Recent Web Log Entries By Ben Nadel
My UNCIVILIZED Brand Cherry Wood iPhone Back From JackBacks
Posted: March 24, 2011 at 10:32 AM by Ben Nadel
A couple of weeks ago, Jon Snook posted a photo of his branded iPhone back from JackBacks.com . Wood is awesome ( that's what she... ); and branded wood is classy! When I saw this, I felt I just had to have one. Only, I had no idea what to put on it. As a test run, I decided to take my friend's UNCIVILIZED Brand clothing design, turn it into ... read more »
Comments (8) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Troy Valberg, Mario Valero, And Victoria Viola Rock The IPA State Powerlifting Championships
Posted: January 30, 2011 at 4:44 PM by Ben Nadel
Yesterday, I went to watch a few of my friends compete in the IPA New Jersey State Powerlifting Championships. Unfortunately, I didn't get there in time to see the Squatting; but, I was able to catch both the Bench Press and the Deadlifting events. I went to my first powerlifting meeting last month ; but this one definitely had a different feel t... read more »
Comments (5) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
I Just Got Badass(er) - UNCIVILIZED Brand Clothing By Mario Valero
Posted: January 24, 2011 at 2:24 PM by Ben Nadel
My good friend and amateur powerlifter , Mario Valero , recently showed me his latest UNCIVILIZED Brand design concept - a massive dude deadlifting some serious weight. As a long-time weight lifter and gym enthusiast, I saw this and simply had to have it! The graphic is just too badass. I immediately custom-ordered one in my colors of choice... read more »
Comments (6) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: The Last Workout Of 2010 Starts With Personal Best
Posted: December 29, 2010 at 7:05 PM by Ben Nadel
2010 has been a rough year for Project HUGE. I made some very quick progress on my few new years resolutions, hitting 405lbs on the deadlift and 315lbs on the squat; but, those victories quickly gave way to aches and pains and loss. The latter half of 2010 has been spent trying to mend one joint or another. As such, for the last workout of 201... read more »
Comments (10) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Troy Valberg And The Powerlifters Of Equinox
Posted: December 17, 2010 at 8:55 PM by Ben Nadel
Last Saturday, I attended the APA Apollon Winter Iron Bash powerlifting competition out in Edison, NJ. I've never been to anything like that and I have to say that it was just awesome. Not only was the lifting inspiring, so was the diversity of competitors; men, women, young and old were there all there, paying their dues, squatting, benching, and... read more »
Comments (28) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Deadlifting With WSF's Griptech Rubberized Lifting Straps
Posted: August 14, 2010 at 5:02 PM by Ben Nadel
After watching some of my Project HUGE videos on YouTube, someone from WSF - World Standard Fitness - contacted me and suggested that I might enjoy their new Griptech Rubberized Lifting Straps . Unlike ordinary lifting straps, these ones from WSF have a rubber layer on one side that adds additional friction between your fingers and the strap. T... read more »
Comments (4) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Bodybuilder Americanus By Samuel Fussell
Posted: July 22, 2010 at 2:41 PM by Ben Nadel
A long time ago, I blogged about one of my favorite books of all time, "Muscle: Confessions Of An Unlikely Bodybuilder," by Samuel Wilson Fussell . It is both a hilarious and, often times, moving account of one man's journey through the world of bodybuilding. In the comments to that post, Reg recently pointed out to me that Samuel Fussell has wri... read more »
Comments (12) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Half Way Through 2010
Posted: June 25, 2010 at 8:47 AM by Ben Nadel
Project HUGE has been somewhat quiet lately; and, it's half way through the year, so I'd thought I'd drop in with a little update. So far 2010 has seen some highs and some lows in my fitness journey. In the beginning of the year, I set the lofty goals of getting my deadlift back up to 405lb and my squat back up to 315lb. And, amazingly enough, ... read more »
Comments (11) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Hit A New Years Resolution - Deadlifts At 405lbs
Posted: February 20, 2010 at 5:17 PM by Ben Nadel
Before I went to the gym today, my lower back was feeling a little bit tired. I had done squats at 275lb on Thursday (2 days ago) and was still feeling it in my quads and lower back. But, my back didn't feel weak, it just felt tired; as such, I thought I would try some deadlifts just to see how my body reacted. I had quit my deadlift workout the w... read more »
Comments (13) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Deadlifts At 385lbs And Natural Hamstring Raises
Posted: January 29, 2010 at 6:08 PM by Ben Nadel
After deadlifting 365lbs two weeks ago , I was eager to try and push myself a little harder. Today, I built up to three work sets at 385lbs. After I hit the first set, I was super tempted to jump up to 405lbs (my new years resolution weight); but, it's a good thing I didn't - my form at 385lbs definitely leaves something to be desired. In the fol... read more »
Comments (9) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Trying Barbell Front Box Squats For The First Time
Posted: January 22, 2010 at 6:50 PM by Ben Nadel
Today at the gym, I tried an exercise that I have never tried before: Barbell Front Box Squats. I've tried and enjoyed box squats for traditional squatting so I thought I would see how a front-loaded squat felt. I went into this thinking that it would put a huge stress on my lower back, especially at the bottom when I sit on the box; but, I'm happ... read more »
Comments (8) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Barbell Deadlifts - 365x5 With A Concentration On Form
Posted: January 17, 2010 at 2:57 PM by Ben Nadel
Yesterday was my cheat day as far as food goes; so, that meant I had a large General Tso's Chicken with broccoli and brown rice powering my lifts today. As such, I was feeling particularly randy and wanted to try and push my body out of its comfort zone. My first exercise of the day was Barbell Deadlifts. I worked up to two sets at 365 lbs for fiv... read more »
Comments (9) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Barbell Back Squats - Shaky Form, But Getting Stronger
Posted: January 15, 2010 at 5:19 PM by Ben Nadel
So far, a dedication to getting back in the gym is my most successful new year's resolution . My strength is slowly starting to come back; but, I'm still not pushing my shoulder or wrist too much. Today, I tried to go up in barbell back squats a bit, building up to two working sets with 225 x 10. I feel like my depth is OK, but it could be better... read more »
Comments (6) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Waking The Beast And My First Video Of 2010
Posted: January 9, 2010 at 5:57 PM by Ben Nadel
After months of not working out , I have spent the last 2 weeks really trying to get back into the gym with consistency and enthusiasm. I'm not following any particular workout program at this point, I'm just going in every other day and doing an exercise for legs, push, pull, and a little bit of arm work. For the first few workouts, I was really... read more »
Comments (25) | Post Comment | Ask Ben | Permalink
Project HUGE: Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein - The Best Tasting, Best Mixing Protein Powder
Posted: August 10, 2009 at 6:40 PM by Ben Nadel
Earlier today, on Twitter, I was asked what kind of protein powder I would recommend as a workout supplement. I'm sure as most people who work out do, I've tried a million different proteins over the years, constantly searching for that one drink that's the right combination of nutrients, taste, and cost. The good majority of the protein powders t... read more »
