I’m currently preparing for my third-degree black belt in aikido. I was discussing an article about test preparation with Becca, the managing editor here at Breaking Muscle, when she noted that a lot of ... Continue Reading
It’s Never About Rhabdo – It’s About CrossFit Hate
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo I owe my brother, Chris, an apology. He ordered a DVD workout series called Les Mills’ Pump and posted on Facebook that he was anxious to get started. ... Continue Reading
Single Kettlebell Ballistic Complexes: How to Save Your Shoulders and Still Work Overhead
In gym folklore not much surpasses the bench press. From Monday being International Bench and Curl Day to the constant “How much d’ya bench, bro?” question, the bench press is deeply rooted in our fitness ... Continue Reading
Mobility: It’s All In the Hips – Or Is It?
Flexibility is one of the foundational aspects of fitness and performance. It belongs in the upper echelon of fitness variables along with strength, endurance, and speed. But out of each of those, ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 70 – Consistent Practice
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
Military Special Operations: Do You Have the Mental Fortitude to Make It?
Before I begin, if you haven’t already figured it out, no, I am not in special operations. How do I know about special operations? Well, I am a trainer and programmer for operators and those who are trying ... Continue Reading
3 Reasons to Lift Weights During Pregnancy
A recent photo posted on the CrossFit Facebook page generated a storm of debate about weightlifting during pregnancy. I was surprised at the negative response this woman received. A lot of the article ... Continue Reading
Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations: Mind Training Strategies From Gym Jones
At Gym Jones the most important aspect of our overall training philosophy is that the mind is primary. While incredible changes may occur in a person's body, we are most concerned with the changes that ... Continue Reading
Ice Bath Better than Contrast Bath for Recovery
Long ago, deep in the bowels of the Soviet Union, senior weightlifters would often tease their younger counterparts. When a young weightlifter missed a lift, he was required to run outside and jump in the ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Andrew Read – Triathlon Journal, Entry 4
Click here to read other journal entries and articles by Andrew Read, and look for his new journals as he trains for not one but TWO back-to-back Spartan Races - the Spartan Beast and the Spartan Ultra ... Continue Reading
Get Up That Wall! Mastering the Parkour Climb-Up
Strict chest to bar pull-ups? You can crank those out without batting an eye. Dead-hang muscle-ups? You’ve got those, no problem. What comes next? What other upper-body dominant movements are there to ... Continue Reading
A Call to Action: If Obesity Is Contagious, Maybe Fitness Is Too?
In 2007 a highly publicized study concluded that obesity is contagious. That study suggested that those who are closely related to obese individuals, such as friends and family, have a 57% greater chance ... Continue Reading
I Want to Open a CrossFit, You Say – But, Do You Really?
I want to open a CrossFit/training facility/studio. I’m gonna share it with everybody and I am going to be awesome. I can work my own hours and wear what I want. This is going to be awesome. Great. ... Continue Reading
Strongman Profile: Hermann Goerner Teaches Us the Deadlift (and Elephant Wrestling)
Hermann Goerner is not a household name, but he could easily be considered one of the strongest people of all time. Even amongst old-time strongmen he’s not as popular as some of the others like Eugen ... Continue Reading
The Throw-Sprint-Carry Metabolic Circuit Workout Protocol
Click Here to Get Started on Coach Nick's TSC Circuits Click Here to Get Started on Coach Nick's TSC Circuits When the good folks here at Breaking Muscle approached me about designing a ... Continue Reading
Rest Between Sets: How Much Do You Need?
There are many variables you can adjust in a given workout, and even for each exercise in that workout. This is plainly evident to anyone just starting out with a structured workout program for the first ... Continue Reading
Spot Reduction: One Final Attempt to Kill the Myth
The attempt to spot-reduce body fat. It should be dead and buried, but it lives on. It’s a pursuit that just doesn’t go away. Consumer ignorance, keen marketing, and blind faith keep it alive, but past ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 78
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 benefits of kettlebells, novelty workouts, body types, eggs, ... Continue Reading
From Bodyweight to BJJ: 1000’s of Free Workouts for All Types of Athlete
We are committed you helping you reach your goals, while trying out new stuff, and having fun at the same time. To aid with this, we've enlisted some of the world's top coaches and master programmers to ... Continue Reading
10 Methods to Prevent and Treat Shoulder Injuries
Many athletes deal with shoulder pain at one point or another. But how do you minimize the chances of this happening to you? And what is the best course of action if you do incur a shoulder injury? Read ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 61 – Cambered Bar Squat PR
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
Do Your Intervals Count? What Science Says About Work-to-Rest Ratios
A few years ago I came across an interesting paper on interval training. Given the popularity of interval training at this time, you might be thinking I’m a little late into the discussion. But what ... Continue Reading
Learning to Rest: Teaching Hard Chargers to Slow Down and Relax
Whenever I begin to work with a new athlete, I usually strike up a conversation that involves the individual’s athletic history. I like to find out if he or she has been a serious competitor, a lifestyler ... Continue Reading
Wave Loading: How to Do It Within the Week and Within the Session
Everything in life is cyclic, whether we want to admit it or not. From the El Nino effect to the stock market, life follows a roller coaster flow - no matter how much we try to tame it. Smart ... Continue Reading