Strength Training Articles and Programs
Iron Acres Barbell: Building a Place to Lift and Belong
Inside Iron Acres Barbell's Granville, Ohio build: a private gym shaped around strength training, personal coaching, and community.
Soviet Sports Review Retro: June 1980 - Weekly Volume, Hands-On Coaching, and the Weak Link
Dave Tate digs into the June 1980 Soviet Sports Review, from how Soviet weightlifters planned a year of weekly volume to hands-on technique fixes, the sprinter's weak link, and keeping knees healthy, with five takeaways you can use today.
Strength Without the Self-Destruction: Ollie Clarke’s Long Game
Soviet Sports Review Retro: March 1980 - Speed, Shary, and the First Attempt
Dave Tate digs into the March 1980 Soviet Sports Review, from loaded jumps for sprinters and Valery Shary's clean and jerk to why lifters miss their first attempt, with five takeaways you can use today.
Eric Bugenhagen's Banded Cable Trick for Back and Arms
Powerlifting USA Retro: January 1986 and the World's Best Lifter
Dave Tate digs into the January 1986 issue of Powerlifting USA, from Ed Coan's 12-week deadlift routine and the 1985 IPF Worlds in Finland to Kuc and Williams, with five takeaways you can use today.
Being the Best: It’s Not Just Talent by Ashley Jones
Being the best isn’t about finding the perfect program or relying on talent. Ashley Jones breaks down the daily standards, habits, preparation, and character that separate elite performers from everyone else.
Behind the Strength: The People Behind Strongman Champions League
Strongman Champions League’s Behind the Strength follows the work, relationships, and purpose behind the competition. Watch the documentary, plus Table Talk episodes with Brian Kichton and Adam Roszkowski.
Build the Program Around the Lifter: Tom Sheppard’s Individualized Training
Start with the lifter, give every exercise a job, and check the result. Dave Tate shares practical programming lessons alongside Tom Sheppard’s new book, Individualized Training.
Envy Can Start the Engine, But It Is Terrible Fuel
Envy is useful for about five minutes, and after that it turns into the thing that keeps you from getting stronger.
Compression Floss Bands and What Lifters Should Know
How to Program Bands and Chains
How to Choose and Use Long and Short Resistance Bands
Choose the right band length and resistance for pressing, pulling, leg work, and accessories. Includes six elitefts demonstrations, real setup photos, and correctly labeled two-band calibration charts.
How to Set Up Bands for the Squat, Bench, and Deadlift
Start with the setup, not the load. Matt Wenning’s video and elitefts manuals explain low anchors, doubled bands, reverse bands, and checks for the squat, bench, and deadlift.
The Flag Went Up the Same Day as the Rack
Protect Your Momentum. You May Not Get It Back.
Momentum is hard to build and easy to waste. Dave Tate looks back at the training decisions that shortened his career and the business lessons that brought elitefts back to its culture.
The Full Impact of Online Coaches in Powerlifting
Online coaching gave lifters access to great programming from anywhere, and it quietly pulled the crew out of the room.
The Impulsive TRT Trap: Daniel Fosselman on Testosterone and Better Decisions
Building the Lock by Ashley Jones
Ashley Jones breaks down how he develops strength, power, size, and durability in rugby locks—and how the same methods can help tight ends and linebackers. From French contrast training and sled work to upper-body size, CARE work, and in-season programming, this is a practical blueprint for building big men who can move, hit, and keep going.
Outside the Lanes: NOVA Aquatics Makes Room for Strength
Stop Pressing the Log Away From You: Olly Clark's Log Press Fix
Trade or Profession? Where Does the Strength Coach Actually Stand? By Ashley Jones
Is strength coaching a trade, a profession, or something in between? Ashley Jones explores the divide between hands-on coaching experience and formal education, and explains why the best strength coaches need both craft and professional standards.
























