Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 2/9/18

It’s Friday. You don’t want to work. Here’s some stuff to keep you preoccupied until it’s time to get out of dodge.

Copyright: donatas1205 / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…(SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, STUFF I’VE WRITTEN, & OTHER TIDBITS CURATED TO SHOWCASE HOW IMPORTANT I AM)

1) The Fitness Summit

I had to take a break from The Fitness Summit last year for two reasons:

1. Eating way too many cookies.

2. But mostly because I succeeded in making a baby and my wife would have tossed me so much shade if I was all like “Hey Babe, going to KC for three days. Toodles.”

Well this year I’m back and excited to take part in a Fitness Summit first. Dean Somerset and I will be putting on a Pre-Conference day where we’ll spend a few hours test driving some new material as a follow-up to our Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint.

Tentatively titled The More Completer Hip & Shoulder Blueprint.

We’ll be taking deep dive into squat and deadlift technique: discussing ankle, foot, hip and upper extremity considerations in conjunction with regressions/progressions and programming. Whether you’re a coach or just someone who likes to lift heavy things you’ll undoubtedly learn something. And if not, cool, you still get to hang out with us for a few hours.

Registration is now open for returning and new attendees. Come experience one of the best fitness events of the year.

2) Spurling Spring Seminar

I’m excited to announce that both myself and my wife, Dr. Lisa Lewis, will be presenting at the inaugural Spurling Spring Seminar at Spurling Fitness in Kennebunk, ME in a few months.

If you live in New England and you’re a fitness professional you won’t want to miss it. Early bird special is currently in effect.¹

What’s the Best Diet? – Dr. John Berardi

This FREE multi-day course by John Berardi will help give coaches the knowledge and resources necessary to help their clients decide what the best diet is for them…

…whether Paleo, ketogenic, low-carb, high-carb, intermittent fasting, or the all cold cereal diet (<—not a thing, but it should be)

And even if you’re not a coach it’ll help make the waters less murky on the topic of diet and nutrition and what may be the best fit for YOU and YOUR goals.

All you have to do is offer your email and you’ll get instant access. Don’t worry, John won’t spam you. Because, he’s not a dick.

Single-Leg Training Tips From the Pros – BarbellPilates.com

Women in particular can benefit a lot from single-leg work, and for some, it’s likely better than their bilateral cousins. Why?

Well, read the article – which I contributed to – and find out.

Shoulder Impingement – Dan Pope

Dan went TO TOWN with this epic 7-part series on shoulder impingement. It’s one of the best I have ever read on the topic.

The link above takes you to the last part of the series (but the links to all the previous parts, 1-6, are right at the top).

Be sure to check out his resource, Peak Shoulder Performance.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

Here’s an effective drill to help improve t-spine extension. A common mistake many people make is getting too much motion from lumbar spine. This helps eliminate that: pic.twitter.com/xltqoNRdeM

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) February 3, 2018

Instagram

The 1-Legged RDL is a common exercise to prescribe and one that reaps a lot of benefits. The thing is: It’s a rather advanced movement requiring requisite hip and rotary stability and balance. Here’s a brilliant progression I first learned from the peeps over at @warhorsebarbell. Pressing into the bench and reaching is magic for cleaning things up and really helps to groove the hinge.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Feb 7, 2018 at 3:38am PST

February 9, 2018 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 2/2/18

It’s Friday. You know how I do.

But First…(Speaking Engagements, Stuff I’ve Written, & Other Tidbits Curated To Showcase How Important I Am)

1) Happy Birthday Julian

I was terrified a year ago today.

I remember standing in a coffeeshop across the street from the hospital getting a little teary eyed thinking to myself “holy shit, Lisa and I are parents and in a few hours they’re sending us home. No more cafeteria, no room service, and no more team of nurses on standby to help.

We’ll be alone, with this crying, pooping, and please, for the love god stop crying thing.”

SPOILER ALERT: It’s a year later. Lisa and I survived; as does every other sleep-deprived parent.

Lisa and I are so thankful for Julian and for our family and friends who have helped to fill Julian’s love tank along the way.

2) Mark Fisher Fitness Presents: Motivate & Movement LAB

I’ve had the honor of presenting at two previous iterations of the Motivate & Movement LAB (the brainchild of MFF’s Harold Gibbons) and it’s unequivocally one of the most unique events in the fitness industry.

Think: TED Talk, but with deadlifts and lots of f-bombs.

Anyways, the next LAB is this coming February, and will feature myself, Dan John, Pete Dupuis, my wife (Dr. Lisa Lewis), and several of the MFF coaching staff including Brian Patrick Murphy and Amanda Wheeler.

3) The Fitness Summit

I had to take a break from The Fitness Summit last year for two reasons:

1. Eating way too many cookies.

2. But mostly because I succeeded in making a baby and my wife would have tossed me so much shade if I was all like “Hey Babe, going to KC for three days. Toodles.”

Tentatively titled The More Completer Hip & Shoulder Blueprint.

Registration is now open for returning and new attendees. Come experience one of the best fitness events of the year.

4) 5 Tiny Tweaks That Will Help You Bench Press More Weight

^^^ My latest article written for Men’s Health.

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

12 Little Changes For Big Gains – T-Nation.com

12 coaches – including me – speak their mind on small things that make a big difference in helping you to get bigger, faster, and/or stronger.

12 Most Effective Ways to Spark the Recovery Process – JohnRusin.com

Yet another article I was fortunate enough to be asked to contribute to. 12 more coaches chime in, this time on their “go to” recovery strategies.

How I Use Kettlebells – David Dellanave

An older article, but it’s new to me.

Always like David’s perspective on things and this no different.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

I get asked a lot about progressive overload. No need to make it more complicated than it needs to be. 1. Write your shit down. Track it. 2. The following week look at what you did, then do more.

Save the fancy algorithms for breaking the space-time continuum.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) January 31, 2018

Instagram

My butt’s always trying to eat my pants. Nom nom nom.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Jan 26, 2018 at 7:31am PST

February 2, 2018 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work Uncategorized

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 1/26/18

Lets jump right into it this week.

But First…..

1) Mark Fisher Fitness Presents: Motivate & Movement LAB

Think: TED Talk, but with deadlifts and lots of f-bombs.

2) The Fitness Summit

I had to take a break from The Fitness Summit last year for two reasons:

1. Eating way too many cookies.

2. But mostly because I succeeded in making a baby and my wife would have tossed me so much shade if I was all like “Hey Babe, going to KC for three days. Toodles.”

Tentatively titled The More Completer Hip & Shoulder Blueprint.

Registration is now open for returning and new attendees. Come experience one of the best fitness events of the year.

3) Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist

I’ll go a head and say it: I feel this is one of the single most important courses I have ever taken.

If you train women it behooves you to understand the intricacies surrounding this topic: pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, incontinence, etc.

Dr. Sarah Duvall covers everything from assessment/screening to corrective exercise (tons of attention to proper breathing mechanics) to training considerations immediately postpartum (1-4 weeks) onward to a year plus.

What’s more, what I truly dig about Sarah’s approach is that she advocates women to eventually “lift shit to fix shit” (my words, not hers). Sooooo, there’s that.

FYI: TODAY (1/26) is the last day to register for this go-round. However you can use the coupon code TONYG at checkout for an additional $50 off your purchase. You know, cause I’m awesome.

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

How to Coach and Progress Jumping Variations – Dan Pope

The link above takes you to Part IV (of what I assume will be a IV part series). Dan’s stuff is phenomenal.

Part 1 = Double Leg Jumping

Part 2 = Single Leg Jumping

Part 3 = Advanced Double Leg Jumping

Part 4 = Advanced Single Leg Jumping

*** All links are in the link above.

5 Redundant Exercises You Just Don’t Need – Nick Tumminello

Nick’s smart.

Listen to Nick.

Muscle Soreness – Lance Goyke

What’s the deal with being sore after workouts?

Is it supposed to happen? Does it get better? What can you do to lessen the amplitude?

Lance chimes in with some simple advice.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

DB presses hurt your shoulders? Maybe try a neutral grip. Squatting hurts your lower back? Maybe brace more or don’t squat so low (to a box). There I just fixed the issue without giving you 147 different “corrective exercises” to try.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) January 25, 2018

Instagram

One of the best lessons I’ve learned as a gym owner – and this goes back to my Cressey Sports Performance days – is that when it comes to equipment purchases you have to think economically and take into account several factors such as demographic you cater to and total space available. Would I like to have a big, beautiful lat pull down or row machine? Hell yeah. But it’s not feasible given I only have 800 sq. feet to work with AND I don’t feel like dropping $1000. Solution? I picked up this nifty pulley system from @spudincstraps. It takes up next to nothing in terms of space, can hold a metric shit-ton of weight (which is a shade more than a metric boat-load), and it only cost me $99.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Jan 18, 2018 at 6:15am PST

January 26, 2018 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work Uncategorized

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 1/19/18

Man am I in a funk. This has never happened before, but I’m struggling to come up with content to write.

I can’t say for sure, but it “may” have something to do with a soon-to-be one-year old that’s growing more and more mobile by the day.².

In any case I apologize for my lack of writing prowess. Rest assured I’ll be making a comeback sooner or later.

Onto this week’s list….

BUT FIRST…

1) Mark Fisher Fitness Presents: Motivate & Movement LAB

Think: TED Talk, but with deadlifts and lots of f-bombs.

2) Appearance on the All About Fitness Podcast

Host Pete McCall does a superb job with this podcast and keeps things light and entertaining.

In this episode I discuss my journey towards my 600 lb deadlift.

You can go HERE (Episode 85) or HERE (Episode 85) via iTunes.

3) Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist

I’ll go a head and say it: I feel this is one of the single most important courses I have ever taken.

If you train women it behooves you to understand the intricacies surrounding this topic: pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, incontinence, etc.

What’s more, what I truly dig about Sarah’s approach is that she advocates women to eventually “lift shit to fix shit” (my words, not hers). Sooooo, there’s that.

FYI: Use the coupon code TONYG at checkout for an additional $50 off your purchase.³

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

10 Nuggets, Tips and Tricks on Energy System Training – Mike Robertson

Per the usual Mike takes a rather complicated topic and dumbs it down for us peons. I REALLY liked his breakdown on the differences in adaptations between aerobic training and anaerobic, and how it’s the former (aerobic) that will likely help with better progress in the weight-room.

Does It Matter If You Can Deep Squat? – Travis Pollen

The deep squat screen can tell you a lot about a person. It can tell you his or her’s ability to achieve adequate ankle dorsiflexion, as well as much hip mobility, thoracic extension, and shoulder flexion they have.

About the only thing is doesn’t tell you is their favorite installment in the Fast & Furious franchise.

But what does the deep squat really tell us? Travis sheds some light.

Everything You Need to Know About Recovering – Dr. Mike Israetel

Very comprehensive article that covers a litany of popular recovery strategies:

– Those that work well

– Those about which science is uncertain

– Those that don’t seem to work as planned or much at all.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

Be sure to “finish” your push-ups. Scaps shouldn’t be retracted, touching, or making out at the top. Think about pushing away so they move around rib cage (protract) on each rep.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) January 14, 2018

Instagram

One of the best lessons I’ve learned as a gym owner – and this goes back to my Cressey Sports Performance days – is that when it comes to equipment purchases you have to think economically and take into account several factors such as demographic you cater to and total space available. Would I like to have a big, beautiful lat pull down or row machine? Hell yeah. But it’s not feasible given I only have 800 sq. feet to work with AND I don’t feel like dropping $1000. Solution? I picked up this nifty pulley system from @spudincstraps. It takes up next to nothing in terms of space, can hold a metric shit-ton of weight (which is a shade more than a metric boat-load), and it only cost me $99.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Jan 18, 2018 at 6:15am PST

January 19, 2018 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 1/12/18

Baby’s asleep.

I’ve got anywhere from 60-90 minutes of freedom.

Here’s this week’s list of stuff to read………

But First

1) Mark Fisher Fitness Presents: Motivate & Movement LAB

Think: TED Talk, but with deadlifts and lots of f-bombs.

2) Spurling Spring Seminar

I’ll also be making a cameo up in Kennebunk, Maine this Spring for the Spurling Spring Seminar.

It’s not until April, but you can save BIG now ($100 off) by purchasing an (early) early bird ticket by clicking the link above.

UPDATE: The “Early” Early Bird Special ends this Sunday (1/14)……so act quick.

[Link also provides details on all the presenters and topics covered]

There aren’t many industry events that come into this neck of the woods, so hope to see you there!

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

17 Nutrition Tips That Change Your Life – TC Luoma

TC’s always good for some interesting tidbits and witty prose. This one didn’t disappoint.

Mobility Needs of the Female Strength Athlete – Trish DaCosta

Things like hypermobility (which tends to be more prevalent in females) and high-heels come into play when discussing the mobility needs of women.

Some awesome stuff in here from Trish.

Today’s Edge: Strengthen Your Adductors Part I and II – Tim DiFrancesco

I appreciate Tim’s insights and contributions to the strength & conditioning community. My brain does not work like his. He’s always thinking outside the box and coming up with stellar content.

If you’re not already, you should be checking out his website and social media accounts. He’s routinely providing short, bite-sized gems.

HERE’s Part I of Strengthen Your Adductors; and HERE’s Part II

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

I’ve got an influx of clients extolling the virtues of detoxes and cleanses. Alas, it’s that time of year. I just tell them their money is better spent tossing it into a live volcano.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) January 7, 2018

Instagram

Making my way through @drsarahduvall Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist course and this slide resonated with me. As oxymoronic as it sounds, women that exercise through their pregnancy are often at MORE risk for pelvic floor issues. Many feel pressure to head to the gym as soon as possible after giving birth because they actually feel “okay.” However, this mentality can often lead to some dire circumstances because their body is still healing. Yeah, you may want to perform kipping pull-ups paired with handstand walks through a grenade field for AMRAP, but that doesn’t mean you should. You CAN still exercise, but it’s important, nay, crucial, to respect the notion that your body needs time to “catch up.”

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Jan 10, 2018 at 10:44am PST

January 12, 2018 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work Uncategorized

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 1/5/18

Why hello everybody.

I took a brief blogcation this past week because I was down in Dallas, TX visiting family (and eating copious amounts of carrot cake). It was cold as balls down there – in the 20’s, what the hell? – only to return to Boston two days ago to be met with even colder than balls weather…something called a “Bomb” Cyclone.

Parts of downtown Boston flooded and now there’s about two feet of ice in the streets. Thankfully none of that affected us. What’s more, with the wind-chills today, it’s reported we’ll see balmy temperatures of -30 degrees.⁴

We’re hunkered inside with really nothing to do so I figured I may as well cut my blogation short.

BUT FIRST

1) Mark Fisher Fitness Presents: Motivate & Movement LAB

Think: TED Talk, but with deadlifts and lots of f-bombs.

2) Spurling Spring Seminar

JUST ANNOUNCED: I’ll also be making a cameo up in Kennebunk, Maine this Spring for the Spurling Spring Seminar.

It’s not until April, but you can save BIG now ($100 off) by purchasing an (early) early bird ticket by clicking the link above.

[Link also provides details on all the presenters and topics covered]

There aren’t many industry events that come into this neck of the woods, so hope to see you there!

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

When To Progress and When To Not Progress Your Exercises – Jarrod Dyke

It can be tricky to figure out when it’s appropriate to progress an exercise for a client/athlete and when they should probably stay put.

Jarrod offers some insights that may help make the water less murky.

How To Fix Your Knee Pain In the Squat – Brad Cox

I always appreciate the content Brad puts together and the cool things that can be done with some of the ACUMobility protocols.

In this article/video Brad breaks down squat assessment and in particular hones in on both one’s ability to rotate their tibia and adductor length and how they can affect squat performance.

4 Ways to Include Density Sets For Hypertrophy – The Strength House

REALLY enjoyed this article from the guys over at The Strength House (Greg and Tony). If you’re looking for some quick-n-dirty ways to add muscle….density sets are a fantastic way to do so.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

Heading into 2018 it stands to reason many are making their fitness goals a priority. Sweat less the details (optimal program, diet, etc) and sweat more on being CONSISTENT with something.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) January 2, 2018

Instagram

Had a chance to snake away for a quickie training session today down here in TX when Julian went down for an AM nap. I hit up some paused front squats and rest/pause deadlifs first and then noticed a Hip Thruster out on the gym floor and figured I’d give my badonkadonk a little love. I made a circuit of 1-Legged Jump Thrusts (x5/leg), 1-Legged Elevated Hip Thrusts (x10/leg), and 1-Legged Band Resisted Bulgarian Split Squats (x10/leg….shout out to @bjgaddour for this one). I only did three rounds, but that was more than enough. If you’re looking for a short glute circuit using only the Hip Thruster give this a try.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Dec 30, 2017 at 10:19am PST

January 5, 2018 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 12/22/17

I’m sure I’m in the same camp as everyone else in that I’m scrambling to get some last minute Christmas shopping done.

Speaking of which, now that we have a kid and this is his first Christmas, I think I can buy an X-Box, have Lisa open it as a present, and say it’s for the family, right? RIGHT?⁵

Okay, time to get to shopping. Wish me luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

Copyright: gregorylee / 123RF Stock Photo

But First

1. Coaching Competency Workshop – Dallas, TX

A week from today I’ll be in Dallas, TX putting on my Coaching Competency Workshop.

I’ll break down assessment in addition to troubleshooting common strength-based exercises such as deadlifts, squats, shoulder-friendly pressing, to name a few.

This is ideal for any personal trainer, coach, or regular ol’ Joe or Jane looking to learn more on my coaching process.

Details are located on the flyer above, and you can purchase HERE.

2) Mark Fisher Fitness Presents: Motivate & Movement LAB

Think: TED Talk, but with deadlifts and lots of f-bombs.

3) Spurling Spring Seminar

JUST ANNOUNCED: I’ll also be making a cameo up in Kennebunk, Maine this Spring for the Spurling Spring Seminar.

It’s not until April, but you can save BIG now ($100 off) by purchasing an (early) early bird ticket by clicking the link above.

[Link also provides details on all the presenters and topics covered]

There aren’t many industry events that come into this neck of the woods, so hope to see you there!

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

Do Your Bodyweight Exercises Suck Compared To Your Loaded Ones? – Marianne Kane

I thought this was an interesting article as it’s a phenomenon I see quite often: a client crushes his or her’s barbell squats or deadlifts, only to struggle with, of all things, push-ups.

One Common Myth That Will Keep You In Pain – Michael Infantino

Wow – this was/is a deep article.

Grab a cup of coffee, you’ll need it.⁶

Merry Christmas, Bob – Chris Shugart

I read this article for the first time waaaaaaay back in 2002 or 2003 or something like that.

Whatever the case: smart phones and social media didn’t exist.

It’s still one of my all-time favorite articles and one that Chris reposts on T-Nation each year.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

Soft reminder: Unless you’re a competitive power lifter, squat depth is arbitrary. Optimal or best depends on injury history, goals, ability level, and anatomical considerations.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) December 15, 2017

Instagram

Here’s a quick-n-dirty exercise that pecifies your pecs. Originally did this at the tail end of a bro session with @justinkompf awhile ago and decided to do a few sets today after benching. Try to keep your body as ridged as possible and then think about “hugging” yourself like the sexy beast you are, squeezing pecs at the top for a 2s count. Good one.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Dec 14, 2017 at 9:07am PST

December 22, 2017 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 12/15/17

Ten days till Christmas. Like a bonehead I haven’t started any shopping yet. And by “like a bonehead” what I really mean is “like 97% of the population that has a Y chromosome.”

Apologies for the lame intro this week, but I got things to do/need to go help make Jeff Bezos richer.

On to this week’s list of stuff to read.

But First

1. Coaching Competency Workshop – Dallas, TX

I’ll be in Dallas, TX later this month to put on my Coaching Competency Workshop.

I’ll break down assessment in addition to troubleshooting common strength-based exercises such as deadlifts, squats, shoulder-friendly pressing, to name a few.

This is ideal for any personal trainer, coach, or regular ol’ Joe or Jane looking to learn more on my coaching process.

Details are located on the flyer above, and you can purchase HERE.

2) Pedestals Make For Superior Stocking Stuffers

Speaking of ideas for gift shopping, give Pedestal Footwear a look. I’ve been a fan for years and think they’re THE most comfortable socks ever.

Plus, the added benefit is that they’re well-suited (and were actually designed) for meatheads who like to lift heavy things.

I make ZERO commission off pointing you in their direction. I just feel they’re a great company with a great product.

Go HERE.

3) Also, I’m Seeing Star Wars on Sunday.

via GIPHY

I thought I was going to be a lammo and have to revoke my Star Wars nerd card for not being able to go see it opening weekend.

However, my wife is the shit and made it so that we have a baby-sitter for six hours this Sunday.

Star Wars + Steak dinner afterwards = possibly a second baby being made.⁷

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

The Olympic Lifts Are Overrated – Charles Staley

Internet’s Reaction To This Article: “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?”

My Reaction: “Pretty much.”

6 Common Workout Myths That Are Holding You Back – Jeannine Trimboli

This was an excellent article. And given a trove of people will likely be heading to the gym at the start of 2018 to kickstart their fitness goals, I’d mark this one as a MUST read.

The Lifter’s Guide to Treating Tendinopathy – Sean Jacobs via TheBarbellPhysio.com

If you lift things up and down chances are your knee(s), elbow(s), achilles, etc, at some point or another, will get an ouchie.

Here’s your crash course on how to remedy the situation.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

One of the more underrated concepts to getting stronger is the practice of sub-maximal training. Technique, quality of reps, and intent to be fast is vital. Plus something to be said about ending a session and knowing you “could” of done more.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) December 11, 2017

Instagram

Brutal tricep exercise right here: Battle Rope Extensions. Takes a little maneuvering to get proper foot/body position but, like whoa, when you find it.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Dec 11, 2017 at 1:50pm PST

December 15, 2017 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 12/8/17

T-minus one week until The Last Jedi comes out. Wanna know what’s ironic? I’m not seeing it next weekend.

Bull to the shit, right?

It’s a chorus of a few things coming into play: waiting too long to attempt to get tix, having to play catch-up on a few things, and, you know, life.⁸

So, enjoy my fellow nerds. I hate you. NO SPOILERS.

Lets get to this week’s list.

Copyright: epokrovsky / 123RF Stock Photo

But First

1. Coaching Competency Workshop – Dallas, TX

I’ll be in Dallas, TX later this month to put on my Coaching Competency Workshop.

I’ll break down assessment in addition to troubleshooting common strength-based exercises such as deadlifts, squats, shoulder-friendly pressing, to name a few.

This is ideal for any personal trainer, coach, or regular ol’ Joe or Jane looking to learn more on my coaching process.

Details are located on the flyer above, and you can purchase HERE.

Stuff To Read

L2 Fitness Summit – Dean Somerset & Dr. Mike Israetel

Dean Somerset and Dr. Mike Israetel released a killer resource this week. In a nutshell they filmed a workshop they did together earlier this year. It’s 11 hours and it’ll melt your face.

Dean takes half the time and breaks down assessment, and then Mike takes over and spends the other half talking about how to get people swole.

Smart-n-swole.

It’s on sale right now for $50 off the regular price (however, it only lasts until 12/10).

The Dark Side of Fitness – T-Nation Compilation

I’d make the argument that this compilation article that was featured on T-Nation earlier this week – featuring myself, Chris Shugart, TC Luoma, Paul Carter, Tom Morrison, Mark Dugdale, and Akash Vaghela – may be the best and most important one to date.

6 Months Ago I Had to Learn to Walk Again. Here’s What I Discovered – Lee Boyce

My man Lee Boyce, a friend and colleague, ruptured both his knee tendons playing in a pick-up game of basketball earlier this year.

Ruptured….both….knee….tendons.

I.e., He couldn’t fucking walk.

Not only did he basically keep the entire ordeal to himself – he purposely didn’t tell many people about it⁹ – but he made mental notes along the way to write this amazing piece.

His resiliency astounds me.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

Two fool-proof and commonsense pairings in a strength program: Deadlift paired with a push-up OR front squat paired with a pull-up variation (or any row for that matter).

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) December 5, 2017

Instagram

Top Video: Shows a common mistake with initial squat set up a lot of people make: too many steps. I watch some people un-rack the barbell and it looks like they’re Frodo walking to Mordor. Stop it. Bottom Video: Un-rack the bar, take two (maybe three) steps back, and that’s it. No, really, that’s it.

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Dec 5, 2017 at 4:56pm PST

December 8, 2017 Tony

Stuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 12/1/17

I’m sitting here in my hotel room as I type this, in my comfy bed, enjoying SportCenter, and getting mentally prepared for this weekend’s NSCA Mid-Atlantic Conference I’m speaking at.

I’ve got two presentations prepared and there always seems to be some tweaking and fine-tuning involved up until it’s “go” time:

Shuffling slides.
Changing titles.
Shirt or no shirt?

You know, stuff like that.

So while I hunker down and do all of that, why don’t you enjoy this week’s list of stuff to read.

But First

1. Coaching Competency Workshop – Dallas, TX

I’ll be in Dallas, TX later this month to put on my Coaching Competency Workshop. I’ll break down assessment in addition to troubleshooting common strength-based exercises such as deadlifts, squats, shoulder-friendly pressing.

This is ideal for any personal trainer, coach, or regular ol’ Joe or Jane looking to learn more on my coaching process.

Details above, but you can purchase HERE.

2) The Right Way to Fail a Squat

Failing or missing a lift is rarely ideal.

However, it’s always best to be prepared for when the shit hits the fan.

Read THIS article I wrote for Men’s Health on how to fail a squat properly.

3) Ben Bruno’s Stache

This was a great video by Ben Bruno detailing two tricks on how to improve grip on the deadlift. But more importantly, kudos to his epic mustache.

Stuff To Read

All Pain, No Gain: Why the High-Intensity Training Obsession Has Failed Us All – Joel Jamieson

Mostly, in part, to the rise in popularity of things like CrossFit, Tabata Training, and bootcamps…by and large people are training harder than ever before.

Putting oneself through brutal or intense workouts is the metric many now use to gauge its effectiveness.

Joel sounds off on why we may have gotten it all wrong.

Getting Started In Strength Training Later In Life – Brandon Morrison

Is the secret to a youthful look and vibrance eating organic, gluten free sawdust chips and/or daily kale enemas?

Nope.

It’s the the lifting lifestyle: regular strength training, and the decent diet that comes with it.

Better Than Regular Squats – Charles Staley

The case for touch-n-go box squats. Thanks for writing this Charles.

Social Media Shenanigans

Twitter

Approach your warmup sets the same as your work sets. Same setup, same tension, same intent. Better, more consistent results down the road.

— Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore1) November 30, 2017

Instagram

This is amazing. Stole this from @jonherting

A post shared by Tony Gentilcore (@tonygentilcore) on Nov 30, 2017 at 9:44am PST

December 1, 2017 Tony