Advice for my nephew:

[The Red Dragon]

And tell him that girls go for strong/huge guys since they're in a better position to protect them (more security). An example being taller men getting more chicks than shorter guys. Not only that, but being huge can also instill fear in others gaining more respect and more compliance from others. Plus brute raw strength will carry into sports, harder swings, faster running, longer range and speed on throws etc.

 

[guldukat]

And tell him that girls go for strong/huge guys since they're in a better position to protect them (more security). An example being taller men getting more chicks than shorter guys. Not only that, but being huge can also instill fear in others gaining more respect and more compliance from others. Plus brute raw strength will carry into sports, harder swings, faster running, longer range and speed on throws etc.

I might take exception to the "girls go for the huge guys for security" bit, w/ respects Red.

In my experience, this is rarely true. I was the most muscular guy at my high school, but that alone didn't attract squat. Since only a handful of guys actually even lifted seriously, it actually set me apart as odd. (This was only 8-10 years ago...what can I say? Small school.)

I don't think women are out to be protected by someone who can physically do so. If a few are, that's still too shaky a generalization to repeat to an impressionable youngster.

I'd say most women appreciate a guy that carries himself with some confidence, who gaves the illusion of being able to take care of himself or those he cares about, though not necessarily with actual strength. I've seen this play out thousands of times before...the introverted, quiet guy with huge arms has fewer intimate relationships than the outgoing, very talkative scrawny dude.

I'd stick strictly to truthful things with the nephew and keep it extremely straight-forward. I'd also tell him, LISTEN TO YOUR AUNT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!!

 

[SofaGeorge]

Spatts, if I was your 15 year old nephew - I'd listen to you.

Write him a split and take him in to train with Hannibal and the rest of your wrecking crew.

While there - pull a couple deads for him.

The kid will think his aunt is some kind of god.

 

[gettinlarger]

Spatts, if I was your 15 year old nephew - I'd listen to you.

Write him a split and take him in to train with Hannibal and the rest of your wrecking crew.

While there - pull a couple deads for him.

The kid will think his aunt is some kind of god.

"Goddess."

I think the best advice anyone can give the kid is ... listen to spatts.

 

[Lee]

Why not just support him in what he wants to do and do everything you can to help? Maybe he'll get the desire to grow after he sees some gains. I know once I started seeing gains I got addicted to lifting. Just let him start out slow with some simple stuff, then as he progresses teach him more and more.

 

[spatts]

Perhaps I didn't clarify, but he's been lifting for a while on his own **VERY SERIOUSLY*** like for hours a day...and he is seeing gains. No one's pushing anything. He's spending 8-10 hours a week in the gym, when 4-5 would be more productive. He's probably going to see gains, but he's also a pitcher and trains with the ball team everyday. He's likely to injure himself if he keeps up this more-is-better mentality.

If anything, he's pushing HIMSELF too hard.

 

[Lee]

then tell him to back off a tad and he'll get the results he wants faster. but then again, its very hard for someone his age to overtrain.

 

[spatts]

Right, I'm not as concerned with the overtraining aspect as I am injury prevention. You have to understand our family. Most of the boys are athletes...and not just the college level. My brother bought an old Bally's Health Club and turned it into a baseball training facility for youth, and created a league. Both of this nephew's older brothers are on full rides for baseball at their universities, and one passed up the majors to go to college for 2 years first. He will probably take his option as a junior. He was the number one ranked high school pitcher in the country 2 years ago, at 18 years of age, 6'4", 220 pounds and a southpaw pitching in the 90's. His brother, about the same, only right handed. Now the 3rd brother, the one this thread is about, is following in their footsteps and is hoping to be, and rumored to be, even better than his brothers. These kids are dedicated and play for the love of the game, but also understand skill, weight training, speed, supplementation, etc...

My concern is that if he's down in that gym benching high and wide for rep after rep....and going heavy....what's that going to do to his elbow? And how will that effect his pitch? My brother is just now letting him start to throw curves now and then, and I don't want to see him on the disabled list just because no one stepped up and told him that a simple form/split change would've been better.

...really, I just want lifetime tix to his games.

 

[gettinlarger]

He's a pitcher, and I'm sure he's heard this before from coaches, etc, but make sure you have him understand that he'll need to work his rotator cuffs to prevent injury. Especially with lifting heavy.

 

[spatts]

EXACTLY! Another reason I don't want him downstairs doing stupid stuff to tear up his shoulders for a couple hours a day. Thanks, gettinlarger.