#748: Pavel Tsatsouline and Christopher Sommer

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #55 "Pavel Tsatsouline on the Science of Strength and the Art of Physical Performance" and episode #158 "The Secrets of Gymnastic Strength Training." Please enjoy! Sponsors: Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/tim (25–30% off all mattress orders and two free pillows) 1Password easy-to-use and secure password manager for individuals, families, and businesses: https://1password.com/tim (14-day free trial) Momentous high-quality supplements: https://livemomentous.com/tim (code TIM for 20% off) Timestamps: [00:00] Start [05:10] Notes about this supercombo format. [06:14] Enter Pavel Tsatsouline. [06:34] Pavel's background as a world-class trainer. [07:07] Considerations while customizing a training regimen. [09:40] Strength-building principles over equipment. [10:36] When in doubt, train your grip and your core. [12:57] How to grease the groove. [16:08] How not to strengthen the "core." [18:53] Approaching training as a practice. [21:16] Prioritizing strength — the "mother quality of all physical qualities." [23:57] The most counter-productive myths about strength training. [27:14] Pavel's hypothesis for the science behind hypertrophy. [28:01] Deadlifts, kettlebells, and the most common mistakes with both. [29:31] People who exemplify success to Pavel. [30:09] Calmness is contagious. [32:31] Enter Christopher Sommer. [33:23] Defining Gymnastics Strength Training™ (GST). [37:08] Types of strength that most non-gymnasts will not have. [41:10] Biggest mistakes made by those who self-teach handstands. [46:10] Top exercises for identifying weaknesses in strength and mobility. [56:47] The problem with focusing on muscular fatigue when training. [1:05:03] What is a pike pulse and why does it matter? [1:07:45] On kipping pull-ups. [1:11:16] Identifying solutions to pain. [1:18:38] The Jefferson curl. [1:23:06] Why weighted mobility work needs to be approached with a different level of intensity than conditioning work. [1:28:09] If someone is 35 years old, a former athlete, and has never done gymnastics, what's a good exercise and what should be avoided? [1:33:31] 3-5 joint mobility exercises for getting strong. [1:38:52] Preferred way to work on shoulder extension. [1:44:40] A good goal for those seeking to improve mobility. [1:46:15] Yoga handstands vs. gymnastics handstands (aesthetics vs. gold medals). [1:54:20] Coaches who have impressed Coach Sommer the most. [1:55:49] The story of Dmitry Bilozerchev and Alexander Alexandrov. [2:00:36] Differentiating immature athletes from mature athletes. [2:03:43] Training for success. [2:08:43] Describing the systematic approach to GST. [2:16:58] Exercises to avoid for the first six months of GST. [2:18:27] Breaking down the muscle-up. [2:23:59] Understanding the purpose of using various grips. [2:31:28] How Coach Sommer mentally preps athletes for a big competition. [2:41:13] Questions Coach Sommer would ask a gymnastic coach before sending children off to train with them. [2:45:36] Questions Coach Sommer would ask a gymnastic coach who trains adults. [2:47:44] Balancing stretching and training time. [2:52:52] People who exemplify success to Coach Sommer. [2:58:16] Most gifted books. [3:01:04] Morning rituals. [3:05:02] Coach Sommer's billboard. [3:10:12] An ask for the audience and parting thoughts. * For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast. For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday. 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