WATCH: Table Talk — How Should A Big Guy Lose Weight?
For someone over 350 pounds, the rules of dropping weight are a little different. There are a few things you need to remember.
WATCH: Training Camp Q&A — Overtraining, Openers, and Body Composition
JL, Swede, and Casey answer multiple questions in this video, ranging from how to control training intensity to picking openers to nutrition for powerlifters.
Are You Asking the Right Questions?
If you aren't getting stronger or making gains, you're doing something wrong. Your first job is figuring out what that is.
Why Do You Lift — Meaning, Identity, Hope and Passion
For the next three or four articles, this is our topic: motivation. This first part will explore the construction of meaning, identity, and the origins of motivation.
Speed Work — Are You Doing It Correctly?
You know the simple rules of dynamic effort training but may be forgetting the small-but-crucial details that make it effective.
WATCH: Training Camp Q&A — What Do You Wish You Would've Done S...
JL Holdsworth, Swede Burns, and Casey Williams opened their training camp by answering this question.
Training Through Injury: How To Overcome Disc and Lumbar Issues
A disc injury is not a death sentence. You now need to develop into a smarter lifter who is not only focused on PR’s but also on long term health.
Table Talk — Thin Crust or Hand-Tossed Pizza?
Somehow this all ties into real-world experience and the steps taken to reach success as a business owner. Trust us.
Do You Believe?
Was I able to do these things and reach the level that I did simply because I believed?
Finding Strength: Cold Front CrossFit
Merging with Traverse City and Bulky Boys Barbell clubs, this Northern Michigan facility has welcomed strongman into their doors.
Big Squat, Big Bench, Big Deadlift — Big Air
So, you want a big squat, bench and pull? You better learn how to breathe.
What's Old?
Instead of thinking of age as a disability or a disadvantage, recognize your experience for what it is: an advantage in achieving physical and mental greatness.
WATCH: Table Talk — How to Maintain a Healthy Spine
Screw up your back and being unable to squat or deadlift won't be your only concern.
Know Your Bars
Nobody wants to waste hard earned money on equipment they're not sure about. Use this overview of the SS Yoke Bar and the Rackable Cambered Bar to make your next purchasing decision is an educated one.
Jeff Magruder: Powerlifter and Bench Press Champion
A multi-world record holder in the bench press, a successful gym owner, and a successful all-around lifter, Magruder has certainly made his mark.
My Weekend of Strength
With a clinic and meet scheduled on back to back days, I was surrounded by influential members of the strength community and made a few discoveries.
WATCH: Reno Hardcore With Guests Dan and Sparkle Green
Chad interviews world-record holding powerlifter Dan Green and his wife Sparkle after a seminar at American Iron gym.
The Training Ego — Are You Letting It Win?
I had a training ego. It drove everything I did — every weight I put on the bar, every lift I took, and the design of every workout. And then one day, my training ego gave up.
Tapering for a Powerlifting Meet
Let's evaluate how to train in the final four weeks leading to a competition. Most importantly, what does it mean to taper and how should you do it?
WATCH: Table Talk — Peaking for A Meet with Circa Max Training
Dave and JL talk about the aspects of Circa Max that many lifters overlook: the what, how, when, why, and who.
Three Powerlifting Fads That Are Hurting Your Total
Training isn't meant to be flashy — it's meant to be effective. Resist the temptation of these "hip" techniques and stay on track to bigger PRs on meet day.
Confidence — What Separates the Elite from the Novice
Where is your confidence and what are you willing to do to strengthen it?
WATCH: Table Talk — What Is the Most Disgusting Thing You've Seen i...
If visions of vomit, blood, cysts, and puss make you queasy, find another video to watch.
How to Fix Your Bench Press: Programming Issues and Assistance Work
Knowing now how to set up and execute the lift, there is one final process to perfect your bench press.
REGISTER NOW: April 30th Training Camp with JL Holdsworth, Swede Burns, ...
You will have the opportunity to learn about any topic in strength training you choose, from execution of the main lifts all the way down to minute details of accessory work.
Table Talk — What Is the Biggest Lesson You Learned From Westside?
JL Holdsworth joins Dave for a look back at the years they spent training at Westside and everything they learned there.
Squat and Deadlift Coaching Lessons from the XPC Training Cycle
With a limited time frame and many issues to fix for these three lifters, I had to target their specific weaknesses with training adjustments. This is how we did it.
New Product: elitefts Brain Torch
After months of research, development, and testing, we're finally releasing an ammonia product unlike any other.
Are You Willing to Be Wrong?
I was unwilling, to my core, to be corrected. I would rather get hurt than admit I was wrong. And I did, many times. Once that character defect changed, so did everything else.
Reno Hardcore: YouTube Episode No. 1 with Chad Aichs and Jesse Anderson
"I put my time in..but I still LOVE powerlifting. It's something I'm going to do for the rest of my life."
How Powerlifting Saved My Life
Years of self-destructive life and eating habits led me to 430 pounds and a combined diagnosis of pre-diabetes and hypertension. I had two options: make a change or die.
WATCH: Table Talk — Peak Arousal for Performance in Strength Sports
Every lifter has their own optimal place on the arousal curve. Going in either direction from that point will wreck your performance.
WATCH: Julia Ladewski Q&A — Hamstring/Glute Exercises, Youth Trainin...
Responding directly to your questions, Julia offers training insights in these short clips.
Magnesium and Vitamin D3: Two Neglected Parts of the Power Game
If flashy labeling or fancy bottles are what draw you to a supplement, these are not for you. If a ton of research and statistically measured results are how you determine your supplement regimen, you need Mg and D3.
My First Training Cycle at the S4 Compound
The beginning of XPC preparation proved how much I stood to learn from Dave, Matt Smith, and the other weekend regulars.
Failure Is Always An Option
You may have heard that committing to your goals means eliminating the possibility of failure. The problem? This isn't realistic. You can't always win.
WATCH: Tarra Oravec Joins Team Elitefts
If Tarra never lifted more than her current best 1200-pound raw total at 181, she would still be one of the greatest. The scary thing? She's just starting.
WATCH: Table Talk — Can Single-Ply Gear Supplement A Raw Lifter's T...
If you're competing raw but want to use briefs or a shirt in training, there's one rule you need to follow.
Gas Station Gains — High Calorie, Low Effort
Yes, you read that right. If you you want to get big quick, you're not going to do it with broccoli and egg whites. It's time get to dirty.
The Obstacles You'll Face Becoming A Great Powerlifter
You can be the best in the world or a complete beginner — you're going to deal with many of the same challenges either way.
WATCH: BOSS Barbell Club Training and Business Principles
The second part of this interview, Dan Green and Dave Tate share business challenges and the process of building a successful training facility.
WATCH: Dan Green and Dave Tate Discuss Powerlifting Training
From beginner to immediate to advanced, your methods must progress and become specific to your needs.
Arch Your Way to a Bigger Bench
A shorter range of motion means a bigger bench. Here’s how to get your chest closer to the bar without taking your ass off the bench.
The Science of Variable Resistance
Bands? Chains? The strength curve? How can this data make you a better lifter and athlete.
Sleep More, Lift More
The most basic source of recovery is free and easy, powerful enough to improve your strength and conditioning without resorting to any prescribed medication. Are you taking full advantage of it?
WATCH: Table Talk — Finding Solutions to Deadlift Weaknesses
Leverages will influence your ideal deadlift stance, but that’s only one small part of finding your weakness is.
2016 Arnold Sports Festival — Expo, XPC Meet Reports, and S4 Compound Ev...
Team elitefts did more than just compete this year at the Arnold. Everything we did is compiled here in one super-sized article.
THREE DAYS LEFT — Win 12 Weeks of Free Online Training from Team Elitefts
Participating coaches include; Swede Burns, Clint Darden, Julia Ladewski, Brandon Smitley, Joe Schillero, Ken Skip Hill, Zach Gallmann, Matt Ladewski, Shane Church, David Allen, Casey Williams, Dani Overcash, David Kirschen, Sheri Whethem, Ken Whethem.
Switching to Single-Ply and Walking Out the Squat
I’m making some changes and have employed the knowledge of several lifting legends to answer these crucial questions.
Assessing Your Dysfunction — Finding Why
Still searching for your quick fix? You won’t find it anytime soon.
Ignorance Can Be Bliss
An overload of information may tempt you to abandon your plan when something new comes along. Pick a program, one program, and stay committed.
elitefts Welcomes Newest Team Member — Tarra Oravec
"Today probably comes in top 5 for one of the best days of my life."
Project Jonah: The Final Report
This four-year journey following the development of a young athlete has finally come to a close, with many lessons learned.
Beyond the Barbell
For most powerlifters, exercise begins and ends with the barbell. What if I told you there were ways to get better without it?
Depression Answers for Athletes
I can only imagine from my personal experience with depression how athletes like Dave Mirra reach the point of tragedy.