training
The Powerlifter's Mind: Lessons in Grit from Craig Foster's 2298lb Total
Top powerlifter Craig Foster (2298 total) follows an unconventional training philosophy where he rarely lifts heavy weights in the gym, preferring to work up only to his opener in sessions. This approach relies heavily on high-volume work, such as five sets of 10 squats at 50-60% of his maximum, allowing his competitive maximum to exceed his training maximum far.
Life and Lifting Lessons from 25 Years of Training to Bench 725 Lbs.
As middle-aged lifters, we carry a decade or more of experience to draw upon, giving us a competitive edge in training. However, we must protect our health and follow Cole’s advice when we feel the stakes are too high.
LIMITED TIME - LIFETIME CREW MEMBERSHIP ENDS TUESDAY!
Limited Time - Lifetime Crew Access ends Tuesday, Dec 23rd, 2025
The Unbreakable Strength of Rebecca Roberts
Rebecca Roberts, a three-time World's Strongest Woman, currently holds the titles of UK's Strongest Woman, Europe's Strongest Woman, and World's Strongest Woman concurrently. Winning her second World's Strongest Woman title was deeply meaningful, as it occurred the day before the first anniversary of Paul's passing, proving she could overcome the hardest time of her life and emerge as the strongest woman, both physically and mentally.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Training (And How They’re Killing Your Progress)
Most lifters don’t stall because their program sucks—they stall because their habits do. These are the 7 “deadly sins” of training that quietly wreck your progress and what to do about each one.
The Education Echo
Everyone starts somewhere. Early on, it’s easy to look at newcomers and forget you were once guessing too. The difference between arrogance and experience is humility. If you’ve been in the game long enough, you realize the next wave isn’t your competition — they’re your continuation.
Why a 'Crazy' Mindset Wins: 5 Raw Truths on Strength and Creativity from an Unlikely Mentor
"I remember just taking that bar and exploding so fast off my chest I want to throw it right through the ceiling... it's like a drug right it's like holy fuck i just hit 405 like 45 pounds... and nobody even knows this except for me. I'm 42 years old why do I keep doing this... but it's all I know it's the greatest feeling in the world man."
The Man Who Refused to Be Done: The Jared Maynard Story
Strength coach and powerlifter Jared Maynard battled a rare, life-threatening disease (HLH) that caused total organ failure, requiring five weeks on life support. At the same time, doctors advised his family to prepare for goodbye. Despite being left legally blind, skeletal, and wrestling with profound grief, he returned to the powerlifting platform, embodying the powerful message: "You're not done yet".
The Lifters Who Said ‘No Excuses
In your twenties, training is the center of everything. It’s your identity, therapy, escape, and reason to get up in the morning. Everything else fits around it. You schedule life around training, not the other way around. Then, time starts to load the bar in ways you didn’t expect.
A Thanksgiving Letter from Under The Bar
Every year, the bars, racks, and chalk stay the same—but the people under the bar change, grow, and carry each other through. This Thanksgiving letter is my thank you to the lifters, coaches, and crews who’ve turned elitefts into a shared strength community, under the bar and beyond it.
Functional Movement Training and Fictional Movement
Real functionality is simple — moving well under load and being able to repeat it tomorrow. If your “function” can’t translate to sport, life, or strength, it’s just entertainment.