#146 Dr. Teddy Willsey | Physical Therapist, Citizen Athletics, Influenc...
Teddy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, strongly influenced by his extensive background in strength and conditioning (stops with Buddy Morris) and powerlifting.
3 Ways to Keep Making Progress
Where do you turn for answers to continue to make progress? Beyond elitefts, are you using an online coach, a club, or consultations?
10 Reasons Why You Aren't Making Progress
Why do people give up after only a few years? Sticking to a plan for only four weeks? Always looking for motivation? Training too easy…
8-Week Offseason Strength Training Program for Higher Jumping
As a powerlifter, I jumped higher than two athletes that jump constantly for their sport. Here’s why with an 8-week program to increase YOUR vertical.
#145 Joe DeFranco | World-Renowned Coach, DeFranco's Gym
Joe’s “gym blueprint” is now the industry standard, and DeFranco’s is a globally recognized brand.
Ability-Based Assessment and Programming for Large Tactical Populations
This piece of the puzzle is what sets tactical strength and conditioning apart from its athletic counterparts.
You're Screwed Without A Crew
In a recent elitefts poll, 88% of lifters responded that they train alone. I used to train alone (when I was weak). Then I found a team and turned elite.
14 Deadlift Tips and Tricks
His not-so-secret deadlift tricks and personal tips for fixing those bad habits. Insight from the man himself, Dave Tate.
#144 Skip Hill | Intense Muscle, Bodybuilding Maestro, TEAM Skip
Skip was one of the early pioneers of online contest prep (2001) when bodybuilding message boards were still in their infancy.
10 Exercises Powerlifters Should Be Doing (But Aren't) to Stay Pain...
What do you believe you need more of in your training? More rotation? Is the low back super cranky? Pick 1-2 exercises and get started.
Training All Contractions
Eccentrics and Isometrics are for BUILDING, while Concentrics are for TRANSFERRING. How do you program them all?
Fix Your Walkout
A rack squat and a monolift squat are two different beasts. I totally underestimated the brutality of the walkout…
#143 Steve Goggins | First 1100lbs Squat, USPA, Powerlifting Legend
Steve Goggins has competed in powerlifting for over 25 years and was the first powerlifter to squat 1100 pounds.
Strength Athletes, Control Your Variables
Consider where YOU lack focus. These things are widespread knowledge, nothing ground-breaking but surprisingly not prioritized correctly.
#142 Big J Extreme Fitness | Ronnie Coleman, FitCon, and CSO
Big J has trained on and off with 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman as his training partner at Arlington’s Metroflex for over 20 years.
The TEAM SKIP Training Protocol of 2022
I’m tired of answering questions about TEAM SKIP Training. Here’s the updated version, for free. You’re welcome.
Simple Does NOT Mean Easy
Here’s the blueprint that’s simple, yet most don’t follow. It’s hard but it’ll yield great results for performance, strength, and size.
Does the Drill Carry Over?
To create a long-term change, there needs to be a stimulus strong enough to elicit an adaptation and groove the pattern.
Better Ankles Equals Better Conventional Deadlifts
If you can’t go into more dorsiflexion, your calves and quads won’t be in an advantageous position to deadlift.
The Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Let’s start with why you should use an RPE scale as opposed to a percentage program. Even though percentage programs are easy to use…
#141 Fouad "Hoss" Abiad | Entrepreneur, IFBB Pro, Heavyweight ...
Fouad is a retired Canadian IFBB pro and owner of Hosstile. He racked up an impressive nine top-three finishes over his 15-year tenure, including two victories.
Future Self, Don't Forget Your Past
Did you bomb your last meet? GOOD! Tell me, what did you learn from the whole experience? USE IT to get better.
6 Underrated Exercises for Building Muscle and Strength
Sometimes a new exercise can give your workout an added jolt of enjoyment to push harder. Here are six exercises to test out.
Programming Different Physical Qualities
I like to program from a metabolic, strength, or power focus. The three-day-a-week program allows more stimulation for each major area.
# 140 Travis Ortmayer | World's Strongest Man, Survivor, Texas Ston...
After a 10-year hiatus, stripped of strength and muscle, Travis returned to the World’s Strongest Man in 2021.
How to Smash Track PRs with Timed Squats
We adopted the timed squat method from Louie Simmons. Let’s just say we had the most regional qualifiers in school history.
The Power of Perception
These studies give you some tools to use before your next training session or race to increase performance.
#139 Stacy Burr | All-Time World Record Holder 1400 LBS Total
Stacy’s 1435-pound total at 148 gave her an astounding 668 Wilks, which ranks her as the number one powerlifter in the world.
7 Tips for Your Next Meet Prep
An excerpt from The Intermediate and Advanced Lifters Peaking Squat Cycle, don’t leave pounds on the platform due to improper planning.
How to Determine if Your Athletes Should Train Before a Game
Training the morning of a game or competition may seem strange to many, but it’s a hidden gem for increasing athletic performance.
#138 Mike Hedlesky | 13X Arnold Classic, 10X IPF, Gold Medalist
Mike Hedlesky takes a seat in this 138th episode of Dave Tate’s Table Talk.
How to Progress Anti-Tin Man RDLs
One way to progress the Anti-Tin Man RDL is by taking that same pattern into a more dynamic and less stable environment through Walking RDLs.
Bulletproof the Effectiveness of Your Injection or Surgery
Here are some CRUCIAL POINTS to consider to benefit from your treatment. Otherwise, you may never experience long-term relief.
Your Nutritional Plan for Meet Day
You’ve done the work thus far to demonstrate your strength on the platform. Don’t ruin it with poor food choices come meet day.
#137 AJ Roberts ⎸ 1,200 Pound Squat, WSBB, and Entrepreneur
AJ Roberts takes a seat in this 137th podcast episode of Dave Tate’s Table Talk.
Observation is a Master Teacher
He seemed like he was from another planet, a planet where the gravity was turned all the way up, and all its inhabitants were strong, powerful, and muscular.
Why We Should Cancel the Anti-Back Squat Culture
Some coaches are jumping on the bandwagon of not back squatting their athletes (for various reasons). Ummm…what?
What Makes Athletes Great
The ease and comfort of your couch and air-conditioned home will always be calling your name. Ignore the temptation for an easy life.
#136 Mike Tuchscherer | Reactive Training Systems, RPE Programming
In this 136th podcast episode of Dave Tate’s Table Talk, Mike Tuchscherer takes a seat.
Overcoming the Pressure of a Six-Pack: How I Gained 100 Pounds in High S...
If you’re a kid with some athletic potential but is knocked over by a slight breeze, you need to start training and eating properly. Here’s how!
A Guide to Twice-Daily Training
Do you hit a wall by the time you get to accessories? What if you split your sessions in two and hit accessories after rest and more food?
#135 | C. Vogelpohl, T. Brock, D. Tate, K. Patterson, J. McCoy
In this 135th episode of Dave Tate’s Table Talk Podcast, Dave Tate sits down with several of his old training partners from Westside!
The Squat Bar Isn't Bad For You
I know it might FEEL bad, and you might feel banged up from squatting with it, but that does not mean you should be avoiding the straight bar.
#134 IFBB PRO Ken Jackson | U Of M Football 97', John Meadows
Ken Jackson is an IFBB professional bodybuilder, winning his pro card in 2011 at the North American Championships.
The Westside I Remember
With our Westside Table Talk episode coming up I thought I’d add more background to this article on Westside and the lifters I met there
Optimal Arousal in Powerlifting
Ever step onto the platform with raging, psyched up adrenaline coursing through your veins…but you end up missing the lift?
Strongman Training for Non-Strongman
As an athlete, a powerlifter, or weekend warrior, strongman training can be extremely beneficial. Here’s how to program it in.
#133 Matt Wenning is BACK! Breaking Platz’s Squat Record. Longevity, Nut...
Matt recently squatted 520 pounds for 24 reps! Listen as Dave and Matt talk about this feat of strength, endurance, and longevity!
#132 Luke Edwards | 5x Pro Totaling
Luke is one of four lifters to have a pro total in five different weight classes. Tack on two kidney transplants as well…
Youth Soccer Conditioning Program
We’ve pushed our kids into an ultra-competitive environment where student-athletes no longer have a true off-season. Here’s what I propose.
Why I Walked Away From Powerlifting
The moving parts behind the competition life are brutal. Go all in, and know when to get out.
The Optimal Powerbuilding Split
Powerbuilding is not just bodybuilding with the squat, bench press, and deadlift tacked on. It’s also not just powerlifting with accessory exercises.
Revisiting the Cross-Body Cable Extension
The Cross-Body Cable Extension has enormous potential to address a myriad of shoulder and upper back issues, but you’re doing it wrong.
#131 The Legend Himself Ed Coan
Ed Coan joins Dave Tate’s Table Talk Podcast as a guest in the 131st episode. Ed Coan is regarded as the greatest powerlifter of all time.
Conjugate for the Everyday Athlete
Are you over 35, a busy professional, love to train, and hate to feel like shit? Perfect! This training template is for you!
How to Achieve Your Training Goals
The more bases you cover, the better chances you have of winning the game. Remember, meet prep is 24/7. So, what’s your plan?
Training for Size and Strength
Here’s the simple plan with a four-day-a-week training split of upper and lower body. Each session has four exercises that’ll take an hour to complete.