4 Things I Learned in Prison
4 Things I Learned in Prison

My bodybuilding mentor invited me to run a training seminar for inmates at the second-largest prison in Washington state. Let’s say I learned a few things while I did my time… teaching inmates, that is.

The ABCs of My Life in Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness
The ABCs of My Life in Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness

I started my career as a strength and conditioning coach nearly 40 years ago. Throughout those 40 or so years, I picked up and learned a lot from other people. I tried to name as many of these people and their ideas as possible, so here it is, in an easy-to-read ABCs format.

Feet Mindfulness
Feet Mindfulness

I pose the following questions: How mindful are you of your feet? Do you think about where you want to go versus where you are heading? Are your feet on the right path, and if not, why? These questions and the wisdom you can obtain from them extend far beyond chalk and iron.

Live and Learn (and Pass On, Too)
Live and Learn (and Pass On, Too)

Live and learn from your failures and mistakes. Be willing to learn, and maybe more importantly, be willing to be wrong. Now go and pass that along.

Here are Team elitefts' New Year's Resolutions for 2019
Here are Team elitefts' New Year's Resolutions for 2019

New Year’s resolutions have been around for thousands of years, which gave the elitefts staff plenty of time to share their opinions on the subject and a few goals of their own…

The False Prophecy of Motivation and Inspiration
The False Prophecy of Motivation and Inspiration

It is nice to think we should always be ‘motivated’ and ‘inspired’ to achieve our dreams or goals. Shit, I wish it were like that. The truth is that that we all have ups and downs.

Training Is Where Your Life Happens
Training Is Where Your Life Happens

There’s nothing that will ever replace good old-fashioned hard work and practice. Not only that, this is where your life happens one plateau at a time.

What Inspires You?
What Inspires You?

The world records, the surgeries, the comebacks, the nights alone in motels, the tears, the blood, and everything in between needs to have a purpose. This is what I want to leave.

The Most Important Thing You Can Do As A Strength Coach
The Most Important Thing You Can Do As A Strength Coach

It isn’t the squats. It isn’t the cleans, nor the reverse hypers or pull-ups.

Motivation and Inspiration: What Keeps You Going?
Motivation and Inspiration: What Keeps You Going?

Sometimes working through adversity feels like a task you cannot possibly do on your own. Here are some ways to keep you going when things get tough.

Darden Diaries: I Can Do All Things
Darden Diaries: I Can Do All Things

It took him more than a decade to answer my prayers. But in 2006, when he did, it helped to form me into who I am today.

Steve's Strength Tips: Stay On Your Feet
Steve's Strength Tips: Stay On Your Feet

There’s a big difference between you and me. I’ve been there and back. I’ve done it all. Everything you’ve ever thought of, I’ve lifted already.

Iron Insights: Words of Wisdom
Iron Insights: Words of Wisdom

Inspiration can come in many forms—even just through words.

A Lion in Iron: What Are You Afraid Of?
A Lion in Iron: What Are You Afraid Of?

Fear is much like failure. Everyone experiences it, but it’s your attitude towards it that makes all the difference.

One on One with Mick Manley
One on One with Mick Manley

It’s been a rough year for Mick, but in true Manley fashion, he chose to learn from the experience and grow as both a person and an athlete.

Could This Be It?
Could This Be It?

After strain, abuse, and injury, “Why do you do what you do?”

Lotteries, Battle Axes, and Thanks
Lotteries, Battle Axes, and Thanks

Hope, support, and encouragement are all needed to make your goals a reality. The intimidation that springs from wielding an axe doesn’t hurt, either.

Under The Bar: Strength and Resolve
Under The Bar: Strength and Resolve

How a five-year-old changed my life.

I’m Not Like You
I’m Not Like You

The self that we present to those around us is only the part of us that we’re comfortable letting out.

The Deadlift Training Secret No One Talks About
The Deadlift Training Secret No One Talks About

The Deadlift Devil has tormented me for years. I hate that dirty, scaly son of a bitch.

Strengthening Your Core (Values)
Strengthening Your Core (Values)

With many great things, the precise point of origin is not always obvious.

Elitefts Classic: Under the Bar – Attitude
Elitefts Classic: Under the Bar – Attitude

I always felt the “under the bar concept” could carry it own weight. This is because just about every skill needed to be successful in business and life is also needed to be successful “under the bar”

Chad Aichs: Big Whig Opinions, Hardcore Hearts and Monster Trucks
Chad Aichs: Big Whig Opinions, Hardcore Hearts and Monster Trucks

I don’t usually bring politics up, but I’m pretty pissed off so here it goes!

 Bob Youngs and the Restless
Bob Youngs and the Restless

I became acquainted with Bob Youngs well over a decade ago when the internet and lifting forums were still in their infancy. Like many aspiring lifters, Bob served as my guide when I was somewhat lost in the dark, weightlifting wilderness.

Raising the Bar: A Review
Raising the Bar: A Review

Dave Tate’s first book, Under the Bar, was billed as a book that wasn’t about training but kind of was. It wasn’t about business but kind of was, and it wasn’t about life but kind of was. His second book, Raising the Bar, is very similar but with a dark twist.

 Failure Fixation
Failure Fixation

Did Arthur Jones have it right when he essentially devoted his life to convincing people they needed to train to failure?

Powerlifting Sport Psychology Training
Powerlifting Sport Psychology Training

Have you ever been to a powerlifting meet and heard someone boast about colossal training lifts?

Separate from the Pack
Separate from the Pack

After serving four years in the Marine Corps and one tour in Iraq, I was finally done. I had served my country valiantly and fought for my freedom. I said to myself, “It’s time to let loose.” So I did exactly that. Five months and thirty pounds of fat later, I was a mess.

Product of Your Desires
Product of Your Desires

You hear people talk all the time about how someone is a product of his or her environment. This is almost always the case when someone has done something wrong, and the argument is used as an excuse for the person as if they had no choice in the matter other than to become what their environment leads them to be

 Raising the Bar Introduction: Blast and Dust
Raising the Bar Introduction: Blast and Dust

Were you fed through a bottle, or were you fed naturally? Did you eat from plastic plates? Stand too close to the microwave? Did you grow up in the ghetto? Are you a recovering drug addict? Is your life a living hell? Are there things about yourself that you don’t like? Do you procrastinate?

 My Journey to the Grappler's Quest: Part 2
My Journey to the Grappler's Quest: Part 2

The nerves didn’t hit until I walked into the Las Vegas Sports Center for Friday night weigh-ins.

Are you playing with a full deck?
Are you playing with a full deck?

Here is a question I was just asked on the Q and A. I do not watch or read the news in regards to political issues so my answer is based solely on the issues I deal with on a day to day basis with no BS or political agenda. It is what it is…

The Reintroduction of J.L. Holdsworth, and the Introduction of the FIVE PERCENT
The Reintroduction of J.L. Holdsworth, and the Introduction of the FIVE ...

Hello Everyone! My name is J.L. Holdsworth and I’m an asshole.

 How I Passed Basic Training at 235 Pounds
How I Passed Basic Training at 235 Pounds

Before I get started here, I want to say that I am in no way, shape or form a badass. I’m simply an average guy with a little better than average genetics, and a good work ethic. I know a hundred guys that are tougher and more hardcore than I am. They just haven’t written their stories down on paper yet.

Making It Work
Making It Work

As a powerlifter, grad student, father, and husband, I hear piles of insane BS from the general populace. “Wow, I could never do that.” “You can lift how much?” “You must be on steroids.” “I used to do that and then I broke ____.”

 Better Than Some, Worse Than Others
Better Than Some, Worse Than Others

My name is Dana Herrs. I know what you are thinking…who is this person? I’m certain that anybody reading this hasn’t heard of me. It’s because I haven’t accomplished anything in the world of powerlifting or coaching or in any college or professional sports of any kind.

Adjunct of Insanity
Adjunct of Insanity

Examine this carefully. This is the state of consciousness, the state of reversal that is transcendent action. The philosopher’s stone. Action on a lower plane that is initiated and put into effect from a higher plane.

No Excuses = Results
No Excuses = Results

I want to talk about a very important topic—how to get results. Obviously, this is something that everyone is interested in. However, most don’t fully understand. I’m going to set the record straight and be 100 percent honest, which may offend some people.

Strength, Part II: The Conqueror
Strength, Part II: The Conqueror

“The acquisition of strength” may alternately be called “the overcoming of weakness.”

Countdown
Countdown

We arrived at Metropolis (a night club) at 6:00 p.m. The fights were scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. The time had finally arrived—Ryan Farhat’s mixed martial arts (MMA) debut.

Strength
Strength

The quest for strength, the quest for power, in its basic essence is man’s quest to be “more than himself.” This is a basic, instinctive, seed drive that carries him forward through his own personal evolution.

 Under The Bar: WHERE TRIALS NEVER END
Under The Bar: WHERE TRIALS NEVER END

As a kid in high school, I never particularly liked math; I was OK at it I guess, but it wasn’t my favorite subject. One thing I did like about it, though, was that I immediately knew where I stood. Back then, my ninth-grade brain wanted some things to be at least certain.

Why You Need a Coach: The Little Big Things
Why You Need a Coach: The Little Big Things

For most of you reading this article who used to compete in sports, think back to your younger days. Can you imagine stepping on the field without the direction of a coach?

Before You Blow Off the Gym, Read Jimmy’s Story
Before You Blow Off the Gym, Read Jimmy’s Story

We all have our “off” days in the gym. Even the most dedicated of gym rats will find an excuse to blow off a workout every now and then. Let’s face it.

Got Strength?
Got Strength?

Who do you respect? Does that person have the strength to be who they are? As I sit here and type this, I can tell you that over the last year, I truly discovered what it means to have strength.

Racing Toward Red Lights: A Real World Perspective on Apathy
Racing Toward Red Lights: A Real World Perspective on Apathy

We’ve all done it. Every last one of us. Been in a tight spot and the first thing we think is who can we blame?

No Respect? Go to the Basement!
No Respect? Go to the Basement!

I have had some interesting conversations with Jim Wendler. One in particular struck a chord with me quite heavily. In fact, it has helped mold a process I use at my gym when training new athletes.

Climbing Your Own Personal Everest Part 7
Climbing Your Own Personal Everest Part 7

This is the final article of a seven part series.

Pet Peeve
Pet Peeve

I have a pet peeve that I need to get off my chest. I can’t stand how every hardcore lifter pisses and moans when they’re forced to train in a commercial gym. Now, hear me out before you say, “Paul Leonard isn’t ‘hardcore.’”

Balancing Act
Balancing Act

This article is geared toward those athletes who need to balance a job, family, and competing at a high level. What I mean by balance is time management.

Self-Esteem and Lifting
Self-Esteem and Lifting

I have a ton of theories about life, lifting, weight loss, and other things. None of them are based on any scientifically proven truth. All of them are based on my observations of the world and people in general.

Under The Bar: Diet & Training Update #3
Under The Bar: Diet & Training Update #3

Under The Bar: Diet & Training Update #3

The Kroc Files March 08
The Kroc Files March 08

I just always had this desire to be big and strong. I remember at a very early age being impressed with size and strength and having a strong hunger to get that way myself.

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