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Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength and Development
- GenresFitnessSportsNonfiction
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 29, 2012
Dinosaur Training purports to describe strength training from the age of the "dinosaurs." ie, training from the dawn of modern weightlifting, the late 19th century, up until about the 1950s or so.
It's not a bad read. It fired me up when I first read it maybe 8 years ago. Kubik is overly dramatic, with LOTS of UNNECESSARY CAPITAL LETTERS, over the top descriptions of how difficult his sets are (a single barbell curl isn't going to take much out of you, I don't care how much weight is on the bar), and an unfortunate tendency to denigrate bodybuilders, steroid users, and in general anyone he disagrees with. But, still, even that can get you inspired; it's fun to get angry at the pumper/toners training at the chrome and fern gyms, to use Kubik's terminology.
Dinosaur Training is actually kind of a classic within a small community. But there are a bunch of issues surrounding it. For starters, the training Kubik describes doesn't really resemble that of the turn of the century lifters he is so excited about. He focuses on lifts, like the squat and the bench press, that didn't become widely used until later. Also, Kubik appears to not have actually began training as he describes until he began writing the book or shortly before. He decries bench specialists but by his own description seems to have been a bench specialist himself.
The strangest thing, though, is that a couple years ago Kubik swore off barbells altogether. He announced on his web site that lifting weights was damaging his body, in particular his shoulder, and that he was now selling a course in bodyweight strength training for the outrageous price of $200. He started using annoying marketing techniques that appeared to be copied from his pal Matt Furey.
And then, just recently, all that disappeared. There is now no mention on his web site of him abandoning weights or his bodyweight course or any of that. Now it's all discussion of the original Dinosaur Training book.
All in all, I don't really recommend Dinosaur Training. Some of the training recommendations are just not smart. He seems to be a big fan of just warming up and then hitting a top single in each session for each lift. I've never heard of anyone using this strategy successfully. In fact, from what I understand, Kubik himself didn't train like that for long.
It's not a bad read. It fired me up when I first read it maybe 8 years ago. Kubik is overly dramatic, with LOTS of UNNECESSARY CAPITAL LETTERS, over the top descriptions of how difficult his sets are (a single barbell curl isn't going to take much out of you, I don't care how much weight is on the bar), and an unfortunate tendency to denigrate bodybuilders, steroid users, and in general anyone he disagrees with. But, still, even that can get you inspired; it's fun to get angry at the pumper/toners training at the chrome and fern gyms, to use Kubik's terminology.
Dinosaur Training is actually kind of a classic within a small community. But there are a bunch of issues surrounding it. For starters, the training Kubik describes doesn't really resemble that of the turn of the century lifters he is so excited about. He focuses on lifts, like the squat and the bench press, that didn't become widely used until later. Also, Kubik appears to not have actually began training as he describes until he began writing the book or shortly before. He decries bench specialists but by his own description seems to have been a bench specialist himself.
The strangest thing, though, is that a couple years ago Kubik swore off barbells altogether. He announced on his web site that lifting weights was damaging his body, in particular his shoulder, and that he was now selling a course in bodyweight strength training for the outrageous price of $200. He started using annoying marketing techniques that appeared to be copied from his pal Matt Furey.
And then, just recently, all that disappeared. There is now no mention on his web site of him abandoning weights or his bodyweight course or any of that. Now it's all discussion of the original Dinosaur Training book.
All in all, I don't really recommend Dinosaur Training. Some of the training recommendations are just not smart. He seems to be a big fan of just warming up and then hitting a top single in each session for each lift. I've never heard of anyone using this strategy successfully. In fact, from what I understand, Kubik himself didn't train like that for long.
November 23, 2023
Well sir, let me start out by saying that thanks to a combination of "corporate synergy", a fertile dinosaur fossil discovery in Mongolia and the black market underground Stem Cell Research industry in North Korea it is now possible to buy real live dinosaurs from Nordstrom's or Eddie Bauer(catalogue only).
Let me also say that the next generation of pet dinosaurs should be engineered mute and house-broken! I bought several for my son, young Throckmorton, and WHAT A MESS! They are constantly flaring their skin sacks and spewing venom at each other with no regard for the daily routine of our household. And if you expect your champion shih-tzu show dog to last more than a few seconds before disappearing down the maw of a hungry dilophosaurus you'd better board her in a reputable kennel. These modern dinosaurs have absolutely no respect for breeding or status!
So when I saw this book, Dinosaur Training, I thought my problems were solved. "Finally", I said to myself, "a dinosaur book I can use." I could give this book to my dogs' personal trainer, Carlotta Vandenhosen, and she could whip these cold-blooded reprobates into proper shape. Or so I thought.
As it turns out this is a weight-lifting book. Apparently there is a boom in the piano moving industry which necessitates the training of great masses of sweaty, neck less men. Well sir, I was put off to say the least.
Whether or not this book demonstrates a valid method of "weight-training" I cannot say. All I know is that there are stegosaurs eating my prize winning azaleas, pachycephalosaurs nesting in the upstairs linen closet and a pair of mated archaeopteryx interfering with my Dish signal. Hmm, I wonder if a Tyrannosaur would keep them all in line....
Let me also say that the next generation of pet dinosaurs should be engineered mute and house-broken! I bought several for my son, young Throckmorton, and WHAT A MESS! They are constantly flaring their skin sacks and spewing venom at each other with no regard for the daily routine of our household. And if you expect your champion shih-tzu show dog to last more than a few seconds before disappearing down the maw of a hungry dilophosaurus you'd better board her in a reputable kennel. These modern dinosaurs have absolutely no respect for breeding or status!
So when I saw this book, Dinosaur Training, I thought my problems were solved. "Finally", I said to myself, "a dinosaur book I can use." I could give this book to my dogs' personal trainer, Carlotta Vandenhosen, and she could whip these cold-blooded reprobates into proper shape. Or so I thought.
As it turns out this is a weight-lifting book. Apparently there is a boom in the piano moving industry which necessitates the training of great masses of sweaty, neck less men. Well sir, I was put off to say the least.
Whether or not this book demonstrates a valid method of "weight-training" I cannot say. All I know is that there are stegosaurs eating my prize winning azaleas, pachycephalosaurs nesting in the upstairs linen closet and a pair of mated archaeopteryx interfering with my Dish signal. Hmm, I wonder if a Tyrannosaur would keep them all in line....
April 12, 2013
Awful. Constant contradictions and an author who's really far too upset about the use of steroids. Here's the short version:
5 heavy curls (total reps) per week with a 3" bar = guaranteed 22" arms
Don't train very often
Do lots of squats and deadlifts with your 10RM
Cry about people using steroids
Done deal.
5 heavy curls (total reps) per week with a 3" bar = guaranteed 22" arms
Don't train very often
Do lots of squats and deadlifts with your 10RM
Cry about people using steroids
Done deal.
November 11, 2017
This is most hilarious book I️ have ever read. I️ learned almost nothing but enjoyed every page.
December 8, 2019
I do not share the fascination with old programs or athletes. In terms of practical advice and how it's presented, I felt that Brawn series was better (although basically the same information).
January 23, 2021
Really fun book, not all that informative but I read it after recovering from an injury and it inspired me to really take my physical health seriously. 5/5, Kubik seems like a great guy to hang with
February 3, 2025
I absolutely love the message of this book. Train like you mean it and it will count more than 1 year of puny reps and mirror showboating. Also some great advise on compound exercises that target muscles you've never felt before. Lost gems and lessons on REAL strength from past powerful who would crush the pumping steroid wussies that run today's Mr. Olympiads
January 6, 2018
Absolute gold.
"Dinosaur training involves several inter-related principles. Fundamentally, it is a system of strength training. STRENGTH IS EVERYTHING IN DINOSAUR TRAINING."
Elements:
(Of old school strength training)
1. Hard work
2. Compound, basic exercises
3. Abbreviated training
4. Heavy poundages
5. Progression
6. The proper set/rep scheme
7. Thick handled barbells
8. Grip work
9. Heavy, awkward objects
10. Rack work
11. Concentration
12. Mental toughness
• Weight training works! It works for any able-bodied person
• "The first and most important element of dinosaur training is HARD WORK. Nothing you read in this or any other book is going to do you a bit of good unless you have the courage, determination and tenacity to train HARD. You can go to the very best gym in the world, use the best equipment available, have the most enthusiastic and supporting of training partners, hire the worlds foremost training authority as your personal trainer, follow the most perfect diet ever designed, take all of the leading supplements, and use the best training program ever devised - and it won't do anything for you unless you train HARD. Conversely, you can train in your basement or garage - or train outside - with nothing more than a couple of heavy sandbags or a heavy barrel to lift, and make enormous progress - IF YOU TRAIN HARD." /BK p.17
• "The eleventh essential element of dinosaur training is the regular use of deep, almost hypnotic focus when training. A dinosaur knows that his single greatest asset is the power of his mind. And he also knows that the power of the mind can only be channeled when a lifter trains in a state of total concentration.
• The twelfth essential element of dinosaur training is mental toughness. This element encompasses many critical attributes: desire, determination, perseverance, grit, courage and tenacity.
"Dinosaur training involves several inter-related principles. Fundamentally, it is a system of strength training. STRENGTH IS EVERYTHING IN DINOSAUR TRAINING."
Elements:
(Of old school strength training)
1. Hard work
2. Compound, basic exercises
3. Abbreviated training
4. Heavy poundages
5. Progression
6. The proper set/rep scheme
7. Thick handled barbells
8. Grip work
9. Heavy, awkward objects
10. Rack work
11. Concentration
12. Mental toughness
• Weight training works! It works for any able-bodied person
• "The first and most important element of dinosaur training is HARD WORK. Nothing you read in this or any other book is going to do you a bit of good unless you have the courage, determination and tenacity to train HARD. You can go to the very best gym in the world, use the best equipment available, have the most enthusiastic and supporting of training partners, hire the worlds foremost training authority as your personal trainer, follow the most perfect diet ever designed, take all of the leading supplements, and use the best training program ever devised - and it won't do anything for you unless you train HARD. Conversely, you can train in your basement or garage - or train outside - with nothing more than a couple of heavy sandbags or a heavy barrel to lift, and make enormous progress - IF YOU TRAIN HARD." /BK p.17
• "The eleventh essential element of dinosaur training is the regular use of deep, almost hypnotic focus when training. A dinosaur knows that his single greatest asset is the power of his mind. And he also knows that the power of the mind can only be channeled when a lifter trains in a state of total concentration.
• The twelfth essential element of dinosaur training is mental toughness. This element encompasses many critical attributes: desire, determination, perseverance, grit, courage and tenacity.
January 6, 2017
Фитнесът и бодибилдингът владеят спортните зали и стотици хиляди млади и не чак толкова млади напъват уреди, скрипци и дъмбелчета с надеждата да "тонизират", да "стегнат", да "напомпат", да "раздвижат" според сложни, дълги програми с много най-различни упражнения и още повече серии и повторения. Резултатите им са в най-добрия случай забележими, но в никакъв случай не са забележителни. У нас повечето се обръщат към стероидите като универсален "помощник".
Това, което тия амбицирани трениращи са пропуснали да забележат, главно защото не го пише нито по сайтове, нито по списания, нито по книги, от тия които се пишат и издават напоследък, е как да станеш яко, силно животно като Дан Колов примерно. Щото честно да си кажем, някак не го виждам юначният ни борец/кечист да се лензи на скрипеца, а по-скоро е премятал големи, масивни железа, докато му окапят ръцете от умора, а след това - отново.
И всъщност това е начинът на Брукс Кубрик (многократен шампион по всякакви силови спортове, а по професия - адвокат) да се върне към корените на тренировките с тежести - преди креатина, протеина, елкарнитина, преди дианабола и анавара, преди пек-дек машината и трицепс-скрипеца.
Книгата дава една нова гледна точка към силовите тренировки, базиран на опита и книгите на силовите атлети от началото до средата на 20в. които не са чупили стойки, но пък са вдигали гигантски тежести и са имали мъжки тела.
Това, което тия амбицирани трениращи са пропуснали да забележат, главно защото не го пише нито по сайтове, нито по списания, нито по книги, от тия които се пишат и издават напоследък, е как да станеш яко, силно животно като Дан Колов примерно. Щото честно да си кажем, някак не го виждам юначният ни борец/кечист да се лензи на скрипеца, а по-скоро е премятал големи, масивни железа, докато му окапят ръцете от умора, а след това - отново.
И всъщност това е начинът на Брукс Кубрик (многократен шампион по всякакви силови спортове, а по професия - адвокат) да се върне към корените на тренировките с тежести - преди креатина, протеина, елкарнитина, преди дианабола и анавара, преди пек-дек машината и трицепс-скрипеца.
Книгата дава една нова гледна точка към силовите тренировки, базиран на опита и книгите на силовите атлети от началото до средата на 20в. които не са чупили стойки, но пък са вдигали гигантски тежести и са имали мъжки тела.
July 9, 2009
As a life long Power Lifter, I can say that this is the FINEST book ever written on strength training! I happen to know Brooks, and am most impressed with the amount of information he placed in this book. If you are a "Chrome and Fern" Health Club lifter, and love to wear color coordinated spandex work-out gear, then this book is NOT for you! BUT...If you want to achieve massive strength, and be able to break all personal records, then become a Dinosaur!
Semper Fidelis,
Pat Dugan USMC (Ret.)
Semper Fidelis,
Pat Dugan USMC (Ret.)
August 14, 2011
Mr. Kubik has a VERY enthusiastic and blunt style, absolutely no quarter is given to the fitness center crowd. This is a very motivational book for the average trainee and has some great routines to boot. However, sometimes the more advanced routines lack balance (pushing heavy) and even though the old timers might have done something (floor presses) that doesn't always necessarily mean it was better. All in all a great read for those looking to be garage weight lifters, motivational and helpful.
February 8, 2017
Great book for serious lifters. The author, Brooks Kubik is a former competitive power lifter who trains in his basement & his garage. He describes strength building techniques that are useful and easy to understand. I loved this book & highly recommend it for anyone attempting to gain strength and power.
July 10, 2012
Reread it ! This book, which so perfectly aligns with my philosophy of strength training , makes for a perfect companion when the chips are down or you just need to remember why you`re training in the first place .
October 8, 2012
A must read for any serious weightlifter. Even if your approach to training differs from Brooks you will enjoy the stories and references to the "chrome and fern". If your goal is to lift as much weight as possible, then the book will provide some sure fire tips to achieve that end.
February 8, 2017
This is a great book for any athlete or weightlifting lover. This book gave me a good insight on old school training. I learned a lot on the views of different strongmen in the past. I would recommend this book to anyone who truly wants to train old school like a dinosaur.
February 3, 2017
Required reading for any man interested in developing Superhuman levels of strength. Will definitely be impacting the way I train. Read it!
August 12, 2008
A classic old-school strength training text, written in a take-no-prisoners style. Absolutely righteous.
January 30, 2009
This book is not about the prose, which isn't great. But it is about an alternative form of strength training that is fun and challenging.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews