

The Hammer Cast
Aleks Salkin
A show about strength, health, fitness, learning languages, and becoming a more interesting person.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 27, 2023 • 40min
Ep. 416: Brick Layin' and PR Slayin' with "Blazin'" Hazen Alward
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this episode by one of my online consulting students, Hazen Alward. In this episode we talk about: How he went from overweight and sick to leaner, stronger, and healthy The lifetime PRs he's set since he started working with me Why he likes to wear kilts Tune in, chill out, and enjoy. On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it actually amplifies their strength in their favorite kettlebell and bodyweight moves, like presses, squats, pullups, and more. And best of all, it’s free. How free? I’m talkin’ freer than the 4th of July, my friend. Get thee thine own copy here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

Sep 20, 2023 • 1h 1min
Ep. 415: Michael Kurkowski on Unveiling the Secrets to Long-Term Progress
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this episode once again by my ol' pal and fellow caster of pods, Michael Kurkowski, of the Strength Connection Podcast. In this action-packed episode Mike and I talk about: "being vs. doing", and why even legends like Jackie Chan focused more on striving "to be" by doing as opposed to obsessing over labels Optimal vs. Practical - and how to avoid driving yourself crazy by chasing perfection How to put your training in the right lane Snatches as moving meditation Much, much more Tune in, chill out, and enjoy. And check out Mike's new snatch challenge - 100% free to Hammer Cast listeners! All you have to do is type HAMMERCAST into the Coupon Code section and BAM! You're hooked up. https://www.mystrengthconnection.com/offers/y7mszrgi/checkout On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it actually amplifies their strength in their favorite kettlebell and bodyweight moves, like presses, squats, pullups, and more. And best of all, it’s free. How free? I’m talkin’ freer than the 4th of July, my friend. Get thee thine own copy here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

Sep 7, 2023 • 7min
Ep. 414: STOP "Packing" Your Shoulders!
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com On this episode I dive deep into the TRUE meaning of "packing your shoulders", how to do it correctly, and why you very well might be setting yourself up for pain and discomfort if you do it the way MOST people do it. On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it actually amplifies their strength in their favorite kettlebell and bodyweight moves, like presses, squats, pullups, and more. And best of all, it’s free. How free? I’m talkin’ freer than the 4th of July, my friend. Get thee thine own copy here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

Sep 5, 2023 • 36min
Ep. 413: TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY! Adam Zeisek on becoming Czech Republic's most JACKED English Teacher using KBs + BW
Adam Zeisek, a Czech teacher of English, shares his journey with kettlebell training, childhood in calisthenics, and love for foreign languages. The podcast discusses topics such as improving strength and stamina, personal fitness challenges, military press techniques, Arnold Schwarzenegger's training, and multilingual experiences.

Aug 3, 2023 • 38min
Ep. 412: Marc Perry on Muscle Myths and Fat Loss Facts
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this fine episode by the great Marc Perry - founder of BuiltLean.com and a passionate coach for men looking to make a serious and lasting change in their physique, health, and physical performance. Visit him online at http://www.builtlean.com On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it actually amplifies their strength in their favorite kettlebell and bodyweight moves, like presses, squats, pullups, and more. And best of all, it’s free. How free? I’m talkin’ freer than the 4th of July, my friend. Get thee thine own copy here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

Aug 1, 2023 • 56min
Ep. 411: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Dr. Matthew Mancuso on transforming from 'weak' to 'FREAK'
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this episode by Dr. Matthew Mancuso - a successful chiropractor, enjoyer of all things strength, and an avid Hammer Head. In this episode we talk about his origin story: how he got involved with strength training, how he floundered and treaded water for many years, and how he ultimately triumphed and continues to get stronger by the day. On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge. As the name indicates, it’s just 9 minutes long, and it’s designed to be done WITH your current workouts – NOT instead of them. Even cooler: Many find that it actually amplifies their strength in their favorite kettlebell and bodyweight moves, like presses, squats, pullups, and more. And best of all, it’s free. How free? I’m talkin’ freer than the 4th of July, my friend. Get thee thine own copy here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Have fun and happy training! Aleks Salkin

Jul 27, 2023 • 14min
Ep. 410: How to Prepare for Simple and Sinister [Audience Q&A]
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I recently got a question from an SFG named Juan who asked my opinion on how he should properly prepare himself for Simple and Sinister given: a) some injuries he was dealing with, and b) his desire to use some of my super secret ninja tricks found in my book Tamers of the Lost Arc (which you can read about here: https://a.co/d/1g0ziZU) I answered in depth in this fine and dandy episode, which you are sure to love and cherish now and forevermore.

Jul 25, 2023 • 44min
Ep. 409: Chemistry Teacher Mark Manning on Kettlebells & Calisthenics for Crushing Weakness at 50+
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this fine episode by Mark Manning - a high school chemistry teacher, life-long martial arts enthusiast, and kettlebell and calisthenics fanatic. Mark and I talked about his 'origin story', how he got into training, and what drew him to strength training in general and kettlebells in particular. We also touch on how my unique approach to combining kettlebells, calisthenics, and Original Strength has helped him blow past his previous dead ends, opening up a vast field of wide open space for new and exciting gains.

Jun 28, 2023 • 6min
Ep. 408: Tamers of the Lost Arc (my new kettlebell training book)
Get your own copy on Amazon here! https://a.co/d/faMep2Q For centuries the kettlebell has been the trusty “secret weapon” of athletes, wrestlers, soldiers, professional strongmen, and physical culturists the world over. In addition to forging hard bodies, fearless minds, and indomitable spirits, the kettlebell holds the key to unlocking a rare and potent set of movements known as ballistic lifts – exercises that use momentum to forge brute strength, raw explosive power, and next-level cardiovascular conditioning and stamina. Or at least that’s how it was supposed to be. As kettlebells faded into ancient history with the rise of exercise machines, health clubs on every corner, and Western civilization’s slow but decided turn toward easy living over a rugged existence, knowledge of how to use this tool slowly declined and disappeared. Then, with its triumphant reemergence onto the world stage at the dawn of the 21st century, collective interest in the ancient “weapon against weakness” once again surged forth, bringing with it a flood of new strength enthusiasts from all walks of life looking to reclaim their birthright of a mighty physique, brutishly powerful and resilient body, and a sleek, athletic frame – and the ballistic kettlebell lifts have once again reclaimed their throne. But there’s a problem: For most trainees – who are used to slow, linear movements with barbells, dumbbells, and machines – one element of the kettlebell ballistics continues to confuse, frustrate, and hinder even the most dedicated of kettlebell fanatics: THE ARC. The Arc describes the quick, curved path the kettlebell must travel during a ballistic lift. And unlike many other elements of weight training, the Arc cannot be conquered, it cannot be captured, and it cannot be controlled. It can only be tamed. Even for experienced instructors the process of teaching budding kettlebell enthusiasts how to tame the arc has been more trial and error than it has been a precise and detailed treasure map. Until now. In this book, I will show you how to use a skeleton crew of tools – gymnastics rings, some floor space, and your own fair flesh – to unlock the secrets of ballistic strength in less time than you thought possible. And by the end of this bold and epic journey, you, too, can be a tamer of the lost arc!

Jun 14, 2023 • 11min
Ep. 407: A Users Guide to Dealing with Trolls
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Ever have to deal with trolls on social media? If you've been on it long enough you probably have. So what SHOULD you do with them? Ignore them? Troll them back? Mock them until they slink away back to the dark, dank hole from whence they came? I dish on my thoughts from my own hard-won experience in this fine episode.