif you inspire so many people and your accomplishments speak for themselves. Some people just need to get a life and go train instead of talking crap!

take care buddy and btw.. great trailer! :-)

Mark Reifkind said...

kenneth,

thanks man, email me and I'll tell you the details. just some anklebiters.

Royce said...

Fuck me, this shit sucks. Sorry you're getting hell from people man you totally do not deserve it.

Oh and well over 2xbw bench, yeah that's pressing right there.

Mark Reifkind said...

royce,

thanks man, but this is not hell. Hell is being collapsed on the floor with a herniated disc, a dislocated knee or something similar. this is a mosquito bite in comparison to real problems.as I said to Kenneth; just anklebiters anyway.
Plus compared to the joy thats been going on with being able to train hard again, my dvd coming out and just being a Sr. Instructor the scales are really tipping for me.
thanks for the support though dude, it is greatly appreciated.

Royce said...

your welcome.

D Silveri said...

long time no post... im still here!
anyways, These player haters! I havent seen anything about that, Im assuming its coming from 'other' web forums... I dont bother with reading that stuff, there is nothing useful...

just playa hata's

Hard style is king! and if anyone has a problem with it, take it up with jay! HAHAHA

Mark Reifkind said...

dustin,

great to hear you are still alive and still hardstyle! how's the training going? better than the blogging I hope,lol.

Franz Snideman said...

Keep on pressing Rif...

Keep on pressing.....

Kind of hard to do a snatch (you do hundreds of reps per workout) if you can't press. Did they ever think of that?

Nice post!

D Silveri said...

HAHA blogging... yea... dont worry im coming back, im working on developing a Reno RKC community page with blogging and events and media...

me and robert budd are working on some stuff!

Training is good! ill keep you posted!

playa hatas... there jealous cuz your wife could beat up theirs! hahaha

MikeC in NZ RKC said...

Rif

Unfortunately the world is full of losers that have nothing better to do than bring others down.

The fact is you have achieved more than all of them (whoever they are) put together.

Hey Rif what was your best squat, I'm guessing it was your best powerlift.

On a personal note I have 300kg of weight and bars coming soon, can't wait to get back into DL training again.

Cheers

Mike

Guarden said...

Hey Rif.

I admire the skills you have performed.

Can't wait to meet you in Denmark.

Maybe I will come to The States around X-mas, and will come by your Gym to do a crazy workout if possible.

Respect

Jacob

Mark Reifkind said...

jacob,

that would be great! love to get some of your crazy stuff on video. let me know,mid december to late is best.

Brett Jones said...

Just smile Rif - you have been where the haters have not and all they can do is hate.

Mark Reifkind said...

thanks brett

:))

Guarden said...

Mark, great.
I will let you know as soon as possible..
Jacob

More press mistakes from today

 1) Gotta engage the rhomboids when setting the low rack position.Lock in 2) Elbows up is crucial 3) 'Straight  up' on the unracking...