My Conversation with Al Kavadlo

My Conversation with Al Kavadlo

• Demonstrating strength vs building strength.  Where do moves like pistol squats, muscle ups and human flags fit into all of this?
• Al believes there is a healthy compromise but he does consider those being exercises.  An exercise to one person could be a feat of strength for another.  At the end of the day, low reps are for those who are technically perfect.  If you want to get better at an exercise, you need to pursue more reps.
• Evolution of the PCC.
• It's always changing depending on the sorts of questions people ask at certs.  Manual hasn't been altered in quite a while.
• Joint and Tendon Health.  Exercise cadence and Tempo.
• There's a time and place for explosive exercises.  Most of the time your reps should be done with complete control.  No need for super slow.
• Active vs Passive Stretching.
• Al has gotten lots of benefit from both passive and active stretching.
• Are weights really conducive for longevity and vitality?  Is it just coincidence that many people gravitate to calisthenics as they age?
• He says that weight lifting gets more difficult as one ages.  It's the heavier and heavier mentality that gets you.  It's worth noting that many great old men like Jack Lalanne and Steve Maxwell have gravitated towards calisthenics.
• Convict Conditioning
• Many people took Convict Conditioning too far.  Far too dogmatic with the rep ranges.  The key is progression of the exercises, not exactly the reps.