Coping with COVID-19
I was alive when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the U.S. entered into World War II. In the 1940s, I remember polio. How does all of this relate to COVID-19 pandemic? I have an idea...
Editor's Letter for July
For July, we move from the weight room to the kitchen. Fun fact: In totality, considering all of the content we produce, nutrition is the one topic that doesn’t get as much airtime. Why? No one knows. It's provocative.
Ladies, So You Want to Bench 315?
I never missed 315. I went for it when it was time and when my training had prepared me for it. I attempted the weight when it was the next logical step in the progression of my coach’s orders. It wasn’t a YOLO, it was what came next.
Understanding Energy Systems for Freak Conditioning
When it comes to conditioning, we need to consider how fast our systems can produce ATP, how long we can produce it for, and how efficiently your body can utilize the ATP being produced. To do that, here's what we need to do.
What Does It Mean to Be a Gamer?
The science behind cybersickness is what applies directly to anyone in the training realm of physical sports. For myself, it started in asking a straightforward question of a neurosurgeon I met decades ago.
Are Athletics Healthy for You?
Can you be an athlete performing at the highest level and also achieve optimal health, or are these two mutually exclusive? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but those who are truly pushing their limits are either consciously or subconsciously giving up their health to do it.
More Advantages of Weight Training for Senior Strength
We all now know that we begin to lose muscle in our third decade. It happens so insidiously slow that we don’t realize it. Stop the cycle! Don't succumb to fragility!
Editor's Letter for June
For this month’s content pillar, our writers shift to the press. Whatever falls under this category is fair game: pec size, bench press technique, overhead press exercises, board pressing... Join the conversation to drop knowledge for all. Plus, check out the best of May—the best articles, coaching blogs, videos, and posts!
Tough Times Need Clear Perspectives
The first thing is that lifters need to let go of the thought that they are going to lose all of those hard-fought gains after missing just a couple of training sessions. This is complete nonsense,
You Need to Feel Pain
If you never train until you puke, how can you know your limits? If you never felt like you had nothing to give and forced you to move that shit anyway, how can you be proud of what you have achieved?
Division Differences in Jumping Ability
In this article, I’d like to present some research that we did examining a BCS Division 1 University and an NAIA University that existed within 15 miles of each other.
A Social Experiment Gone Wrong
I had to make a run to the grocery store today to pick up a few things for next week – typical stuff: chicken breast, sweet potatoes, egg whites, Monsters,...
Who Are the Saviors of the Hardcore Gym?
What is intriguing today with the backdrop of COVID-19 is observing the few remaining relics of an era gone by. The hardcore lifter-built gyms. These modern-day dinosaurs that refused to become extinct...
Editor's Letter for May
Last month, the bulk of our content wore many hats: squats, legs, COVID-19, autism, home gyms, and home exercises. Here's what you can expect for May.
Attitude Reflects Leadership
Anyone who has overseen a staff (especially a large one) has probably run into situations where you’ve faced the frustration of attitudes not being what you want them to be. Our attitudes as leaders play an incredibly important role in the attitudes of our staff.
COVID-19 and the Gym Rats
“Well, Lifetime Fitness is closed for now. They are freezing memberships – I am getting bloated as hell. I was wondering if you wanted some company in the garage gym and (long pause) maybe I could come and train with you a couple times?”
20 Questions
Time to play “20 Questions” to help you see the better side of the effect this pandemic has on your training. Bonus: Learn of an alternative household item you can use instead of toilet paper.
To Go or Not To Go?
The IPA, one of my favorite federations, held the Tennessee State Championships in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on March 14th. I went.
Ricardo Garcia and The Posterior Chainsaw
Ricardo Garcia had a problem. He had agreed to kill someone. Garcia accepted the money. He promised to do the job and took the money – an advance payment, from Jimmy Luciano of all people, “Chainsaw” Jimmy Luciano.
The Squat Epiphany
If I was that young woman in the picture with my present old mind, I would do it all differently. Unfortunately, I can’t rewind that tape but if you're reading this and you are or know of a young couple expecting a baby or handling their first one, this read may change your child-raising perspective.
Editor's Letter for April
I hope this letter lifts your sanity as we at elitefts continue to live, learn, and pass on – educating and outfitting the strongest athletes around the world. You'll find new content inside!
3 Major Principles of Weight Loss
Don’t start at 60 minutes a day on the stair stepper. It’s not about losing as much weight as soon as possible. Remember, it is very hard to gain muscle so we don’t want to be too aggressive with our weight loss and sacrifice the hard-earned muscle we have.
The Slipperiest Slope in Fitness
If you are a strength coach, personal trainer, or whatever other random fitness guru label and you’re diagnosing someone’s pain or prescribing rehab for an injury, you may want to watch your step – because you are on quite a slippery slope.