Talking with students daily about Brazilian jiu jitsu has allowed me to look at Brazilian jiu jitsu from a different perspective. I hear students express their frustrations about Brazilian jiu jitsu. I ... Continue Reading
How to Train Like an Olympic Speed Skater (Those Legs!)
If you weren’t impressed by speed skating at the Olympics this year, then you must not have been watching. I know I was impressed, and it led me to want to learn all I could about where that speed (and ... Continue Reading
4 Ways Submission Grapplers Can Apply Wrestling Concepts to Their Practice
Historically, submission grapplers as a group have been reluctant to invest in learning even the rudiments of wrestling, even though it is clear that many of its fundamental principles and concepts could ... Continue Reading
Don’t Be Shy: Grunting Improves Performance in Tennis Players
Grunting in tennis is a well known phenomenon. Its supporters cite it to be a natural expression of force that improves athleticism. However, once grunting gets to an extreme level, like a full-blown ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Brandon Hofer, Entry 2 – 2/23/2014
Welcome to the athlete journal of Brandon Hofer. Brandon is a personal trainer, yoga practitioner, and kettlebell enthusiast. Currently he is preparing for the StrongFirst Level 2 Instructor Certification, ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 98
Every Sunday we post the "Sunday Seven" so you can quickly see the seven most popular articles of the week. This week's most popular posts cover the scapula, holding a freestanding handstand, ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Jess Papi, Entry 21 – 2/22/2014
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of Jess Papi. Jess is a blue belt at Scranton MMA and also pursuing her degree in exercise science. Read her entries every week for insights on competing, ... Continue Reading
2 Mistakes That Can Harm Your Training Efforts and How to Fix Them
My guess is you are motivated, are dedicated, and have good intentions in your training pursuits. That is splendid. However, are you tending to what gets you from point A to point B in a straight line or ... Continue Reading
10 Articles and Videos to Help You Get to Grips with Grip Strength
Grip strength is fundamental to picking things up off the floor. If you can't grip it, you can't lift it. This is why the wiser powerlifters and strongmen pay such attention to strengthening their grip. ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 78 – Kettlebell Work and High Volume Deadlifts
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ever wonder how a world-class coach actually trains? Wonder what it's like to train as a "mature athlete?" Welcome to the athlete journal of Charles Staley. A big believer in practicing what ... Continue Reading
The Future Of Firefighting: What It Could (and Should) Look Like
Here we are, the year is 2030, and fire calls are no longer the same as they were back in the day. You know that saying, "They don't make ‘em like they used to." Well, they were right. Generations ago ... Continue Reading
Fitness Testing for Kids: What Exactly Should We Be Testing For?
Have you ever thought about the way our kids are tested for fitness? Fitness testing usually happens in physical education class where students are on display in front of their classmates, who, of course, ... Continue Reading
How and Why to Use All 3 Planes of Motion to Improve Your Mobility
The body exists on a three-dimensional plane, but so often we stretch in only a one-dimensional way. By incorporating all three planes of movement into your mobility time, you will increase your range of ... Continue Reading
The Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio in Female Runners
It's well known that female athletes need to spend a little extra time working on their hamstring strength compared to their male counterparts. This is because hamstring injury tends to be more frequent in ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Alli Moyer, Entry 13 – 2/20/2014
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of Allison Moyer. Allison is a nationally ranked NPC Figure Athlete, nationally and internationally published fitness model, an avid CrossFit athlete, BSN, ... Continue Reading
4 Ways You Can Fight Back Against the War on Physical Education
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children in the United States who are obese has tripled in the past thirty years.1 This means there are approximately ... Continue Reading
Man Up and Move On: 10 Simple Ways to Get Out of a Training Rut
No two ruts look the same. Your situation is different, and I understand that. But let me break things down for you. I’m willing to bet your training rut falls into one of these three categories: ... Continue Reading
Plyometric Exercises Improve Athleticism in Youth Soccer Players
Plyometrics is a valuable training tool for many athletes. The performing-enhancing effects of plyometric exercises are widely accepted, as is the inclusion of plyos in strength and conditioning programs. ... Continue Reading
12 Articles by Dresdin Archibald – Weightlifter, Accountant, and International Referee
Dresdin Archibald (pictured below) is a 63-year-old accountant from Canada. He started weight training in 1963 at age fourteen, moving over to the Olympic lifts in 1966, and continues training to this day. ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: James Kearns, Entry 7 – 2/19/2014
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of James Kearns. James is an active Brazilian jiu jitsu competitor and also trains and competes in Olympic weightlifting.Follow his journals here every ... Continue Reading
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (Or How to Grow Older Disgracefully)
“Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” - Dylan Thomas I don’t know about any of you, but I do not act my ... Continue Reading
How to Build a Super Solid Kettlebell Snatch (and Avoid the Dreaded Smack)
When it comes to kettlebells, the snatch is often the first lift that many people want to learn. The reason for this isn’t clear to me. Perhaps it is that everyone thinks it is the hardest lift, as it is ... Continue Reading
2 Skills You Need For a Better Vertical Jump
The vertical jump is important for numerous sports applications. Not only is it a physical test of power for nearly every athlete’s strength and conditioning program, but it’s also an important skill ... Continue Reading
How We Can Apply the Olympics to Our Own Training
Olympians are glorified and their success is celebrated worldwide. Their biggest dreams come true, but at what cost were they achieved and what do they do afterwards? And what does it really have to do ... Continue Reading
