Why You Need to Consider How You Breathe
This post covers breathing. (Cue the cavalcade of eye rolls) But I PROMISE I am going to 1) be brief, and more importantly 2) showcase why it’s important and why it will help you feel better, move better, perform better, and likely turn you into a Jedi Master Spartan Sex God of Minas Tirith. Deal?… Read more
The One Thing Many Lifters Fail to Understand: Easy Training Is Good Training
Forget the more esoteric nuances of things like Heart Rate Variability, the efficacy of cold baths, or whether it’s better to follow a concurrent or linear periodization training program for best results. For superior results in the weight-room I’d make the argument that the ONE thing many lifters fail to appreciate and understand is that… Read more
Everything and Nothing Causes Low Back Pain
The topic of low back pain (LBP) – how to assess it, diagnose it, and how to treat it – can be a controversial one. I italicized the word “can” because I don’t feel it’s all that controversial. Cauliflower as an option for pizza crust or Zach being chosen as the bachelor on the current season of… Read more
The Peculiar State of Fitness Assessments
NOTE: There’s only a few more days to get my latest continuing education resource – Strategic Strength – at $50 off the regular price. Today’s post discusses one of the main topics covered in the course: Assessment. Assessment. People don’t like the feeling of being judged – especially by complete strangers. However, when it comes… Read more
The Story of a Shitty Deadlift Turned State Record
HEADS UP: My newest and latest continuing education resource – Strategic Strength – is now officially available to make out with purchase. It’s on sale all this week at $50 off the regular price. I hope you’ll check it out. (waves Jedi hand – you WILL check it out). This is a story about a… Read more
Programming Considerations: Shoulders
Fair warning: This will not be an all-encompassing post on how to train the shoulders or how to program around nagging shoulder injuries. Frankly, I don’t think anyone wants to read a Dostoyevsky length diatribe on shoulder impingement or how improving scapular upward rotation leaves me sexually aroused. Yep, I’m weird. Instead I want to give… Read more
Appearance on the Coachable Podcast
I had the opportunity to be invited onto the Coachable Podcast recently hosted by Kevin Dineen. Kevin and I met back in 2012-13(ish) at The Fitness Summit in Kansas City. That year was my first year attending (as a speaker) and his first year attending (as an attendee). I don’t recall whether or not we… Read more
Should You Use Straps When Deadlifting?
Lifting Straps. Yes, No, Maybe So? Starring at the barbell on the floor I couldn’t help but think to myself, “holy shit that’s a lot of weight.” Also, “I hope I don’t shit my spleen.” The year: 2004. The place: Albany, NY, at some random Golds Gym. I was visiting my sister and her family… Read more