For years, bodybuilding work was treated like fluff, something “real” lifters didn’t waste time on. Powerlifters mocked curls, lateral raises, and cable work as meaningless vanity exercises. If it didn’t build the squat, bench, or deadlift directly, it didn’t matter. But time has a funny way of proving you wrong.

Chris Edmonds' proven bodybuilding routine for massive chest growth: a slight incline dumbbell press focuses on progressive overload and pump, followed by an incline barbell press that employs a shortened range of motion to protect the rotator cuff. For triceps, the routine progresses from a high-rep cable push-down warm-up to a shoulder-width close-grip bench press power movement, concluding with a stretching dumbbell exercise done on a slight incline.

 

If you’re a powerlifter, whether you compete seriously or love chasing PRs in the gym, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with some level of aches, pains, or maybe even full-blown injuries. It comes with the territory, to some extent.

Lifters chase novelty because the body adapts, and the mind gets bored. High-volume builds a base, while low-volume refines it. The pendulum keeps swinging because both work — for a while. What matters is not the method but the phase of life you’re in.

The Lifetime Table Talk Crew Membership is open again — and likely for the last time,  giving lifters and coaches a one-time chance to lock in all-access membership for just $299. No renewals, no monthly fees, just lifelong access to exclusive content, community, and support that fuels the future of the Table Talk Podcast.

"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."

 

On March 7, 2025, I did one of the stupidest things that I could've done: I flipped a tire. However, this decision turned out to be the one thing that propelled me to a place in strongman that I have never been before: at the top of the podium. I want to share my story in the hope that you can draw some lessons and inspiration from it for your own training.

Survey says...

Here's how to use muscle failure properly to build muscle without overloading your central nervous system or risking injury.

Natties are the worst, and they have been under my skin lately.

Time is a limited commodity and the clock is ticking. How do you know when it's time to quit?

Contest prep brings out the best in everyone...said no one EVER. Here's how to navigate through your relationship when hangry.

The bad news: You can’t go hard all the time. It’s the quickest way to burn out — to see your progress stall, to get injured, and to lose interest in your training. The good news: A bodybuilding-style approach to the offseason has a ton of benefits for the powerlifter.

As 50+ competitors, we have different rules to follow in order to the play the game. Choose wisely—you only have one life.

Extra workouts, if programmed right, can kick your training and results up a notch.

Anyone, regardless of experience, should be able to program workouts for themselves. Once you understand your goals, use these easy tips to build a program that delivers results.

Your best progress will usually be found outside your comfort zone or by doing something you haven't done before.

If you have an equal love for bodybuilding and powerlifting with a goal to become bigger and stronger, this program is for YOU.

I'm tired of answering questions about TEAM SKIP Training. Here's the updated version, for free. You're welcome.

He seemed like he was from another planet, a planet where the gravity was turned all the way up, and all its inhabitants were strong, powerful, and muscular.

The biggest mistake I see among lifters is rushing into advanced training too soon. Let's back up for a minute.

When you get to the point that you know what works and what doesn’t, or you are limited by injuries, the rules need to change.

God, I know you’re busy answering all of these prayers from people wanting baseball to start (thank you, by the way), the war in Ukraine...

Is bodybuilding a lifestyle, a sport, or two mutually exclusive things? Learn how the greats used hypertrophy along their journey.