For years, I’ve done fasted cardio as my main form of cardio. I’ve tried all sorts of cardio routines: fasted, fed, high-intensity, intervals, low-intensity, even no intensity (i.e., no cardio)! When I ... Continue Reading
How and Why Deadlift Cluster Sets Can Improve Your Pull
Earlier this year, I began experimenting with cluster sets in my training. If you’re not already familiar with them, cluster sets are multiple (usually 6-10) sets performed with very short rest (45-90 ... Continue Reading
How “Loaded Mobility” Can Combine Strength With Prehab
Move better, that is the credo. In the endless pursuit of physical mastery, the emphasis on bigger, faster, stronger will run its course for an everyday athlete and sooner or later the priority ... Continue Reading
What Does It Mean When Athletes Maintain Three Points of Contact in Lifting?
The idea of maintaining three points of contact for an athlete's stance in lifts, also called a tripod position, is focused around the concept of displacing pressure evenly across the foot in three places ... Continue Reading
3 Tactical Methods Strength Athletes Can Use to Have More Fun Training
One of the most important — and most overlooked! — aspects of productive training is also one of the simplest. The best type of training is fun. Yeah, it sounds simple, maybe even stupid, but it’s the ... Continue Reading
Foods Every Strongman Athlete Should Eat
In addition to being a strength and conditioning coach I hold a certification in Sports Nutrition as well. To help the athletes I work with, I combine my knowledge from both fields. Together they create ... Continue Reading
How to Survive Weightlifting in 3 Simple Steps
Six weeks ago, I competed in a tune up meet at the Cap City Open in Virginia, during the middle of a cycle, completely un-peaked, and went 5 for 6 at a bodyweight of 74.80kg with an 89kg snatch, and a ... Continue Reading
6 Factors Powerlifters Should Consider to Maintain Strength During a Cut
Have you ever wondered why most powerlifters don’t look ripped? There is definitely a stigma on our sport that we are the “overweight”, and even sometimes lazy group of athletes. I mean, it makes sense ... Continue Reading
The Ultimate Preview to the 2018 USA Weightlifting National Championships
Entries are closed, and USA Weightlifting has published the latest version of the athlete start list for the 2018 National Championships, to be held May 24 through the 27th of this year in Overland Park, ... Continue Reading
Lessons Learned From An “Unconventional” Powerlifting Meet Prep
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
The Potential Consequences of a Goal Driven Mentality
It is commonly believed in the pursuit of athletic and non-athletic endeavors that one’s mentality must be goal oriented. In the quest for success, one seldom discusses such pursuits without attaching ... 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