Maple Street

Building a Powerlifting Empire: 5 Counter-Intuitive Lessons from the Origins of EliteFTS

The EliteFTS gym evolved from a simple backyard shed used for sled work in 1998 into a world-class strength facility over the course of two decades of growth and warehouse relocations.

 

HOME GYM

The Architect’s Blueprint: Building a Professional Grade Home Gym Compound

Dave Tate
"You don't have to do it all at once... get creative... You can do this at a very reasonable budget; you don't have to go out there and break the bank or take out a second mortgage on your home to get a whole gym."
TYAO

Train Your Ass Off 2026

Applications for the 2026 Train Your Ass Off events close March 15th. Here's what past attendees said about it, in their own words.

 

mike brinsen and dave tate

The Best Lifters Know When to Stop Following the Plan

Dave Tate

Auto-regulation isn't a cheat code for lazy lifters. It's the hardest skill in strength sports to develop, and most people never get there.

Dave White Space

5 Brutal Fitness Truths You're Probably Ignoring

 Dave Tate argues that while the fitness industry hyper-focuses on the "black margin" of complex nuances like peptides and exact RIR, the vast majority of progress actually comes from the ignored "white space" of common sense fundamentals. He contends that mastering basic compound lifts, training with sufficient effort, and maintaining consistency are far more critical for growth than obsessing over the optimization minutiae often found in online discourse.

 

Tom Training Bench

Your Guide to the Strength Mastery

The Strength Mastery Event is a two-day, hands-on coaching experience designed to help participants master the squat, deadlift, bench, and overhead press while learning foundational mechanics such as breathing, bracing, and foot rooting. Attendees work in a small-group setting to receive practical feedback and clear cues, ensuring they leave with improved positions and a training plan they can use immediately.

 

Crew 87sdr

A One-Time Chance to Join the Table Talk Crew for Life

Dave Tate

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.



competitive bench press

THE BEGINNER SERIES: THE LIFT-OFF

Casilyn Meadows

In the world of powerlifting, there are many factors within your control: perfecting your technique, maintaining consistency in your training, staying fully engaged in your program, prioritizing proper nutrition, and valuing recovery as much as the time "under the bar.

Use of the hyperextension machine.

The Reverse Hyper Machine: How the Lab Followed the Gym's

Casilyn Meadows

For some time, my husband had been saying that I needed a “reverse hyperextension machine”. After a particularly painful flare-up, I finally gave in and looked it up: it was time to learn more about the machine I never managed to use at any gym because I was too short for them. Luckily, YouTube taught me several ways to improvise alternatives.

Thin Press Bar Press

The EliteFTS Thin Press™ Bar: 5 Surprising Ways It Builds Strength and Prevents Pain

Dave Tate

The EliteFTS American Thin Press™ Bar. At first glance, it looks like just another Swiss bar variation, but a closer look reveals a surprisingly thoughtful piece of engineering. Its design solves the chronic issues of pain and instability.

Cannabis and Us

Cannabis and Us: Pain, Recovery, Inflammation and Mood 

Marilia Coutinho
Tagged: Education
Train longer, recover better, and maintain quality of life.
reverse band loaders

10 Powerlifting Lessons from Dan Green

Dave Tate

Powerlifting icon Dan Green returns to Table Talk to share 10 proven lessons on training, longevity, and building strength that lasts decades.

bench pic hand

The Biopsychosocial Model in Strength and Conditioning

Dave Tate

Strength isn’t just built in the gym — it’s the product of your body, your mind, and the world around you. In this episode of Table Talk, I sit down with Dr. Dwayne Jackson to unpack the Biopsychosocial Model and what it means for lifters, coaches, and anyone chasing long-term performance.

Plates

Dave Tate's Guide to Supplemental Movements with FULL Video

Dave Tate

Dave Tate's FULL presentation from the LTT8. The topic is supplemental and accessory training for powerlifting. This is the entire uncut version:

Bench Press with Green Slinger

Increase Your Bench Press With These 5 Proven Techniques

Dave Tate

Are you looking to take your bench press to the next level?

Matt Mills Squat

Powerlifting: The Basic Guide to Conjugate Training

Dave Tate

Conjugate Training offers several benefits for powerlifters. It helps in developing strength, power, speed, and muscle mass. The constantly changing exercises prevent overuse injuries and keep training interesting

TYAO Squat Image

Annual Reflections: A Coach’s Compass

Dave Tate

Ashley Jones shares his evolved approach to athlete programming, rooted in the principles of French Contrast Method training.

Strength After Setback: Training Through Chronic Pain

Strength After Setback: Training Through Chronic Pain

Marilia Coutinho
Aging lifters face new challenges: chronic pain, fluctuating recovery, and unpredictable training responses.
biggest liebiggest lie

The Biggest Lie in Strength Training

Dave Tate
“It’s not that easy.”
Opening a Second Gym?

Opening a Second Gym? Follow These 10 Commandments

Joe Riggio
Thinking of opening a second gym? Learn the 10 essential commandments every gym owner must follow to scale successfully.
bands

Why EliteFTS Bands Are Still Our Go-To After Nearly 20 Years

Dan Goodman
Tagged: education
From warm-ups to explosive plyometrics, Coach Joe Riggio and Dan Goodman of Varsity House Gym share nearly two decades of experience using EliteFTS bands with athletes of all ages and levels.
online trainer

10 Things To Know If You Want To Be A Successful Online Trainer

Ken "Skip" Hill
Tagged: Education
Everyone thinks they’re the next big thing in online training, but few actually have the chops to make it past mediocre.
common sense

How You All Have Lost Your Minds

Dave Tate
Too many lifters are fixated on the margins of training—debating optimal RPE or the latest recovery hack—while forgetting the white space: common sense.
why competecompete why

Why You Should Compete

Mike Hedlesky
Tagged: Education
Competition in powerlifting is more than numbers or social media clout—it’s about pushing yourself, gaining experience, and discovering what you're capable of under pressure.