The best resources on gymnastic strength

I've been training gymnastic style for a while, but it's mostly been just a mix of different types of training - some isometrics, some active movements, random exercises, etc...

I used to be very close to the planche before my elbow injury, but now I keep getting further instead of closer. I've changed a lot of things on the way I train and I just can't figure out what was the thing that made me progress so fast back then that I'm not doing now.

I've read BTGB, but I still didn't figure it out.

So I'm asking the people in here who can already do planches and front levers... what's the single best resource about training you've read that helped you the most ? Or if you can describe the absolute best method to gain insane strength, that'd be appreciated.

Thanks.

Marian Cerny said:

what's the single best resource about training you've read that helped you the most ?

I'm gonna jump on this early and just be the first one to say the Foundation series.  It's all you need.

Disclaimer: I do not have a planche nor a front lever - but I'm working on it injury free.

There is no secret exercise for developing any of what you've asked. You're only as strong as your weakest link.

Coach recently came out with the Foundation series--it's exactly what you need. Step by step movements with built in mobility.

Marian Cerny said:

describe the absolute best method to gain insane strength

 

Thanks.

Oh and this question is hilarious.

Marian Cerny said:

Or if you can describe the absolute best method to gain insane strength, that'd be appreciated.

If you mean strength during a movement, then I 'd say contraction, contraction everywhere, and heavy metal xD, but yeah a strong planche or front lever wont come over night

Most likely, you were a lot further away than it seemed. Fast progression is normal when first beginning to learn a movement because the neurological system adapts quickly. Muscular and tissue adaptations come much more slowly. 

Foundation 1, which has already been recommended, is worth looking into. It is certainly a long road, but you will be rewarded in the end with both insane strength and mobility. 

Regardless of whether you choose to follow F1 or strike out on your own, remember that the key is to have patience and dedication. Learning a planche takes a lot of hard work over a long period of time. You will plateau several times. And sometimes it will feel like you're moving backwards. You have to keep going. 

Although the foundation series may be something like a 5 year journey I am 100% sure that you will be doing the end exercises long before then, just not with perfect form or for quote as long. Since starting f1 I have noticed much greater strength gains than what I am actually training. It is just that I am training at a level below a sloppy move that's at y limit which is what people should be doing. But I'm confident that you could get I the "show off" level long before you finish .

F1

Cannister said:

Oh and this question is hilarious.

What's hilarious about it?  Seems a more fitting posting rather than the typical naive recommendations lacking any substance other than regurgitated rhetoric - sadly the new norm.  Sommer's experience/knowledge is given, and by extension his products (we hope), however according to your sig as an example you are still working up to 60s iso pull-up holds.  So what then is the basis of your recommendation to the OP's question?  Even further your assessment of a product that you have yet to achieve the proposed goals or even finish a full 12-week cycle?

Might as well respond to all postings outside the inner circle with "F1"

Danny N said:

What's hilarious about it?  Seems a more fitting posting rather than the typical naive recommendations lacking any substance other than regurgitated rhetoric - sadly the new norm.  Sommer's experience/knowledge is given, and by extension his products (we hope), however according to your sig as an example you are still working up to 60s iso pull-up holds.  So what then is the basis of your recommendation to the OP's question?  Even further your assessment of a product that you have yet to achieve the proposed goals or even finish a full 12-week cycle?

 

Might as well respond to all postings outside the inner circle with "F1"

I found it funny because the "absolute best method to gain insane strength" is a topic that has been and will be debated over for as long as people have been trying to gain strength through training.  It's not really something that you can learn through a forum post.

I did note in my first post that I hadn't achieved a planche or front lever and therefore maybe I'm lacking the experience the OP wants.  I'm not pretending to be a master of gymnastic strength, but where I am in the F1 program has very little to do with anything - it is simply where I had to start in order to address my personal weaknesses & deficits in mobility.

It is also true that I personally have only been following F1 for 6 and a half weeks but I can say with complete confidence that I am those 6 weeks closer to being able to achieve the Gymnastic strength elements (such as straddle planche, front lever, etc) than I would have been otherwise.  Having attempted this type of training before F1 was available I don't need to have completeled any number of cycles to know the benefits of the work that I've done on this program thus far.

I'm not going to defend myself beyond this - I have faith in the F1 program and personally believe that it is the best option available (short of actual gymnastic coaching from a good coach) for an adult trying to learn gymnastic strength elements.  I suggest you try it too if you're not!  

Go ahead, drink the Kool-aid...

There are many ways to skin a cat. The foundation series is the best one I know of. Or at least, the best I have experience with. 

Now I'm only on week 4 of my foundation work, but from what I've heard, the foundation material has been released at earlier seminars and has had great results. And you can't argue with results. 

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check out the F1 at some point, but to be honest I don't want to spend 75$ at the moment.

I think I'll be looking elsewhere for now and if anyone could point me to what they think are trustworthy no BS sources (articles/websites), I'd very much appreciate it.

Yeah, when I read that question, I realized it sounded kinda lame, lol.

Now I'm on a quest to crack the key to ridiculous strength and get better than I was half a year ago

I realize it takes persistence... I have plenty of that. But I want to find the system that works best.

Marian Cerny said:

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check out the F1 at some point, but to be honest I don't want to spend 75$ at the moment.

 

I think I'll be looking elsewhere for now and if anyone could point me to what they think are trustworthy no BS sources (articles/websites), I'd very much appreciate it.

 

Yeah, when I read that question, I realized it sounded kinda lame, lol.

 

Now I'm on a quest to crack the key to ridiculous strength and get better than I was half a year ago

I realize it takes persistence... I have plenty of that. But I want to find the system that works best.

You 're on a quest? But you don't want to spend 75 dollars? Anyone who is really going on a quest knows that the right gear is worth every penny. You can beg for 75 dollars in less than a week, but you'll never be able to trade in your wasted time. You don't get that back.

There is nothing, besides what we have here, on the market that even comes close to giving you what you want. Other places won't be able to get you where you want to go... that's why everyone ends up here.

We are not in the business of giving people bad advice, which is what you are asking for. You are always free to find second rate material on your own, but we are only interested in giving you what you actually need.

It seems like what you need right now is to waste time, get hurt, and eventually come back when you decide you're interested in training that leads to long term progress.

There's nothing wrong with that, but that's pretty much the end of this discussion.

You don't want what we've got. There's nothing else that needs to be said in this thread, as I see it.

Have fun out there, and perhaps we'll see you again in the future.

^ This.

You wanted opinions, you got em.

I have L-sit, V-sit, full front lever, full back lever, full planche, OAFL, and straddle floor maltese (all good to perfect form). The best resource to have is determination, dedication, and willpower. Those are not specific to GST and fitness. The best specific resource for GST is the Foundation series (as stated above by everyone) with H1 being a good supplement. Getting the Foundation series will be the safest way to go and it also makes sure you will have good mobility and preparation.

Now there are alternatives that are still legit, but they are not as good or complete as the Foundation series. You can take a look at "Overcoming Gravity", beastskills.com, and arthlete.com.

Furthermore, the GB forums is the best website with the most information on GST. I highly suggests you look around and search for topics that are relevant to your quest.

I have achieved my skills by myself with my own workouts/programming with some tips from the people and info here. The last thing I have to say is hard work and to train smart and safely by knowing to stop and back off to something with less intensity once you start to think or feel that what you're working on may be too much for you. I have hardly sustained any injuries from training and never had any long term or serious injury. 

Marian Cerny said:

(...) I don't want to spend 75$

(...) I'm on a quest to crack the key to ridiculous strength and get better than I was half a year ago (...)

Bad choice mate - When the sub-par options have been eliminated, 75$ is nothing! You could easily spend 750, or even 7,500 trying all sort of stuff that probably won't work as well, to finally come back here and first have to spend time to rehab...

Nobody gets ridiculously stronger than "half a year ago"! There is no key to that, that is not how the human body works, period - quest over! It will take you a hell of a long time to become "ridiculously" strong; yes, that is longer than the longest time you are thinking of.

Purchasing access to the foundation series is like hiring Coach Sommer for a song...

In ANY endeavour in life, if you are truly looking for the 'system that works the best' you are going to have to pay something for it.

Gymnasts have to pay much more than $75 to work with a coach every month. Students pay much more to study.

The fact is the Foundations course is the best thing out there.

I can understand if you don't want to believe that, however what I think you need to reconsider is your reluctance to pay for excellence. It just doesn't work that way.

Hi

i have not read the F1 but i think you can also come to your goals with out it.

10000 People can do the Planche or HSPU.

What have they done?

Training, training, training over weeks, Month and years.

Write down your goal.

Write down the Steps you need for them and where you are.

I started my gymnastic career with 40.

My goals become more athletic, the straddle planche, Free handstand, different Ring skills.

There is no short way and no Tricks.

You have to learn the exercises step by step.

The most important think was for me to recognice where is my weakest link.

I personally haven't purchased Foundation 1 due to money/equipment issues, but I wish I could.  I'm honestly not even trying to learn planche as I don't think I could without it.

If I had the opportunity, I would buy the book and do the work and never look back.

is it possible to reach goals such as planche, front lever, back lever and handstands without the F and H series? yes it is but I have top say if you go your own path building your own routine it may take you longer you may end up doing something wrong and you may get discouraged not knowing if it will get you to your goal because its taking so long.  I know i will achieve these things if i follow these series though because basically coach knows what he is talking about there is no denying the proof of that with his athletes.  so even if this takes years i know it will happen when i finish this course and i dont have to think about it i just do what is said and bam some years later ill be doing a straddle planche.

on top of that i seriously doubt that you will be able to find or come up with a better mobility program.  really within only a few weeks of these wrist exercises i went from barely being able to do a single push up palms flat on the ground without pain (old wrist injury) to yesterday kicking up to a most likely sloppy 5 second handstand hands flat on ground without even discomfort let alone pain!  it even felt nice standing on my hands!

i understand about money being tight though i am in the same boat as i will be hiking around the world for the rest of this year with almost no money but i still thought it was worth buying the programs so i could get started now!  i figured it would be better to start now than in a year and waste my time messing around all year.  haha will probably end up eating a little bit less for a couple weeks though =(

If you ever have the chance, buy F1. Just started it. Best investment I have ever made when it comes to training in the fundamentals. 

The best way to save effort, time, and money here would be to just buy the program and follow it. As long as you have that seventy dollars or so to invest in your fitness you're going to be money ahead in terms of how long you will have to dredge the internet for a good program. I'm unemployed at the moment but I'll definitely be buying it after my second pay check once rent is taken care of.