What is intriguing today with the backdrop of COVID-19 is observing the few remaining relics of an era gone by. The hardcore lifter-built gyms. These modern-day dinosaurs that refused to become extinct…

Last month, the bulk of our content wore many hats: squats, legs, COVID-19, autism, home gyms, and home exercises. Here’s what you can expect for May.

I am providing this information in detail in one location, not so much for people to use the information themselves (though this will obviously happen), but to explain the methodology to those who still don’t understand it or feel that it isn’t an effective way to get lean.

Great coaching, brawls and talking trash all go hand in hand at elite powerlifting gyms. When Dave Tate has a story to tell about Westside Barbell, it’s a good idea to stop and listen.

Anyone who has overseen a staff (especially a large one) has probably run into situations where you’ve faced the frustration of attitudes not being what you want them to be. Our attitudes as leaders play an incredibly important role in the attitudes of our staff.

“Well, Lifetime Fitness is closed for now. They are freezing memberships – I am getting bloated as hell. I was wondering if you wanted some company in the garage gym and (long pause) maybe I could come and train with you a couple times?”

We were both a little green around the gills and looked like two wobbly penguins walking around my kitchen trying to get food after this leg day. Try the other workout (recovery day) at the nearest track and field.

Time to play “20 Questions” to help you see the better side of the effect this pandemic has on your training. Bonus: Learn of an alternative household item you can use instead of toilet paper.

Chris Janek and Steve Konopka collaborate to alter their #BAMFW program to those with no training equipment so you can have a clear plan to increase your athleticism.

The IPA, one of my favorite federations, held the Tennessee State Championships in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on March 14th. I went.

Attention all squatters. You need to read this.

Storage units make for excellent workout facilities, but there are several things to consider when choosing one: Location, size, cost, terrain, amenities, and more.

Literally. His home gym takes up multiple rooms in his living space! Ever hear of someone having a posterior-chain room? Now you do.

With a garage gym, every square inch of space matters, and over a short period, our garage gym has evolved quite a bit.

Being jacked as hell got your shoulders a little tight? Here’s how you fix your squat bar position for better performance, less pain, and a bigger total.

Don’t just know the strength and conditioning coaches you hope will help you out. Invest in the world of strength and conditioning, powerlifters, strongmen, weightlifters, athletes in your desired sport, and check out their routines and habits.

Here’s how you can quickly jump through your current plateau and advance to the next stage of strength.

Many of my online clients and members of my gym don’t have a squat rack or bench at home, unfortunately. However, many of them have access to a barbell. Are you in this same predicament?

What I’m presenting is what’s worked for my athletes. This 12-week program is based on principles involving anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and neurology along with 10 years of experience coaching.

Let’s take a closer look at specialty bars and explore the REAL reasons you’ll want to use them for squats.

A cluster 6-second pause execution as Dr. Serrano demonstrates with patients in the video combines to create excellent conditions for muscle growth and body fat loss at the same time.

We should not lose sight of the benefits that bodyweight training provides. Take a break from the barbell and machines and try Prison Squats, Nordic Leg Curls, Jump Squats, and Jump Tucks for newfound strength and explosiveness.

You do you and let me do me.

Buddy Runs, Death Rallies, Prowler® Mile, Prowler® Suicide, Prowler® Marathon… with this list, your Prowler® options are endless.

Two words: in layers. As you’ll see, it took Matt Goodwin six years to accumulate everything he has in his gym. His message to you: start small and start now.

Did you miss out on your peak potential by picking up powerlifting too late? Or would you be nowhere near where you are by starting too early?

The song is called Time, and the album is The Dark Side of the Moon. Read Roger Water’s words…

Do yourself a favor and focus on technique; don’t get too wrapped up in band tension, percents, etc. Get your technique down and worry about the other things later.

You can take plenty away from this program on how to structure a meet prep training program to peak a particular lift, and alternate accessory work and supplemental work to aid in building the squat.

This item is one of the most cost-effective ways to add a ton of variation to your training and enable you to perform a greater number of exercises.

Here’s the standard week-long plan with a seven-day turnaround between games, optimizing a balance between recovery both physiologically and psychologically.

I see lots of bands, bodyweight exercises, and lightweight information, which is all great, but in my opinion, sleds are right up there. I can train every body part with one sled.

I challenge you to think of this economic shutdown as a forced deload. Is it something that you want? No. Will it completely crush you? Probably not.

Need a little bit of bulking inspiration? Swede Burns and Dave Tate trade tips. Swede lays out the entirety of his diet he used to maintain a 330-pound bodyweight as a powerlifter.

Ricardo Garcia had a problem. He had agreed to kill someone. Garcia accepted the money. He promised to do the job and took the money – an advance payment, from Jimmy Luciano of all people, “Chainsaw” Jimmy Luciano.

Lee Zimmerman’s home gym is his personal escape and fully fleshed out strength training powerhouse.

This article is not about the bands or weights but HOW you use the bands or weights. You can use these 12 techniques to keep your workouts fresh and keep your sanity without going to the gym.

I wasn’t ready to settle for pick-up golf or calf roping. A busy professional and personal life didn’t keep me from making my most important training decision.

For the sake of this article, I am going to explain the smartest moves and what I have done personally with my clients with regard to fat-loss goals. We will go over two categories – general fat-loss and bodybuilding competitor.

If you’re attempting to teach a squat and you’re having to constantly cue “knees out” or “chest up,” that lifter isn’t ready for a squat. Period.

Get your ass out there and start dragging some sleds! It’s not as much of a drag as you think it is. With 22 variations to get you started, the possibilities are truly endless.

For those who currently aren’t working and also have limited gym equipment, I wanted to provide a potential gameplan that you can use to bring some routine and mental/physical stability to your day-to-day.

The next few months are going to be incredibly difficult for the vast majority of online trainers. Consider me Dr. Phil for a minute as I provide four things that you can do to not find your dumbass in an anxiety-riddled situation when or if something like this happens in the future.

More precise bar positioning, simpler coaching cues, and easier chain and band placement are just a few of the many benefits of this innovative bar design.

If I was that young woman in the picture with my present old mind, I would do it all differently. Unfortunately, I can’t rewind that tape but if you’re reading this and you are or know of a young couple expecting a baby or handling their first one, this read may change your child-raising perspective.

Dave Tate knows it all right? Not always… Here’s a major blunder and how he bounced back.

I hope this letter lifts your sanity as we at elitefts continue to live, learn, and pass on – educating and outfitting the strongest athletes around the world. You’ll find new content inside!