Interview Series Part I – Meet Scott Bird

April 10, 2009 on 9:26 am | In Strength Training | No Comments

Last week I dubbed May – “Homemade Equipment Month”and turned to a friend Scott Bird for some expertise on the subject. I would also like to thank everyone that sent in their contributions so far – you can still send your ideas and photos to CoachHashey@Synergy-Athletics.com.

Now let’s meet Scott. I only post information from people that know their stuff, and Scott is definately on that list. I interviewed Scott this past week, and he shared some great information! Take a few minutes to read this interview!

Interview with STTB.com’s Scott Bird

ME: Could you tell us a little about yourself and your strength training background?

SCOTT BIRD:  My dad got me started in training pretty young. The usual bodyweight stuff, plenty of dumbbell work and the occasional bout of wrist work. Everything from Thor’s Hammers to Chair Lifts (picking up a chair by the bottom of one of the front legs). No doubt that’s why I enjoy a bit of levering work now.

During High School I studied Judo, and the training involved a good mix of bodyweight work. Things I’d never seen, like Dands (Hindu Push-ups) and Bathiaks (Hindu Squats). Although there was almost no free-weight work involved, the bodyweight training certainly built up the strength.

These days it’s a mix of the bodyweight, free-weight and levering work – with a definite leaning to the unusual. I collect strength-training memorabilia, and I love stumbling across ‘forgotten’ exercises and trying them out.

ME:  That’s great, I think more fathers should get their children interested in having strength (the right way of course!)

It’s not easy to get up, put the hours in during the day, and then have the energy to hit the gym. What is something that compels you to train?

SCOTT BIRD:  I generally work from home, and the home gym’s only a short walk from my desk. Because it’s so convenient, I tend to head in there whenever I have a spare 10-15 minutes. Plenty of time to get a decent mini-workout in.

When I have a longer session (an hour or so), I typically have things planned out in advance. It doesn’t really matter how tired you are if everything’s already written down and the equipment is permanently in ‘ready to use’ mode.

Of course, it also helps to know the benefits of a good workout. If I train, I feel good and sleep well. That’s pretty good motivation in my book.

ME:  I do love a good night’s sleep!  I have the bed time of a 10 year old.  I know you are a big fan of unique equipment, what are some of your favorite training implements?

My favourite item is not the heaviest thing, but one of the most difficult to pick up – an old anvil I found a few years ago. Many fun and challenging ways to lift it.

When it comes to regular workouts though, I tend to favour tools like clubs, maces and hammers – especially the loadable ones – for strength and grip sessions. For conditioning work, sandbags and thick ropes are my weapons of choice.

ME:  You are right on Scott, I know the importance of grip strength is finally being understood by more trainers.  We all make errors, but what are some common mistakes you see people make when training?

SCOTT BIRD:  As I work from home, a lot of the training I see (other than my own) is on video. The main thing I notice is that a lot of people focus on the particular exercises that worked for someone else, rather than understand why that person was doing them in the first place. You’ll always get better results by finding the exercises that work for you personally.

My general approach is to try lots of things and keep the few that make a difference. Other than the main compound lifts (which I always keep as the foundation of my routines), my training is really just a process of ‘trying new things, keeping the ones that work’.

ME:  Thanks for your time, any last training tips or comments you want to add? Also, how do people check out some of your stuff?

SCOTT BIRD:   Thanks for that Joe – love talking about training.

One of the things I’d urge people to do with their training is to find an exercise or training style which they love doing. Working out should be fun.

For me, the ultimate workout finishes with a bit of short steel bending. I keep a box of nails and a pair of wraps in my bedroom (which I know is a little unusual), and treat myself to a bend at the end of each day.

The best place to see what I’m up to is my strength-training blog, Straight To The Bar.  A mix of bending, levering, tearing, lifting and other fun things.

Any questions?  Post them in the comment section!

- Joe Hashey, CSCS -