In the first part of this series, I explained the basics of my approach to last-minute peaking for the US Open. In this and in articles to come, I’ll talk details: what I did, what mistakes I made, what I ... Continue Reading
Program Comparison: Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 Vs. StrongLifts 5 x 5 Vs. Starting Strength
How do you choose the best program for your needs? There are so many workout programs out there it's nearly impossible to definitively brand one as superior to another without context of an athlete's ... Continue Reading
How I Peaked for the Kern US Open Using “Unconventional” Methods
If you follow me on social media, you know I decided to compete in the US Open this year. It was a pretty late decision to compete, for a few reasons. First, I’ve been focusing on bodybuilding – which I ... Continue Reading
How to Pick Contests That Improve Your Strongman Abilities
In the quest to become a better strongperson athlete, a smart athlete will plan out a road that will lead to their long term success. But in an effort to acquire hardware, many athletes will often pick ... Continue Reading
How to Increase Your Strongman Game Without Lifting a Single Weight
Smart strongmen are doing everything they can to get ahead of their competition. The game is getting tighter and the spots at the top are getting more difficult to grab. When the bar rises this high, there ... Continue Reading
Op-Ed: I’m A Strength Athlete And I Prefer Collagen Protein. Here’s Why
Casein. Whey. Hemp. Soy. I’ve added more different types of protein powder to my shaker-bottle than toppings to my morning oats. So when collagen started populating my newsfeed, I thought, “eh, why not” ... Continue Reading
Intermittent Fasting and Glycogen Depletion
In this article we will discuss two topics that are circling the minds of strength, power, and fitness athletes alike these days... Intermittent fasting and glycogen depletion. Below, we will briefly ... Continue Reading
Three Tools to Help You Get Psyched Up for Lifts
We’ve all been there: that moment during a heavy workout when you realize it’s time for a set and you’re just. Not. Feeling it. Whether you’re physically or mentally exhausted, intimidated by the work, or ... Continue Reading
Advanced Methods for Strongman Athletes: Instinctive Training
I had about 20 years of training and coaching under my belt when I turned professional in strongman. By then I had done thousands of presses, pulls and squats. I had also taught and observed 10 times as ... Continue Reading
3 Benefits of Unilateral Exercises for Powerlifting
Have you ever noticed that one side of your body feels a little weaker than the other? One arm is stronger than the other? Or that one leg feels a little bit more stable than the other? What if I told you ... Continue Reading
5 Common Struggles That Follow Heavy Deadlift Day
Can you help us move tomorrow? Sure... Well, that's great and all, but not the day after working heavy deadlift triples. If I had to pick a real life activity that translates best to the barbell ... Continue Reading
Should You Keep a Training Journal? Their Pros and Cons
“Keep a training journal” is one of the most common pieces of advice given to beginners. And, for the most part, it’s good advice! As I’ll explain, there are plenty of benefits to keeping a training ... Continue Reading
Is the 2018 World’s Strongest Man Due for an Upset?
The Philippines will see an influx of super sized men in the coming weeks as the athletes arrive to vie for the title of World’s Strongest Man. Eddie Hall will not be back to defend his title, opting to ... Continue Reading
10 CrossFit Trainers Give Their Best Murph Tips
If you’re a seasoned CrossFit® athlete, you’ve probably memorized all the Girls, Hero WODS, and evil (and brilliant) open workout creations of Dave Castro that have morphed their way into CrossFit history. ... Continue Reading
Ben Pollack’s 3 Steps to a Better Night’s Sleep After Heavy Training
If I had to choose the one, single factor that’s most important in training success, it would be hard work balanced with sufficient recovery. And if I had to pick one thing that made for sufficient ... Continue Reading
6 Adaptogens That May Help Strength Athletes
Adaptogens are the wellness trend that have caught the attention of bendy yogis and functional medicine guru’s… but now Olympians and strength athletes may be hitting up their spice racks, too. Using ... Continue Reading
Decoding Strongman Language in the Gym
Strongman training is serious business. Hundreds of pounds being thrown over your head, stone loads can crush a spine, and farmers walks that test the ability of your arms to stay in their sockets requires ... Continue Reading
Struggling to Stay On Track With Your Diet? These 3 Tricks Could Help
Heads up! This article is about diet tricks – not fundamentals. These can be really useful for people who already have a sound diet planned, and are having a little difficulty sticking to it (for whatever ... Continue Reading
How Including More Narrow Stance Squats Could Improve Your Lifting
How often do you change your stance in your squats? I'm in the camp of lifters who squat with their toes slightly angled out with their stance roughly wider than shoulder width. This feels natural and ... Continue Reading
3 Things You Must Avoid in Strongman Training
Everyone is always asking me for tips and help with their training. I’ve been coaching the sport for over a decade and have worked with countless people that went on to compete at different levels or ... Continue Reading
Should Strength Athletes Be Drinking Bulletproof Coffee?
Move over branched chain amino acids, citrulline, and beta alanine, there’s a new pre-workout in town: butter coffee, at least according to advocates of the Bulletproof Coffee trend. Popularized by ... Continue Reading
3 Reasons Why Strongman Athletes Can Benefit From Weightlifting
Something interesting that I’ve noticed over the past four years coaching strength athletes is the complete lack of competitive strongman athletes using the Olympic lifts. Every once in a while you'll get ... Continue Reading
4 Key Tips for College Weightlifters to Succeed and Grow
I study business administration at a small school in central Maine called Thomas College. I recently transferred to Thomas from the larger urban University of Southern Maine, which was much further from ... Continue Reading
Use These 3 Squat Variations to Build Stronger Legs
Unlike the deadlift, the squat is a little more forgiving in terms of high-frequency training, and most people are already familiar with many variations of the standard low-bar back squat. High bar, ... Continue Reading