A Recovering Endurance Addict
"I think you are f***ing up.” Quite a way to start a conversation, but that was how it went for me.
I’ll Never Be Strong Enough
I will never ever feel strong enough. I will spend my entire life needing to be strong(er).
In Praise of the Barbell
The barbell has been vilified and unfairly characterized as an "unsafe" and "unnecessary" outdated member of the "fitness center."
Moving Past Socialization
After my last two discussions on women’s roles and expectations in strength, it’s time to truly identify some strong women in action.
What We Don’t Know in High School
Staying true to my pseudonym, I wanted to write an article that gives coaches an insight into their athletes’ minds, particularly the mind of a high school athlete.
Elitefts Equipment 101: New & Improved SS Yoke Bar
EVERYTHING you wanted to know about the new & improved SS Yoke Bar plus a TON of training information.
Crunches: Not as Bad as We Thought?
I've been reading more and more on the internet about how crunches and sit-ups are evil and anyone who does them will ruin his back and a host of other bullshit stories like that.
Social Distortion: Kobe and Arnold
I need you to ask yourself a question: how bad do you really want to be great?
Being Human, Part II: The Kenyan Story
One of the most basic skills in athleticism is running bio-mechanics. But what if everything that coaches believe about proper form is incorrect?
Training for Fitness Versus Training for Performance
Time serves as the main tenet behind goal setting and management. Time is also what separates the training of two qualities that are misinterpreted by fitness professionals and clients alike.
Lessons from Competing
The benefits of competition can be far greater than winning a title; however, you have to learn to commit.
Tough Love: You and Your Diet
You asked about what to eat, elitefts™ responded. We didn't sugarcoat it, either.
44 and Broken, Part 9
It’s done and in the books. I competed at the 16th annual RPS Power Challenge on October 21, 2012.
A Very Ladewski LTT, Part III
I wanted to wrap up this LTT write up with the second day of the seminar. While I can't say for sure how the attendees feel, this is always my favorite part of the weekend.
The Weekly Caloric Method
Your body isn't a robot, and you shouldn't treat it like one. Learn how to track your calories the proper way in order to get into the best shape of your life.
A Very Ladewski LTT, Part II
This time around, I was actually able to listen to the speakers without being dragged into the dungeon of doom (aka: the elitefts2 basement) for interviews.
Maxing Out
You want to be fresh when you take your max attempt, so a ton of reps and sets are not a good idea when maxing out.
Peri-Workout Nutrition, Part II: To Carb or Not to Carb
I’m going to discuss two schools of thought on this issue: to immediately carb-up post workout or to prolong or completely avoid carbs post workout.
If I Knew Then What I Know Now: The Physical Culture
We have come full circle, to the time when we are now called the “Physical Culture” once again.
elitefts™ Classic: Training Log Tips
If you haven’t been reading the training logs, you’ve been missing out on some great “in the trenches” training advice.
Opportunity Through Injury
Nearly everyone I’ve ever talked to who has been hurt says that the hardest part is being unable to perform at his or her sport or activity.
Monster Drinks May Kill You, But This Won’t
A geyser of energy drink erupted from my nostrils as I read an article from the Huffington Post claiming that Monster Drinks may be linked to five deaths.
2000 elitefts™ Strength Seminar, Parts 17 & 18
This is part seventeen and eighteen of the original elitefts™ Tour De Force Strength Training Seminar (video). We will be posting all parts of this seminar so keep checking back.
A Very Ladewski LTT, Part I
My LTT experience usually begins on Thursday— a little earlier than everyone else. During the last LTT in May, I worked with a dozen youth athletes doing some speed training work, and I was invited to do so again this time.
Training Guys and Girls: Is There a Difference?
I noticed that the guys responded well, yet I couldn’t figure out why the girls weren't getting it and didn’t want to try.
What I Learned from Strongman
I decided to make a list of five things that I learned along the way and think are relevant to all sports, training structures, and goals in or outside the gym.
Iron Subculture Podcast: JL Holdsworth's "Six Things That Real...
The sixth episode of the Iron Subculture Podcast features JL Holdsworth, John Meadows, Shelby Starnes, Mick Manley, Marshall Johnson, Julia Ladewski and more...
Twelve Steps to Getting Big
While every young guy seems to know that lifting heavy is the foundation of building muscle, most have the dietary caloric intake of a 16-year-old girl.
The Forgotten Benefit of Functional Leg Training
Instead of hitting the upper body just twice a week, we get extra stimulation because we're working the lower body by holding on to the weights, which means extra time under tension and stimulation for the traps, lats, rhomboids, lumbars, and quadratus lumborum.
My Trip to Learn To Train 5
This is the tale of the best weekend of my existence! I went to the Learn To Train seminar at the Elitefts.com compound. We met some of the best minds and people in lifting, training and in life!
Shifting Paradigm: Strength/Power/Speed
Strength, power, and speed are all interesting concepts on their own, and each has its place in a strength and conditioning program.
Five Ways Strength Coaches Can Make Their Teams Better
It’s often assumed that a strength coach’s primary responsibility is to make their players better at their sport. While making the players better is essential, making the TEAM better should be the ultimate goal.
Mechanical Advantage Drop Sets: Invention of Necessity?
As a 16-year old kid, I knew that when two jacked cats like this come into the gym and preach about building size, it’s time to shut up, take notes and soak up that information like a sponge.
Peri-Workout Nutrition, Part I
A fair amount of research exists about peri-workout nutrition. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of myths. So, what is true?
44 and Broken, Part 7
I’m coming to the end of the training cycle, and the meet is only a few weeks away.
PL Newbie Guide
How to prepare, what to expect, and all that comes in between your first time on the platform.
Weight Gain: Make It Happen
God dealt us a metabolism that's fit for an endurance athlete, not someone big and strong. You just have to decide that you're not going to accept it.
How to Avoid the Freshman Fifteen
The key to maintaining a healthy body and living a healthy lifestyle lies in the choices we make.
Under The Bar: Do You REALLY Follow Through?
Following through IS one of the most important values that is more about how it is implanted than just putting it into practice.
The Art of Balance
The science of RSS is based upon the principle that to stand upright, your body is playing an ever constant balance game with itself.
Reno Hardcore: Champions of Sport and Life
Many strength athletes are way more than just big strong muscle heads.
Off the Cuff with Brian Carroll: Gear Tips
If you’re new to the art of lifting in powerlifting gear, here are some tips you should consider. Your form will go to crap, you’ll panic and go way too deep, or you’ll go brain-dead and cut the squat by three inches.
Beyond the Cortisone Shot: Iontophoretic Therapy
I underwent three rounds of iontophoresis a few months ago for an aggravated nerve/tendon issue that I’m having with both arms.
Master Your Goals
During the last couple years, I've seen a very welcome change in the mindset of many guys and gals entering the gym.
