Mental Health and the Strength Athlete: Building A Better Training Program
Mental Health and the Strength Athlete: Building A Better Training Program
When building an effective training program, you must consider each variable that influences your performance — including the stressors that affect your mental health.
My Return to Raw: UPA Old School Iron Gym Summer Showdown
My Return to Raw: UPA Old School Iron Gym Summer Showdown
Since competing at the XPC Finals in March, I took the last few months to regain control over my physical and mental health. In the process, I transitioned back to raw.
What Is Elite in Powerlifting?
What Is Elite in Powerlifting?
It takes a long time to be elite—truly elite—in this sport. Don't try to change the standards. Change the way you work.
Embracing the Bracing
Embracing the Bracing
Day 1: Constant, crippling pain. Day 10: Pain free. This is the new game plan for lower back nerve pain.
Three Training Methods to Strengthen Your Weak Points
Three Training Methods to Strengthen Your Weak Points
As simple and extremely important as this principle is, I continue to see so many lifters overlook or misunderstand it year after year.
144 Things I Love and Hate About Powerlifting
144 Things I Love and Hate About Powerlifting
Every lifter has their own reasons to love or hate this sport. Here are mine.
elitefts Classic: How to Set Up A Program — A New Look at Weak Points
elitefts Classic: How to Set Up A Program — A New Look at Weak Points
I don’t know how many questions we’ve gotten about how to train certain weak points. Of course, almost every question is in regard to a weak muscle group or a certain portion of a lift.
Building Technical Proficiency in Supplemental Deadlift Movements
Building Technical Proficiency in Supplemental Deadlift Movements
Getting outside of your comfort zone, and literally getting uncomfortable can be a key to get you past plateaus and sticking points.
WATCH: Off Topic with Dave and Jim — PEDs and Training Frequency
WATCH: Off Topic with Dave and Jim — PEDs and Training Frequency
Kicking off the new series, Dave Tate and Jim Wendler take on a topic of heated debate.
When to Build Strength, When to Display It
When to Build Strength, When to Display It
Think about it. How do you prioritize these aspects of your training?
Unification of Training Stimuli (with Program)
Unification of Training Stimuli (with Program)
You might call this The Grand Unified Training Theory: attempting to combine the training elements of Olympic lifting, powerlifting, strongman, and bodybuilding into one single training program.
WATCH: Dave and Jim Are Back
WATCH: Dave and Jim Are Back
There's a lot of history shared between these two men. Now they're adding to it.
WATCH: Table Talk — Geared to Raw Lifting
WATCH: Table Talk — Geared to Raw Lifting
The progression of gear usage is not linear; a lot of lifters actually return to raw after spending years in gear. This can be almost as challenging as learning the gear in the first place.
Reset Your PR's
Reset Your PR's
In a perfect world, you're always getting stronger and your PR's are always moving higher. Well, this world isn't perfect, and you need to remember that if you want to get stronger.
Welcome the Newest elitefts Columnist Maliek Derstine
Welcome the Newest elitefts Columnist Maliek Derstine
Read his first article An Introduction to the Yearly Training Plan of the Strength Athlete now!
An Introduction to the Yearly Training Plan of the Strength Athlete
An Introduction to the Yearly Training Plan of the Strength Athlete
In this first article of the series we look at the underlying purpose of a strength athlete's training and the importance of the mesocycle.
USPA Drug Tested National Powerlifting Championships — Meána Franco PRs in Every Lift
USPA Drug Tested National Powerlifting Championships — Meána Franco PRs ...
I needed to regain confidence in myself as a lifter and take a step out of my comfort zone. I accomplished this at USPA Nationals.
Is Your Coach Giving You What You Need?
Is Your Coach Giving You What You Need?
There are a lot of coaches to choose from and they all think they're the best. What criteria should you use to judge them?
WATCH: Chris Duffin and Raw Bench Phenom Leroy Walker
WATCH: Chris Duffin and Raw Bench Phenom Leroy Walker
In this second interview, Walker and Duffin discuss the life cycle of athletes, adversity, and talent.
WATCH: Table Talk — The Reason Powerlifting Records Are Being Shattered
WATCH: Table Talk — The Reason Powerlifting Records Are Being Shattered
Raw records have been dropping at unprecedented rates in recent years — and Dave thinks he knows why.
WATCH: Clint Darden Reviews Client Bench Press
WATCH: Clint Darden Reviews Client Bench Press
From setup adjustments to training intensity, Clint's coaching adjustments are all explained in this video.
We Are Just Cavemen With Smart Phones
We Are Just Cavemen With Smart Phones
Technology moves forward, but we are the same. Physically, we are all made of the same DNA as the humans who came before us. Let's train like it.
Squat Q&A: Zercher Squats, SS Yoke Bar Breathing, and Tight Hips
Squat Q&A: Zercher Squats, SS Yoke Bar Breathing, and Tight Hips
You have questions, team elitefts has answers. Today's topic: the squat.
The JL Letters — Passages 3 and 4
The JL Letters — Passages 3 and 4
Every relationship has its highs and lows. You can't stay on the honeymoon forever.
WATCH: Table Talk — How Do You Make Training Fit Your Life Schedule?
WATCH: Table Talk — How Do You Make Training Fit Your Life Schedule?
If training is getting lost on your daily to-do list, change your approach.
The JL Letters — Passages 1 and 2
The JL Letters — Passages 1 and 2
Things are getting hot between Dave and JL. What's behind this growing bond?
Parallels of Lifting and Life — Confidence, Arrogance, Priorities
Parallels of Lifting and Life — Confidence, Arrogance, Priorities
Chad shares how difficulties in a personal situation had him look to lifting for answers.
WATCH: Spotting 101 — The Squat
WATCH: Spotting 101 — The Squat
Knowing how to properly spot is not only important for the safety of the lifter but also for your own.
Powerlifting Meets: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Powerlifting Meets: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
One of the best meets that I’ve been to as a competitor was the 2014 WPC World Championships in West Palm Beach, Florida. Why was it so great?
WATCH: Set Yourself Up For A Bigger Bench
WATCH: Set Yourself Up For A Bigger Bench
Sometimes a visual is the one thing an audible coaching cue lacks. Give these tips a try.
WATCH: Best Secondary Movement for the Squat
WATCH: Best Secondary Movement for the Squat
This week Dave answers the question: If you could only pick one exercise as a secondary movement for squats, what would it be and why?
Why Do You Lift — Defining Hope, Motivation, and Risk
Why Do You Lift — Defining Hope, Motivation, and Risk
This is where we find the relationship between hope and two other concepts that are directly important to sports performance and powerlifting in particular: motivation and risk.
"The Jenn" Jenn Rotsinger Inaugural Women's Empowerment Weekend
"The Jenn" Jenn Rotsinger Inaugural Women's Empowerment W...
If this weekend is any sort of indication of the direction and growth of women’s powerlifting, I’m sitting on my hands excited and have a few handfuls of confetti in my pockets.
WATCH: Knee Wrapping Technique for PR Attempts
WATCH: Knee Wrapping Technique for PR Attempts
If I don't want to punch you in the face during my wrap, it's not tight enough. Here's how to do it right.
Verbal Cues Every Set — A Reminder of Your Duty as a Training Partner
Verbal Cues Every Set — A Reminder of Your Duty as a Training Partner
If your training partner's technique is poor it will take a lot more than empty encouragement to make him better.
WATCH: Table Talk — What If Other Competitors Lie About Drug Use?
WATCH: Table Talk — What If Other Competitors Lie About Drug Use?
Mentally preparing for a meet isn't easy but what if you also have to worry that the other lifters are lying about steroids?
Are You Just Going Through the Motions?
Are You Just Going Through the Motions?
Life is meant to be lived. Stop sleepwalking through life and waiting for things to happen.
The Mandatory Deload
The Mandatory Deload
My biggest mistake over the last few years was competing too much and training through injuries. Taking time off was probably the most difficult thing I've ever had to do.
Mental Health and the Strength Athlete: Strength Beyond the Barbell
Mental Health and the Strength Athlete: Strength Beyond the Barbell
Mental illness isn't something you hear often in the strength world — but that's not because it doesn't exist.
A Refresher on Traditional Periodization
A Refresher on Traditional Periodization
Before there were a bunch of fancy training programs, and after Milo carried the growing cow a bit further each day, there was traditional periodization. Let's review.
WATCH: Table Talk — The Early Days
WATCH: Table Talk — The Early Days
What did a typical day in college look like for Dave back in his 20s?
4 Powerlifting Trump Cards You Should Hold Onto
4 Powerlifting Trump Cards You Should Hold Onto
Just like a game of euchre, there is an optimal time to play these trump cards in powerlifting.
WATCH: Bench Press Instruction with JL, Swede, and Casey
WATCH: Bench Press Instruction with JL, Swede, and Casey

In this final collection of footage we’ll share from our April training camp, the three expert coaches demonstrate the proper way to learn and improve the bench press.

York Barbell Hall of Famer Rickey Dale Crain
York Barbell Hall of Famer Rickey Dale Crain

Inducted in 2000, he is a five-time IPF World Champion, 10-time national champion, and much more.

Three Days at Kabuki Strength Systems
Three Days at Kabuki Strength Systems

Through our many adventures, Chris Duffin and I trained, went four-wheeling, ate A LOT, and talked about many aspects of coaching and programming.

2016 APF Equipped Nationals — Qualifying for WPC Worlds
2016 APF Equipped Nationals — Qualifying for WPC Worlds

What I overcame for this meet is far more than I have for any other.

Hip Squatters vs Back Squatters  — What is the Proper Way to Squat?
Hip Squatters vs Back Squatters — What is the Proper Way to Squat?

There are two types of squatters: hip squatters and back squatters. The proper way to execute the lift depends on which technique is best for you.

Practical Programming Adjustments Determined By Age
Practical Programming Adjustments Determined By Age

If you aren’t considering this factor, your training is suffering.

Building A Great Lifting Crew — Advice for Hardcore Lifters
Building A Great Lifting Crew — Advice for Hardcore Lifters

The information in this article is meant for lifters who care about only one thing: building the biggest powerlifting total possible.

Building A Great Lifting Crew — Advice for Normal Lifters
Building A Great Lifting Crew — Advice for Normal Lifters

The majority of people that go to the gym want a place where they can have fun, get stronger, and not be stressed in an overly-competitive environment. Here’s how to do it.

WATCH: Table Talk — How Should a Powerlifter Use a Sled or Prowler?
WATCH: Table Talk — How Should a Powerlifter Use a Sled or Prowler?

You can use a sled or a prowler for a lot of reasons. People like them for conditioning but I think they’re best used for recovery and restoration when you’re getting ready for a meet.

WATCH: Reintroducing Dynamic Effort Bench Day
WATCH: Reintroducing Dynamic Effort Bench Day

I just added speed work back into my training after a long time without it. Here’s how I’m doing it.

Training Through Injury: The Edema Press
Training Through Injury: The Edema Press

A broken back doesn’t mean you can’t build your bench. Try this movement to teach better stability through squeezing your glutes and bracing your abs.

WATCH: Interview with Stan Efferding and Mike Dolce
WATCH: Interview with Stan Efferding and Mike Dolce

Alongside the World’s Strongest Bodybuilder, Mike Dolce and Chris Duffin discuss a plethora of training topics: nutrition, lifestyle, recovery, proper movement principals, and advanced methodology.

WATCH: Table Talk — Muscular Balance in Training Programs
WATCH: Table Talk — Muscular Balance in Training Programs

Should you do twice as much pulling volume as pressing volume? Some people think so, but it’s not that simple.

Find Your Weak Points By Becoming Strong
Find Your Weak Points By Becoming Strong

Before getting hung up on specific weaknesses and special exercises, try this simple approach first.

WATCH: Reno Hardcore with Guest Chris Duffin
WATCH: Reno Hardcore with Guest Chris Duffin

Kabuki, mental aspects of training, masculinity, geared vs. raw lifting, RPE — it’s all here in this video with two all-time great powerlifters.

Lifting on the Platform — In Honor of My Father
Lifting on the Platform — In Honor of My Father

The journey was difficult but I walked away accomplishing something much more important at the Women’s Pro-Am than a big total.

Things I Have Learned From 15 Years of Conjugate Training
Things I Have Learned From 15 Years of Conjugate Training

Through a lot of ups downs since 2002, I’ve learned things both the hard way and the easy way. In one quick read, here are 137 of the best things to remember about conjugate.

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