training

Squat Experiment Conclusion: Front or side view. Which should you use in your training?

Just about everything is better wrapped in bacon. While we wouldn't recommend wrapping your Thanksgiving Day turkey in it—that would take too long—asparagus is a great alternative.

Incorporating bands into your squat will quickly help improve your form.

Everything was fine for a while, but after three months, my scores suddenly dropped significantly.

Serious lifters love it, but novice lifters have no clue how to get started. Our top gear experts answer your questions!

Every day I hear things from women that are flat out untrue.

While some are getting busted, others are finding new ways to improve. All in the work of science.

Do you need a meal that really packs a protein punch? Well, here you go. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even brinner (breakfast for dinner, y'all).

Up until the last few months, my template has been the same. It was coined the "Chaos Method."

You’d be amazed how much I take away from the elementary school students and apply to my clients at the gym.

Do you need to focus on bicep work while training for Strongman?

I think you are f***ing up.” Quite a way to start a conversation, but that was how it went for me. UPDATE a-recovering-endurance-addicts-first-lifting-injury Working around the pain: the key is knowing when to pick your battles... or you won’t be in the fight at all. UPDATE are-energy-drinks-bad-for-you Stimulants, sweeteners, and dyes are common ingredients in these drinks. Are they safe to consume? UPDATE a-refresher-on-traditional-periodization Before there were a bunch of fancy training programs, and after Milo carried the growing cow a bit further each day, there was traditional periodization. Let's review. UPDATE are-home-gyms-cheaper-than-commercial-gyms He never really considered working out at home because he couldn’t fit the equipment in his house. UPDATE are-injuries-due-mainly-to-conditioning-or-lack-of-conditioning Teams keep hoping that their players will not get injured. UPDATE a-relationship-that-will-last-a-lifetime This Valentine's Day, we are helping you express your feelings for your one true love. UPDATE are-overuse-injuries-preventable Are the repeated movements you do in your training (either with maximum weight or explosiveness) the cause of those nagging injuries that won't go away? UPDATE are-pain-killers-killing-your-muscle Don't confuse the masking of pain with the process of recovery. UPDATE a-rep-is-not-a-rep Three tips to increase neuromuscular activation. UPDATE are-plank-exercises-for-you One of the latest rages in the fitness industry is the plank exercise. In essence, plank refers to maintaining your body in a straight line from head to toe, as for example, in the up position of a push-up. UPDATE are-powerlifters-as-unhealthy-as-everyone-thinks-a-peek-at-our-sponsors-refrigerators Mmm....applesauce, pickles and eggs. UPDATE a-response-to-olympic-lifting-why-do-we-suck I'm taking that freedom to respond to what I believe was an article full of misinformed judgment on training for the sport of weightlifting. UPDATE are-we-making-progress-in-football-training It appears that more coaches are concerned with the results that they get from doing particular exercises in the weight room and with particular pieces of equipment. UPDATE are-we-teaching-speed-and-quickness Somehow, it is universally accepted that if you increase your strength and do running specific drills, you will increase your speed and quickness. UPDATE are-we-truly-improving-performance A noted sports columnist in the San Diego area lamented the fact that one of the state universities was unable to field a championship women’s volleyball team (they already dropped the men’s program even though it was the only program to bring in an NCAA championship). UPDATE are-you-a-gym-gypsy If your allegiance to a gym only lasts as long as your free membership or you bash your old gym on social media, this term may apply to you. UPDATE are-you-a-leader-or-a-follower Too often I see lifters doing the strangest stuff in the gym, and sometimes I get irritated enough to actually ask them about it. Their answers usually tells me everything I need to know: they're followers, not leaders. UPDATE are-you-a-leader-or-do-you-lead I have found there are two main types of leaders in the industry of strength and conditioning. There are those who inspire others and there are those who dictate. UPDATE are-you-and-your-pt-compatible Beyond skill-set, a physical therapist's personal belief system, communication style, vision, and philosophy are just a few things you should consider when searching for the perfect match. UPDATE are-you-a-prius-or-a-ferrari In terms of fat loss, we have to take into consideration the efficiency and inefficiency of how our systems work. It may seem odd, but looking at how these cars operate, and why, will help us to understand how our bodies can maximize their fat loss potential. UPDATE are-you-a-program-hopper She only gave the program SIX MONTHS before scrapping it. UPDATE are-you-asking-the-right-questions If you aren't getting stronger or making gains, you're doing something wrong. Your first job is figuring out what that is. UPDATE are-you-a-teammate-or-training-partner I am always looking into why teams win. No matter the sport, venue, business, you name it, I am constantly asking myself what they are doing to win. This is one thing they all share. UPDATE are-you-a-training-partner-or-someone-others-train-with You don’t have to be an expert lifter to make your training partners better. You just have to always be actively watching and engaged in training. Here is how you can be an asset to your group — even as a newer lifter. UPDATE are-you-box-squatting-or-squatting-to-a-box This man can break your leg like a Kit-Kat bar. Listen to him. UPDATE are-you-consuming-producing-or-engaging Proper communication and behavior requires a firm understanding of your surroundings and of those with whom you interact. UPDATE are-you-driven How DRIVEN are you? UPDATE are-you-evolving-as-a-lifter When you begin to see your training as more than sets and reps, you'll find the balance you need to program intelligently. UPDATE are-you-getting-enough-o2-oxygens-role-in-muscle-growth On the quest for hypertrophy? Take note of these facts before shunning cardio. UPDATE are-you-hearing-advice-but-dont-know-how-to-listen You need someone who isn't afraid to criticize; you need to listen to what you're doing wrong. UPDATE are-you-hiring-the-right-trainer The best advice I can give you is find the closest warehouse gym in your area and sign up! UPDATE are-you-just-going-through-the-motions Life is meant to be lived. Stop sleepwalking through life and waiting for things to happen. UPDATE are-you-majoring-in-the-minors You might be majoring in the minors if... UPDATE are-you-mapquesting-your-training This is the difference between running a system or following a program. It's the difference between getting lost or arriving at your destination. UPDATE are-you-normal-down-there Well you should wonder, but in case you haven't, I have. And this is what I came up with. UPDATE are-you-overtrained-or-under-recovered Some people will tell you that overtraining isn't real. Don't listen to these people. Take the time to consider your recovery just as much as you consider your training. UPDATE are-you-overtrained-should-you-deload Two catchwords that continue to make me shake my head are overtraining and deload. The end goal is a balance between training and recovery. UPDATE are-you-partial-to-full-range-of-motion Skip addresses the commotion over range of motion. UPDATE are-you-pissing-off-the-right-people Do great work and take note of who discourages your success. There are critics to listen to and there are critics to ignore. UPDATE are-you-playing-the-blame-game-in-education-and-athletics A culture shift has robbed us of personal accountability. It's time for a change. UPDATE are-you-playing-with-a-full-deck Here is a question I was just asked on the Q and A. I do not watch or read the news in regards to political issues so my answer is based solely on the issues I deal with on a day to day basis with no BS or political agenda. It is what it is... UPDATE are-your-athletes-training-or-working-out There is a huge difference between working out and training, but training dictates that there is a goal. UPDATE are-you-ready-for-the-inevitable After resigning from my last position, I thought it was an opportune time to reflect on the situation and hopefully, a time for me to assist you in the process of finding your next gig. Best of luck in your job hunt! UPDATE are-you-really-a-hardgainer Hardgainers exist. It's true. You may actually be one! But are you...really? UPDATE are-your-lateral-rotators-strong The rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder play a very important role in the prevention of shoulder injury and in the execution of overhead throwing and hitting actions. UPDATE are-you-setting-yourself-up-for-injury Lifting weights is easy, but preventing injuries when lifting weights is not always as simple. Because of this, it is not uncommon to find many injuries in weight training. To help prevent injuries and make your workouts more productive, here are seven key factors that you should take into account when weight training. UPDATE are-you-tough Toughness is something deeper than the scene in The Terminator when a biker puts out a cigar on an unflinching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s chest. So what does it really mean to be tough? Let's find out. UPDATE are-you-training-too-heavy Challenge yourself, both mentally and physically, by doing movements that are hard. UPDATE are-you-tucking-or-flaring It may at first seem like a small change...but this one minor adjustment can be helpful both in and outside of the gym. UPDATE are-you-using-your-lats Many lifters believe they use their lats on the squat, bench, and deadlift, but I have found that they’re often wrong. Here’s how to know. UPDATE are-you-willing-to-be-wrong I was unwilling, to my core, to be corrected. I would rather get hurt than admit I was wrong. And I did, many times. Once that character defect changed, so did everything else. UPDATE a-rising-tide-lifts-all-boats The legendary Frantz Gym was the place where the top powerlifters trained, where the collective whole was greater than the sum of its parts. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” can often be tossed around, but that was a large part of the magic that was Frantz Gym. UPDATE armour-plating-the-upper-body-and-power-training-the-lower-body Trial and error over time has led me to where my programming is today. This has produced a philosophy that includes a different approach to upper and lower body training. UPDATE arm-swings Arm Swings UPDATE arm-swings-2 I like to increase my ROM during the exercise, so I don't go for broke on the first rep. UPDATE arm-training-for-strength-athletes Direct arm training will reduce the likelihood of a biceps or triceps tear, strengthen the tendons, improve pressing strength and grip. UPDATE army-physical-training-and-the-powerlifter In October 2008, I joined the U.S. Army. I’m going to share my story about seven months of Army physical training compared to my experience as a veteran powerlifter. UPDATE arnold-bingo-is-back-2016-hashtag-contest Here's your chance to win a $100 gift card while you scope out the freaks of the expo. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtable-mountain-dog-programming It's Mountain Dog time. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtables-fusion-bodybuilding-part-1 Say hello to these FUSION BODYBUILDING athletes. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtables-fusion-bodybuilding-part-2 We're back with FUSION BODYBUILDING® athletes to discuss training programs. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtables-fusion-bodybuilding-part-3 FUSION BODYBUILDING® athletes discuss nutrition. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtables-universal-nutrition Meet these Universal Nutrition athletes. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtables-universal-nutrition-part-2 The Universal Nutrition athletes are back to talk about training. UPDATE arnold-classic-roundtables-universal-nutrition-part-3 Nutrition is the name of the game in this final interview with Universal Nutrition athletes. UPDATE arnold-classic-weekend-win-a-chance-to-train-at-elitefts No purchase necessary. Raffle begins TONIGHT! UPDATE arrogance-vs-relevance-fix-your-business-practices If you're relying on the wave of popularity to bring you clients, what will you do when the dry season comes. UPDATE a-semester-with-conjugate-u After meeting Nate Harvey and reading his ebook, I decided to try out a conjugate-based system with two of my teams, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball, during the spring semester. Here's what we did, how it worked, and changes I'm making moving forward. UPDATE a-simple-flow-chart-for-athlete-programming By assessing the strengths of each athlete, you can better determine their training needs and how to address them. This chart makes it easy to evaluate progress for each player. UPDATE a-simple-guide-to-getting-shredded-in-6-weeks As an active firefighter, Ken Whethem followed these nutrition rules to go from lean to shredded. UPDATE a-simple-quick-view-of-dynamic-effort-work-for-athletes These non-traditional methods of dynamic effort work will supercharge your athletes without sending them down the road to rehab. UPDATE a-six-week-example-for-alactic-power-and-aerobic-power-running-warm-ups I’m not writing this article to stir up the dynamic versus static warm-up debate but to suggest different variations and progressions for a dynamic warm up. UPDATE ask-questions-read-and-ask-more-questions A beautiful transformation occurs when you begin to accept that difficulties are as inherent to our lives as breathing. For strength coaches, there is nothing more substantive to our daily lives than questions and books. Do you diverge from the routine? UPDATE ask-the-thinker This is why I have long since abandoned the debate over exercise selection that does not fall within the realm of special physical preparation. UPDATE ask-the-thinker-with-bonus-video-interview The perceived weakness is actually fibers that are impaired from contracting. UPDATE ask-your-chiropractor Finding a new healthcare provider can be tedious and frustrating, particularly if you don't feel you're being heard. Start a new visit off by asking the right questions to be sure you're speaking to the right professional. UPDATE ask-yourself-these-3-questions-2025 Three months into the new year, it’s time to ask yourself some tough questions. UPDATE a-smarter-approach-to-enhancing-athletic-performance When I started to apply this 8-phase setup with my high school and college athletes, not only did their technique, mobility, and flexibility improve, but they also looked and felt stronger. UPDATE a-snapshot-of-my-off-season-diet-health-recovery-and-efficiency Despite my absence from the stage, I often get emails asking about my diet. Yes, it’s different and much looser than my approach when I'm highly focused on professional bodybuilding. In fact, that makes this article more applicable to the majority of people. UPDATE a-social-experiment-gone-wrong Why can’t you speak to people face-to-face like you can on social media? UPDATE assessing-your-dysfunction-finding-why Still searching for your quick fix? You won't find it anytime soon. UPDATE assessment-methods-to-determine-ideal-speed-development-protocols These three velocity-based sessions build the trainable aspects of athletic speed development. UPDATE assessment-of-shoulder-dysfunction-getting-ahead-of-the-game There are four joints that make up the shoulder and 12 muscles that act on the scapula. These simple range of motion screens can help you identify issues and develop a plan to train for correcting them. UPDATE assistance-exercises-for-the-raw-squatter So it’s been three meets now and I’m still doing this raw thing. UPDATE assistance-training-for-strongman-and-functional-strength A lot of guys who train for Strongman don’t put much thought into assistance work, if at all. Assistance exercises can improve specific attributes and get you through your sticking points in many cases. UPDATE assisted-leg-press This exercise is used for people that cannot lift the leg sled by themselves. UPDATE assisting-assistance-work I’ve heard before that a program rarely fails due to assistance work, but I disagree. This is the work that carries over to our main and supplemental movements, builds muscle, creates balance, and promotes integrity throughout the entire body. UPDATE a-standard-template-for-the-strongman-competitor The following is a program that I’ve put together over the last few years by doing research and trial and error (otherwise known as ‘under the bar’ research). UPDATE a-statement-of-quality After more than 30 years under the bar there is no doubt this is the best belt I have even used" - Dave Tate