Welcome to Straight to the Bar
If you’ve just joined us, welcome. Here you’ll find everything that grunts, groans and ticks in the world of strength training. In short, this site is the home of all things strength.
Incidentally, this site’s been helping people become fitter, healthier and stronger since January 2004. If you’ve just joined us, I highly recommend subscribing to the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit), which contains details of new posts on the site, freshly-minted video demonstrations & tutorials, details of upcoming Gymchats and a whole lot more.
And yes, it’s absolutely free.
To help get you started, here are a few of our most recent posts. And if you want to dive in to a particular area. check out the ‘Start Here‘ page above. Enjoy.
Fitness Reading/Listening For The Week : ‘The Great Mortality : An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time’ (by John Kelly)
There’s been plenty of discussion lately on potential pandemics, so this week we’re diving in to John Kelly’s ‘The Great Mortality : An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time’. Wonderfully thorough.
( And if you’re wondering, yes the two things are strongly connected. A detailed understanding of the past will always help inform the future. )
For Me Buds (Sleep-Focused Earbuds)
The For Me Buds is a pair of sleep-centric earbuds, with several music and noise-cancellation features.
Why London’s Tax On Driving Works — And NYC’s Might Fail (Evan Edinger)
Would love to see a congestion charge here (Sydney, Australia). Less chance of an accident, cleaner air.
Looking At : Jan 19 2025
This Week On Straight To The Bar…
Fitness Reading/Listening For The Week : ‘The Thin Line : Hope vs. Reality in the Era of Weight-Loss Drugs’ (by Scaachi Koul)
Scaachi Koul’s ‘The Thin Line : Hope vs. Reality in the Era of Weight-Loss Drugs’ takes a fascinating look at the societal impacts of the various GLP-1 antagonist drugs (think things like ‘Ozempic’). Incredible potential – both benefits and harms.
Unitree PUMP MAX (Gym Equipment)
The Unitree PUMP MAX is a variable resistance device for your cable work, with some rather intriguing modes.
“If you quit, you die” Troy Tries – Pahlavani (The Father Figure Coach)
Great explanation of the various tools, and of the overall approach.
Looking At : Jan 12 2025
This Week On Straight To The Bar…
Fitness Reading/Listening For The Week : ‘Keltie O’Connor’s Favourite Fitness Podcasts
Rather than a specific book this week, I ended up checking out a few podcasts. Specifically, several of the ones noted in this video.
EVANES (Vagus Nerve Stimulator)
The EVANES is a wearable device for stress relief, improved productivity and restful sleep. Intriguing.