*I Like To Break A Mental Sweat, Too.

Jamie Chaos

October 24, 2009

ChAoS and PAIN isn’t just a workout regimen. Nor is it just a programming style. It’s a lifestyle, a way of life, and a desire, above all, to transcend the modern human condition. In order to achieve this goal, one must know what the fuck one is talking about. As such, it would stand to reason that you might want to read something. I’m well known amongst my friends and family to NEVER be without a book, and I would recommend to anyone not fully immersed in the Facebook/Twitter/Myspace mental midgetry that pervades modern society to do the same. To this end, I’ll give you a list of books that I like for physical culture and nutrition to get you guys on the right track. I encourage you to read at least one or two of them, as they’re seminal works in those two fields, in my opinion.

With no further ado, ranked in terms of total awesomeness:

Nutrition:

Metabolic Man, by Charles Wharton – fascinating synopsis of a wide array of metabolic typing systems, from D’Amato’s horrible commercial bullshit (Eat Right For Your Type), to the Ayurvedic method, and everything betwixt them.
Better Than Steroids, by Warren Wiley- awesome bodybuilding dieting book that details the three hour cheat window, keto runs, and a variety of other fun shit.
The Metabolic Typing Diet, by William Wolcott- the best of the best in terms of metabolic typing systems.
Neanderthin, by Ray Audette- seminal work on Paleolithic dieting, and better than Cordain’s mass market shit.
Food is Your Best Medicine, by Henry Bieler- treating medical conditions with food. Interesting concept, and good overall read.
Warrior Diet, by Ori Hofmekler- Ori’s a fucking loon, but a badass loon.

Training:

Dinosaur Training, by Brooks Kubik- incredible book about lifting like a man. Kubik’s a decent writer, and definitely knows his shit. Not the best looking man on the planet, but a guy I’d drink with while mocking the pastel-colored polo-shirted weenies around us.
The Purposeful Primitive, by Marty Gallagher- details a lot of programs by elite lifters like Anderson and Coan, in addition to mixing in some random esoteric spirituality, stories about hiking, and personal anecdotes.
Science and Practice of Strength Training, by Vladimir Zatsiorsky- dry as shit, but it is the backbone of my training volume.
Serious Strength Training, by Tudor Bompa- I’ve read this book several times and remember nothing of it but the author’s name. As I read it years ago, though, and deemed it worth multiple reads, it has to be worth at least a casual browse.
Power to the People, by Pavel Tsatsouline- I doubt Pavel and I would agree on much, given his kettlebell fetish, other than people should stop being pussies. That, however, is enough to recommend this book.

General Awesomeness (aka BUY THIS FUCKING BOOK)

The Super-Athletes, by David Willoughby- anytime you want a reason to man up, this book can offer you 2,987,623,487,623,486 reasons why it’d be a good reason for you to have done so YESTERDAY.

This nerdy motherfucker, Lauren Cohen, is a USAPL ranked lifter, a competitive strongman, and a HARVARD PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS. Cowboy the fuck up already.

Now, go read something.

—————-
Now playing: Anthrax – I’m The Man (Def Uncensored Version)
via FoxyTunes

Liked it? Take a second to support Jamie Chaos on Patreon!

Jamie Chaos

I am a former all-time, all federation world record holder in raw powerlifting at 181lbs, a record I broke just to say fuck you to the internet’s “lifting” community and the powerlifting community at large. Over the last ten years I’ve written over 500 articles on strength training, nutrition, and supplementation, and continue to do so simply to fight the tide of weakness and sadness that currently pervades the scene I’ve called home for the better part of three decades. I’ve got personal trainin certs, BodyPump and BodyCombat certs, a BA in History and East Asian Studies from the University of Arizona, and MBAs from the Vienna University and University of South Carolina on my side, in addition to some sick lifts and a hell of a lot of rage. What the fuck have you got?

15 responses to “*I Like To Break A Mental Sweat, Too.”

Doug Graves

October 25, 2009

Ironically, you misspelled "mental" in the blog post illustrating your intellectual prowess. Well done. Ha!
Doug Graves

October 25, 2009

My blogger bookmark had the title listed as "I like to break a metal sweat, too". I was expecting another band listing……
Anonymous

October 25, 2009

Might be the wrong article to post this comment, but dude, you think you can help me get my lifts by christmas?
Anonymous

October 25, 2009

god damn, meant to type lifts up, lol.
Anonymous

October 26, 2009

"ChAoS and PAIN isn't a just workout regimen"!? Your killing me with alot of errers in you're page… lmao!

Just busting your balls.

I agree the best type of lifter is a smart one, able to explain their style. Not just sheep or a robot.

-TomFLEX
Jamie Lewis

October 26, 2009

I hate you guys so very much.

"Please don't correct me. It sickens me." Hahahaha.
WenD

October 26, 2009

How now brown cow.
Michael Q

October 26, 2009

I noticed you put the Warrior Diet in there. Do you believe in Ori's idea of the undereating and overeating phase? I know it is supposed to increase protein efficiency, lower insulin, raise GH levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

Ever do any intermittent fasting? I've found it is useful to drop weight (in much the same way a keto run would be, I imagine) but I question whether it's the best system in terms of workout recovery.
WenD

October 27, 2009

Here at Globo Gym we understand that ugliness and fatness are genetic disorders, much like baldness and necrophilia, and it's only your fault if you don't hate yourself enough to do something about it. ~White Goodman
Jamie Lewis

October 27, 2009

While I'm willing to get up to almost any sort of craziness, diet-wise, Ori's a little too far off the map for me. Given that the Roman legionnaires were fairy small guys, muscularly, I'm not really interested in obtaining their physique. I've cited some of Ori's work in my upcoming book to support by cheat meal methodology, and workload capacity, but the Warrior Diet's not really suited to my goals.

There'll be plenty of time to fast when I'm dead. Until then, I'll eat three cows for every one the vegans don't eat.
Brian

October 27, 2009

Hi C&P,
liking the blog loads, have read the whole thing. I've only been lifting a little while, but really like the idea of lifting heavy singles in the manner you prescribe. However, as a noob do you think that this is the best approach from the beginning? Or is it better to follow something like 5×5 to learn proper form on the lifts, even if it isn't/hasn't been the most efficient means of improving for you (and many others)? Would like to see a blog entry on this beginner connundrum at some stage if you think it has legs, or just a comment here would be cool.
Thanks, B.
Doug Graves

October 27, 2009

"Rage….Taking over…."
Michael Q

October 28, 2009

Thanks for the response. I like what Ori teaches about estrogens, but he's also written some crap like "humans are inherently vegan".

Your blog is awesome, and I take your ideas about training seriously. Bought a bench and a squat rack so I can train in my garage and avoid the faggotry of commercial gyms.

I'm new to training, but pulled a 135.5 kg deadlift yesterday at a bodyweight of ~73 kgs, 5'10 (up 9 fucking kgs from my last attempt) thanks to training heavy singles, animal protein and cod liver oil. Trying to beat my much older brother's record of 200 kg Deadlift. At this rate I'll beat it by halfway next year!

Thanks for the inspiration and training info, it's awesome to know there are other pockets of resistance where pussification hasn't taken hold. I look forward to owning a copy of your book.

MQ.
Jamie Lewis

October 29, 2009

Congrats, Mike!

As for Brian's question, you'd benefit from using a variety of rep ranges. I don't just train with singles. Use 5,3, and single rep schemes. Wendler's program would probably suit you nicely as a beginner.
Blogger

June 14, 2017

New Diet Taps into Innovative Concept to Help Dieters Get Rid Of 12-23 Pounds in Just 21 Days!