Programming Considerations: When To Choose Sumo Over Conventional Deadlift
If there’s one topic I’m asked to write more on it’s programming. What, when, why, and how do I do what I do? I may make this more of weekly or monthly series depending on how this first iteration goes. Lets see what happens. When To Choose Sumo Deadlift Over Conventional I like to think… Read more
A Few Ways to Progress and Groove the 1-Legged RDL
I know, I know. Talking much less writing about the 1-Legged RDL isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. Here’s where it ranks on my “Stuff That Gets Me Really Excited About” List: 1: Ice cream. 2-717: Reading Wikipedia pages for every Wu-Tang Clan member. 718: Cleaning up my cats weekly furball vomit. 719:… Read more
Plan On Lifting or Squatting Something Heavy? Check Your Neck
Today’s guest post comes courtesy of frequent contributor, Dr. Nicholas Licameli. He covers a topic that’s sometimes controversial: Neck position when lifting heavy things. Some people play close attention to it (as they should), while others play it off as “no big deal” and point towards really strong people who seemingly have never had any issues… Read more
Breaking Down the Turkish Get-Up
For some people seeing the words “Turkish Get-Up” in the title of an article elicits a gag reflex or makes them want to jump into a live volcano. Even I’ll be the first to admit it’s not the most exciting exercise to talk about. However, that doesn’t mean it’s altogether invalid or that it doesn’t… Read more
9 Ways to Progress the Landmine Press
At the expense of coming across as the cantankerous, meanie-head strength coach for saying it, I’m going to go a head and say it anyways: Exercise, for most people, most of the time, should be mind-numbingly monotonous. Boring. It should be boring. I get it: boring isn’t sexy. And it sure as shit doesn’t… Read more
Why I Love These 2 Simple Cues to Clean Up the Front Squat
There was a time in my training career when I despised front squats. I hated them in fact. They never felt good. But when does any form of squatting feel “good?” I mean, that’s the last adjective I’d use to describe them. A back massage feels good. Hitting a walk-off home-run feels good. Hell,… Read more
Landmine Press: Cues and Mistakes. And How To Make It More Functional
I’ve long been an advocate of the landmine press. Not only is it one of my favorite “shoulder friendly” pressing variations, but it’s one of my favorite pressing variations in general. It gets you jacked and ripped and your shoulders feeling like a million bucks. If it’s performed correctly. The landmine press doesn’t come without… Read more
Deadlifts Are Only Dangerous Because You’re Unable to Coach Them
I doubt there’s any more dichotomous exercise in existence than the deadlift. Those who like it, really like it. Those who hate it, really hate it. On the “Like It” side of the fence are powerlifters, people who like to lift heavy things, Gandalf, and otherwise those who view it as a basic movement… Read more