KNIFE, FORK, MUSCLE_ Book I_ DI - Brooks D. Kubik (1)

Strength, speed and power are the mark of a champion. The three are
interrelated, but different. Strength is the ability to exert force. You use
strength to make a slow, grinding lift that requires sheer, unstoppable force to
complete. An example would be a heavy squat, deadlift, military press or
bench press. Speed is the ability to move from one point to another as fast as
possible (or to move one part of your body, such as an arm or a leg, as fast as
possible). Power is strength x speed. In other words, power is the ability to
exert strength with great speed of movement. The Olympic lifts (the snatch
and the clean and jerk) require power.
When you are at your optimum bodyweight, you possess maximum strength,
speed and power. If you’re carrying excess fat, you’re not going to move as
fast or exhibit as much power as you would if you were lighter and leaner.
This is one of many reasons why you want to be as strong as possible while
remaining lean and well conditioned. And the right kind of diet and nutrition
program (along with regular training) is what will get you there.
12. You’ll look and feel younger.
This sounds like something out of an infomercial, or the latest pitch from
someone selling anti-aging supplements or an HRT drugs – but in this case,
it’s true. The right kind of exercise and the right kind of diet really do keep
you looking younger than your years – and more important, they keep you
feeling younger than your years. That’s because diet and exercise help you
maintain your muscle mass (a sign of youth, and a key factor in good health),
stay lean and muscular (another sign of youth, and another key factor in good
health), and maintain high levels of testosterone (another sign of youth and –
you guessed it – another key factor in good health). I’ve said many times that
the right kind of strength training, combined with the right kind of diet and
nutrition program, is the real Fountain of Youth. That may sound corny, but
it’s true.
And in that regard, here’s an interesting fact to consider. Back in the presteroid
days, when men built their bodies with hard training and sensible diet,
weightlifters, bodybuilders and strongmen tended to live long and healthy
lives. Today, in the era of drugs, over-training and crazy diets, many
bodybuilders, powerlifters, strongmen and weightlifters actually die young.
I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines, read the reports on the Internet, and seen
the “RIP” notices pop up in your Facebook feed. And if you’re my age, you
probably remember a couple of friends and fellow Iron Slingers who passed
away when they were far too young. I certainly do.