Grip Program to Never Drop a Deadlift
Think of grip strength like any other type of strength. To make it stronger, you have to train it heavier.
The Squat and Athletic Development — How We've All Been F*cking It Up
A new perspective on the squat that will change the sports performance industry.
The Squat and Athletic Development: How We Have All Been F*cking It Up —...
This subject has caused heated debates among close friends, but in the end, the undeniable logic of the facts wins out. It’s time to redefine squatting by looking at ankle flexion, stance, and knee flexion.
WATCH: Table Talk Compilation Series — JL Holdsworth
Stories of Westside, vomit, blood, cysts, spine health, circa max training, pizza, and more…
How Dave Tate Is Setting 90-Pound PRs
When I left the certification with Douglas Heel, I told him that his system has had the biggest impact on my thoughts on strength training since finding Westside Barbell.
The world needs more Freemasons
Freemasonry is not a secret society, it is the world's oldest fraternity that just happens to have some secrets. They do over 1million dollars a day of charity work around the world and here is why I think we need more masons.
One bowl, a spoon and a frying pan
When life was simple, life was great. Things don't make you happy, people do.
The Spot Athletics Christmas Party
Last Friday we had our Spot Athletics Christmas party. It was a lot of fun. There were several things I realized during the party that I wanted to share with everyone, because I think they are important take aways.
My rant on little kids lifting weights
Today was way too long of a day and sometimes you have to rant.
Never satisfied
"To me, life is about the pursuit of greatness, not being "good". If there comes a point when I no longer want to push to be greater, then my life will lose it's meaning and I will have lost my passion."
SWIS Symposium 2015
I was honored to be asked to speak at this amazing event. I've spent the last week just trying to recover from the mental beating I took while there. I am writing a full article on my experience because I really feel like it deserves much more than just a log post. In general I […]
New website, new brand, & a whole lot of work
As The Spot Athletics has grown we have gone through many different iterations with our website. First I just set one up using google and my very limited knowledge of how those things work. Then I had a friend put something together that was better, but not great. This time, someone who has a great […]
The most important thing you will ever do in your life
This is the most important thing you will do in your life, but be careful there is some advice that is so simple you don't realize it's value.
Thoughts on Failure
In college I wasted a lot of time on chasing girls and being "sociable" which really just means going to parties that were moving me further from my goal not closer.
Programming for maximum efficiency in a facility
I've learned a lot of things owning The Spot Athletics, and how to program for maximum efficiency is in the top five for sure.
Back to training.....sort of
Training is starting again after my hernia surgery, but I will take it slow.
Surgery update and pride
Pride is a double edge sword. Learn from my mistakes and you will be much further ahead in life than I am.
Surgery Update & business advice
Hernia surgery went well according to the surgeon, but it has been really sore. Also, some sound business advice for anyone looking to start a gym.
Squats from today, plus powerlifting & marriage
I was in a wedding this weekend. Here is a list of some of the similarities between powerlifting and marriage.....and a video of squats from today.
Perspective on programming, 3 simple rules you can't violate
3 simple rules that trump any kind of program.
So sore
JL Holdsworth is one of the most highly respected strength coaches in the industry and owns the Columbus, Ohio performance facility The Spot Athletics. He has a BA in Exercise Science from Wayne State, Masters work at the University of Kentucky, a USAW Level-1 coaching certification, and well over 20,000 hours of practical experience.
Priorities and intent
What is your priorities, no really think, and do they match up to what you intend your priorities to be?
Deadlift Video & Educating the general public
Great conversation with my sister that was like taking on every fitness fallacy in the world....and a video of my deadlifting from today.
Interns and Leg Training
Video of my squats from today and some insight into our interns and internship program.
Leg training & watching personal trainers in other gyms
My new workout split and some observations of trainers and people working out at commercial gyms.
Kids these days
"Richard... Who's you're favorite little rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it Spanky?" If you don't know what line this movie is from, odds are we probably won't hang out. Relating to people is how you get a job, here is a little bit on how we prepare our interns for this.
Powerlifting experience 2 - Simply Unbelievable
The Powerlifting Experience 2 was one of the greatest weekends I've had in a long time. Deadlifting 750lbs for the first time in 10 years helped boost this weekends ranking.
The Spot Athletics Staff Compete at 2015 APF Raw Senior Nationals
This year raw and equipped nationals were split. This meant that I didn’t get to see a lot of the team members that I normally do at nationals. As such, it was just my team and myself from elitefts.com at nationals. I did not compete this year as I have way too much going on […]
Chuck Vogelpohl's 50th birthday
Man I'm getting old. I first started talking to my wife at Chuck's 40th birthday party. Walking up to the party my wife and I realized how that really seems like yesterday but was a decade ago. It was a great time and we talked about a lot of good times that we had been […]
Training and business
Video from my kids Olympic lifting class and every business owner makes mistakes, the key is to learn from those mistakes and not repeat them.
Training & pushing athletes
Sometimes athlete's become like family and sometimes you fight with your family. It was great training and exciting times at The Spot Athletics today.
So you want to have your own facility?
You think you know what it takes to run a facility? If the thought "I want to have my own facility" has crossed your mind, read this log.
Are you demanding the culture you want?
There is a very strong culture at The Spot Athletics, in this blog I talk a little about how to get that in place where you are.
Tons going on but life is great!
Life get's crazy sometimes. This post will catch you up and lay out the goals for the next few months. It will be an interesting ride.
Lessons Realized: EliteFTS Sports Performance Summit
Some valuable lessons were learned this weekend and they were not all training related. Get the scoop on JL's recap of the EliteFTS sports performance clinic.
Another day at The Spot Athletics
Lots going on with life, business and training. Read about the changes and see a video from our staff training time yesterday.
The birth of my son
My son was born last Saturday night and here are my thoughts on the birth of my son.
BREAKFAST CONVERSATION WITH THE INTERN - YOU GOTTA LEARN TO LEARN
This morning I took the intern, Evan Bergenstein, to breakfast, here is some of what we spoke about and the advice I gave him.
Video of clients training at The Spot Athletics from 9am today
Video that will show everyone what life is like at The Spot Athletics. I took some clips from our 9am training time and posted them here. I also pulled some heavy weight today, but it did not go as planned.
Elitefts.com site hits puberty!
I love the look of the new site. I know what a tremendous undertaking this project has been and although it will take a while for me to get used to the new procedures, the outcome is well worth it.
Holdsworth Wins World Championship
Overcoming knee injuries and numerous life changes, Holdsworth sees how he ranks in the bench and deadlift categories.
UGSS and training since
I am training to compete. I qualified for WPC worlds in November in Bench & Deadlift. My meet prep will start 10 weeks out but until then I am trying to survive moving my business, preparing to have a new baby, finding a new house(to make room for the new baby) & dealing with a host of other issues that make life not so fun. Overall training is going well but there are always problems,
Friday Technique Video: Bands Setup
This man will kick you so hard in the chest, you will crap your ribs out. Literally. Out of your butthole.
Friday Technique Video: Mastering the Sumo Deadlift
This man can punch you so hard your teeth will hit your girlfriend like shrapnel. Listen to him.
Are You Box Squatting or Squatting to a Box?
This man can break your leg like a Kit-Kat bar. Listen to him.
4 Steps to Target Your Deadlift Plateau
This man can punch through your face and pull out your spine. Listen to him.
I'm F#cked Up and I Like It
No athlete who has a competitive bone in his body would choose a passing FMS score over being an Olympic champion.
Friday Technique Video: Overhead Press
Considered by some strength experts as “the fourth lift” in their list of basics. Learn how to do it correctly by one of the top gym authorities.
Is Your Bulls**t Detector On?
Are your info sources qualified? Or are you counting on secondhand questionable advice?
Friday Technique Video: How To Set Up Chains
If you want to know how to use chains for dynamic effort training or accommodating resistance, JL Holdsworth will show you everything you need.
