Why I Hate the Deadlift
The deadlift is just that thing you have to do in a meet before you go to dinner.
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THIRST: Bringing Quality, Service, and Integrity to Terre Haute
Anyone who walks into the Terre Haute, Indiana-based gym, THIRST, can see both quality and integrity through the primary services it offers, along with its affiliation to elitefts through gym owner Brandon Smitley.
WATCH: I am Clint Darden
“I don’t need a psychiatrist. Give me a squat rack and a deadlift platform and a bench and a couple of Atlas stones, and that’s my psychiatric chair right there.” Everyone needs a safe haven, and elitefts coach Clint Darden has found his at the House of Biceps in Cyprus.
WATCH: Why You Should Check Out Yessica Martinez's Training Log
Doing more gen pop or accessible workouts doesn’t make someone any less strong. Just ask elitefts athlete Yessica Martinez. Or, better yet, read her training logs to see how doing yoga or some gen pop exercise could lead to some bigger numbers in the squat.
Meet Report: 2019 USPA Nationals with Dan Dalenberg
2018 was not a good year for my powerlifting career. 2019 has been better. My training’s gotten better, I’ve gotten better at caring for myself, and I competed better. I want to do better next time around, though….
Introducing New elitefts IG Athlete Andrew Herbert
You might recognize Andrew Herbert from the first episode of Table Talk Podcast. But now, as a new elitefts IG Athlete, you'll recognize him as you follow his training on Instagram @herbietheluvbug.
Meet Report: Making a Comeback at APF Nationals After a Painful Injury
Two years ago, I injured myself at a meet. The pain was so bad I nearly pulled out of the meet. After talking with some experts, I decided to hop into the APF Nationals without a weight cut and with a quick prep. Let’s just say it’s good to be back.
Introducing New elitefts Columnist and Coach JM Blakley
The founder of the JM Press is now part of the elitefts team. Welcome our newest columnist and coach: JM Blakley! Keep an eye out for an upcoming article he wrote about the mind-muscle connection and don't forget to follow his coaching blog.
Introducing New elitefts Columnist and Coach Dr. Jordan Shallow
Dr. Jordan Shallow, DC, is a strength and conditioning coach, powerlifter, consultant and chiropractor, and RX'D RADIO podcast co-host from Windsor, Ontario. Oh, and he's also the latest addition to Team elitefts.
Anne Sheehan Receives Invitation to Elite Meet
One of the newest members of Team elitefts just received an invitation to an elite powerlifting meet. Be sure to keep an eye out for Anne's results on October 19th, 2019.
Introducing New elitefts Athlete Dan Dalenberg
Dan Dalenberg found his way through life with the help of fellow powerlifters. As a Team elitefts athlete, he intends to give back to the community by passing on information he’s learned from those who got him through his lowest points.
Introducing New Team elitefts Coach and Columnist Tony Montgomery
elitefts has “given me my life that I have now.” As a coach and columnist, Tony Montgomery will continue to live, learn, and pass on the passion that got him doing what he does now to others. Welcome to the team, Tony.
Editor's Letter for May
Click for a sneak peek of what’s to come in the month of May, including the updated Team elitefts roster of new athletes, coaches, and columnists. We’ll also recap April’s top-5 coaching blogs, training logs, and articles.
Introducing New elitefts Athlete Anne Sheehan
The newest Team elitefts athlete Anne Sheehan learned while she was getting sober that she needed someone else’s help — and she did it. And that’s exactly what her athlete logs will do: help other powerlifters in their journeys.
Meet Report: Taking Third Place at APF Women’s Pro-Am
I told Dave to listen carefully because this is the only time I’ll ever say it, but this was a pretty good meet. I’ll take a 50 lb meet PR.
Meet Results: 2019 APF Cincinnati Women's Pro-Am
Congrats to the winners and to Team elitefts member Lily Starobin and S5 trainee Jessica Maksem. Keep your eyes peeled for a pair of meet reports this week.
JP Carroll Takes Second Place at the 2019 XPCs
Before I get into my recap of the 2019 XPC World meet, I want to say, I took second place — even with my fifth 2,200-pound total and seventh 900-pound squat — for no other reason than I wasn’t strong enough that day.
2019 Arnold Sports Festival Report: Day 2 for Team elitefts
Saturday of the 2019 Arnold Sports Festival means one thing, and one thing only — the XPC Worlds! Fine, that's not entirely true...
2019 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships: Middleweight Matt Mil...
While three of the four Team elitefts athletes are headed to the XPC Worlds for a day, one team member will be at the Columbus Convention Center potentially over the entire weekend for another competition. Enter Matt Mills, a middleweight strongman competitor who's going all-in to duke it out against the heavyweights.
XPC 2019: Bryan Doberdruk's Doing More Than the Deadlift
Four of Team elitefts' athletes are headed to the Arnold, three of them will be competing in the XPC Worlds, and one such athlete is Bryan Doberdruk, who competed in the XPC Worlds' 21 Deadlift Salute event for the last two years. But this year, he's doing more than the deadlift...
Learn to Train X: Drop Your Nuts to the Bar Deadlift Set-Up with Ted Toa...
Don’t want to see Ted drop his nuts on the bar? Then look away! Keep your eyes off the bar! Besides, that’s exactly what Ted does when he sets up to do the deadlift: He doesn’t look at the bar.
The Top Authors, Athlete Logs, Coaching Blogs, Articles, and Products of...
If you missed anything in 2018 (or just want to re-read a favorite article or blog), take a look back here for some of the best content and products elitefts offered over the past year…
WATCH: I am Joe Sullivan
Get to know elitefts athlete Joe Sullivan as he talks about how he got into powerlifting, his day-to-day routine, and his goals.
Meet Report: 1,200 Total at IPA Buckeye Brawl
It was my first time representing Team elitefts at a meet. The support I got from them was unreal. Oh, and the team shirt was pretty cool, too.
Introducing New elitefts Columnist Stefan Waltersson
We are pleased to announce our 37th columnist addition to team elitefts, Stefan Waltersson.
A New Team
Here I am at my age, in a new town, in a new gym, with new people, starting all over from scratch.
XPC 2018: Bryan Doberdruk Pulls 781 Pounds — Wins Again
Despite pre-competition nerves, Doberdruk walks away with the title and PR for the second year in a row at the XPC 21 Deadlift Salute (lightweight division). Check out his results.
XPC 2018: Kirschen Wins Weight Class and Best Overall Lifter
Despite an emotional last couple weeks, Dave Kirschen was able to overcome a heavy heart and sporadic training cycle to win big at the XPC. Check out his results.
XPC 2018 — Julia Sets Three PRs
Julia Ladewski provides us pre-competition insight, her mentality during a meet and what it means to represent elitefts under the bar. Check out her XPC 2018 results.
Team elitefts Competition Schedule for 2018 XPC Powerlifting
Columbus Ohio is the place to be March 1-4. Here’s the running itinerary for elitefts competitors and coaches.
Thanksgiving 2017 — A Letter from Dave Tate
Reflecting on past Thanksgiving letters, my closing from 2016 hit me like a ton of bricks. It has been a big year of challenges and opportunities, hardships and success.
Teams, Camaraderie, and a Lifetime of Being an Athlete
It was a team atmosphere that made me fall in love with sports, and it is a team atmosphere that has been restored to my athletic participation through powerlifting.
Ben Pollack Wins Overall Lightweight Class at CETC US Open Powerlifting ...
It was an impressive performance with Team elitefts (coaches, athletes, and columnists) at this weekend's US Open. Here are the results!
2017 XPC Finals — Team elitefts Results
Man, Kirschen would have looked real bad if he didn't lock out this deadlift.
Introducing New elitefts Coach Nate Harvey
I basically just read his bio as "blah, blah, blah, blah, Multiply 2450." Sounds alright to me! Welcome Nate! — David Kirschen
How You Can Help Grow The Sport of Powerlifting
If the social theory holds true, then in order for powerlifting itself to make progress, individuals within the group will have to give up a little something of themselves to push the sport further.
Introducing New elitefts Athlete Bryan Doberdruk
Bryan is preparing for the XPC 21 Deadlift Salute (deadlift-only meet) on the main stage at the Arnold. From now till March his training log will reflect his deadlift prep.
WATCH: Mario D'Amico — A Return to Raw
When the long-term goal is a 1000-pound squat at 220, and the ultimate goal is a 2400-pound total, you need two things: patience and a lot of hard work.
What Type of Powerlifter Are You?
I polled our team members to get an idea of why some of the best lifters in the world compete raw or in gear. Here are their answers.
2016 RPS Memphis Classic Meet Report
This meet was about a few monster numbers that have been weighing down on me. All of the lessons from my elitefts teammates are starting to pay off.
WATCH: The Story Behind the Logo — TRAIN
The TRAIN logo emphasizes what we stand for. It’s what we do.
WATCH: Jim Wendler Speaks at Open Underground Strength Session
As elitefts team members, we’ve seen the impact that this community and time training together has had on our lives and lifting careers — we’re bringing more people into that fold.
Underground Strength Session with Jim Wendler — Training Highlights
Mini recap before Jim Wendler takes center on the platform.
Boss of Bosses 3 — A Failed Water Cut, The Setback, Meet Day, What'...
This weekend I cried more tears than I thought were possible. It was emotional, the entire thing, from start to finish. But, it’s something I had to do, for me.
To Redemption: UPA Old School Iron Gym Summer Showdown
I hated that I fell short of my goal at the XPCs…90 pounds short to be exact. Each and every pound I left on the platform back in March is what fueled my training for my off-season and meet preparation.
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.
RPS Canadian Nationals — My First Meet Post Shoulder Surgery
I believe you should treat every injury as a gift. While fighting to make it back to the platform I learned many things.
Deadlift Q&A: Block Pulls, Tension, Hip Mobility
You have questions, team elitefts has answers. Today’s topic: deadlifting.
Team Elitefts Welcomes Seven New Members
Every member of this team has been meticulously chosen based on their unique talents. There’s more to earning your spot than lifting big weights.
WATCH: Team elitefts Trains for The 2016 Arnold/XPC Finals
With only four weeks to go, our athletes are getting serious (and animated) in the S4 Compound.
RUM9 Meet Report: Finding My Identity on the Platform
RUM9 is the first meet I stepped onto the platform as an individual with a secure sense of identity as both a PT and athlete. Feelsy meet recap incoming.