About Ben Pollack, Ph.D
Ben Pollack is a professional powerlifter and holds the all-time world record raw total of 2039 in the 198-pound class. He has won best overall lifter at the largest raw meets in the world, including the US Open, Boss of Bosses, and Reebok Record Breakers.
Ben earned his Ph.D. in the history and management of strength and fitness from the University of Texas at Austin in 2018, and has published articles in a number of scholarly publications, including The Journal of Sport History, The Journal of Sport Management, and Iron Game History: The Journal of Physical Culture. He also coaches strength athletes of all skill levels, including several internationally-elite powerlifters and world record holders. You can contact Ben through his website (phdeadlift.com) or via email at ben@phdeadlift.com.
Apparel
Cardio Equipment Guides
Diets
Exercise Guides
- The 5 Best Lower Lat Exercises for a Denser Back
- Want a Big and Strong Chest? Start Using the Svend Press in Your Training
- This Old School Back Exercise Is a Secret for Improving Strength and Power
- The 8 Best Home Exercises for More Muscle and Strength
- 3 Sneaky Tough Exercise Variations to Help You Pack On Mass
- Can You Squat and Deadlift Heavy Without Getting a Thick Waist?
- 3 Front Squat Tips From a Professional Powerlifter
- Build a Massive Upper Back and Traps With “Kirk Shrugs”
- The Benefits of Using Resistance Bands and Chains for Accessory Exercises
- Eliminate Shoulder Discomfort In Seconds With This Squatting Tip
- 3 Foolproof Shoulder Exercises That Add Mass to Your Delts
- 3 Ab Exercises That Will Actually Help Your Lifts
- 4 Arm Exercises You’ve Never Tried Before
News
- 3 Exercises Everyone Should Keep Doing Once Quarantine’s Over
- 3 Strategies Every Lifter Can Use to Stay Productive At Home
- Three Tips for Switching From Bodybuilding to Powerlifting
- Is Technology Hurting Or Helping Your Training? 4 Rules to Help You Decide
- Op-Ed: There Is No Such Thing As the “10 Best Lifts”
- How Strength Athletes Can Structure Low and Medium Carb Cycling Days
- Three BIG Reasons Why Every Powerlifter Should Try Bodybuilding
- 3 Unconventional Ways to Prep for Powerlifting Meets
- The Underrated Benefits of the Leg Press for Powerlifters
- Winter Bulking Made Easy: 3 Strategies for Big Gains
- 3 Grip Tips and a Workout from Old Timey Strongmen
- 3 Ways to Modify Lifts When You’re Having a Bad Workout
- 7 Things Every Powerlifter Should Ask Themselves Before Their Next Meet
- Slow Life Down for Bigger and Stronger Gains In the Gym
Nutrition
Powerlifting News
- 3 Powerlifting Meet Prep Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- The Pros and Cons of Using a Hook Grip (Plus 4 Grip Strengthening Exercises)
- Try These 3 Deadlift Variations to Improve Your Pull
- Ben Pollack’s 4 Steps to the Perfect Powerlifting Warm-Up
Programs
- Bodybuilding Versus Powerlifting Programs: Three Big Differences
- 3 Crucial Tips for Using Speed Work In Powerlifting
- Why Program Hopping Isn’t Always Bad
Recovery Guides
Strength Equipment Guides
Supplement Guides
Training Guides
- Better Glutes, Better Pulls: How Powerlifters Should Approach Posterior Training
- 3 Ways to Increase Intensity With At-Home Workouts
- Is This Common Ab Training Mistake Limiting Your Progress? How to Fix It
- Is Pre-Exhaust Training Right for You? What It Is and Tips From a Pro
- Three Alternative Methods to Build Strength and Size When Progress Stalls
- Touch and Don’t Go? An Easy Answer for Your Deadlift Problem
- 5 Methods to Improve Your Focus and Workout Mindset
- Op-Ed: When Research Comes Up Short In the Gym
- The Importance of Variation and Four Benefits of the Safety Squat Bar
- Do You Really Need to Squat for Big Legs?
- Machines Vs Free Weights: Pros, Cons, and Which Is Best for Strength and Mass
- 3 Rules to Follow for Crushing Your Off-Season Training
- Smash Imbalances and Weaknesses With Functional Symmetry
- How to Deal With Fitness Information Overload (3 Rules to Live By!)
- Deadlifting for Strength Vs. Size: Small Form Tweaks for BIG Lat Growth
- 3 Alternative Overload Methods to Improve Strength and Muscle Mass
- Never Stop Growing: How to Win Your Off Days From the Gym
- Got Post-Training Anxiety? Here Are a Few Methods That Could Help
- Two Rules Every Powerlifter Should Follow With Accessory Exercises
- 3 Shoulder Prehab Exercises That Will Improve All of Your Lifts
- 10 Incredibly Useful Powerlifting Tips
- The Ultimate Guide to Conditioning for Powerlifters
- Why You Should Be Pulling Sumo Deadlifts From a Deficit
- Why Your Workouts Need More Good Mornings
- I’m a Professional Powerlifter. These Are My Thoughts On Strongman
- The Hip Thrust Mistake Everyone Keeps Making
- 3 Major Reasons You’re NOT Progressing In the Gym
- How Timed Holds Can Improve Your Squat, Bench, and Deadlift
- How Ultra High Rep (25+) Sets Can Improve Your Strength and Size
- The Ideal Body Fat Percentage for Powerlifting
- 3 Practical Tips for Powerlifters Using Intermittent Fasting
- 5 Ways to Stay Strong (and Sane) During a Weight Cut
- 3 Simple and Effective Methods to Increase Workout Intensity
- How and Why Deadlift Cluster Sets Can Improve Your Pull
- Short Vs. Long Powerlifting Meet Preps: How Are They Different?
- Should You Keep a Training Journal? Their Pros and Cons
- Cardio and Powerlifting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Dealing With and Working Past Bad Days In the Gym
- Under the Weather? Consider These Tips Before Hitting the Gym
- PR Like a Pro: The Best Way to Test Your 1-RM
Workouts
- The Most Effective Workout Splits, Created by Our Experts
- What Are Workout Splits? Top 3 Most Effective Routines
- The Best Arm Workout for Powerlifters and Strength Athletes
- How to Plan the Perfect Off-Season to Smash Weaknesses
- Powerlifting Vs. Bodybuilding Arm Workouts: What’s the Difference?
- Build Big Shoulders With This Supplementary Shoulder Workout Routine