PROMO: "Train with an Animal"

[J-Dawg]

Back by popular demand, this is going down again this year, 2014. One of the most popular events every year.

The event will be held at Metro Fitness in Columbus at the National ABC event on Saturday, March 1st @ 7pm.


In order to participate, you must be signed up and have a ticket for The National ABC Event (details here: http://forum.animalpak.com/showthrea...et-Link-Inside )

If you want to train with any one of the Animals, post here, tell us who you choose and why. The better your response, the better your chance of being chosen. We've signed a bunch of elite powerlifters as of late, so take advantage of a chance to pick their brain and increase your own PRs.

ATHLETES & STAFF
- Andrey Malanichev - KenMcQueen
- Dan "BOSS" Green
- Frank "Wrath" McGrath
- Brandon Lilly - Lil Foxy
- Richard Hawthorne (The Ant) - smoothballer
- Garrett Griffin (GUNZ) - knotahumanbeing
- Brent Willis (brentwillbgw) - freighttraindane
- Al Fortney (BigAl)
- Ben Seath (SEATH308) - mulisha
- Grant Higa (HIGA MONSTER) - Trebin
- Patrick Raquet (P Diesel)
- Jeremy Hoornstra (J-HO) - Phil800101
- Jay Nera (Jay Nera)
- Kade Weber (Pale Rider)
- Tom "Rage" Fuller
- Ibn Mahama (ibnmahama)
- Jordan Wong (J Wong)
- Anthony Serafin (Enforcer)



Bodybuilders, powerlifters, strongman. Whatever your pleasure. The Animal Crew will pick the best entries.

WINNERS to be announced on TUESDAY, Feb, 25th!

[smoothballer]

Richard Hawthorne

I would love an opportunity to train and learn from Richard "The Ant" Hawthorne. I have been dealing with nagging lower back injuries for the past few years. Well, I finally pinpointed the problem (Facet Joint Syndrome) and am working with an Physical Therapist that actually knows what he is doing. His recommendation start deadlifting again...yesssss. So I am starting from the ground up and started with Richard's instructional video and after changing my form I immediately started to see where I was going wrong for so long. I had minimal leg drive, over extension, and butt flying up. So I would love to have the opportunity to learn from the master himself so I can continue to do what I love doing which is lifting heavy things for a very long time. Deadlift is by far my favorite lift. I am truly impressed by his core control and body mechanics in order to be able to pull like he does and I cannot think of a more amazing opportunity than to train with Richard.

Thanks for the consideration.

[Kowboy]

I am really struggling with my squats and getting back to form after losing 70lbs. Since Dan breaks every record that is known to man I would love a chance to train with him and pick his brain on my form and setup. Doing CrossFit I need a big squat and that is something I am lacking right now. I have trained deadlifts at the last 2 Arnolds and learned a lot but this year it needs to be the squat. I hope you consider this Dan and it would be an honor to train with you.

[Razor]

Man look at that lineup!!

[Kowboy]

Man look at that lineup!!

One day our name will be up there...but yeah that is a pretty badass lineup. Best of the best for sure.

[knotahumanbeing]

Couldn't have been a harder decision of which athlete I'd love to have the possibility to work with. However, I would like the opportunity to worth with Garrett, I've had the opportunity to learn from Brandon and several others on my deadlift and my squat. The last key component is my bench that I really need help with, and would be honored to pick the brain of one the elite bench specialist in the sport. As all of the Journey to Capo chapter's were, Garrett's chapter was a really inspiring from not just the training aspect, but his down to earth, homegrown character. Simply from watching his YouTube video's and IG post, I started shifting how I set up my bench in training sessions and meets to try and help the little areas of my bench. It would be an incredible opportunity to help propel my weakest link to the next level by working with Garrett.

Stay Hungry
Rob

[Razor]

Couldn't have been a harder decision of which athlete I'd love to have the possibility to work with. However, I would like the opportunity to worth with Garrett, I've had the opportunity to learn from Brandon and several others on my deadlift and my squat. The last key component is my bench that I really need help with, and would be honored to pick the brain of one the elite bench specialist in the sport. As all of the Journey to Capo chapter's were, Garrett's chapter was a really inspiring from not just the training aspect, but his down to earth, homegrown character. Simply from watching his YouTube video's and IG post, I started shifting how I set up my bench in training sessions and meets to try and help the little areas of my bench. It would be an incredible opportunity to help propel my weakest link to the next level by working with Garrett.

Stay Hungry
Rob

Sick post Rob and even sicker choice!

[Kowboy]

Couldn't have been a harder decision of which athlete I'd love to have the possibility to work with. However, I would like the opportunity to worth with Garrett, I've had the opportunity to learn from Brandon and several others on my deadlift and my squat. The last key component is my bench that I really need help with, and would be honored to pick the brain of one the elite bench specialist in the sport. As all of the Journey to Capo chapter's were, Garrett's chapter was a really inspiring from not just the training aspect, but his down to earth, homegrown character. Simply from watching his YouTube video's and IG post, I started shifting how I set up my bench in training sessions and meets to try and help the little areas of my bench. It would be an incredible opportunity to help propel my weakest link to the next level by working with Garrett.

Stay Hungry
Rob

I think that is perfect man, I now you have been frustrated with your bench and Gunz can def fix that shit man.

[knotahumanbeing]

I think that is perfect man, I now you have been frustrated with your bench and Gunz can def fix that shit man.

That's what I'm hoping for..any and all help I can get!

Sick post Rob and even sicker choice!

Thanks brother!

[Phil800101]

I'm throwing my hat into the ring for the opportunity to train with and learn from Jeremy Hoornstra to help me with my bench press.

Without a doubt, the bench press is my weakest lift. I'm 5'11", but have short legs and relatively long arms, so physically this puts me at a natural advantage for the squat/deadlift while giving me a disadvantage when it comes to my bench. Besides that, with my body type I struggle to find a comfortable form where I can utilize leg drive and get a good arch. On top of all that, I train alone, so I'm unable to get feedback on my form and what not. Of course I can't discount the fact that I am weaker in my upper body overall, and that I need to lose body fat and get stronger.

I finally competed in my first powerlifting meet back in the summer, totalling 1207 (430/275/502) at 275. Right now in my training I'm focusing on dropping body fat while minimizing strength loss, but I am looking to get back on the platform again this summer, (possibly in the 242 class depending on how my weight loss and training goes). My goal for my next meet is to total 1250+ with at least a 300 pound bench press. I've never hit 300, even in the gym, and it is a monkey that has been on my back for awhile.

J-Ho is one of the best raw benchers in the world. Given his accomplishments and experience in the world of powerlifting, I know that he will be able to help me with my form and get me on the path to breaking through that 300 pound barrier and beyond. I've been following Jeremy since before he signed with Animal the first time back in 2008 (I even have the 242 Raw DVD), so as a fan it would be cool to train with him. And finally on a personal level, Jeremy Hoornstra is someone I respect and admire. Obviously it takes a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to be among the best of the best in powerlifting...J-Ho has managed to do that while balancing a full-time job (as a firefighter/EMT no less!) and a family, no easy feat to say the least.

It would be an honor and a privilege to train with Jeremy Hoornstra, not to mention the opportunity of a lifetime. Good luck to everyone who enters, and thank you for your consideration.

[brunos400ex]

I know I don't have many posts but I have been on Animalpak for awhile just reading and learning not posting very much.

Anyways I would love to get the opportunity to train with Frank McGrath. After reading the journey on here and watching the Wrath returns video on youtube it shows how much of a badass and strong person he is. I've met and gotten pictures with him the past two years at the Arnold and both times he's been super cool and takes the time to talk to his fans. Getting the opportunity to train with him would definitely teach me some new tips and take my training to the next level. One of the my biggest body parts I struggle with is my arms so it would be great to get some new insight on arm training from him. I guess it also helps that he is also one of my favorite bodybuilders along with Antoine and Evan haha. I hope you consider choosing me Frank as it would be an awesome experience I would never forget!

[mulisha]

I would really like a chance to train with Ben.they way he has came from a vary strong powerliftingback ground and now bb.is vary inspiring to me I no that their is so much I can learn

[Firefist]

Couldn't have been a harder decision of which athlete I'd love to have the possibility to work with. However, I would like the opportunity to worth with Garrett, I've had the opportunity to learn from Brandon and several others on my deadlift and my squat. The last key component is my bench that I really need help with, and would be honored to pick the brain of one the elite bench specialist in the sport. As all of the Journey to Capo chapter's were, Garrett's chapter was a really inspiring from not just the training aspect, but his down to earth, homegrown character. Simply from watching his YouTube video's and IG post, I started shifting how I set up my bench in training sessions and meets to try and help the little areas of my bench. It would be an incredible opportunity to help propel my weakest link to the next level by working with Garrett.

Stay Hungry
Rob

Sick post Rob and even sicker choice!

I think that is perfect man, I now you have been frustrated with your bench and Gunz can def fix that shit man.

I got to train with him last year. An awesome guy. Learned alot as well.

[Zechy68]

Obviously with the group of guys above its not an easy choice, however it was a choice that I had already made before I even saw the list. When I competed in my first competition he happened to be there as a spectator, and at the time I had no idea who he was because I really didn't know much about powerlifting at the time. I was having a pretty rough day as far as the competition was concerned and my nerves were really kicking in, but after I hit my opening deadlift P Diesel came up to me and complimented my form and helped me plan out my last two attempts. It may not seem like a lot, but to a 19yo competing for the first time it really meant a lot to have someone who is a professional complement me on something I was doing well. I learned a lot from him in the 5-10 minutes that I talked to him, and it made a big impression on how I now personally approach powerlifting. I figure if I learned so much in 10 mins, there is so much I could learn from him in an extended time period. Hence the reason's stated above are why I choose P Diesel! Thanks guys!

[Segansational]

Nice! Definitely subbing to get my entry in later.

[H.Redman]

It would be amazing to train with any of these guys. I think anyone that appreciates the lifestyle would benefit from this tremendously. That being said, I would like the opportunity to train with Frank “Wrath”. I personally have only met him twice at that Arnold Classic and that was just for a few seconds for a signature. Seemed like a super nice, and humble, guy. I really admire his determination to continue what he does even after a huge set back with the car accident. I think it is safe to say that everyone in their lives has had setbacks. It is all in how we deal with them and how we push forward, that makes us who we are; what defines our character. I have had my own setbacks whether it was surgeries, personal issues, or other vices, but have been able to move forward and continue to work on becoming an overall better person. I look at guys like Frank, guys that have been through these types of things, and are back and better than they were before. That’s something I admire.

And on a completely different tangent, he has the some crazy arms. The guys’ arms are massive. Arms are something that I would like to drastically improve on and definitely could benefit from getting some pointers from him.

Thanks for the consideration. See everyone in the CAGE next week!!!

Heath

[freighttraindane]

I would like to put in my application to train deads with Brent Willis. It seems like to me, even though I typically pull sumo and he pulls conventional, that there would be no better person to learn from than Brent. This dude's speed of the floor is second to none. I need to work on my deadlift form and intesity that I pull with. My deadlift is polar opposite of Brent's, meaning that mine is slow and methodical and his is fast and violent. I would like the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business.

[Kowboy]

I would like to put in my application to train deads with Brent Willis. It seems like to me, even though I typically pull sumo and he pulls conventional, that there would be no better person to learn from than Brent. This dude's speed of the floor is second to none. I need to work on my deadlift form and intesity that I pull with. My deadlift is polar opposite of Brent's, meaning that mine is slow and methodical and his is fast and violent. I would like the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business.

I chose Dan Green on squats for the same reason, my pull is pretty decent but 200lbs under my squat.

[Segansational]

Great list of athletes. Honestly would be a great experience to get to lift and learn from any of these guys.

That said, I'd like to train with Frank McGrath (Wrath). Here's why:

1) He's the original Animal. Nuff said.
2) He's a bodybuilder. This is the category of athlete I would most like to work with overall, as my lifting interests have been driven primarily by the aesthetics of bodybuilding. I'd love to hear not only about his training style, but diet considerations both during a bulk and on a cut when prepping for a competition. I hope to one day compete, but I know I have a long ways to go before I make that dream a reality. But I know I would be inspired by this and learn a whole lot. Basically, I'd just like to pick his brain and absorb as much info as possible.
3) He's freaky big/strong. Vascularity is off the charts. Last ABC, I saw him training with one of the other dudes and honestly, half the room stopped to watch while he did his lifts. Me included.

Thanks for the opportunity and good luck all!

[brentwillisbgw]

I would like to put in my application to train deads with Brent Willis. It seems like to me, even though I typically pull sumo and he pulls conventional, that there would be no better person to learn from than Brent. This dude's speed of the floor is second to none. I need to work on my deadlift form and intesity that I pull with. My deadlift is polar opposite of Brent's, meaning that mine is slow and methodical and his is fast and violent. I would like the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business.

Let's deadlift!