The Mandatory Deload
My biggest mistake over the last few years was competing too much and training through injuries. Taking time off was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.
WATCH: Table Talk — How Should a Powerlifter Use a Sled or Prowler?
You can use a sled or a prowler for a lot of reasons. People like them for conditioning but I think they’re best used for recovery and restoration when you’re getting ready for a meet.
6 Don'ts for New Lifters Going Into a Meet
As a coach and competitor these are the recurring mistakes I witness many first-timers make.
Tapering for a Powerlifting Meet
Let’s evaluate how to train in the final four weeks leading to a competition. Most importantly, what does it mean to taper and how should you do it?
WATCH: Table Talk — Peaking for A Meet with Circa Max Training
Dave and JL talk about the aspects of Circa Max that many lifters overlook: the what, how, when, why, and who.
Squat and Deadlift Coaching Lessons from the XPC Training Cycle
With a limited time frame and many issues to fix for these three lifters, I had to target their specific weaknesses with training adjustments. This is how we did it.
My First Training Cycle at the S4 Compound
The beginning of XPC preparation proved how much I stood to learn from Dave, Matt Smith, and the other weekend regulars.
Beyond the Barbell
For most powerlifters, exercise begins and ends with the barbell. What if I told you there were ways to get better without it?
WATCH: Physique and Strength Sports — Training and Competing as a Dual A...
Can you do both? This is Julia’s approach.
Fix These Simple Mistakes to Lift Heavier Weights
These mistakes in the squat, bench, and deadlift seem small on their own. But add them to together? You’re leaving pounds off your total.
An Unconventional Motive for Muscularity
There are a whole shitload of really good reasons you should get as jacked as you possibly can.
Finding Peak Performance in Powerlifting Through Personal Coaching
The key to breaking my long-term training plateau was turning to someone with more knowledge and training experience than me. He knew exactly what I needed.
Brian Schwab's Gear Recommendations
From wraps and singlets to briefs and suits, here are the things I believe you should be wearing when you step on the platform.
WATCH: Steve Goggins Coaches Méana Franco Through A Mock Meet
To overcome the limitations of an exclusively online coach-to-client relationship, these elitefts team members traveled to the S4 Compound for a day of in-person coaching in preparation for CPU Nationals.
Reliving the Powerlifting Glory Days: My Best Meets of '05–'08
When I competed in the WPO in front of thousands of people with standing room only, I loved it. But I also took it for granted not thinking that it would one day end.
Finding A Personal Record Through Consistency
Powerlifting is one tool I use to measure my strength. Through relocation, job change, a virus, a motorcycle crash, and children (the list goes on), there’s one thing I learned this past year: consistency.
The Warm-Up Clock and Controlled Chaos
When meet day arrives, you’ll be faced with variables you don’t see in the gym. At Monster Garage Gym, we’ve developed a way to control the most stressful of these variables: the clock.
The Mental Woes of Breaking in New Gear
The whole process is a mental fuck if you let it be. From poly to canvas, here’s my most recent battle with unanticipated obstacles.
Failure: A Way to Train Your Fortitude
It’s only a matter of time before I fail again. I used to cringe at the thought of failing, but not anymore.
WATCH: Annual Programming for Powerlifting— Daily Layout of Squat and De...
Your yearly setup is complete. Now let’s look at individual days and how to program main, supplemental, and accessory exercises.
The 3 Steps of Practicing Visualization
Surpass your mental blocks and improve your technique by putting your mind in a better place with Cook’s Model of Concentration.
WATCH: Annual Programming for Powerlifting — Off-Season Between Meets We...
With your qualifying meet out of the way, you now have an opportunity to return to building mode before starting a peaking cycle for your next meet.
The Ultimate Support System
Having the support of fellow lifters and training partners is really significant to progress in your lifting career. However, having the support of your family is especially important.
A Glimpse Into the Rebirth of Powerlifting
One doesn’t need to look that hard to see glimpses of this rebirth of powerlifting because they are all around us. I caught a glimpse (one of many) of the resurgence at the 2015 APF Chicagoland Summer Bash.
How the Mighty Fall: Pride Comes First
Illness didn’t stop me from competing, and dropping 525 pounds on my chest didn’t stop me from finishing the meet. But later that night, I realized I was in more serious pain than it seemed at first.
Barely Making Weight and My Results from Team Universe
The days leading up to my competition were full of challenges and stress. My coach John Meadows listened and helped me formulate a plan for this show and the future.
It's Not Just Five Pounds: Understanding Personal Records
When you’re chipping away at that all-time PR, every pound matters.
7 Meet-Day Tactics for Putting Together Your Best Total
You’ve spent days, weeks, and months preparing for the meet. These tips will ensure your efforts were not in vain.
Triphasic Training for Powerlifting
If your intensity level and explosive base are lacking, this 21-week meet prep program will help where max effort and dynamic effort work could not.
How I Train for a Meet, Month Two
The month of raw training has ended. Now it’s time to learn your gear and hit big doubles.
Non-Traditional Microcycles in a Powerlifting Program
This basic template gives you five, 14-day microcycles to revamp that old-school program and give you new-age gains.
How I Train for a Meet, Month One
The Freakshow lays down his game plan for powerlifting. Can you handle it?
The Importance of a Proper Warm-Up
With a program known for strength increases, with a minimal injury rate, this guy knows a thing or two about a proper warm up.
Training to Peak for a Meet
After two decades of competing, The M2 Method author has fine-tuned meet prep.
A Year of Eating for Strength
Fill your calendar and your stomach with this annual guide for progress-driven nutrition.
The Tools of the Trade
If your max squat is 600 pounds it doesn't hurt to use a bar that supports twice that.
My Unique Methods for a World Record Squat
Not any old training system will give you an 860 raw squat at 220.
How I Deadlifted 800 Pounds Raw
Hard work, unorthodox movements, and correcting weaknesses produce a BIG deadlift PR.
Kentucky Strong: Should You Compete?
If you’re serious about your training and passionate about strength sports and are even considering competing, you should.
Training with Purpose: In Retrospect
I think it is important to look to the past to avoid future mistakes.
No Bullsh*t: Ain’t It Sweet to Be Elite
The sweet and sour of the NBS Fitness powerlifting team’s first meet.
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