What is strength? The ability to apply force against a high level of resistance. What is endurance? The ability to perform an activity for prolonged periods of time. Does strength training carry over to endurance? Yes. If you take your squat from 200lbs for 1 rep to 300lbs for 1 rep, you will be able […]
Not too long ago, I was asked whether the popular deadlift routine of Ed Coan is good for natural lifters. While I have never done the program in its full form, I am familiar with its linear peaking style. You can find the complete routine here. I’ve done two linear peaking cycles for my deadlift with […]
The popularity of the low bar squat has reached epic proportions. In many commercial gyms, Starting Strength zealots occupy the squat rack for 45 minutes in order to do weird bar bends with the back almost horizontal to the ground. I am very familiar with similar training because once upon a time, I was one […]
Millions of people spend hours in the gym every day deeply convinced that they are performing an activity that results in the ultimate self-improvement. This is correct, to a certain extent. Resistance training is far better than watching TV, going to the Mall, working late hours, eating bad food…etc. The gym gives you an opportunity […]
Your natural potential is heavily influenced by the width and the thickness of your skeleton. A bigger bone equals a bigger muscle by default. Moreover, it’s easier to lift heavier weights when you have robust ”rhino” joints. A guy with 8-inch wrists has a serious advantage in the bench press over someone carrying antelope joints. […]
Powerlifting has always been a dick-measuring contest. Who is going to lift the heaviest barbell? How can I add more plates to the bar? Those are the questions troubling the heads of motivated powerlifters. To achieve the highest levels of human strength, powerlifters train very hard, take a lot of steroids, eat like pigs and […]
Over the last years, heavy barbell training has regained its popularity among natural bodybuilders because the gurus say that heavy lifting makes you “grow like a weed”. This misconception has created an army of lifters who kill their joints with super heavy weights hoping to build extraterrestrial muscle 100% naturally. Unfortunately, heavy lifting cannot help […]
If you are not convinced that you have what it takes to complete the task at hand, you will probably fail because your mind won’t allow you to operate at your full capacity. The confidence required to win is a certificate given by your central nervous system. Until you earn it, the mind will keep […]
Regardless of what the mainstream muscle media say, there isn’t a perfect bodybuilding split. All templates are temporary and require changes sooner or later. Even if you want to, you can’t do the same program forever. Minor tweaks will always be required. Exercise Selection Is Fundamental Choosing the right exercises is crucial. Below are a few criteria […]
The fitness industry is built on illusions. Most of the before and after photos floating around are heavily altered and shamelessly taken on the same day. Make Me Ugly, Please! In most before photo shoots, the models look as if they have a month left to live. This happens by design. The photographers are searching for that gloom and doom facial […]
There are two camps when it comes to weightlifting straps. One is formed by brainwashed bodybuilders who rely on straps to open doors and carry groceries whereas the other is the shelter of lifters who would rather sleep in the fridge than put on straps. Both sides are wrong. Straps Are Designed To Preserve Your Fingers, […]
The squat is a natural movement for the majority of the healthy human population. However, when you introduce a heavy barbell, the story changes. To paraphrase Mike Tyson – “Everybody has a plan until the weight gets heavy.” In other words, once the bar is loaded with a heavy enough weight, the pretty form disappears like […]