Strength and Conditioning is Failing: Certifications and Qualifications
Previously, I've discussed relationships with sports coaches and administrators. In Part 3 of this series, I'll cover some of the biggest issues and names in our field: certification, qualifications, the NCAA, NSCA, and CSCCa.
Learning the Language of a Prospect
We tend to go into things with fitness coach or trainer eyes. We need to start seeing through the clients' eyes and thinking like they do. We need to relate to them. Once you do that, you can take them on a journey.
LISTEN: The Iron Life Podcast #7 with Joe DeFranco
In The Iron Life Podcast #7, Chris Tutela talks with world-renowned strength and conditioning coach Joe DeFranco about success, programming, things trainers should never do, and more.
A Hypertrophy Method for Strength Athletes
The thing to keep in mind as you read the remainder of this program is that I’m describing a method of training — not a set-in-stone program. It’s up to you to apply the method to your particular context: your body, your goals, and your life situation.
Strength and Conditioning is Failing: Our Relationship with Administrators
In Part 1, I covered problems strength and conditioning coaches deal with when it comes to sports coaches, whom we work with on a regular basis. Now, I'll go over a group we don't deal with every day but impact everything we do: the administrators.
Physics 101 for Performance Enhancement
If you understand the science of physics and how to apply it, you’ll have a better understanding of sports and performance enhancement. You owe it to your athletes to understand the fundamentals. Let’s get started.
Xpress Fitness: Your Family-Friendly Neighborhood Gym
Xpress Fitness, located less than 2 miles away from the elitefts S5 Compound, is a product of support from the rural London, Ohio, community at all levels: family, friends, neighbors, and businesses, all built strong from the ground up.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast #16 with Dave Tate
In this episode of Table Talk Podcast, Dave Tate talks about his childhood, attempting meditation after the episode with JM Blakley, Q&A videos in the elitefts archives, and of course, he answers as many questions as time allows.
Introducing New elitefts IG Athlete Andrew Herbert
You might recognize Andrew Herbert from the first episode of Table Talk Podcast. But now, as a new elitefts IG Athlete, you'll recognize him as you follow his training on Instagram @herbietheluvbug.
Meet Report: Making a Comeback at APF Nationals After a Painful Injury
Two years ago, I injured myself at a meet. The pain was so bad I nearly pulled out of the meet. After talking with some experts, I decided to hop into the APF Nationals without a weight cut and with a quick prep. Let’s just say it’s good to be back.
Introducing New elitefts Columnist and Coach JM Blakley
The founder of the JM Press is now part of the elitefts team. Welcome our newest columnist and coach: JM Blakley! Keep an eye out for an upcoming article he wrote about the mind-muscle connection and don't forget to follow his coaching blog.
Adjusting to Life Post-Hip Replacement
After undergoing a hip replacement surgery and another surgery on my other hip, it goes without saying I’ve had to adjust how I train. But let me just say, I am so glad I went through with these procedures. The pain is worth it, I promise.
20 Smarter Alternatives for Traditional Box Exercises
I’ve said this more than once, and I’ll say it again: if you want to better serve your box clients, you need to program for the general population. Here are a couple of things you can ditch doing and what you should be doing instead.
You Might Be a Serious Powerlifter If...
This life we live is comprised of sheep, and it is also comprised of shepherds. Followers or leaders. The flock goes where it is directed. Shepherds set the course for the journey. Are you part of the flock? Or are you a shepherd? Are you a serious powerlifter or not?
Chris Tutela Records Podcast Episode with Joe DeFranco
In the seventh episode of "The Iron Life Podcast," Chris Tutela and Joe DeFranco will talk about exercise variations, group training programming, and more. The episode will drop Friday, June 21st.
WATCH: Chris Janek — A Lifter With a Lot of Heart
During SSTSS 2019, Chris Janek sat down and briefed us on his childhood, previous jobs, geared and raw lifting, and the effects of having four open-heart surgeries. Now, he’s on a heart transplant waiting list and doing as much as he can without overdoing it.
The Lost Art of Training Hard
I’m not suggesting that you destroy yourself. What I am saying is that a lot of new trainers are coming out of school with information about corrective exercises but zero practical experience of knowing how to push people in the gym.
Top Three: A Hierarchy for Sustainable Success
For some, training is just a hobby; but for others, training is much more than that. It’s what keeps me going, and it’s very close to the top of my list of priorities. But sometimes, we need to remember those other priorities, too. Here’s a reminder of what they are.
New Tattoo Do's and Don'ts for the Powerlifter
Getting a new tattoo doesn’t mean you have to throw the bar down and not step foot in a gym for two months. What it does mean is that you need to ensure you don’t do anything reckless for the first couple of months.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — The ONLY Way to Build Confidence
“There’s only one way to build confidence, David…” JM Blakley, the creator of the JM Press, isn’t afraid to call Dave Tate out… by his full first name, then, in true coaching fashion, breaks down what it is that good trainers and coaches do.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast #14 with John Meadows
In this Table Talk Podcast episode, Dave Tate talks with John Meadows about accommodating resistance, putting on and maintaining muscle size, sport longevity, and more.
How to Progress in Your Strength Program
Ask yourself: “Is my training program based on me being strongest at every session?” If your answer is an honest yes, you might need to reconsider your program. Here’s how you can improve it.
Juji Trains at His "Favorite Gym on The Planet"
Jon "Jujimufu" Call recently trained at the elitefts S5 Compound with elitefts CEO and co-founder Dave Tate. To see his head-to-toe workout and an exclusive look at the S5 Compound, read on!
4 Non-Training Podcasts You Should Listen To
Instead of listening to the same old radio station on your daily commute, why not learn something new from these podcasts? Stick your Airpods in your ears or connect your phone in your car’s radio via Bluetooth and listen away!
10 Things You Can Start Doing to Extend Your Lifting Career
To this day, I still have new members of my gym argue with me on nutrition and training, only to regret not listening later on. Follow these tips and you will not only continue to get stronger for years to come, but you will also stay injury-free.
Personal Training Through Pregnancy
I’ve trained around 10 women during their pregnancies, and my keys to success have been keeping open communication and making sure I’m setting a good movement and pace with my clients.
2 FREE Ways to Increase Your Total
Hard work pays off — not snake oil sales and get-rich-quick schemes. That doesn’t mean you can’t get stronger quickly. It just means you’ll have to put in a little extra work, like bumping up a weight class.
JL Holdsworth Pens Feature Article on T-Nation.com
Owner of The Spot Athletics and recent elitefts seminar speaker JL Holdsworth co-wrote a feature article about the deadlift on T-Nation.com. Be sure to check it out!
The Lost Art of Smelling Salts
No, that white powder I sniff before lifting is not cocaine — it’s smelling salts! If you’re curious about smelling salts, you’re in the right place because back in my day, we would’ve never wasted the greatness of smelling salts…
The Grand Unified Theory of Everything
A few years ago, I attempted to bring 4 strength sports together into a training plan for rugby. This time, I want to delve deeper into the framework that makes up the programming of these sports and how we can program them into a usable athletic development plan.
Be Part of a Groundbreaking Strength Sports Study
elitefts columnist Marilia Coutinho needs help gathering data for her latest scholastic endeavor: a first-of-its-kind scholarly series about the science of lifting gear benefits. No matter your sport or gear use, take a survey on knee sleeves. Remember to share!
Use a Hand Dynamometer to Measure Your Recovery
If you aren’t sure if you’re overtraining, you could measure your jump height each day. But there’s an easier way to pinpoint if your nervous system is overloaded: the hand dynamometer. Give it a squeeze once a day — that’s all it takes!
8-Weeks-Til-Camp Summer Program for High School Football
You won’t ever find my old programs on a typed-out card. Why? Because I don’t run the same program each year. I meet my kids where they’re at, which is why this program isn’t a program. It’s an outline.
Outlast the Fitness Industry Copycat, Critic, and Cutter
The only way to REALLY keep your clients away from the snake oil is to teach them about it, but you’ve got to do a couple of things before you have their trust and attention…
Heavy Bag Split Squat Functional Position Series
Hugging a 40-pound bag of salt while doing a rear leg elevated split squat might not sound like hard or heavy work, but this is an exercise that’s helped even some of the world’s best powerlifters reach their full potential.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast #12 with Joe Sullivan and Janis Finkelman
In this episode of Table Talk Podcast, Dave Tate, Joe Sullivan, and Janis Finkelman talk about a variety of powerlifting topics and answer questions, both bizarre and mundane, and more.
The Best Bang for Your Buck: SS Yoke Bar
The elitefts SS Yoke Bar is a cut above the rest. “It’s the most valuable, the most versatile, and it’s pretty much bulletproof.”
Implementing Self-Determination Theory in Coaching
Self-determination theory is an approach to shift motivation from extrinsic to intrinsic. As coaches, we can make small changes to the way we already do things to cause great changes to the athlete’s performance and motivation source.
Union Fitness Hiring Yoga Instructor
Union Fitness, run by Team elitefts Coach Casey Williams, is hiring a slow flow recovery yoga teacher to work Friday evenings. To see more application information, read on.
Understanding Groin Injuries: A Primer
I’m not going to lie, I’ve had a number of injuries through my training, but Dave was right: groin injuries are a different beast, and the nature of the beast is going to depend more fully on what actual tissue was affected.
Why Sports Coaches Don't Trust Strength Coaches
The suggested strategy to build trust from the sports coach involves a particular approach to the strength and conditioning process. A natural consequence of this approach defines the scope of practice of strength and conditioning.
Push/Pull/Legs Split for Muscle Size
Try out this very effective program for hypertrophy that’s ideal for beginners and intermediates alike. All you’ve got to do is train four days per week using this three-day split: push, pull, and legs.
The 6-Pack Mindset
We tend to see outrageous exercises, movements, and even classes that claim they will give you a stronger core or a six-pack in days. I encourage a shift in your mindset to optimize your training to obtain the six-pack look.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — Training for the US Marines
Unless you’re trying to become a Special Forces operator, don’t sweat it too much. The biggest training you’ll have to do is in your brain. Stay strong, and you can survive boot camp.
GPP Training: You're Doing It Wrong
If your client cannot pull a sled or carry two heavy kettlebells without having to rest excessively between sets, you need to implement GPP to build your clients’ foundations. But you need to implement it the right way.
How to Build a Mesocycle
Training is like traveling; you have to map out the route you want to take in the timeframe you have. For training, planning your mesocycle is a good place to start that journey — you have to understand the basic principle of progressive overload and take your maximum ability to recover into consideration.
Westside vs The World Now Available on Vimeo
The documentary Westside vs The World lives up to its name, as the documentary isn't available everywhere — though it's a bit more accessible to watch via Vimeo now.
Stop Compensating Early
If you’re new to powerlifting, you don’t need gear. Seriously. Start training raw and see where it takes you. Oh, and if you’re an athlete, I’d better not see you putting on lifting gear.
Make Light Weight Heavy with Controlled Eccentrics and Concentrics
You don’t have to train in pain. How? Drop the heavy weights and work in some lighter options while focusing on using the best technique you can.
Strength Training: Your Secret Weapon for Sport
Strength is a cheat code when it comes to winning. Here’s my basic outline of how you can best implement that cheat code and improve your gym sessions for sport performance.
Top-3 Cardio Options for the Powerlifter, Strongman, Bodybuilder, and At...
Cardio can help you cut weight, get shredded for the stage, and increase athletes’ performance. But with so much cardio out there, where do you start? Start here with elitefts team members’ top-3 cardio items, based on their sports or areas of expertise.
Bang Legs Without Banging Your Lower Back
It took me 26 years to develop lower back issues. But over the last 10 years, I’ve learned ways to work around them since becoming a slob is not an option. If you’re looking for ways to train legs without getting hurt (again), this article is for you.
Overcoming Isometrics: Myelination to Reach Maximum Potential
During my time working under the University of Minnesota’s Cal Dietz, I saw the impact of the myelination phase in athletic performance. I also found it’s most effectively programmed with Overcoming Isometric variations of the big lifts.
When Honesty is the Only Policy
Not unlike with your spouse or significant other, the relationship between training partners depends on many things, but at the central core to this relationship is the quality of one’s honesty with their training partner.
How to Coach Based on Personality Type
Knowing your clients’ personalities and using that knowledge for communication and programming can make you a better, more effective coach. Here’s how you can do that using the DISC personality model.
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.
Under the Baa-r: Lessons Learned in Herding, From Me to Ewe
In a week, my girlfriend and I went from the APF Women’s Pro-Am in Cincinnati to taking our dog an Intro to Herding Class in Nova, Ohio. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I learned a lot about dogs, sports, and life in general.
6 Strategies to Advancement
Consider this me throwing you a lifesaver in the vast sea of information. This will help you figure out how to improve yourself by seeking out the best information possible… and how to best find that information.
LISTEN: Table Talk Podcast Clip — How the Hypertrophy Coach Met Dave Bau...
“That’s kind of fucked up.” Learn how Joe Bennett met Dave Bautista, a retired WWE wrestler, former mixed martial artist and bodybuilder, and Guardian of the Galaxy — and Joe’s one full-time client.