How to Fix Your Bench Press: The Setup
The first installment of a three-part series, this article discusses the first step of mastering the bench press: learning optimal setup.
Fix These Simple Mistakes to Lift Heavier Weights
These mistakes in the squat, bench, and deadlift seem small on their own. But add them to together? You’re leaving pounds off your total.
The Boards vs. Social Media — Can We Have Both?
There was a time not that long ago that you knew where to go for positive discussion about a shared interest. What happened? Can we get it back?
WATCH: Table Talk — The Worst Beginner Mistake
This mistake is really, really simple, even if no one wants to take ownership of it.
WATCH: Investigating 'The Reset System'
Talking with founders Shawn Sherman and Jonathan Loos, I learned of the benefits and limitations of this restorative system that aims at pinpointing and eliminating joint dysfunctions.
Arnold Bingo is Back — 2016 Hashtag Contest
Here’s your chance to win a $100 gift card while you scope out the freaks of the expo.
Strong(her) Overhead Press Progressions for the Novice Female Lifter
Most women are unfamiliar with this movement but, with the right techniques and teaching methods, this can be one of the easiest ‘big’ exercises to learn.
7-Step Guide to Learning the Sumo Deadlift
This article includes video that shows the many physical and technical aspects you need to master to get the most of your sumo deadlift.
Eccentric Training Techniques for Added Strength and Size
If you want your strength and muscle mass to go up, you need to focus on how the weight is going down.
The Vertical Jump: It's More Than Just Inches
The most valuable information you will find from testing your athletes is not a measurement of height.
The Work Comes First
You will find no forward momentum by doing nothing. Without work, passion and purpose won’t take you anywhere.
The Thyroid — Regulator of Your Metabolic Fate
It may be small, but this endocrine organ controls whether you can eat ice cream and be lean or eat a salad and be overweight. How can you know if yours is operating properly?
WATCH: Table Talk — Where Is the Sport Discipline?
There’s going to be a time when you can’t do this anymore. Don’t piss on this opportunity. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
Reliving the Powerlifting Glory Days: Pride, Inspiration, and the 2008 I...
Fame? We never wanted it. My, how times have changed.
WATCH: IFBB Pro Chest Day with Meadows, Jackson, and Abiad
As John enters the final weeks before the 2016 Arnold, this trio of professional bodybuilders joined Dave at the S4 Compound for a high-intensity training session. Full workout included.
An Unconventional Motive for Muscularity
There are a whole shitload of really good reasons you should get as jacked as you possibly can.
Recognize Your Weaknesses and Limitations
This could be the simple rule to great strength — are you following it?
Why the Plank Does Not Improve Athletic Performance
This beloved exercise may not be quite the core developer you believe it is.
Supplements for Women: The Myths and Marketing Schemes
Let’s discuss protein powders, fat burners and pre-workouts, and what specific things you should look out for.
Culture of the Team: The Hardest Part of Coaching
This problem started to creep up on us several years ago and I only see it getting worse.
Finding Strength: Total Performance Sports
Owned by elitefts coach CJ Murphy in Massachusetts, TPS is one of the best gyms in the country, with the accolades and athletes to prove it.
Health Considerations of Powerlifting Technique
Consider the major powerlifting movements, cues, and technical adjustments that may prove helpful in both improving strength and prolonging health.
Elitefts Welcomes Newest Team Member and Columnist Zach Gallmann
As Zach travels the country building his new project, Finding Strength, he will deliver a new look into the world of Strongman.
Finding Peak Performance in Powerlifting Through Personal Coaching
The key to breaking my long-term training plateau was turning to someone with more knowledge and training experience than me. He knew exactly what I needed.
LISTEN: Ashley Jones — Incorporating Games in a Pre-Season Program
With proper consideration of neural, mechanical, and metabolic elements, this podcast covers the methods used for developing a proper pre-season plan.
I’ve Earned the Right
You’re welcome to whine about my methods or my opinions. And I’m welcome to not care.
Troubleshooting the GHR: Are You Performing Them Correctly?
The glute-hamstring raise is one of the best exercises for lower body development. Don’t ruin it by making any of these three common mistakes.
WATCH: Table Talk — Training Tips to Break a Bench Press Plateau
Stop beating yourself up after hitting a sticking point in your training. Figure out what the problem is and fix it. These tips will help the troubleshooting process.
What Not To Do — Parenting Youth Athletes
As a parent, there are four things you need to do to ensure your child both enjoys the experience of athletics and excels at playing the game.
The Best Exercise
The future success of your training program hinges on the inclusion of this one exercise. Don’t train without it.
WATCH: Team elitefts Trains for The 2016 Arnold/XPC Finals
With only four weeks to go, our athletes are getting serious (and animated) in the S4 Compound.
Coaching: Sometimes It's All in the Delivery
Learning to connect with and effectively motivate your athletes can go a long way. Choose your words wisely.
WATCH: Choosing the Right Weightlifting Singlet
Sleeves? Zippers? Material? Fit? Here are a few specific qualities to look for.
What Is Your Programming Signature?
The style of your coaching and the content of your program say a lot about you as a coach. If someone questions your approach, do you have an answer?
How I Benched 500 Pounds As A Teenager
The methods weren't perfect, the food was mostly shit, but it worked. There are a few things I'd change before recommending this for someone else.
Coaching CJ Piantieri at the Special Olympics Southeast Meet
For over six years I have watched CJ overcome many obstacles. I am always impressed by his competitive tenacity and love for powerlifting.
Being God Awful Precedes Being Good
Personal training is like any other craft, it takes time and perseverance through many mistakes to master. I recently reflected on my climb as a professional.
The Biggest Key to Success in the Client-Coach Relationship
More than the training techniques or coaching methods, there is one thing that will make or break your success working with a coach.
Building Bigger Biceps — A Five-Step Guide
What was once a weak point has become a strength of my physique. Whether you're doing 'curls for the girls' or to help your front double biceps pose, here are five things you need to know.
Fitness Is A Prerequisite
A respectable level of fitness will not make you the best player on the field, but without it you have no chance.
WATCH: Table Talk — What You Need for the Perfect Home Gym
There are three questions you should be asking yourself before investing in equipment.
Raw Unity Meet 9: Coaching, 5thSet, World Record Controversy
Another year of RUM, another weekend of 5thSet lifters kicking ass on the platform. Thank God no one I work with broke a world record, right?
How To Increase Your 225-Pound Bench for Reps Test
Here are 23 tips to master the most famous NFL Combine challenge,
My 30-Year Love Affair with Lifting
If I never did another meet, wrote another article, or coached at another seminar, I would still love lifting.
Operation Be Less Fat: A Year In Review
I started 2015 with a plan. Like most plans, it had to change throughout the year. I learned a lot and have even more to accomplish.
When IT Hits The Fan: The Stress Response
There will be times that your personal life overwhelms you. Getting through these rocky times will never be easy, but there are ways to ensure you make it out alive.
Murph's Top 10 Exercises With The Biggest Carry Over
These training movements provide benefits helpful to every kind of lifter, athlete, or strength enthusiast. No matter what you're trying to accomplish, they can help.
Finding Strength: CORE Fitness
In Mooresville, Indiana, owner Aaron Molin has amassed an amazing training facility to help grow the sport of strongman — "The Barn" is where all the action takes place.
Six Bodyweight Exercises That Should Be In Every Training Program
Each of these exercises has a variation that will fit your experience level and needs as a lifter, no matter how advanced you are.
How to Build The Perfect Home Gym
I’ve simplified this process into four phases: essentials, accessories, specialty bars, and everything else.
WATCH: Getting Into A Deadlift Position
It might take you 10 reps to find your groove, or it might take you 100. Keep working until that position becomes automatic.
5 Easy Ways To Become A Shitty Client
Are you trying to make your coach’s life hell? Do you aspire to be the biggest pain in the ass possible? I’ve got the plan for you.
WATCH: Table Talk — Is Geared Powerlifting Dead?
People always want to talk about when geared powerlifting ruled the sport. Now they think raw is in charge. What’s the answer?
Interview with LeRoy “The Machine” Walker
Could he be the next man to bench press over 700 pounds raw?