As your Fourth of July weekend bloat settles and sunburn dwindles, it’s back to the training log. To help you articulate your program and finesse each and every rep, we return to the drawing board: the content schedule for July.
Join in the conversation with David Adamson’s four-part series on why strength and conditioning is failing; listen to Cailer Woolam (he placed first in the 2019 Kern U.S. Open in the 220-weight class and set a new world record with a 950-pound deadlift, marking the fifth meet in a row where he broke an all-time world record) on an episode of Table Talk Podcast; learn more about Anne Sheehan’s alcoholism and how she’s navigated the addiction from negativity to positivity; see how Dan Dalenberg faired at the USPA Nationals; and read Jordan Shallow’s first article published on the site, along with Dave Tate’s “The Most Important Training Article You Will Read This Year.”
Looking further into the month, Matt Mills cautions the strongman competitor about the final two weeks of prep before competition; Joe Schillero gives you an 8-week barbell and conditioning program; JM Blakley’s first elitefts article introduces the mind-muscle link; Jim Wendler, Matt Rhodes, and Vincent Dizenzo co-host a Table Talk Podcast episode as Dave enjoys his vacation away from London, Ohio; Chris Janek shares information about collegiate scholarships for powerlifting; Stefan Waltersson discusses the pros and cons of a big arch for the bench press; Jeremy Frey adds another part to his “So You Want to Be A Collegiate Strength Coach” series — this time sharing the positives of this occupation; Tony Montgomery breaks down the phases of performance nutrition; Yessica Martinez reintroduces herself, bringing attention to her athlete log with a life and training update; and more!
Special thanks to David Adamson, Monte Sparkman, Gerry DeFilippo, Sam Brown, Travis Rogers, Cain Morano, Brian LeRiche, Jonathan Leitch, Mark Clevenger, Nick Rosencutter, Arther Imperatore Jr., Elyse Lovelace, and Max Barnhart for submitting their articles. If you’re looking to submit an article of your own, we’re always reviewing outside authors’ works for publication. Here’s how you can do that.
Meet the newest elitefts team members: Andrew Herbert, Ryan Belcher, and JM Blakley.
Andrew Herbert is a cop and firefighter in California. As part of the 242-pound weight class, he set a world record of 910.5 pounds in a raw single squat at the U.S. Kern Open in May 2018. Andrew is an IG athlete of ours, so you can follow his training by following him on Instagram @herbietheluvbug. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Table Talk Podcast episode 1, where he joined Dave Tate and Dan Green at the table.
Ryan Belcher joins our IG athlete roster alongside Andrew. Ryan is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he works for BELFOR and comes home each day to his wife and two sons. He started powerlifting in 2014, which he describes as being in “the darkest corner” in his life. As it turns out, there isn’t much to do in prison, so Ryan spent his time lifting weights. After some time there, he and the prison guards noticed that he was quite possibly the second strongest man out of the 1,565 inmates in the compound. While he recognized this strength, Ryan didn’t realize just how much potential he had for powerlifting until he’d finished serving his time. The big eye-opening moment for him was in March 2018, at his first powerlifting meet, where he totaled 2,006. One year later, Ryan won the SHW division at the 2019 Arnold Classic with a 2,255-pound total — his second-ever meet. Take a look at his training as he prepares for the Pioneer Tribute in San Antonio, Texas, by following him on Instagram @iam1him.
Lastly, we welcome JM Blakley. JM Blakley is known for being the namesake of the JM Press, breaking numerous world records, holding multiple degrees — including a master’s degree in strength and athletic conditioning and doctorates in exercise physiology and metaphysical sciences — and more. JM will serve as a coach and columnist for elitefts. Check out his coaching blog here. I can best describe his demeanor as a grandpa breaking down educational concepts so his 6-year-old grandson understands. If you haven’t already, listen to Table Talk Podcast episode 13, where JM discussed everything from meditation to the origins of the JM press.
Check out June’s Top-5 blogs, logs, and articles from your favorite coaches, athletes, and columnists:
- The Oreo Challenge Just Became A THING! – Dave Tate
- Strength Training Information From The Vault - FREE e-book – Dave Tate
- Dave Tate Breaks Down Jujimufu’s Full Training Session – Dave Tate
- Enter The World of Wendler – Dave Tate
- ASK ME ANYTHING - MAY 31, 2019 – Dave Tate
- How I Started A Gym With Less Than $20,000 - The Story of THIRST – Brandon Smitley
- Passed My Fire Physical – Joe Sullivan
- Abundant Mentality and Your Vision – Joe Sullivan
- 6/22/19 and 6/23/19 Squats, Bench, and Deadlift – Joe Sullivan
- Deadlifts Bench and Hard Conditioning – Joe Sullivan
- “The Westside Barbell I Remember” – Dave Tate
- “The Vault: Do the Stuff You Suck At” – Dave Tate
- “Make Box Squats Work for a Stronger Raw Squat” – Seth Albersworth
- “New Tattoo Do's and Don'ts for the Powerlifter” – Dan Hunter
- “10 Things You Can Start Doing to Extend Your Lifting Career” – Matt Mills
