5 Ways to Deal with New Years Resolutioners in the Gym
It’s that time of year again: when the out-of-shape, inexperienced massed descend upon the sanctity of the weight room. What’s a hard-training powerlifter to do? Encourage them. See a new dude in the gym cranking out reps with 225 on the squat with the bar jammed up on his neck, knick-knocking knees, and a spinal […]
3 Ways To Get Your Squat Skyrocketing
If you ain't squatting, you ain't lifting — and if you ain't squatting heavy, you ain't squatting. Here's how to do it right.
JUST THE (TRAINING) TIP: Good Morning Variations
The good morning is one of the most effective movements you can use — if you use it correctly.
WATCH: Arm Training for Bodybuilding & Powerlifting
Some tips to build great guns – no matter what your goals are.
Hurt Or Injured: Do You Know the Difference?
Knowing this could make the difference between your next PR and a quick trip to the emergency room.
WINTER BULKING: 3 APPROACHES
Three different goals. Three different ways to gain muscle. Click to find out how.
The #1 Way to F*&! Your Progress
Want to know the sure-fire, number-one fastest way to derail your progress, get frustrated, and burn out? Read on.
The Powerlifting for Bodybuilding Christmas Gift Guide
All that matters is how you look, and if using equipment allows you to train heavier and harder, build more muscle, and ultimately look better, then you should use it! Here are my top-5 powerlifting Christmas gifts for bodybuilders.
2018 Mr. Golden Era — My First Bodybuilding Competition
If you have a free minute or two, I’d really, really appreciate it if you’d use that time to vote in the Mr. Golden Era 2018 competition – whether for me or for someone else!
Bodybuilding for the Powerlifter: The Big Picture (With Sample Routine)
Instead of just trying to get strong by getting as big as humanly possible, many lifters are paying more attention to their muscularity. Just take a look at Larry Wheels or Dan Green, and you’ll immediately know how successful this strategy can be.
The 5 Steps to Greatness
We all have strengths, but some of us are better at discovering them than others.
Unf*ck Your Meet Prep
Find the right headspace – and the right program – to break your own records, and maybe someone else's, too.
Reader Write-In: Working on Weaknesses
A question from a lifter looking to break some records – and why it's a great one.
4 Tricks to PR Every Day
Hint: it's not about "daily maxes," overdosing preworkouts, or being stupid.
Powerlifting for the Bodybuilder — The Triceps
Just as powerlifters can benefit from bodybuilding movements, so can bodybuilders benefit from powerlifting movements. Today we’re looking at the triceps – a muscle group that I really struggle with and, as a result, have spent a lot of time studying and training.
WATCH: The New Pioneer Cut Belt
Ben has begun working with Chris Duffin and Brandon Senn to prep for the US Open. Over the course of this month, he'll share some of the best insights from their training together. His focus is on movement quality and the nuances of technique, but, as always, the mental side of the game will be featured in Ben's log, too. You can also expect to see more "5 Ways" articles, diet advice, and maybe a rant or two.
4 Rules for Offseason Dieting (For Real This Time)
2018 was full of ups and downs for Ben, but he’s back in 2019 and getting bigger than ever. Follow him as he preps for the US Open, plans to qualify for a national-level bodybuilding show, and continues to SFW and GFH! In January, you can expect more on combining powerlifting and bodybuilding using the conjugate method, diet advice, and training updates.
What's Your Why?
Motivation, performance, and purpose all go hand-in-hand. If you're lacking in one area, chances are, you're not too strong in the others, either.
Meet Report: Earning My Regrets at the USPA Tribute
Four weeks out is when I suffered a quad tear—I should have dropped out at that point. In fact, I talked to Dave Tate, and that's exactly what he told me to do.
Making the Perfect Program
Unf*ck Your Program and make progress -- and how to get help if you need it.
9 Signs You Might Be “That Guy” in the Gym
Just because you’re not doing curls doesn’t mean it’s okay to monopolize the monolift for three hours while you do your 100 sets of 5 reps with 225. At least let the next guy work in.
How to Heal Any Injury Overnight: Safely and Effectively Training the In...
Day by day, week by week, here is how you can deal with the quickly-changing and very challenging aspects of getting over an injury.
WATCH: Get Stronger While Dieting
You can get stronger while cutting calories, as long as you go in with a solid plan and the right mindset.
Checking In After the Offseason
A high-level recap of my offseason training leading into the USPA Tribute meet!
How to Unf*ck Your Deload
Every session should make you better, no matter how light the weights are.
Using AMRAPS in Your Training
No, they're not just for Crossfit: here's how to rep out the right way to get strong(er).
Why Laundry Lists Suck
Save the mindless bullshit for when you’re watching The Proposal, and do it right when it counts.
WATCH: Back & Deadlift Training
ALL the movements I do in a typical deadlift session, with running commentary.
Be Your Own Best Analrapist
How to analyze your training productively, and have more fun doing it (no, not that type of fun).
WATCH: My Next Meet Prep
The mistakes I made preparing for the US Open, and how I plan to correct them.
Step the F&*! Up – And Bonus
How to reset if you're feeling out of it – and a brand-new powerbuilding program to help.
Meet Report: Winning the 198s But Falling Short on Best Overall at the K...
This is the first meet I’ve done in three years that I didn’t win best overall lifter, and it was a huge—and much needed—kick in the ass.
A Powerlifting Secret from the Ancient Greeks
How to use the Stoic philosophy to improve your programming.
What I Learned from Benching with Dave Tate
Based on Dave's bench cues and progress made, I’m revising my bench goal for Reebok Record Breakers in November, from 200 kilos up to 210 — a huge jump, especially considering it’s by far my worst lift.
WATCH: Free Powerbuilding Program
I've really fallen behind on my coaching log, and I'm trying to make up for that by sharing some free stuff.
Bodybuilding for the Powerlifter — Programming Arm Training (with Sample...
No, hammer curls and pushdowns probably aren’t going to add 50 pounds to your bench, but they very well might keep your elbows healthy enough so that you can train consistently. And getting arms big enough to bust through shirtsleeves is fun.
4 Strength Articles to Read this April
My favorite Elitefts articles from March that you might have missed.