WATCH: Table Talk — Geared to Raw Lifting
The progression of gear usage is not linear; a lot of lifters actually return to raw after spending years in gear. This can be almost as challenging as learning the gear in the first place.
Purple & Red Faces
OK, here's the deal. We have two Powerlifters working to break All-Time World Records. For the sake of this post, let's say one has a Purple Face, and the Other has a Red Face.
WATCH: Table Talk — The Reason Powerlifting Records Are Being Shattered
Raw records have been dropping at unprecedented rates in recent years — and Dave thinks he knows why.
Max Effort Wrist Wrap Tip
This one is great because I blew my eyes out, was cramping and basically a mess.
Dynamic Bench Press Wrist Wrap Tip
Quick tip (one minute video) of how to get better use out of your wrist wraps for low rest period training sets.
The Reason for the Letters — JL's Technique That Is Fixing Dave
For a lot of reasons, we haven't shared the details of what has been going on to help my training. I'm going to bring everyone up to speed now.
Interview With Coach
We posted these as two separate articles but I wanted to post them together in my Blog as I feel the take away message with these is important.
The JL Letters — Passages 3 and 4
Every relationship has its highs and lows. You can't stay on the honeymoon forever.
Dear JL, The Reverse Band Press & No Back Bruising
I keep sending you these messages online and you now know me more digitally than in person so I have been scanning the internet, books, magazines, and TV to find the perfect way to tell you how I feel the next time we meet.
WATCH: Table Talk — How Do You Make Training Fit Your Life Schedule?
If training is getting lost on your daily to-do list, change your approach.
The JL Letters — Passages 1 and 2
Things are getting hot between Dave and JL. What's behind this growing bond?
Dear JL, Behind The Green Door - The Inside Story
The inside story about what's really going on with Dave Tate and JL Holdsworth.
Dear JL, I almost needed some space.
By now you must be wondering how strange it is to keep getting these letters from me since I’m not one to write anything more than a quick thank you card. You flew back into my life like an angle at a time I wasn’t expecting one so I am compelled to do so.
Something to think about...
You ever notice when you have a "break through" or a "ah ha" moment it's almost always something you've been told several times by many different people throughout different stages of your life?
WATCH: Best Secondary Movement for the Squat
This week Dave answers the question: If you could only pick one exercise as a secondary movement for squats, what would it be and why?
Why Powerlifters Should Not Train Alone
While some lifters do great training alone the MAJORITY of lifters will not reach their best training that way. Here is why...
Deat JL, I Broke Myself.
I thought it would be cool to break your work and now I know what happens when someone's does that. Next time I think I'll just select being punched in the face.
WATCH: Table Talk — What If Other Competitors Lie About Drug Use?
Mentally preparing for a meet isn't easy but what if you also have to worry that the other lifters are lying about steroids?
The Fastest & Easiest Way To Build A Home Gym
When setting up a home gym look for what best fits YOUR current needs. Not what you want to have, wish to have or would have liked to have ten years ago. Get what you need today so you can become better tomorrow
WATCH: Table Talk — Lat Training to Build a Raw Bench Press
A lot of lifters say the lats are the most important part of a strong bench press, but few know how to train them correctly.
JL Holdsworth is fixing my Squat. 90 pound PR after first session.
JL Holdsworth sent me a text the other day and said he just learned some new shit and what me to stop out... He thought it could help me. Several hours later I hit a 90 pound PR.
Keep Your Shit Off My Grass
The fact of the matter is, if you have a lot more haters than everybody else, there might be a reason for it. You might be a dickhead. You ever think of that?
Marketing Tip For Online Trainers Looking For Clients
We all see you, we see your posts, we see your meme's, we see your fliers and we're reading your ad copy (that's what they call the stuff you are writing to try to get new clients, in case you didn't know).
WATCH: Table Talk — The Early Days
What did a typical day in college look like for Dave back in his 20s?
WATCH: Table Talk — Analyzing Training Methods
The people who really don't know what the fuck they are doing are the ones that are taking the business from you because you are too wrapped up in the wrong things.
WATCH: Dave Tate's Closing Speech — April Training Camp
The founder of elitefts spoke with all attendees, finalizing a day of learning with coaches JL Holdsworth, Swede Burns, and Casey Williams,.
Impact A Hero - Special Edition Yoke Bar
For every limited edition SS Yoke Bar we sell, $100 will go to Impact A Hero, an organization committed to helping severely wounded heroes who have fought and sacrificed for our country.
With all stories, there is a back story.
With all stories there is a back story. This is the back story of preparation, performing and prevailing.
Building A Great Lifting Crew — Advice for Hardcore Lifters
The information in this article is meant for lifters who care about only one thing: building the biggest powerlifting total possible.
Building A Great Lifting Crew — Advice for Normal Lifters
The majority of people that go to the gym want a place where they can have fun, get stronger, and not be stressed in an overly-competitive environment. Here's how to do it.
WATCH: Table Talk — How Should a Powerlifter Use a Sled or Prowler?
You can use a sled or a prowler for a lot of reasons. People like them for conditioning but I think they're best used for recovery and restoration when you're getting ready for a meet.
WATCH: Reintroducing Dynamic Effort Bench Day
I just added speed work back into my training after a long time without it. Here's how I'm doing it.
Should Bodybuilders Powerlift?
When their last five, ten, fifteen years of training has all been wrapped around focusing on developing just individual specific muscles instead of developing the body to move three movements the most efficiently and explosively as they possibly can, there's going to be risk.
The 5 Best Powerlifting Accessory Movements
These would be the top accessories that I feel would be the most effective for Powerlifting.
GEARD Up Podcast with Dave Tate
Last week I was asked to be on this Podcast and time FLEW by. What seemed like 30 minutes ended up being 2.5 hours. Had a great time. I think you will all like this one.
Building A Great Lifting Crew
How to build a lifting crew that doesn't suck and will make everyone better and DON'T EVER step in front of or walk in front of someone while they are squatting!
WATCH: Table Talk — Muscular Balance in Training Programs
Should you do twice as much pulling volume as pressing volume? Some people think so, but it's not that simple.
Is An Image Worth More Than 1000 Words?
To provide an example of how bad image copyright theft is - based on some of my previous posts. I just did an image search for one of our (elitefts) images and selected only some of the URL's (there were over 100 pages).
Two and Out
I am not saying to keep doing what you don't like or hate to do. What I am saying is don't quit just because progress stops or you got injured. This post touches on some of the reasons why.
5 Misconceptions Beginner Lifters Make
There is no doubt there are more than five but these were the first ones that came to mind. Most get figured out pretty quick but if some were known beforehand maybe there would be a lower attrition rate because people would know what they are getting into.
WATCH: Table Talk — How Should A Big Guy Lose Weight?
For someone over 350 pounds, the rules of dropping weight are a little different. There are a few things you need to remember.
Vacation & Training
I guess if there's an entrepreneurship lesson for anybody, it's taken me eighteen fucking years to go on vacation and not open my f**king laptop.
WATCH: Table Talk — The Best Accessory Exercises for the Squat, Bench, a...
If you want to build your total, you need to pick the right accessory movements for all three lifts. Here are my favorites.
I had to do this, simply, just had to do it.
"I just keep pulling as heavy as I fucking can. Them mother fuckers straighten out then"
Should Powerlifters Do Curls?
Your biceps aren't the prime movers for any of the three powerlifts. A lot of people think this means you shouldn't train them. Are they right?
Table Talk — Thin Crust or Hand-Tossed Pizza?
Somehow this all ties into real-world experience and the steps taken to reach success as a business owner. Trust us.
WATCH: Table Talk — How to Maintain a Healthy Spine
Screw up your back and being unable to squat or deadlift won't be your only concern.
Muscle Heads, Meatheads and other Athletes
This is not just for Powerlifters, this is for everyone who uses any of these three lifts or looking for way to get more out of their program. Many times the main issues are not in the execution of the big 3 but within all the accessories you do.