training
The General Adaptation Syndrome and Its Applications for Training
As a scientist who studies the fundamental basis of how muscles get bigger and repair in response to stress, and as a lifter who has always cared a bunch about programming, I find the debate surrounding GAS very interesting.
The Barbell: What It Is and How to Take Good Care of Yours
Good, quality bars are a component of good, quality training. More so than with other pieces of equipment in a gym, lifters tend to develop a personal (sometimes quite emotional) relationship with bars.
Read What Has Come Before
Verkhoshansky. Issuran. Roman. Matveye. Stone. Kraemer. McGuigan. Gill. Newton. Haff. Fry. Zatsiorsky. Yessis. Bosco. Bondarchuk. Siff. Hill. Berger. Bompa. Knight. Issurin. Rhea. Baker. DeLorme. Get to know them.
Goals for the Ex-Competitive Athlete
Leaving competition behind, either temporarily or permanently, doesn't mean your training should stop being achievement-based. You just need to learn to set different goals.
Does Muscle Turn into Fat?
Muscle is a constant consumer of energy and fat is an organ that stores it, but they do share some common cell lineage. Can one become the other?
WATCH: Table Talk — Advice for Starting a Powerlifting Gym
Choosing equipment? Finding a building? Designing the gym layout? No, there's a step before all of these things.
Blocks and Chains vs. Blockchain and Bitcoin Cryptocurrency
This is the washed-up meathead’s guide to the digital currency taking the financial markets by storm, with a little bit of added wisdom on training.
Considerations for Strength Athletes Losing Weight
You’re going to be tired, you’re going to lose motivation, and you’re going to feel yourself going backward sometimes. That's why it's important to develop these skills and plan for the difficult times.
2018: We Change, Goals Change, But the Mystery of Strength Remains
A person's relationship with strength training and strength sports is dynamic and changes through time. I'm going to share with you some of my adventures that culminated in 2017 and offer a few tools that may be useful to you.
Fueled by Why
This is 2018. You already have everything you need to make this your year. Don’t waste it.
SURVEY: What Does elitefts Do Best?
As we move forward in the New Year, we're asking for your help identifying what it is YOU believe elitefts does best. This survey will only take a few seconds and will automatically enter you for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
WATCH: Table Talk — Overcoming the Fear of Injury After Rehabilitation
If you're scared of a weight, you're not going to be able to lift it, even if your body is strong enough. This can be a serious problem if you're coming back from injury.
Programming a Test Day to Measure Client Progress and Build Accountability
At Tank's Training Facility, we design our program to test our clients every 12 to 14 weeks, which not only tells us about their improvement but also works to motivate and encourage their commitment to training.
The Squat Rack: The Heart of the Weight Room
In this article I will give you a glimpse of the many variations of the squat rack, its use, and its customization, as done by elitefts.
Q&A with James Smith: Should I Run After My Workouts?
At 41 years old, returning to the military and going through Basic Training will require intelligent prioritization and accepting that some goals will be set back. In this Q&A exchange, James Smith provides guidance.
Powerlifting Then and Now
The top guys today are light years ahead of where we were. Lifters today are far better trained with methods that are backed with actual science. But there's something missing.
Opinions and Credibility
The problem, if I may opine, is that too many people do not understand that credibility is not given by the person who opines; credibility is given by others.
Ways to Sneak Cardio into Your Training
Following one, any, or all of these suggestions is a solid way to help prevent packing on some holiday pounds and to keep your strength gains strong.
Competition Report: The Third Annual Beer City Brawl
I only trained the events once or twice each and hadn't hit competition weights on any of them. But I hadn't done a strongman competition in 2017, and between PT school and my relocation to Virginia, I wasn't giving up the chance to compete.
WATCH: Table Talk — Back-Down Sets
After you've reached the heaviest set of the day, is there a reason to reduce the weight and do more reps?
What I Learned from Training My First Client
Three weeks ago, I came out of a two-year retirement from in-person training. Everything I've learned in the meantime about training nutrition, supplementation, and helping lifters came crashing into crisp clarity.
The Danger of Disposability
I’ve recently noticed culture embracing the idea of disposability at an ever-increasing measure. Quick, convenient, and disposable may lead to instant gratification, but I fear there are long-lasting consequences.
Can I Catch a Break? — My Harrowing Situation with Lisinopril and Angioedema
At 9:30 my right lip was swollen, by 12:30 the skin on the entire right side of my face was pulled tight, and by 1:30 I was in the emergency room.
A Guide to Buying the Perfect Barbell
Recently I was in the market for another barbell for my home setup, and at the start of this journey I thought all barbells were equal. I couldn't have been more wrong.