What is success? The answer depends on what we are talking about, but in sports, success means winning. Yeah, for some of us who play in recreational leagues success means drinking beer in the dugout and ... Continue Reading
Sally’s 8 Week BJJ Tournament Training Program: Tournament Results
This weekend, after eight weeks of tournament-specific preparation, I finally competed at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship in Montreal, Quebec. The Abu Dhabi Pro Trials are held all ... Continue Reading
Tactical Periodization: What It Is and How to Do It
“We trained hard – but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing. And what ... Continue Reading
The Black Athlete in Weightlifting
Given the recent observance of the American Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I thought it presented an interesting time for a column on the position of those athletes of African ancestry in our sport. ... Continue Reading
Does Kettlebell Training Benefit Other Exercises?
Many of the Breaking Muscle readers are avid kettlebell users. If you read my review of the RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning, you’ll know that I like kettlebells but I generally support a demystifying ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 38 – Body Fat Testing
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
Teen Athletes: Getting Ready for In-Season Competition
For the student-athletes out there, being prepared for your athletic season is not something you can do a few weeks before the season starts. Getting stronger, improving your level of play, and being in ... Continue Reading
Training For Two: Exercise and Raging Hormones
In last week's article, I discussed some of the cardiovascular changes that occur during pregnancy. It's important for trainers and pregnant women to be aware of these changes and tailor their training ... Continue Reading
What Is a Foam Roller, How Do I Use It, and Why Does It Hurt?
Self-myofascial release, also known as “foam rolling,” has transformed from a once mysterious technique used only by professional athletes, coaches, and therapists to a familiar everyday practice for ... Continue Reading
Keeping Girl Athletes in the Game
With the passing of Title IX over forty years ago, the participation of girls in sports has gone up ten times over that period. Yet, according to the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), most girls aren’t ... Continue Reading
Football Players Are Getting Bigger and Bigger
American football players are getting bigger every year. Never was this more painfully obvious than on New Year’s Day when Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end for the University of South Carolina, brutally ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Andrew Read, Entry 36 – My Longest Training Run
Click here to read other journal entries and articles by Andrew Read, and look for his new journal every Monday as he trains for Ironman Melbourne. Athlete Journal Entry 36: My Longest Training ... Continue Reading
Push Jerks Enhance Vertical Jump Performance – Maybe?
For track and field, volleyball, basketball, and many other sports, jumping ability is directly related to success. Because jumping ability depends on leg drive, it seems at first glance to be closely ... Continue Reading
Social Media and Fitness: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Like many, I am truly fascinated by this crazy world we live in. We now have the seamless ability to connect with people from all over the globe at any moment. Well above half of the people in the United ... Continue Reading
Non-Hormonal Birth Control for Athletes
Last week, we talked about why traditional birth control pills may not be the best option for women who are trying to reach specific body composition and athletic goals. That probably left many of you ... Continue Reading
How to Get Stronger, Without Getting Bigger
The following is written by Sabina Skala, a featured coach here on Breaking Muscle. Click here to get started on her four weeks of free MMA-oriented workouts. “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 45
Every Sunday we post the "Sunday Seven" so you can quickly see the 7 most popular articles of the week. This week's top articles cover our top 10 blog contest, the continuing debate about pain and ... Continue Reading
Prioritize and Let Prioritize: Respecting Decisions You May Not Understand
At my first job out of college, some of my colleagues would periodically play the “family” card: “I can’t stay late/travel/make the weekend meeting because I need to get home to my family.” I didn’t have a ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Julie Warren, Entry 8 – Willpower and Other Elusive Superpowers
EDITOR'S NOTE: Along with Andrew Read and Narisa Wild, Julie Warren will be sharing her training experiences for upcoming endurance challenges. Follow Julie as she prepares for her next adventure - the ... Continue Reading
The Perfect Squat: 7 Articles to Help You Achieve It
The squat is a classic benchmark of mobility. Add a weighted object and you've got a spot-on indicator of strength. Squatting is an everyday movement, as well as a classic gym staple. Here are 7 articles ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 31 – Deadlift Lifetime 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
What Is Yoga and How Do I Pick a Style?
What exactly is yoga? I will attempt to define yoga, but it’s not an easy feat. Yoga actually means to yoke or to unite, but it’s much more. At first glance, yoga could appear to be a glorified stretching ... Continue Reading
60 Minutes of Exercise Can Improve Insulin Resistance 25%
In an article earlier I looked at metabolic flexibility. In particular the article focused on the metabolic inflexibility caused insulin resistance. I made some basic recommendations on how to improve ... Continue Reading
The Tips of the Icebergs: Why You Should Thank Your Grappling Coaches and Heroes
Photos provided by David Brown Photography. The longer I train jiu jitsu, the more I learn about what I don’t know. Throughout my time training, acquaintances who have reached black belt level have ... Continue Reading
