Adjunct of Insanity
Adjunct of Insanity
Examine this carefully. This is the state of consciousness, the state of reversal that is transcendent action. The philosopher’s stone. Action on a lower plane that is initiated and put into effect from a higher plane.
Delusion Tube
Delusion Tube
A few years after my football career ended, I found myself playing linebacker in a recreational flag football game in Long Island’s Eisenhower Park. This is rarely ever a good idea.
 Concurrent Strategies in Strength Training, Part 3
Concurrent Strategies in Strength Training, Part 3

Please note that different classifications may be used depending on the athletes’ weak and strong points, level of development, training period, emphasis, and additional items. Those classifications are used to help the coach organize the training system and prioritize things according to the demands of sport and position.

Goofus and Gallant Go to a Bench Meet
Goofus and Gallant Go to a Bench Meet

Do you want to be Goofus or Gallant?

 Plateau Buster: A Look at Goals and IIx Fibers
Plateau Buster: A Look at Goals and IIx Fibers

When developing strength and speed, fiber type matters.

Back and Forth: An Interview with Dave Tate and Alwyn Cosgrove
Back and Forth: An Interview with Dave Tate and Alwyn Cosgrove

AC: Dave, you’re an Elite powerlifter and own one of the most successful strength training equipment companies in existence—and by extension a website that has become one of the best educational companies in the field. So, what’s the plan from here?

Spud Speaks: More News From Marc Bartley
Spud Speaks: More News From Marc Bartley

Saturday was great because there was no cardio to do. I was drained from the week, and it took about two hours to get going. I usually do light upper body and then a dynamic speed pull day, but since I couldn’t get it going, I did some reverse bands, thinking that would be easy.

The Steel Yard (Aug 08)
The Steel Yard (Aug 08)

On February 17, 2001, Dave Tate opened up the Q&A section on the EFS server to find the following inquiry:

Strength
Strength

The quest for strength, the quest for power, in its basic essence is man’s quest to be “more than himself.” This is a basic, instinctive, seed drive that carries him forward through his own personal evolution.

 Hardcore Extreme July 08
Hardcore Extreme July 08

My latest Highland Games competition didn’t go as well as I’d hoped it would, but I learned some stuff and didn’t finish too badly. I took second place overall, and second in the stone championship.

 Under The Bar: WHERE TRIALS NEVER END
Under The Bar: WHERE TRIALS NEVER END

As a kid in high school, I never particularly liked math; I was OK at it I guess, but it wasn’t my favorite subject. One thing I did like about it, though, was that I immediately knew where I stood. Back then, my ninth-grade brain wanted some things to be at least certain.

Why You Need a Coach: The Little Big Things
Why You Need a Coach: The Little Big Things

For most of you reading this article who used to compete in sports, think back to your younger days. Can you imagine stepping on the field without the direction of a coach?

Before You Blow Off the Gym, Read Jimmy’s Story
Before You Blow Off the Gym, Read Jimmy’s Story

We all have our “off” days in the gym. Even the most dedicated of gym rats will find an excuse to blow off a workout every now and then. Let’s face it.

Elitefts™ Classic: Words of Wisdom
Elitefts™ Classic: Words of Wisdom

Last night, I was sitting in my office going through some of my training journals and notes that had accumulated over the years.

After the Meet Is Before the Meet
After the Meet Is Before the Meet

Fans of Run Lola Run might recall a piece of wisdom featured in the beginning of the movie—“After the game is before the game.”

Tricks of the Trade
Tricks of the Trade

In my many years of powerlifting and traveling to meets and gyms to train and through association with many shady characters, I have amassed a “bag of tricks” to help me on meet day.

Your First Meet Part I: Setting a Date and Developing Goals
Your First Meet Part I: Setting a Date and Developing Goals

Congratulations! You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and compete in a powerlifting meet

No Respect? Go to the Basement!
No Respect? Go to the Basement!

I have had some interesting conversations with Jim Wendler. One in particular struck a chord with me quite heavily. In fact, it has helped mold a process I use at my gym when training new athletes.

Advanced Sumo Deadlift Training
Advanced Sumo Deadlift Training

Deadlifting is one of those lifts that becomes more than a little frustrating, especially when you hit lulls and plateaus in your training.

Rules for Maintaining a Successful Powerlifting Club
Rules for Maintaining a Successful Powerlifting Club

Over the years, I’ve seen many powerlifting/strength training clubs come and go.

Hardcore Extreme May 08
Hardcore Extreme May 08

I am far from a genetic freak. I am a SELF MADE FREAK!!!

To My Readers..  by The Thinker
To My Readers.. by The Thinker

One week ago I was offered and accepted an incredible opportunity to co-author a book outlining the physical preparation training of 6-time UFC Champion Randy Couture.

Are We Truly Improving Performance?
Are We Truly Improving Performance?

A noted sports columnist in the San Diego area lamented the fact that one of the state universities was unable to field a championship women’s volleyball team (they already dropped the men’s program even though it was the only program to bring in an NCAA championship).

No Matter How You Slice It, It’s Still Ratting
No Matter How You Slice It, It’s Still Ratting

In the recent issue of the most popular powerlifting magazine on the market, one of the featured writers, who I will refer to as Mr. X, wrote an article decrying the “no snitching mentality” that is sweeping the country.

Train Through Pain
Train Through Pain

If you lift hard and you lift consistently, you have undoubtedly dealt with injury at some point. It is as inevitable as a surplus of hair gel at a nightclub.

The Learning Curve
The Learning Curve

How I understand, practice, and implement strength and conditioning programs for myself and my clients has drastically changed over the past four years.

The SOS Way
The SOS Way

On day one in November of 2005, I completely committed myself to making sure that everything, every day was going to be as productive as possible to enhance my strength.

An Interview with AJ Roberts
An Interview with AJ Roberts

MB: Mr. Roberts, give me some background. Take us from the time that you were a little mate until now.

Ten Questions With Matt Rhodes
Ten Questions With Matt Rhodes

I won’t change much. I plan on running a 12-week cycle of higher volume once I’m cleared to go full speed. I want to gain about 40lbs for November. I’ll need the extra volume to gain some muscle and size.

Pet Peeve
Pet Peeve

I have a pet peeve that I need to get off my chest. I can’t stand how every hardcore lifter pisses and moans when they’re forced to train in a commercial gym. Now, hear me out before you say, “Paul Leonard isn’t ‘hardcore.’”

Balancing Act
Balancing Act

This article is geared toward those athletes who need to balance a job, family, and competing at a high level. What I mean by balance is time management.

My First Year
My First Year

On February 10th, 2007, I competed in my first Strongman contest, the Motor City Strongman at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It’s been exactly one year since my introduction to the sport so I feel like it’s a good time to reflect on what I’ve learned.

On Freud’s Couch (an excerpt from the book, The Tao of B)
On Freud’s Couch (an excerpt from the book, The Tao of B)

Humans alone are granted the gift or capability of pondering their existence and the meaning of life. Weightlifters sometimes contemplate why they lift in a quest to uncover underlying factors or reasons that may shed light on their lifelong pursuit of power.

Passing the Test, Part 3
Passing the Test, Part 3

For those who haven’t read parts 1 or 2, I’m 51-years-old and recently tested very low in almost every indicator for testosterone levels. This series is about my journey to and through supplementation.

Powerlifting as Evolution
Powerlifting as Evolution

“Carryover” is a word often used to describe how equipment improves lifts. What kind of carryover has powerlifting had in other aspects of your life?

Under The Bar: Diet & Training Update #3
Under The Bar: Diet & Training Update #3

Under The Bar: Diet & Training Update #3

 The Diesel Compound 2 with Jim Smith
The Diesel Compound 2 with Jim Smith

Wrestling season is still going strong as of this writing. We have two athletes competing right now at the state tournament, and had several of our guys place at districts and regionals. The team really did well this year and is only losing a few seniors.

The Kroc Files March 08
The Kroc Files March 08

I just always had this desire to be big and strong. I remember at a very early age being impressed with size and strength and having a strong hunger to get that way myself.

My Encounter with the “Beast from the East”
My Encounter with the “Beast from the East”

As a chick, I must admit it was somewhat intimidating to pull into the parking area of Ocean State Gym alone.

Deadlift Considerations For Taller Athletes
Deadlift Considerations For Taller Athletes

Your height might be making a difference on your deadlift.

Manipulating a Training Program
Manipulating a Training Program

I know I’m not the only one guilty of this, but far too often, individuals like myself go online and search for workout routines, help, or guidance

One Thing We Can Do
One Thing We Can Do

Basically, success is a simple formula. The difficult part is the hard work and dedication that is required.

A Breakdown of Powerlifting
A Breakdown of Powerlifting

Do you understand the purpose and usefulness of the powerlifting movements?

A Powerlifter’s Guide to Making Weight
A Powerlifter’s Guide to Making Weight

The reality of competing in powerlifting is that at some point in time we all have to make weight. Making weight can make or break your lifting performance.

Brian Schwab's Orlando Strength Jan 08
Brian Schwab's Orlando Strength Jan 08

The Lexen Xtreme 2008 IPA Columbus Pro-Am was both a positive experience and, most likely, the last time I’ll drop to 148 lbs.

Zach Even-Esh: Tales from The Underground
Zach Even-Esh: Tales from The Underground

I am busy as all heck, as always, and I am in the process of getting away from working so much and doing all of this full time.

Performance Training Center Five Questions for Mark McLaughlin
Performance Training Center Five Questions for Mark McLaughlin

Mark McLaughlin has spent several years reading and learning Eastern Bloc training methods as well as other alternative types of training, leaving no stone unturned in the preparation of his athletes.

Passing the Test, Part 2

For those of you who haven’t read part 1, I’m 51-years-old and recently tested very low in almost every indicator for testosterone levels. This series is about my journey to and through supplementation.

I’m a Powerlifter
I’m a Powerlifter

But what does that really mean?

Theodore Roosevelt on Powerlifting
Theodore Roosevelt on Powerlifting

You can’t choose your potential. But you can choose to fulfill the potential you do have.

Jamie Hale Separates Knowledge from Nonsense
Jamie Hale Separates Knowledge from Nonsense

This interview is based on objective information and is meant to provide readers with straightforward facts.

The Steel Yard With Scott Yard
The Steel Yard With Scott Yard

On February 17, 2001, Dave Tate opened up the Q&A section on the EFS server to find the following inquiry…

The Thinker: An Update From Behind the Iron Curtain
The Thinker: An Update From Behind the Iron Curtain

The Thinker, over the past few years, has in all likelihood answered more Q&A inquiries on this site than anyone else on our staff.

Under the Bar: Diet and Training Update
Under the Bar: Diet and Training Update

I’ve been asked several times to document the template I used for my last strength phase of training.

Spud Speaks by Marc Bartley
Spud Speaks by Marc Bartley

This has been one year I wish I could totally wipe off the resume. I guess it could’ve gone otherwise, but what lessons would I have learned? I

Hardcore Extreme Jan 08
Hardcore Extreme Jan 08

The Kaz press is performed in the Smith machine. It’s similar to a JM press, except there is no rocking back or to a skull crusher – and it’s over the clavicle. Start in the Smith machine lying on a flat bench. Have the arms straight up at shoulder width or a little wider.

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