Steve Maxwell -- Questions and Answers

 

My Conversation with Steve Maxwell

Steve's website is http://maxwellsc.com/

Questions and Answers

• Body weight or weights for longevity and health
• Neither really matter.  Steve has known many people who do all training modalities who are athletic/healthy into advanced age.
• Just have complete faith in whatever program you choose.  If you believe it won't work, it won't.
• Training to be strong and healthy for life
• Perfect form/technique is key.
• Time under tension is important.  Not using momentum but using your strength.
• You become stronger when you rest.
• The stronger you get the less exercise your body can stand or needs.
• Know the difference between recreation and exercise (I'll cover this further down.)
• Breath work is very important for longevity and strength. I will cover this further down.
• Sustainability is key.  Don't wreck yourself for a feat.  An example of feats would be muscle ups, one arm chin ups, one arm pushups and pistol squats.  
• Things people should do more and less of
• Less -  Sitting
• More - Mobility, Walking and Breath Work
• Semen Retention/Pornography
• Masturbation/Porn is negative and dangerous.  It destroys mental health and drains your energy.
• You'll be left unfulfilled because your partner won't be able to fulfill your imagination.
• Porn plants unrealistic expectations of what a woman should be to you.
• You should have the inner discipline to say no to pornography and masturbation.  
• Some studies say that regular sex can promote longevity. 
• You should apply the creativity that comes from semen retention to projects or something productive.
• Mental Health
• The mind affects your whole body.
• You must examine your belief systems and relationships.
• Having a positive outlook is of utmost importance.
• Always be thankful and use positive affirmations.
• The difference between Recreation and Exercise
• Recreation
• Is fun and intuitive.
• A goal like a certain weight for a press or deadlift.
• It is generally unsustainable into old age.
• Some examples of confusion between recreation and exercise would be some of the stunts performed by the barstarzz and calisthenic kingz.  Sure, the stuff they do is impressive and cool but almost none of them are over the age of 40.  Some of the younger ones are already nursing shoulder/elbow/knee injuries.
• There is nothing wrong with recreation as long as your understand that there is the risk to reward ratio.
• Exercise
• Exercise should always prevent injury, not cause it.  If you get injured during exercise your really have to examine what you're doing.
• Exercise should increase strength, muscular endurance, cardio respiratory function, mobility/flexibility and decrease chance of injury. 
• The only one that meets this definition is strength training regardless of modality. 
• Breathing
• You should breathe into your stomach.  
• Breathing in to the chest causes a stress response through your sympathetic nervous system.
• During exercise always be aware of your breathing.  
• Recovery
• You know you're not recovered when:
• Your morning heart rate is 5 beats above normal.
• You don't feel like training or have no joy for the workout.
• Your BOLT score.

I had a wonderful conversation with Steve.  He's available for phone consults just follow the link I put on top of this post.