Belly of the Beast: The Hardships of Strength and Conditioning
Things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows in this field, and even when you’re winning, sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re winning. Can you handle it?
What Drives Performance: Processes Not Outcomes
How we are judged is out of our hands in a lot of ways, but if I adhere to my processes and don’t compromise my principles, morals, or values, then I can honestly say that I have been successful in my role as a strength and conditioning coach.
Team or Dysfunctional Family? Stories of an Elite Lifting Group
We might look dysfunctional, but this lifting family is like a Swiss clock put together with a hodgepodge of parts that somehow still always has the right time.
Identifying Hip Impingement Causes and Solutions
If you Google “hip pain at the bottom of the squat,” you’re going to be left more than a little confused about what the cause might be and what you should do. Let’s sort through all of the information and advice.
The Common Misconception of Dietary Fat and Carbohydrates
What have been the results of the prescribed increase in consumption of grains, breads, and pastas? Skyrocketing diabetes, even in children. There’s a better approach.
The 12 Best Exercises for Rear Delts and How to Combine Them
John Meadows’ expertise on shoulder training filled a void in the atmosphere of bodybuilding information. I’ve incorporated rear delt work with all of my clients, and I’ve learned a few things along the way.
RANT: The Truth About Internet Idiots and a World Record Squat Attempt
A few weekends ago, a world record squat was attempted. The lift passed, but the video got torn apart on Facebook. Want to know my thoughts on it? No? Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.
WATCH: Table Talk with Dan Green — Adrenaline Levels in Training
How do you get your mind in the right place for a big lift in training? Should you treat it like meet day?
Excuses Don't Count Towards Your Total
At least, not at this point. As it stands, we are left with adding up our heaviest successful attempt for each of the three lifts and the sum of those is how a powerlifting total is born.
WATCH: Buddy Morris SPS Presentation — Gurus, Gimmicks, and Adjusting Yo...
Expert or guru? Innovative training method or gimmick? In the second part of his presentation, Buddy tells you how to spot the difference.
7 Habits of Highly Effective Lifters
When you look at the best lifters, you find that they have several things in common. Make these behaviors a regular part of your life and you’ll continually see progress, too.
WATCH: Sumo Deadlift Technique for CrossFit Competitors and Weightlifters
Clint walks through simple adjustments to help an experienced weightlifter and current CrossFit competitor overhaul his deadlift.
Social Skill Integration Through Movement and Strength: Program the Cadence
You’ll meet Sean, Wesley, and Blaine (three boys on the spectrum) and consider their needs, find a starting place, and create a program schedule using a singular, linear, or overlapping approach.
Why We Powerlift — Getting Inside the Minds of New Lifters
I know why I lift and compete, and you probably do too. But our reasons aren’t the same as new lifters who enter the sport of powerlifting. If we want powerlifting to grow for the better, we need to listen.
Creatine Supplementation: A Woman’s Perspective
What is creatine? What does it do? Is it safe? And most importantly, why is it left out of women’s supplements?
LISTEN: LEO Training Podcast — Bryan Mann on Stress and Social Support f...
Written training programs can account for physical stress, but it is the strength and conditioning coach’s responsibility to adjust for academic stress. This podcast includes the details of Dr. Mann’s research on the subject.
Daily Undulating Periodization: Conjugate Adapted for Raw Lifters
While raw powerlifting circles have been discrediting the merits of a concurrent approach to training, many have been using a program that is congruent with the very principles that conjugate is based on.
The Continental Clean — Maximizing Your Axle Clean and Press
Watching lifters attempt the continental clean has given me a case of the heebie-jeebies dozens of times. I’m here to give some pointers on making the movement stronger, safer, and more efficient.
Is Powerlifting Gear Right for You?
Single-ply, multi-ply, 20 different kinds of raw — what is the right way for you to compete?
The Gift of Perspective: Five More Things to Know as a New Powerlifter
Continuing the perspective series, I look more closely at training, meet day, and who to look to for advice.
The Psychology of Aging
I had another birthday, which meant the return of my annual day spent obsessing over my age. This time I realized something new: I know how I want to die.
Strength Chat Podcast: Bryan Mann on VBT and Developing Explosive Athletes
Dr. Mann joins the crew to talk about the benefits, challenges, implications, and new research in the field of velocity-based training.
WATCH: Table Talk with Dan Green — Keeping the Endgame in Mind During th...
If you’re forced to take time away from the gym, where should your focus be? Maintaining strength? Maintaining size? Getting healthy?
WATCH: Buddy Morris SPS Presentation — Genetics, Environments, and Learning
In this first part of Coach X’s presentation, he discusses two factors that will influence everything you do in life: genetics and environment.
Preaching to the Choir: Seniors and Strength Training
Muscle loss? Reduced bone density? They may come naturally with age — but there’s a way to fight back.
Health Risk or Wonder Drug: The Lowdown on Kratom
Planning to try this new substance? Consider this research, as well as my personal experience using it, before you do.
WATCH: Cambered Bar Band Setup with Tension at the Bottom
Much like setting up your squat, get your bands set up correctly from the bottom up and the rest will fall into place.
From the Weight Room to the Boardroom
At times, we can be paralyzed by the complexity of our professional lives and it can be very valuable to find simple, yet proven philosophies that help us find our way.
The Who, What, Where, When and Why of Training Collegiate Football
Knowing that these 253 people are responsible for football programming, my next question is, how many people are “experts” in what we should be doing?
The Role of Federations in Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a sport of continual evolution. In understanding federations today, it is important to note not only the evolution of powerlifting athlete, but also the history of why most powerlifting federations came into existence.
Three Tips for Coaching the Novice Athlete
Regardless of your coaching style or philosophy, here are three techniques that will help your novice athletes improve quickly.
How Do You Periodize Intensity Techniques?
Intensity is much talked about in bodybuilding, but what is it? Is it taking sets to failure? Lots of volume? Dropsets? Supersetting?
Nine Weeks of Linear Progress To A Bigger Bench
Using these two cycles together is a great template that I guarantee will make you a stronger bencher.
What I Learned from Buddy Morris at the 2017 Sports Performance Summit
Buddy was one of the first people I ever looked up to, both as a person and as a strength and conditioning coach. Here are some of his best one-liners from the weekend.
How (and When) To Fire A Client
For over a year, I thought it was my job to accommodate her. She was my client; I was being paid to “treat” her condition. Right?
WATCH: Table Talk with Dan Green — Limiting Factors for Beginner, Interm...
What holds you back as a beginner is not going to be the same as what holds you back once you reach the intermediate or advanced stages.
How I Dropped 17 Pounds Over 9 Days and Gained It Back in 12 Hours
I don’t recommend this big of a cut for anyone. It is detrimental to many bodily processes and overall health. To be clear, this is not a how-to guide; it is a documentation of my process.
2017 Sports Performance Summit — Dave Tate Speaks
You may have heard or read a few things about Dave’s second hip replacement and the PRs that led to his surgery, but no one has heard the full story. Until now.
My First Time Competing on the XPC's Big Stage
I left the biggest meet of my powerlifting career so far with a PR total, but more importantly, I learned eight valuable lessons for the future.
Stop Making It Okay to Just Give Up
If you're still looking for the most important thing to becoming a top athlete, here it is: not letting anyone or anything tell you what was meant to be or what your destiny is.
Approaching the Bar: What Motivates You Before A Heavy Lift?
Do you need ammonia? Loud music? A slap to the back of your head? Your training partners screaming?
Is It Time to Rethink What We Do?
We should not ask how much volume and intensity of training a player can tolerate, but should instead ask how much volume and intensity of training a player needs to excel at their sport with minimal risk of injury.
Brandon Cass — Record-Breaking Squat Strategies
He beat cancer, he set an all-time world record, and he's soon to hit another huge squat PR. This is how Brandon's doing it.
Build Your Legs While Babying Your Back
A lower back injury doesn't have to mean the end of your training days. Here's one of my go-to methods for continuing to train hard and make progress.
The Pros and Cons of a 100-Pound Weight Gain
I’ve gained 100 pounds over the last seven years and I’m going to share my journey and my experience, both good and bad, this has had on my general health.
WATCH: Nate Harvey — Training and Coaching with the Conjugate Method
There are a lot of insights to gain from being both a powerlifter and a collegiate head strength coach.
Bodybuilding Exercises for the Powerlifter — Adductor Work for Added Gains
Say your quads, hamstrings, and glutes are capable of handling 500 pounds in the squat, but (because of weakness, tightness, or overuse), your adductors can only handle 400. Not a good look.
Body Mechanics 101: Hunting for the Elusive Rear Delt
I have been asked so many times lately about rear delts that I figured I would make this the topic for the second edition of Body Mechanics 101.
WATCH: Table Talk with Dan Green — Building a Base as a New Lifter
If you don't start on the right path, you might spend years training hard and making no progress.
All Together Now — Meet the Disciplines and Our Hosts
In this series, we will explore the challenges of interdisciplinarity in Sports Performance. I have chosen six people to help us on this journey, each one representing one discipline or profession.
5 Training Hacks for Underdeveloped Hamstrings
Effectively train your hamstrings with these hacks and find yourself sitting a few inches taller.
Three Hypertrophy Waves to Use If You're Stuck on Progressive Overload
If you feel like you're spinning your wheels, give one of these a try: Intensity-Based Hypertrophy Wave, Working Set Volume-Based Hypertrophy Wave, or Exercise Volume-Based Hypertrophy Wave.
XPC Finals — My First 2400-Pound Total
My first meet as part of elitefts was the first Lexen Pro/Am ten years ago. Last weekend, in Columbus again, I finally got to 2400.
It's All About the Base
I've seen some folks with clients that can't execute a proper pull start adding these additional implements, and it's insanity.
2017 XPC Finals — I’m Not Retired Yet, Motherf*ckers
If I had a lot riding on this lift before, everything was riding on it now. Making it would be the highlight of my powerlifting career. Missing it would probably be the beginning of the end.
How Is Dave Tate Still Doing Dave Tate Things?
Every medical professional gauges how much slack on the leash they can give you without negative effects because everyone’s threshold is a little different. What’s Dave’s? And why?
Relentless Hypertrophy Revisited
This strategy is a synthesis of various methods and tactics I’ve learned over the years from John Meadows, Swede Burns, Charles Staley, and a few others.