The concept of torque is a foundation of human movement and is a core principle in physical therapy, personal training, and weightlifting. All movement generates torque to varying degrees and, in reality, ... Continue Reading
The Best Way to Develop Active Range of Motion
Many sports require extensive flexibility. Most scientific research focuses on using stretching programs to improve passive range of motion. In many sports, however, the active range of motion is at least ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 77 – Wrapping Up Volume Week
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the Athlete Journal of world champion powerlifter Chris Duffin. Follow Chris as he trains and competes in various events over the coming year. Chris's journal will be posted every ... Continue Reading
The Meaning of a Hero WOD and Those Who Must Not Be Forgotten
he·ro - noun 1a: a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities 1b: a person who is greatly admired he·ro - noun 1a: a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine ... Continue Reading
Snatch By Numbers: Why You’re Snatching Too Much and Too Often
It’s human nature to want to be better than everyone else. I’m convinced the reason social media has become so ubiquitous is because of our innate desire to show we’re smarter than everyone else through ... Continue Reading
Is Ultra-Endurance Training Good or Bad for Your Health?
Several months ago I reported on the effects of endurance training on the brain. Under certain conditions it seems as though long-distance endurance sports could be harmful to health. This may be true only ... Continue Reading
9 Insights on Swimming and CrossFit by Hannah Caldas
Hannah Caldas is an international level swimmer with an impressive array of accolades. She has claimed FINA masters world records in three different relays, and in 2011 was ranked by FINA as the fastest ... Continue Reading
Coach, I Can’t Do Pull Ups: 7 Tips to Get You There
Pull ups are a basic movement in CrossFit, yet in and of themselves they are an intermediate gymnastic movement. Starting out pulling your bodyweight can seem like an insurmountable task. Don’t fall ... Continue Reading
The Truth About Steroid Use in CrossFit: Don’t Ever Assume
I have been hearing a lot about how there is steroid use in CrossFit. I will not say I can tell if someone is using steroids, nor will I talk ill about the blogs I have read, but all I can truthfully say ... Continue Reading
Deeper Squats Win Again
If you want to sprint fast or jump high, you should probably hit a heavy barbell lift right before you start. This effect is called post-activation potentiation (PAP) and the evidence for it continues to ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Terry Hadlow, Entry 5 – 11/18/2013
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of Terry Hadlow. Terry got started in Olympic weightlifting in 1970 and is the only Canadian to have competed in senior nationals in five different decades ... Continue Reading
Why Fighting Is Like Chess, and Both Are Like Life
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know ... Continue Reading
The Jigsaw Puzzle of Recovery
It’s Tuesday morning. You wake up for work at your normal time. But something is off. You just don’t feel right. You manage to make it to work, but it’s one of those days that you just feel wrong. Your ... Continue Reading
An Analysis of Cardiovascular Response in Water and on Land
Many athletes wonder which method of cardio is most effective. It's a difficult question to answer because some variables aren’t easily quantified in a scientific setting, such as which exercise an athlete ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 85
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 CrossFit criticism, nutritional strategies for Thanksgiving, ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Jess Papi, Entry 7 – 11/16/2013
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
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 66 – Short Week
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
About Us
Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness ... Continue Reading
Workouts to Prepare You for the Police Department Physical Ability Test
In my last article, I talked about what it will take for aspiring police officers to pass the Physical Qualification Test (PQT) or the Physical Ability Test (PAT). You will train for the test once you’ve ... Continue Reading
Science Compares Hill Running to Level-Grade
There’s a steep hill near my house that accounts for a portion of my usual running loop. It’s also a part of our local marathon, and a spot you see many runners doing trips up and down for their intense ... Continue Reading
8 Natural Ways to Fuel Your Energy Level Through the Day
Put down the energy drink or whatever else you’re using to get yourself through your workouts and your day. Here are eight natural - and healthy - ways to boost your energy level: Put down ... Continue Reading
The Fundamental Aspects of the Dip: Perfecting Your Jerk
The dip in the jerk seems straightforward enough (straight down, actually). Just bend your knees, and once bent straighten them vigorously. Sounds pretty simple, right? Yes, it does sound simple, but like ... Continue Reading
My CrossFit Cherry Busted: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of CrossFit Competition
It’s hard not to draw some comparisons between going to a CrossFit competition and a rave. Pay to get in, see a bunch of girls with great bodies dressed like whores on Halloween, and see rampant and ... Continue Reading
The Sumo Deadlift: Is It For You?
Have you deadlifted using a sumo stance before? I don’t mean just played with it once a bit during your warm up. I mean, used it, tweaked it, and tested it for a number of months, at least. Let’s ... Continue Reading
