John, Did Frank Rudolph Young Include Push-Ups...

[John Peterson]

Hey Friends,

Yesterday a man e-mailed this question to me about Chiropractor Frank Rudolph Young's books wondering if he included Push-Ups in his training routines. The Answer is a very affirmative Y-E-S, yet not in the way you may think.

Here's the deal. Frank Rudolph Young was brilliant. He compiled many exercises and concepts from Yoga (Maxick), Charles Atlas, Alois P Swoboda, and of course his own personal study. He was an expert in the field of muscular anatomy and applied physiology and as such created some fascinating exercise variations (that were based in what we call DVR/VRT & Isometrics though he never called them by those names) that placed the muscles in unique positions ( that he referred to as their "best angle of Pull") that allowed one to obtain incredibly intense muscular contractions that could not be achieved in any other way. He strongly denounced weight training as a method of exercise believing that it destroyed the skeletal structure at the expense of superficially building it's muscles for a very limited time. By this Young was referring to the same thing that I often refer to as "Busted Up Weight Lifter Syndrome".

( For our new participants to our forum "Busted Up Weight Lifter Syndrome" is where a man lifts heavier and heavier weights over a period of years to achieve more intense muscular contractions not realizing that he is destroying and compressing his spinal discs while over taxing his joints, ligaments, and tendons. In time this type of training results in permanent injury for the vast majority of men and as a consequence the man can no longer train. One often sees this kind of man at social gatherings bragging about how much he used to be able to "bench". Such men are often so busted up and in so much pain that they can no longer train at all. To compensate they live in the past and brag about what they could once do.)

Now back to Frank Rudolph Young. Yes, he taught certain Push-Up variations that I have seen no where else. Some were similar to Atlas style push-Ups in that they created an extended range of motion but the angles were different and they had to be performed exactly as described in order to perform them correctly. Many of his variations were very complex and worded in such a way that they were very difficult to understand. His two books with greatest number of Push-Up variations were 1) Yoga Secrets for Extraordinary Health and Long Life and 2) Somo-Psychic Power.

Young also wrote many other books on Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) and Psychic (mind) development. In fact, during the 1980's when I became a certified NLP practitioner I was at a seminar during which the group facilitator was making outrageous claims about NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) being an entirely new development in the field of neurological science. During a break I kindly told him that before he continues making those assertions in future seminars he should read Frank Rudolph Young's books because he would discover that Young taught many of the exact same concepts under different terminologies. Needless to say, he was amazed when I told him this.

Bottom line: I believe Frank Rudolph Young was a genius. And in many ways way ahead of his time. .

---John Peterson

[kenpopaul]

Interesting post John!!

Didn't know you were an NLP practitioner!!

Are you including some of these pushup variations in your book?

Kenpopaul

[John Peterson]

Hey kenpopaul,

I have an expansive history section in "Ultimate Push-Ups for the Awesome Physique" where I feature Frank Rudolph Young (among many others) and show an example of what type of Push-up he taught. In general his exercises relied on DVR/VRT style of dynamic tension being exerted in a slow controlled motion rather than relying on the body's weight alone to create the necessary muscular contraction/tension.

For instance, lets just take a wall push-up as an example. Many people that have no concept of Mind/Muscle DVR/VRT style tension would not have the slightest idea of how to perform this exercise with maximum effectiveness and would therefore say that it is worthless. BUT once the 'Golden Key' of self generated Mind/Muscle DVR/VRT muscular contraction/tension is fully understood and implemented, superior results can be obtained far beyond those obtained through other methods and the beauty of this technique is that it actually strengthens, enhances, and protects the strength and function of the joints, tendons, and ligaments while building strength and sculpting muscles. Bottomline: Frank Rudolph Young's Push-Ups were not the typical style of Push-Up that we normally associate as being a Push-Up exercise. They were beyond Push-Ups.

---John Peterson

[MikeNY]

I have all Dr. Frank R. Young DC books, and have talked to you John about them, his Yoga was far advanced and yes he was using DVR/VRT muscle tension. I'd recommend his books to anyone. Dr. Young's books on ESP and Psychic development seem to me to be alternitive view and presentation of Positive Thinking. I have three Kabbalist friends that admire Dr. Young's books on the topic and he and his students seem decades ahead on the topic just as his views on fitness and exercise are still advanced.

[Greg Newton]

For our new participants to our forum "Busted Up Weight Lifter Syndrome" is where a man lifts heavier and heavier weights over a period of years to achieve more intense muscular contractions not realizing that he is destroying and compressing his spinal discs while over taxing his joints, ligaments, and tendons.

That cannot be said enough. Despite the fact I am in better shape today than I have ever been in my entire life, I still have to be careful with certain exercises and movements because of spinal deterioration. The squats, deadlifts, benches and other lifts I did over several decades were not worth it!

[Andy62]

Frank Rudolph Young's approach to pushups was revolutionary and very effective. He stressed the application of mental resistance using DVR/VRT principles rather than just relying on bodyweight and body leverage.

[gruntbrain]

I've struggled with Dr Young's writting style. However, I do have a Dr Young inspired "Yoga Bench"

[chris64]

I read 3 of FRYs books recently. It was interesting to see that in the early 70s he was advocating sprint intervals with 3 or 4 times distance recovery walks instead of jogging. Something most trainers have only advised for the public in recent years. He also states he competed in novice bodybuilding competitions in the 1950s using bodweight only exercises.

[John Peterson]

hey Chris64,

Young was a prolific writer. I'm curious which of his books did you read? I think I have every book that he had written. On the cover of 'Yogatronic Diet' there is a great shot of his physique. He had a lithe, beautifully developed physique.

---John Peterson

[isorez]

Are you taling about S-L-O-W progression pushups?

In the past there were a number of real good discussions on the slow pushups a number of sources and members.

I have been utilizing a yoga program that is based on strength moves.

In the past I have done a number of other yoga tapes and programs, but this one is different.
It is strucured to include a number of strength moves, including a 3-count, 5-count and a 10-count pushup.
In between the movements, strength holds and stretches, you put in a 10-count pushup, which is from the bottom, a 10 count up.....to the top and right away, a 10-count down......to the bottom, but do not rest on the floor keep your chest about 2" from the floor and count to 10 slowly then 10 back up and 10 back down and another 10 hold. You talk about a burn. The workouts are either a 20,30 or 45 minute (killer) workout.

The man who does this program is a former wrestler, who had fractured discs in his back 10 years ago and started a journey towards yoga. He wanted to create yoga program that the normal person could do wihout getting intimidated by poses and know it all YOGIS. He does the same moves but gives them different names and makes it fun. The guy is pretty remarkable in that he began his carer at 35 and became the 'pre-determined' champ at 42. He is now 52 and in awesome shape. In the programs they advocate utilizing a heart monitor to keep within your max. heart range. It's amazing how the workout keeps you there for pretty much of the routine.

[gruntbrain]

The principle behind the 10 count pushup can clearly be beneficially applied to other cals. Moreover, 10 is arbitrary so go for more

[HE LIVES IN MY HEART]

The type of "push ups" that FRY advocated were not the prone, straight bodied push ups we all do. His were unique. For these push ups, placing your hands at shoulder width on a low table, you bend over or hunch over the low table and throw all of your weight on you hands/upper body and use your legs just for balance - you should almost be on your tip toes (not much weight on the feet). From that position you push yourself up from the table. FRY advocated using different hand widths to hit different parts of the chest. If I recall correctly, he also had a variation of this push up in the other book done off a higher table for a shorter range of movement.

I apologize if it's hard to follow my explanation, but without the book's illustrations it's a little hard to visualize. Then again, as with a lot of FRY's exercises, it's hard to figure them out even with the illustrations until you do them a few times. But it's always worth the effort.

[John Peterson]

Hey He Lives In My Heart,

Thanks for making your post. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought Young's instructions were sometimes difficult to understand. In fact, I received an e-mail from someone asking me, "John, why are you criticizing Frank Rudolph Young?" And for the life of me I cannot figure out what they are talking about or how I have in any way, shape, or form criticized him. So with that in mind, would someone please be so kind as to point out to me where I have criticized Frank Rudolph Young? I'd really like to know.


---John Peterson

[HE LIVES IN MY HEART]

I don't think I have ever seen anyone on this forum criticize Frank Rudolph Young. The only "negative" thing anyone has ever said is that sometimes it hard to figure out his exercises - but then again, they are so unique and out of the mainstream, it's not easy to grasp or explain them.

It's unfortunate that other than what's in his books, there's so little information available about FRY. I'm sure there's a lot more that we could learn from him. I don't know what anyone else's experience is, but I've searched the web looking for information about him or his students and never really came up with anything.

[AlanJohnson]

I had never heard of the guy until I read this thread. He seems like an interesting individual. There is some info about him here:

http://oddbooks.co.uk/oddbooks/young.html

[Daniel]

Which is the best Yoga book to get, Yoga for Men Only or Yoga Secrets for Extraordinary Health and Long Life. I want to buy a book by this author, which one is the better to start with.

Daniel

[JoeJustice]

Young did appear to have some pretty far out there ideas! A lot of 60's style hippie dippy stuff.

-Joe

[chris64]

John,

In answer to your previous post I have read Yoga for Men Only, Yogatronic Diet and Yoga Secrets for Extraordinary Health and Longevity. I cant say I have seen you criticise FRY at any time on this forum so its a mystery why anyone should think so.

Daniel I would say choose either the first or the last of the 3 books I have named to gain an insight into the methods.

[John Peterson]

Hey Guys,

First off, isn't Joe looking great. It's obvious that his chest has grown by several inches while his waistline has shrunk by several inches and now the guy is looking like he's trying out for Tarzan. Good job Joe.


Anyway, Chris64, I asked you that question because I think that the best two books FRY wrote were the titles "Yoga Secrets For Extraordinary Health And Longevity" and "Somo-Psychic Power". Both were exceptional in my opinion. And both featured FRY's unique Push-Up variations. But one thing is certain, I have never read any other author that had quite the unique style that FRY had.


---John Peterson

[Alan_OldStudent]

Hey Guys,

First off, isn't Joe looking great. It's obvious that his chest has grown by several inches while his waistline has shrunk by several inches and now the guy is looking like he's trying out for Tarzan. Good job Joe........

Absolutely, John.

Joe is a good example of what our type of exercise can do.

Regards,

Alan OldStudent

[Andy62]

Frank Rudolph Young's publisher was Parker Publishing. Parker Publishing specialized in books with eyecatching titles and unique writing styles using a lot of "buzz words". Most of these books were published during the 1970s which was an era of great change in our society. Young's style is definitely grandiose and flamboyant,but the underlying principles are in my opinion very sound.

[JoeJustice]

Weeeellll... you guys are being too kind! :embarrassed:

Andy62, you make an interesting point. I was looking at some of the titles and covers and they really do look over the top. And a lot of the fonts I've seen are in that kind of 60's/70's era curvy font style and a lot of surrealist/psychedelic style. I guessing with New Age really coming into vogue at the time and FRY's focus being in Yoga and other such "eastern mysticism", he or his publisher was cashing in on the craze. Is that about right?

I'd be interesting to read some of his works but it look like all of his books have long been out of print.

-Joe

[Andy62]

Joe, That is definitely how I would interpret it. A number of his books are still for sale even though out of print at abebooks.com Gordon

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Frank+Rudolph+Young&sts=t&x=75&y=13

[MikeNY]

Rubberbus nice Gym, too bad you didn't patent it and sell the Rubberbus Gym. It looks like a nice peice of equipment.

Joe I agree with Gordon the information is sound, FRY's writting style is outdated, dramatic and fills up enough space for a book.

[chris64]

John,

i thnk "Yoga Secrets" is aboiut the best of the 3 I have read too. How does Somo Psychic Power compare with the others?

I have to agree that his writing style is something else. I must admit I sometime feel like having a look at some of his NLP style books.

I did actually use one of his exercises for some tendinitis on my inner elbow from overdoing pullups last year. The exercise is designed to cure tennis elbow and all you do is sit in a chair with your arms hanging down with the palms facing the floor fingers pointing forward (hands at 90 degrees to the rest of your arms in other words). The rotate your arlms so the fingers are pointing backwards moving through about 180 degrees.. I did 30 reps about 4 or 5 times a day to clear up the problem.