Bench Press Set Up

Stop Squeezing Your Shoulder Blades: Why Your Bench Press Setup Is Holding You Back

Dave Tate

"Arching is not just a trick to reduce range of motion, but a method to anchor the shoulder and use the legs to fortify upper back stability. Instead of jamming the scapula into maximal retraction, lifters should aim to lengthen the neck and spread the collarbones wide to create a larger, more stable footprint on the bench pad."

 

efs troll

Classic: 27 Reasons to Be Big

Dave Tate

Dave Tate revisits a 2004 classic and asks the question all over again: why do we do this to ourselves?

 

Bruss Hamilaton

The Commercial Gym Strongman: A Training Philosophy for Posterior Chain Dominance

Dave Tate

To effectively train for strongman loading events in a commercial gym, former pro Russ Hamilton recommends focusing on the posterior chain by simulating heavy object picks with movements like the Zercher squat. These exercises, along with variations like the Wool row, allow athletes to develop the necessary upper back strength and hip drive required for events like Atlas stones or sandbags without needing specialized equipment.

 

Bench on Trail

The Bench Nobody Sits On

Dave Tate

The noise never stops unless you make it stop, and the conversations you've been avoiding are the ones that matter most.

Gym Squat Spider Bar

The Paradox of Certainty: Why Veterans Sound Less Confident

Dave Tate

Beginners speak in absolutes; veterans talk in probabilities, because the deeper you go, the more you realize how little you know.


 

allan Bacon

The 50% Testosterone Tax: Why Your "Hustle" is Killing Your Gains

Dave Tate

 Dr. Allan Bacon joins the podcast to debunk pervasive health fads, break down the "unsexy" basics of optimal nutrition, and explain how a lack of sleep can slash a man's testosterone levels by almost 50%.

 Tune in as Dr. Allan Bacon discusses the hidden costs of the daily grind, revealing the truth behind optimal macro tracking, the dangers of viral diet cleanses, and how neglecting your sleep can literally cut your testosterone in half.

Table Talk Podcast Guests

5 Surprising Lessons from World-Class Strength Athletes on the Art of the Pivot

"I really started to lean into like let's be as healthy as we can while we wreck our bodies... and then as I've gotten older and my priorities have shifted, my avatar has shifted with me."

 

Jumping onto Box

Jump Progressions by Ashley Jones

Casilyn Meadows

Most athletes jump wrong, or don’t progress it at all.

This system shows exactly how to build explosive power using structured jump progressions, from basic plyometrics to advanced shock methods — with every exercise linked so you can see it done right.

The 4:00 AM Standard: How The Spot Athletics is Killing the 'Gig Economy' Gym Model

The 4:00 AM Standard: How The Spot Athletics is Killing the 'Gig Economy' Gym Model

Dave Tate

J.L. details the evolution of The Spot Athletics from a humble 2,000 square-foot start to two 20,000 square-foot facilities, emphasizing how custom EliteFTS equipment, a client-first "family" culture, and salaried coaching positions are pushing the strength and conditioning industry forward.

 

The Biological Overhead of the "Enhanced" Era: Why Optimization is a Career-Killer

The Biological Overhead of the "Enhanced" Era: Why Optimization is a Career-Killer

Dave Tate

"If they do all the things exactly as they should which is the most optimized for their own performance from the very jump I think they limit their career."

 

SS Yoke and Belt

What You Have Is More Than You Think: A Lesson From Marcus Aurelius and a $1,000 Loan

Dave Tate

I didn't get here by having more than everyone else. I got here by understanding what less actually looks like.

How Nathan Payton Feeds the Strongest Men on Earth

How Nathan Payton Feeds the Strongest Men on Earth

Dave Tate

Elite strength coach Nathan Payton breaks down the hydration and nutrition strategy he uses to peak World's Strongest Man competitors — and why the principles apply far beyond the sport.