When you think of lower body exercises, squats, legs presses, deadlifts, lunges, leg extensions, and leg curls come to mind because they’re the most commonly used. As well they should be because they’re ... Continue Reading
To T or Not to T: The Controversy Over Testosterone Replacement Therapy
To T or not to T. This was more of a question for me in high school than at any other time, given I was walking up the graduation podium at a whopping 135 pounds. Everyone knew who the guys on steroids ... Continue Reading
33 Reasons to Train Strongman
Click here to try our free strongman workouts written by coach Chet Morjaria Strongman training is about true functional strength. It is about lifting heavy, awkward objects (like those you encounter in ... Continue Reading
Behind the BJJ Scenes: What It Takes to Run a Tournament
Before November 2012 I had never competed in a Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament, but I knew that when I finally decided to compete, it would be at Marmac Athletics’ Tournament of Champions. There’s always a ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Pat McCarty, Entry 18 – 6/26/2013
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of CrossFit trainer and masters athlete Patrick McCarty. Patrick competed in the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games in the 45-49 age bracket and has his sights set on ... Continue Reading
The Basic Week: A 7-Day Plan for Building Strength and Fitness
Good programming is a self-evident truth. That is, that the outcome of the program shows clearly and comprehensively that the program was correctly laid out. One of the things that I like most about the ... Continue Reading
What Makes Masters Competition Different From Regular Competition?
A question I have pondered for some time is "How is masters competition different from regular, open competitions?" While I am thinking most about how this query applies to weightlifting, I imagine the ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 56 – Powerlifting Meet Highlights
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
Mom, Author, Runner, and Coach: An Interview With Kristina Pinto
Last week I reviewed the bookFit and Healthy Pregnancy, Kristina Pinto’s new resource for pregnant women. As I mentioned in the review, Kristina’s book is an excellent addition to the rather short list of ... Continue Reading
How the Coaching of Olympic Weightlifting Has Changed
The process of coaching weightlifting at the beginner level has changed considerably over the last few years. If you are one of the coaches who is new to the game you might not notice the difference, but ... Continue Reading
How to Keep Your Life Out of Your Workouts
How often do you hear, or worse yet use, the expression “I don’t have time to work out today.” The truth is most of us are very busy, some to the point of holding multiple jobs, having families, and ... Continue Reading
How Meditation Can Heal Your Adrenal System
As many of you know, I have been exploring more natural ways to deal with adrenal/HPA dysfunction. I have a bit of an issue with cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine production that sometimes leaves ... Continue Reading
8 Ways to Get a Kettlebell Overhead
Although the bench press is the most common exercise done in many gyms, it’s not the best example of strength, at least to me. While benching is a great exercise, I prefer to do most of my lifting while ... Continue Reading
The Best Squat, Deadlift, Press, and Other Drills You Miss
Good training is about managing variables that make up a great fitness program. Not some of the variables, not just the ones you think are cool, but all of them. And it is completely possible you might be ... Continue Reading
Why Do I Keep Jacking Up My Shoulder? A CrossFitter’s Dilemma
As a CrossFit trainer and physical therapist, I see my fair share of shoulder injuries. I am placed in a precarious position. I want to see my athletes succeed and get new personal records on their lifts ... Continue Reading
How to Use Critical Velocity to Win
With as much attention anaerobic energy system training has gotten in the literature and even more so by coaches, it’s important we don’t forget the aerobic energy systems. All too often I see this ... Continue Reading
Building Better Calf Muscles: How the Calf Works and How to Work It
Take a gander at the muscles on the back of your lower leg. Which category applies to you: Are they short and bulky? Long and bulky? Average size? Long and thin? Short and thin? Whatever type of ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 64
Every Sunday we post the "Sunday Seven" so you can quickly see the 7 most popular articles of the week. This week's popular posts cover core work, CrossFit, bodyweight exercise, breathing, surfing, and ... Continue Reading
6 Months Later: How to Be a Force For Good in Grappling and in the World
It’s been a little less than six months since the news story broke that two male grapplers allegedly sexually assaulted their female teammate on New Year’s Eve. It is a story that has rattled the grappling ... Continue Reading
Getting Started in BJJ: 8 Articles for Newbies
Getting started in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be a little intimidating. From choosing an academy, to being a good training partner, to surviving the social aspects of BJJ, here are eight articles written by ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 48 – Trying New Things
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
Sportive Cycling Events: What They Are, Why to Do Them, and How to Prepare
Sportive cycling events have become very popular here in United Kingdom over the last few years. If you look through the various online sources, you’ll find several options in most parts of the country ... Continue Reading
Visualization: The Simple Tool for Even Greater Athletic Success
Our minds are one of the least discussed factors in success and failure. We think more of what weightlifting program to follow, what to do on our rest days, and what to eat than we do about how best to ... Continue Reading
The SMMF: Mental Training – Gym Jones Style
When it comes to developing the kind of go-all-day endurance that I am usually after, you begin to realize one thing - it’s all in your head. The magnitude of suffering that is overcome on the way to the ... Continue Reading
