#112 - Westside Barbell Stories (Discipline and Consistency)
Jim Wendler and Matt Rhodes to discuss training, coaching, consistency, discipline, and past Westside Barbell stories
A Real Strength Coaches Guild To Writting Training Programs
From Matt's Coaching Blog Part One I'm sure I've done something like this before. This process is evolving all the time. Not a lot has changed, but there's always a new "twist" as I try to improve what I do. My latest "improvement" is due to an intern that actually wants to be a […]
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast #50 with Vincent Dizenzo, Matt Rhodes, and Ji...
The three amigos are back! Need a laugh? You’ll want to watch and listen to this home edition of Table Talk.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — Dizenzo Gains 28 Pounds in 24 Hours an...
Vincent Dizenzo, Jim Wendler, and Matt Rhodes come together to deliver a classic tale of body odor, sketchy needles, and a whole lot of that sweet power bloat. Complete with quite a few verbal jabs at each other in between, like does losing weight even count as a challenge as a super heavyweight powerlifter?
Chin-Ups at a Higher Bodyweight
If you’re a heavier trainee, chin-ups are difficult… but not impossible. Case in point: I’m nearly 50 years old and weigh 245 pounds, but I do chin-ups for volume rather than output. Here lies the secret to my chin-up success.
The elitefts Internship Guide
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about internships, all in one place.
How My Programming's Improved Over the Years
I love and hate programming. When I’m doing research and reading stuff, my brain goes a million miles per hour. Of course, everything I read seems like the greatest idea ever, so I have to dial it down, but I’ve gotten better at it over the years, and it shows.
WATCH: Matt Rhodes' Problems with Sports Coaches
Strength coaches have a lot of problems to deal with. Some of those problems come from the strength coaches themselves, but don’t even get him started on the sports coaches… too late, though. We got him talking about them.
WATCH: Matt Rhodes Gives Advice to Young Coaches
A few pro tips from Coach Matt Rhodes: Not everything you learn in a book can be applied to strength and conditioning. Open your mind to new ideas and influences, and learn how your mentor wants things down.
WATCH: I am Vincent Dizenzo
“To be able to give back is a much bigger legacy than anything you’ll leave on a platform.” elitefts coach Vincent Dizenzo finds his calling in helping others by passing on knowledge, especially when it comes to dieting and weight loss.
Vincent Dizenzo's BAMF Program
A few weeks ago I blogged about how I was mistakenly looking for a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with my injuries, and my circumstances are different. But with the help of four friends (and my wife), we came up with a BAMF program. Here it is.
Conditioning Without Running
Stop killing kids by making them run so much. Stop running them into the ground with running… and in general, stop it. It defeats the purposes of building them up.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — What Lift Are You Most Proud Of?
While Dave’s AWOL, Jim Wendler, Matt Rhodes, and Vincent Dizenzo fill in and answer questions. This question (what lifts are you most proud of?) sparks a conversation about coaching and fond memories this trio of friends shared and are now sharing with you.
WATCH: Matt Rhodes on Getting His Foot Through the Door
“People I knew got my foot in the door, and I got myself through the door.” Morehead State strength and conditioning coach Matt Rhodes shares his story of how he made his way into the collegiate strength and conditioning world.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — Wendler, Rhodes, and Dizenzo Respond t...
It’s not really a controversy unless we talk about that particular controversy, right? Well, if you wanted some hot takes on Robert Oberst’s deadlift criticism, you’re in the right place!
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast #18 with Vincent Dizenzo, Matt Rhodes, and Ji...
Watch out, Dave — there’s a new host in town. Actually, there are 3 hosts in town, and they’re taking over Table Talk Podcast while Dave is on vacation. Expect some wild stories with Vincent Dizenzo, Matt Rhodes, and Jim Wendler as they answer your questions.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — Why Strength Coaches are D-Bags
Matt Rhodes’ takeaway lessons for strength coaches in this clip: Put your best foot forward. Stop screaming and start communicating. Hold yourself accountable. Do better and be better.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — The Glory Days
Talk about a blast to the past: Dave Tate, Jim Wendler, and Matt Rhodes relive the so-called glory days of training in the winter without heat and using knee wraps as wrist wraps. Best of all, it’s all documented in an old video. There’s no way to bury that evidence!
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast #10 with Jim Wendler and Matt Rhodes
In this episode of Table Talk Podcast, Dave Tate, Matt Rhodes, and Jim Wendler re-watch some old training videos, talk about near-death experiences, being a strength coach, and more.
Did I Do a Good Job?
I’m guessing that other strength coaches think about this too. I can’t be the only one, right?
How to Teach a Team to Lead Itself
If the majority of leadership has to come from coaches, that’s usually a sign of a rough season ahead. In my experience, I’ve found this to be 100% true.
Adapting to Needs — Phase 1 of Winter Strength and Conditioning for Foot...
Our team is pretty strong in the weight room and it has transferred to the field, but we’re not a big team. The head coach and I have come to an agreement on changes we’re going to make, with a phase that starts January 16.
ACL Rehab Phase One — Returning to the Weight Room
After an ACL injury, the athlete is first rehabbed exclusively in the training room. Once they’re released to me, we start this phase of the recovery process.
How the Best Strength Coaches Deal with Scheduling Conflicts and the Coa...
Ever wonder how collegiate athletes manage time between scholastics, sports practices, and lifting? Here’s how S&C coaches can help and develop a better relationship with sport coaches.
LISTEN: The Rhodestown Podcast
Matt Rhodes has been a permanent fixture of elitefts™ for over a decade. His advice to coaches is invaluable
Elitefts Roundtable: In-Season Training for Football
Elitefts™ coaches and columnists discuss their views on the best in–season templates for football.
Do It: Interns
Whether you are an intern or a coach who is advising interns…consider these points from the men who have been there.
A Day In The Life Of A Real World Strength Coach
Elitefts Team Strength Coach Matt Rhodes outlines a day in his life.
From What You Wear to What You Do: It Matters
Whether it’s shoes, equipment, or programming, your choices make a difference in how you perform under the bar.
The Big Seminar: Matt Rhodes, Part 5
In this final segment from the “Big Seminar 2”, Matt Rhodes covers both winter and spring strength training, as well as the meaning of GBF.
The Big Seminar: Matt Rhodes, Part 4
In this segment from the “Big Seminar 2” Matt Rhodes covers how a team’s strength and conditioning program should change during the in-season.
The Big Seminar: Matt Rhodes, Part 3
In this excerpt from Matt Rhode’s speech at TPS’s the Big Seminar 2, Matt gives an overview of his summer football strength and conditioning protocol.
The Big Seminar: Matt Rhodes, Part 2
In this segment from the “Big Seminar 2,” Matt Rhodes explains why you need to “know who you are talking to.”
The Big Seminar: Matt Rhodes, Part 1
From the “Big Seminar 2,” Matt Rhodes touches on how to get your athletes’ attention.
PL Newbie Guide
How to prepare, what to expect, and all that comes in between your first time on the platform.
Matt Rhodes' Westside Template
Matt is one of the least physically gifted lifters that I have ever seen.
