Sergeant Block of Fort Benning
"We will always look to improve ourselves and improve our situation as best we can with what we got. We keep trying to always build off what we have, that we use yesterday's mistakes for a better tomorrow." - Sergeant Block
Leg Training with Dynamic Emphasis
A sample dynamic - explosive leg - squat training session from my training on Sunday.
Old School Max Effort Bench Day (video)
Here are some video clips from a video magazine that visited Westside Barbell Club when I was still training there. Notice the lack of equipment we are wearing and listen to what Louie says at the end of the clips. There is much to learn in these.
Awesome Powerlifting Videos - Hawaii World Record Breakers
Some great lifting from one of the best meets at the time (mid 80's to 90)
WATCH: Table Talk — Peaking for A Meet with Circa Max Training
Dave and JL talk about the aspects of Circa Max that many lifters overlook: the what, how, when, why, and who.
The Biggest Mistake A Lifter Can Make
The biggest mistake that beginners make in training bodybuilding, powerlifting anything in the strength realm are the excuses they make.
WATCH: Table Talk — What Is the Most Disgusting Thing You've Seen i...
If visions of vomit, blood, cysts, and puss make you queasy, find another video to watch.
Are you disciplined or playing Candy Land?
How can a Junior High wrestler be more committed to their wrestling sport then a powerlifter training for the top title in their federation, country or whatnot? Because it happens!
This Program Only Works For Dudes On Sauce!
Oh, you can't do THAT program because it's only good for those who take sauce!
72 Questions Answered
I have been toying with an idea the last couple months of using threads for QA's. Here are the three Q and A threads I've posted so far.
Table Talk — What Is the Biggest Lesson You Learned From Westside?
JL Holdsworth joins Dave for a look back at the years they spent training at Westside and everything they learned there.
The memories one image can bring.
WOW - the memories one picture can bring back in amazing and I only scratched the surface. It took 10 minutes to get past all the ones I won't write about. People get hit in the head with bars and weights, interventions, injuries, rage, blood, dickheads, pictures stuck on the ceiling, to narcolepsy.
I Failed #Rancid Hat Contest
Before seeing his hat I suggested we run a contest to see who's hat was the most rancid. I was SO wrong.
Off Season Online Training
Personally I see more of a need for coaches during off-season than I do peaking for a meet. The real changes are made in the off-season, the accommodating and realization of these changes are made during the meet prep phases.
WATCH: Table Talk — Peak Arousal for Performance in Strength Sports
Every lifter has their own optimal place on the arousal curve. Going in either direction from that point will wreck your performance.
Two More Great Business Videos
Every now and then when I discover or rediscover great videos I like to share them in my blogs for two reasons. You may find something from them and I will be able to find them again later when I want to watch them again.
WATCH: Table Talk — Can Single-Ply Gear Supplement A Raw Lifter's T...
If you're competing raw but want to use briefs or a shirt in training, there's one rule you need to follow.
Rip or be Ripped
I know the true strength of a man is not in how much he can lift but how high he can lift others. I may have beat Coach’s bench press, but I still aspire to be the man who helped me that day in the parking lot.
WATCH: Table Talk — Finding Solutions to Deadlift Weaknesses
Leverages will influence your ideal deadlift stance, but that's only one small part of finding your weakness is.
THREE DAYS LEFT — Win 12 Weeks of Free Online Training from Team Elitefts
Participating coaches include; Swede Burns, Clint Darden, Julia Ladewski, Brandon Smitley, Joe Schillero, Ken Skip Hill, Zach Gallmann, Matt Ladewski, Shane Church, David Allen, Casey Williams, Dani Overcash, David Kirschen, Sheri Whethem, Ken Whethem.
Ken Skip Hill - A coach you sould know.
His primary focus is nutrition and supplementation but is called on for his years of training and life coaching experience.
Team Elitefts Arnold Classic Update
As far as how our team did here are some bullet points, but for me the coolest thing about the weekend was the open gym time.
Matt Ladewski: A coach you should know
Matt has been associated with Team Elitefts for close to 10 years in multiple capacities. Through our Social Media and QA, out of all the active Team members, he has answered more of your training questions than anyone else on the site.
WATCH: Table Talk — Do Some Training Programs Only Work If You Take Ster...
I hear lifters say this shit all the time. It's ludicrous.
Swede Burns: Another coach you should REALLY know
There are three things that really matter and when you add these up and really look at what this means, you end up with a great coach. Read this to see how Swede Burns excels at these three things. Also, click through to win a chance to win 12 weeks of free online training with him.
Wanna Train At Elitefts Thursday Night Before The Arnold? Read How
24 hour FLASH raffle to train at elitefts s4 private training compound the Thursday (3/3/2016) before the Arnold Classic. Raffle begins at midnight and will run 24 hours. Ten winners will be selected on Wednesday. No purchase necessary
WATCH: Table Talk — The Worst Beginner Mistake
This mistake is really, really simple, even if no one wants to take ownership of it.
Are you a coach or a captain?
If you're are the top dog in your gym are you being a "Captain" or a "Chump".
This could be the worst thing I've ever done for squats.
Yes, I still do stupid shit for no other reason then to see if I can do it or not. In this case I failed.
A Tribute to Maris Anne Sternberg
"Powerlifting has lost a true Legend. Maris is now in a better place and no longer struggling to take another breath of air"
Win 12 weeks of online training from Team Elitefts
This is a money back offer on a service you will have the ability to win for FREE.
Four foods for EPIC fat abs
I'm writing this post because one mark of measure we used to use years ago to gauge our potential strength and how we were peaking for a meet was we would measure the size of our head and the size of our bellies. Based upon that, we would know if we were ready for our meet or not. Are you
Julia Ladewski - A Coach You Should Know
She has helped thousands of people over the years do exactly what you are trying to or wanting to do.
Discipline Video Rant: Fat, Bloated, Angry with CPAP imprents on my face.
There's going to be a time when you can't do this anymore. Don't piss on this opportunity. When it's gone, it's gone.
Four key factors to staying tight, strong and injury free.
The first thing you need to understand is when lifting big weights, or light weights for that matter, being tight is extremely important. The tighter that you can keep your body, the safer and stronger you will be, but what does "getting tight mean?". Here are four simple ,but often overlooked, things to help you get started today...
6 Training Videos You Don't Want To Miss
John Meadows is now just a few weeks away from the Arnold Classic. I thought it would be a good idea to post some of the videos we've made together.
WATCH: Table Talk — Where Is the Sport Discipline?
There's going to be a time when you can't do this anymore. Don't piss on this opportunity. When it's gone, it's gone.
My 12 Year Old Coaching Pro Athletes
My 12 year old son should be coaching Baseball in the minor leagues! This is a random post off the top of my head that addresses this...
How Fast Should A Lifter Gain Weight?
What I was always told was you know, keep gaining weight until you can't get stronger anymore cause the fastest way to get stronger ... How can a lifter find the right weight class for themselves and is it better to get there slowly or to get there as quickly as possible?
Chest, Shoulders and Triceps with some Fit Factory Hosstile Mountain Dogs
Today was a unique day because John Meadows decided to come out today instead of Sat to train Chest. He also brought Ken Jackson and Fouad Abiad. Here is what went down.
MUTANT ON A MISSION: Elitefts, Dave Tate, John Meadows and Ken Jackson
Come along for the ride as IFBB Pro Big Ron Partlow joins forces with legendary powerlifter Dave Tate to take you inside the ELITE FTS training facility. Half dungeon, half toy store, you’ll get a look at what makes this one of the most exclusive hardcore gyms in the country. Joined by special guests stars and fellow IFBB Pros, John
Tim Grover's Top 10 Rules For Success
I am reading his book right now Relentless and personally agree with most of it. This video was interesting enough for me to post - if for any other reason for me to come back and review every so often.
WATCH: Table Talk — Training Tips to Break a Bench Press Plateau
Stop beating yourself up after hitting a sticking point in your training. Figure out what the problem is and fix it. These tips will help the troubleshooting process.
What Really Defines A Team?
Over the past 18 years there have been under 150 Elitefts team members. This is less than others that have been around half as long as we have. This covers some of the reason why and why we have so many who have been around over a decade now.
When I'm Feeling Down I Watch These Videos
When I'm feeling down, depressed or just pissed off I watch these videos and all in life is good again.
If I was injury free, would I still compete?
The answer is: no, I would not compete even if every joint in my body felt perfect. I would go as far to say, even if my strength was what it used to be and I knew for a fact that I could build upon it. I'll even take it a step further and say, even if my strength was
How I Benched 500 Pounds As A Teenager
The methods weren't perfect, the food was mostly shit, but it worked. There are a few things I'd change before recommending this for someone else.
Is Leadership In Sport And Business The Same?
In January I read a Facebook post of a quote that Mark Watts posted that said,"CFO asks CEO what happens if we invest in developing our people, and then they leave us?" CEO replies,"What happens if we don't, and they stay?". I wanted to make a few thoughts on this...
Mashed Up Meathead - Training Week
Training log session updates as I get near the end of the Mashed Up Meathead Training.
WATCH: Table Talk — What You Need for the Perfect Home Gym
There are three questions you should be asking yourself before investing in equipment.
How To Increase Your 225-Pound Bench for Reps Test
Here are 23 tips to master the most famous NFL Combine challenge,