Welcome to Straight to the Bar
Yes, I love the deadlift.
Looking At : Week Ending Apr 13, 2014
What we were talking about this week : on Google+, Twitter, and the Daily 'Paper'
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Video for Gymchat 243 - How to Improve Your Pull Ups (Frank DiMeo)
Ready to get better? Great.
Thanks again to everyone who watched and sent in questions for the discussion Gymchat 243 - How to Improve Your Pull Ups [with Strength Coach Frank DiMeo, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett] - much appreciated. If you haven't seen it yet (or simply want to go over a particular point again), here's the entire video.
Gymchat 243 - How to Improve Your Pull Ups (Frank DiMeo)
Ready to get better? Great.
There are certainly many, many varieties of chin-ups and pull-ups. Fantastic exercises.
This week we're taking a detailed look at these amazing exercises, and discussing how to increase both their quality and quantity. Whether you can already knock them out by the dozen, or are gearing up for your first. Helping us tackle this one - as well as your questions (just post them on the Event page, or use the Q&A tool during the discussion itself) is Strength Coach Frank DiMeo, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett. Fantastic. NB : We'd love to hear your questions and comments. If there's a particular subject you'd like Frank and Josh to address, just swing by the event page for this Gymchat and leave a comment or jump in the Q&A (during the discussion itself). And if you'd like to point your friends/colleagues to the discussion, just use the 'share' button at the top of that page. The more the merrier.
Looking At : Week Ending Apr 6, 2014
What we were talking about this week : on Google+, Twitter, and the Daily 'Paper'
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Video for Gymchat 242 - The Role of Genetics in Aesthetics & Performance (Bill Piche)
The role of each, and to what extent each can be changed.
Thanks again to everyone who watched and sent in questions for the discussion Gymchat 242 - The Role of Genetics in Aesthetics & Performance [with Powerlifter Bill Piche, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett] - much appreciated. If you haven't seen it yet (or simply want to go over a particular point again), here's the entire video.
The Reversal of Sports : From 'Aspirational' to 'Pure'
There’s a change on the way.
I love sports, always have. Strength, team, motor and so on. Anything and everything. Still, there's a significant change on the way; a subtle shift in how some sporting events are viewed. Let me explain.
Gymchat 242 - The Role of Genetics in Aesthetics & Performance (Bill Piche)
When it comes to physical aesthetics and performance, how much is down to 'having good genes' and how much is simply a matter of working hard?
This week we're looking closely at the role of each, and to what extent each can change or be changed. Helping us tackle this one is Powerlifter Bill Piche, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett. Fantastic. NB : We'd love to hear your questions and comments. If there's a particular subject you'd like Bill and Josh to address, just swing by the event page for this Gymchat and leave a comment or jump in the Q&A (during the discussion itself). And if you'd like to point your friends/colleagues to the discussion, just use the 'share' button at the top of that page. The more the merrier.
Details -
Who : Powerlifter Bill Piche, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett Topic : The Role of Genetics in Aesthetics & Performance When : Wednesday Apr 2, 8:00pm EDT (the Event page shows what time that is in your local timezone). How : Watch the live stream, and ask questions, directly on the Event page. We'll also post the full video shortly after the Gymchat.Looking At : Week Ending Mar 30, 2014
What we were talking about this week : on Google+, Twitter, and the Daily 'Paper'
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Video for Gymchat 241 - Advanced Fat Loss : Losing the Last 10lb (Vic Magary)
The quest for fat loss perfection.
Thanks again to everyone who watched and sent in questions for the discussion Gymchat 241 - Advanced Fat Loss : Losing the Last 10lb [with Online Fitness Coach Vic Magary, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett] - much appreciated. If you haven't seen it yet (or simply want to go over a particular point again), here's the entire video.
Gymchat 241 - Advanced Fat Loss : Losing the Last 10lbs (Vic Magary)
The quest for fat loss perfection.
Fat loss. We outlined the basic idea in a recent Gymchat ( #231 ); what happens when progress slows down a little or stops altogether? How do you lose the last few pounds?
This week we'll be tackling this very question, detailing some of the advanced strategies that can really pay dividends in the quest for fat loss perfection. Taking things from 'very good' to 'exceptional'. Joining us is Online Fitness Coach Vic Magary, together with Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett. Fantastic. NB : We'd love to hear your questions and comments. If there's a particular subject you'd like Vic and Josh to address, just swing by the event page for this Gymchat and leave a comment or jump in the Q&A (during the discussion itself). And if you'd like to point your friends/colleagues to the discussion, just use the 'share' button at the top of that page. The more the merrier.
Like to contribute something? I love hearing about how other people are training; if you’d like to write an article, record a video or tell us about a site you’ve discovered, get in touch.
Want More?
This week :
Video for Gymchat 243 - How to Improve Your Pull Ups (Frank DiMeo)
We hold these every Wednesday, starting at 8pm Eastern. See you there.
NB : if you'd like to be interviewed in an upcoming discussion, we'd love to hear from you. It's great to find out how other people train.
And if you'd like to add your comments and suggestions on the Gymchats in general, you can do that here. Cheers.
setting up a home gym?
If you're getting ready to put together a solid Home Gym (fantastic thing), here's how.
And for more, swing by the full guide. Absolutely free.
images of strength
Want to see (and learn) more Feats of Strength like this? Dive in.
recommended
It'll come as no surprise that we've reviewed many, many products over the years. Everything from books, magazines and DVDs to racks, benches and complete home gyms.
To give you an idea :
- Recover Better and Faster with Elite Recoup
- Carlson Labs Fish Oil
- Get Extreme With Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite
- Review : Fixing Elbow Pain
- Gettin' Swole, Part 2
- Gettin' Swole
- You Need More Drugs
Looking for a full list of the various equipment and services we use and recommend? No problem - it's all here.
the team
There are some superb writers here, looking at the world of strength training from a number of angles. The regulars :
Scott Bird (@scottbird, +Scott Bird)
Writer and Fitness enthusiast
Josh Hewett (@TopFormFitness, +Josh Hewett)
Strongman, Personal Trainer and Host of the Gymchats
Conor Doherty (@sfactoryfitness, +Conor Doherty)
Educator and Personal Trainer
Derek 'D-Rock' Peruo (@DerekPeruoCSCS, +Derek Peruo)
Personal Trainer and Creator of the Renaissance Fitness Supplement Kits
Dean Coulson (@DeanCoulson, +Dean Coulson)
Strength & Conditioning Coach and Martial Artist
Kat
'The Mighty Kat' Ricker (+Kat Ricker)
Bodybuilder and Writer
Jedd
'Napalm' Johnson (@jeddjohnson, +Jedd Johnson)
Grip champion and Strongman
NB : It's a big team - full list here.
In addition, articles are submitted from across the globe. Got a piece you'd like to share? Let us know.
gimme some skin
An iPhone Skin, that is. If you’re like me and constantly using your iPhone in the gym (as a notebook, not as a ‘phone), you might like to customise it a bit. Grab the Straight to the Bar iPhone Skin.
reading
Görner the Mighty
Görner the Mighty.This is one of the books that Logan mentioned in the Gymchat last week - Görner the Mighty. Good stuff. Although I was lucky enough to read the original book many years ago, I'm extremely keen to dive in to this version - the 2012 reprint - as soon as possible. I suspect that things will look quite different now; after training for a number of years. Görner the Mighty. »»
If you're new to the world of nail bending, this is the perfect book to get. It'll show you the exact techniques you'll need to get started right away. Written by world-class bender Jedd Johnson.
The Diesel Crew's Card Tearing eBook
This is a fantastic book. If you've ever considered learning this incredible strength feat, the Card Tearing eBook is the perfect place to start. Love it.
If you ever wake up with that 'just run over by a truck' feeling, you need a copy of Tim Hull's Functional Correction Manual. Not only will it help you to locate and repair the problem, it'll help prevent it happening in the future.
When it comes to body transformation - whether that's an increase in strength, packing on a bit of muscle or losing a bit of excess fat - this is the perfect place to start. Dr Berardi's Precision Nutrition.
This is a fantastic book. As Josh explains, it superbly shows what's going on while you train. Love it.
101 Fitness Myths [Kindle Edition]
A superb combination of fitness mythbusting and no-nonsense advice. If you're not quite sure where to start, grab this.
The Art of Expressing the Human Body
If you've ever watched a Bruce Lee film and marveled at his strength, speed, agility, endurance, flexibility or muscularity, this book should take pride of place in your collection. Unlike many other writings covering everything from Lee's training methods to nutrition, this book is based not on the recollections of people around him; but on Lee's own notes. Brilliant.
For a full list of what we're reading and watching at the moment, just head over to the Recommended Books & DVDs page. See you there.