As a nation that sits for a majority of our work days, it's not uncommon to see issues in the gym with the lower back. The back is made up of three segmented areas, which include the cervical, thoracic, ... Continue Reading
Dumbbell Thrusters – Exercise Guide and Benefits
Moving an object from a squatted position to overhead is one of the most challenging and exhausting movements we can do. The thruster is a movement popularized by competitive fitness sports, however it has ... Continue Reading
Toes To Bar Modifications and Alternatives for Beginners
When learning any movement, a series of steps must be taken to properly progress oneself to the full version. In doing so, proper technique and foundational strength can be developed to ensure proper ... Continue Reading
Sports Acupuncture – Can It Benefit Strength Athletes?
"Every needle I put in, I have a reason for it. It's not just a concept, but a reason with scientific backing," states Peter D'Aquino. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Tape for Shoulder Pain and Stability
Kinesiology tape can be a useful tool to strength athletes for multiple reasons. This article is going to dive into why an athlete would tape, or need to tape the shoulder. One of the main, and possibly ... Continue Reading
Squat Alternatives for Strength, Hypertrophy, and Functional Movement
In some circumstances, a lifter may want to vary their squat training to increase squat performance, work around injury, induce metabolic hypertrophy, or promote sound functional movement ... Continue Reading
Light Therapy: Why Putting Red Light Up Your Nose Can Increase Strength
You know that old quote that says any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic? That’s how it feels to look through the scientific literature for light therapy, also called ... Continue Reading
Tom “The Quad Father” Platz Turns 62 and Is Still Squatting Big Weight
Bodybuilding legend Tom Platz is still showing us he can squat big weight at the age of 61. Platz — also known as "The Golden Eagle" or "The Quad Father" — is still regarded to this day to have had some of ... Continue Reading
How to Deadlift – Muscles Worked, Variations, and Benefits
The deadlift can be generalized to encompass any movement that has a lifter lift an object from a dead start position (no momentum) off the floor from an unsupported position to standing. While this is a ... Continue Reading
Best Foam Roller Exercises for Hips
Foam rolling major joints like the hip can benefit an athlete's mobility and performance in the gym. Under constant heavy loads, the hip's fascia can become tight, which will limit proper sequencing of ... Continue Reading
6 Best Foam Roller Exercises for the Upper and Lower Back
Foam rolling is one of the many go-to methods for myofascial release (which is release or loosening of the thin sheath that covers our muscles) before and after a workout. A couple of the most common areas ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping for Ankle Stability and Sprain
Kinesiology tape has grown in popularity in strength sports over the last decade. Many athletes utilize this unique tape to promote recovery, create additional stability, and enhance performance. When it ... Continue Reading
Barbell Split Squat – Muscles Worked & Technique Tips
The barbell split squat is a popular unilateral lower body movement used by strength, power, and fitness athletes to increase muscle mass, strength, and injury resilience. In this article we will discuss ... Continue Reading
Romanian Deadlift Rep Ranges and Weight Recommendations
In previous articles we have discussed the origins, purpose, and unique benefits that the Romanian deadlift has to offer for all strength, power, and fitness sports athletes. When going back through the ... Continue Reading
Snatch Grip Romanian Deadlifts – Exercise Guide and Muscles Worked
In weightlifting, many coaches and athletes stress technique and speed of lifts (which is vital) as a lifter starts out in their training and throughout the years of progression. Strength, while often seen ... Continue Reading
Is Taurine a Good Workout Supplement?
As the ingredient that gives “Red Bull” its name, there are a lot of myths surrounding taurine, the main ones being that it’s a caffeine-like energy supplement (it’s not) and that it’s made from bull sperm ... Continue Reading
Meet the CrossFitter Who Did “Murph” 10 Times in a Row
"Murph" is one of functional fitness' most famous — or infamous — workouts, consisting of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another one-mile run. And ideally, it's ... Continue Reading
Is Breakfast a Must for Strength, Muscle Growth, and Fat Loss?
When it comes to breakfast, it's not uncommon to hear things like, "It gets your day started right," and "It's the most important meal of the day," but is it? With the growing popularity of diets like ... Continue Reading
The Stiff Leg Deadlift – Exercises, Benefits, and Muscles Worked
Strengthening the posterior chain is a necessity for strength, power, and sport athletes. The ability to integrate fluid knee and hip flexion and and extension is at the root of force production for most ... Continue Reading
6 Things That Happen to the Body When You Stop Lifting
Every athlete may encounter a time in their career when they stop lifting, this could be due to injury, temporary loss of love/motivation for the gym, or even a forced resignation due to something like a ... Continue Reading
Cable Pull Through Alternatives for Strength and Coordination
In an earlier article we covered in great detail the cable pull through, and why most lifters and athletes can benefit from them. Whether for glute development, warm up and/or corrective routines, or ... Continue Reading
Romanian Deadlift Alternatives for Muscle Growth and Strength
In an earlier article we discussed the immense benefits the Romanian deadlift can offer weightlifters, powerlifters, functional fitness athletes, and general trainees alike. Whether the purpose is to ... Continue Reading
3 Jefferson Squat Alternatives for Every Athlete
In an earlier article we discussed the benefits of the Jefferson squat, each benefit unique to the stance, loading, and specific movement of this classic barbell lift. Many lifters may have issues with the ... Continue Reading
Single Leg Romanian Deadlift: How, When, and Why It Should Be in Your Training
Nearly every athlete can benefit from performing unilateral leg training. Increased neuromuscular control, joint and muscular function, and muscular hypertrophy and endurance are just a few of the expected ... Continue Reading