Here's my not-so-dirty secret: I sleep about ten hours a night. You may say, "Well, I don't need that much sleep." You may say, "I can't get that much sleep." But do you know how much sleep you really ... Continue Reading
4 Reasons to Do the StrongFirst Certification
This coming weekend I am going to be part of a large group of people attempting to get a StrongFirst Level II certificate (My fellow BreakingMuscle writer Brandon Hofer will also be there, but with a great ... Continue Reading
Youth Sports: What Separates Talented Athletes From Great Athletes?
With more and more young athletes specializing in one sport year round, coaches certainly seem to have their pick of talented young players participating in their programs. As talented young athletes ... Continue Reading
How the Flat Bench Came to Be
In recent years we have all grown accustomed to a wider and wider range of fitness equipment. This is due to a large market segment interested in such goods combined with the economic power of that market. ... Continue Reading
3 Traps of Modern Day Thinking (and How to Avoid Them in Training)
Some say that as you get older, you get wiser. I’m not entirely convinced. As I get older, I can sense a few shifts of mind-set, for better or for worse: I suffer fools less well. I’m becoming ... Continue Reading
Science Compares Solutions for Low Back Pain
For people with back pain and postural problems, corrective exercise is key. The Lewit, which is an exercise to assist with back pain, was tested recently in a Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ... Continue Reading
Back in the Weight Room (Athlete Journal 16)
This week was full of more ups and downs. On the positive side, I finally got back into the weight room after almost five weeks of not being able to train due to injury. I tried to take it easy and ... Continue Reading
Chakras Demystified: Anahata – The 4th Chakra
The fourth chakra, Anahata, is all heart. It is all about you. Writing your future - your way. Create your life with your heart as the driver. Choose consistently to make decisions that you are ... Continue Reading
Masters Athletes and the Muscle Up Hullabaloo
So, you want to compete at the CrossFit Games? Or at regionals, for that matter? Then you’d better damn well be able to do muscle ups. This last week when the Masters Qualifier workouts were ... Continue Reading
Vitamin D Insufficiency: A Surprising Trend In Athletic Adults
Many athletes are deficient in vitamin D, which is important for bone health and metabolism. However, until a recent study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, a comprehensive assessment ... Continue Reading
Commitment Is An Act (Athlete Journal 17)
"Commitment is an act. Not a word." - Jean Paul Sartre I had a very rough workout yesterday. I was so sore and super tight. I couldn't get my lats to release, despite time spent mobilizing. And as ... Continue Reading
Love at First Bounce: The Benefits of Rebounding
I first heard about rebounding last year while listening to the Extreme Health Radio show. Rebounding is jumping on a trampoline, which I am sure many of us did as kids. I certainly have found memories of ... Continue Reading
How to Diagnose and Treat Endometriosis
Whether or not they are athletes, women face health issues specific to their sex. This series of articles will touch on major aspects of women’s health, beginning with endometriosis. This condition ... Continue Reading
Beyond Babywearing: Mechanical Nutrients for Babies (And Parents)
I used think babies have four basic needs. They need to eat, sleep, and relieve themselves. They also need human companionship and love. But that list overlooks one of the biggest things babies need and ... Continue Reading
Small Saddle Adjustments for Cyclists Make a Big Difference
Obtaining the perfect saddle height on a bike is not just a matter of preference, it can profoundly affect performance as well. It’s also a confounding factor for many beginners. Just how much saddle ... Continue Reading
How Much Training Do You Need?
Grapplers are some of the hardest working athletes around. Some train multiple times a day, work full time, or are in school. Few grapplers are professionals - they don’t get paid to compete and ... Continue Reading
To Clench or Not to Clench (Your Butt), That Is the Question
People are frequently given the cue to intentionally and constantly contract their butts to find better core support or stability.1 That said, let’s first talk about stability and support as it pertains to ... Continue Reading
Science Investigates the Cause of Muscle Cramps
I’d be a wealthy man if I had a nickel for every time I was asked how to prevent muscle cramps. Anyone who’s been woken up by a calf cramp understands why - it’s not a pleasant feeling. In a recent study ... Continue Reading
Tactical Strength Challenge Results (Athlete Journal 6)
This will be the last entry before the StrongFirst Level 2 Certification weekend in Chicago. Next week will be light workouts, low volume with double 20kg, and a few sets with the double 24kg. See you ... Continue Reading
You Are Responsible for What Goes in Your Mouth
How discerning are you when it comes to what you put in your mouth? Do you read all the labels? Do you actually know how your supplements were made? Do you know what makes a protein powder good or bad? ... Continue Reading
Back to My Roots (Athlete Journal Entry 26)
I come to you from my comfy bed on the first day of Easter break! I’m really excited to have a break from school, even it’s just for a few days. It’ll give me a chance to catch up on some work and get ... Continue Reading
Why Do You Do That? A Primer on Motivation and Goal-Setting
The first step in working with a client is to figure out what they want and why they want it. The "what do you want" question usually has a pretty straightforward answer. The second question – why? – can ... Continue Reading
How to Put Meat on Your Quads (Athlete Journal 86)
The story around here lately is that ramping up my training volume, especially on weak areas and without sacrificing intensity, is doing me a lot of good. I’ve definitely put some meat on my quads in ... Continue Reading
The Best Diet for Firefighters and Police
As an emergency responder there is a lot of uncertainty when you clock into your shift. In fact, only one thing is pretty certain - you will get hungry and have to eat. As an emergency ... Continue Reading
