All Articles & Reviews by
Scott Andrew Bird
(12937 posts in total - only latest ones shown)
Scott Andrew Bird is a writer, photographer and a guy who just loves this stuff. He's been at home in front of a computer for more years than he cares to remember (OK, 37) and is now making amends for years of many mistakes noted in the De-constructing Computer Guy articles (part 2) on T-Nation.
Find out what he's up to via Twitter, Facebook, the Daily 'Paper'; and of course his online home. Enjoy.
NB : Like to write a guest post for Straight to the Bar? I love hearing about how other people are training. And if you've got a strength-related competition or seminar coming up, add it to the calendar. And if you'd love to be on one of the weekly Gymchats - get in touch. Look forward to hearing from you.
Jself (Massage Pillow)
Looks great.
Looks great.
The Jself is a pillow with massage/heating/music functions built in. Looks like an ideal post-workout device.
I'm keen to test one, though I suspect that the heating and massage functions feel pretty good regardless of their long-term abilities. And in the meantime, a spot of video :
The Jself.
What I Learned From Parents Who Don't Vaccinate Their Kids (Jennifer Reich)
A very positive way to look at the anti-vaccination issue, long term.
A very positive way to look at the anti-vaccination issue, long term. How about you - how do you typically respond?
Looking At : Feb 23, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Accusage Thermo 7 in 1 (Hot & Cold Massage Wrap)
Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.
The Accusage Thermo is a combination Heating/Cooling Massage Wrap - ideal for workout injuries.
Until I try one personally I'm unable to speak to the device's ability, though I suspect the warmth & heating help things quite a bit (and probably feel great in the process).
A spot of video :
The Accusage Thermo
Guardian XO Exoskeleton (Sarcos Robotics)
Thoughts?
Had a fascinating conversation over the weekend about the future of exoskeletons - to aid walking and to perform a variety of other tasks. The consensus? That things like the one in the video will help fund & develop the ones for mobility.
Thoughts?
Looking At : Feb 16, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Vie Zone (EEG earphones)
Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.
The Vie Zone is a combination EEG Headset / earphones / smartphone app which uses music & various measurements to help you get into the right mental state for a workout/creativity/sleep etc. A spot of video will show you what I mean :
Although I somewhat skeptical of the device's abilities, I'm keen to check one out. How about you - ever tried one, or anything similar?
The Vie Zone.
Training Like The Worlds Best Endurance Athletes (Stephen Seiler)
A very interesting approach.
A very interesting approach.
Looking At : Feb 9, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Echelon Row (Rowing Machine With Connection To Virtual Classes)
Interesting combination.
Interesting combination.
I'd love to see more pairings like this - a piece of equipment for the home gym & a virtual class of some sort. Online training, form guidance or a fitness class such as this.
In this case the equipment is a rowing machine, the Echelon Row. A spot of video to show you what's on offer :
The Echelon Row.
Fighting Pandemics - Vaccinating Vampire Bats (TEDMED)
A very interesting way to tackle pandemics.
A very interesting way to tackle pandemics.
Looking At : Feb 2, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Pandemic - How to Prevent an Outbreak (Netflix Documentary Series)
Great series.
Great series.
The incredibly timely series 'Pandemic' is a set of documentaries (6 in total) on Netflix, examining the impacts of major cross-border outbreaks.
If public health is an area of interest, or if the current coronavirus outbreak has you a little concerned - this is strongly recommended viewing.
The official trailer for the series :
Pandemic - How to Prevent an Outbreak (Netflix Documentary Series).
Using AI To Build A Better Human (The Age of AI)
Fantastic.
Fantastic.
Looking At : Jan 26, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
BP Doctor (Health-Tracking Smartwatch)
Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.
I'm a big fan of the various Health-Tracking Smartwatches currently available - especially things like the Apple Watch. Still, there are several things I'd love them to track; blood pressure in particular.
The BP Doctor performs that function, using an inflatable cuff within the watch itself. Keen to see how well it performs, and which software it integrates with (hopefully anything and everything, so I can add my own).
A spot of video :
The BP Doctor (Health-Tracking Smartwatch).
Healed Through AI (The Age of AI)
A fascinating look at AI and the medical side of things.
I love this series, which looks at the wonderful uses of artificial intelligence. Here, a look at AI and the medical side of things.
Fantastic.
Looking At : Jan 19, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Bello (Handheld Bodyfat Tester)
Looks great.
Looks great.
Although there's a clear focus on abdominal fat in the video, a handheld smartphone-connected bodyfat scanner sounds wonderful. Look forward to trying it out.
Curious to see how accurate it is, and what else it can be connected to. Other health apps, as well as personalised solutions.
A spot of video :
The Bello.
Neuralink - Merging Man and Machine (Aperture)
A brief look at the incredible potential of Neuralink.
A brief look at the incredible potential of Neuralink.
Looking At : Jan 12, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
TEMPEST (Personal Weather System)
Looks great.
Looks great.
I love training outdoors - in a park not far from here. Typically I glance at the local weather forecast before leaving, and it's close enough to give me a rough idea of what to expect.
This, however, looks a little more accurate. And compact.
(Plus, I'm firmly in the 'Weather Geek' camp.)
The TEMPEST.
Stem Cells With Naz (LifeXtenShow)
Interesting area.
Interesting area.
Looking At : Jan 5, 2020
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Looking At : Dec 29, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Snowfeet II (Attachments That Turn Shoes Into Skis)
Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.
The Snowfeet II are simple attachments that turn any pair of shoes into miniature skis. Portable and quick.
Although it's not exactly the right part of the year to test these out (in the Southern Hemisphere, at least), I suspect they feel similar to the first generation of the product. Anyone here tried them?
(I suspect I'm not the only one who loves a spot of hiking/snowsports/outdoor training).
Japanese NMN Human Safety Trial Concludes (My NMN Experiment)
A look at the first safety trial in humans.
We've noted the incredible anti-aging potential of NMN several times on this site, and this is a look at the first safety trial in humans.
Looking At : Dec 22, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
GyroPalm (Gesture-Control Smartwatch)
Interesting combination.
Interesting combination.
The GyroPalm is a Gesture-Control Smartwatch, combining the utility of a 'universal remote' with the various fitness-tracking functions available in many smartwatches. Great pairing.
There are thousands of ways to put this device to work (several gym & medical ones spring to mind), and I suspect the video will generate an additional idea or two :
The GyroPalm.
How Wearable Robots Are Transforming Human Mobility (Kathleen O'Donnell)
Fascinating area - exosuits.
Fascinating area - exosuits.
Looking At : Dec 15, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
REBO (Smart Bottle)
Very interesting idea.
Very interesting idea.
The REBO Smart Bottle performs a deceptively useful task - measuring water intake as you drink. And as it's keeping track of your water consumption, it's able to offer other benefits tied to the number of bottles consumed - initially this is in the form of environmental plastic collection.
Sounds great.
To take a look at the bottle itself, here's a spot of video :
The REBO Smart Bottle.
Building Your Own Prosthetics (MIT's Media Lab)
The end of many forms of physical disability.
The rapidly-approaching end of many forms of physical disability.
Looking At : Dec 8, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Peter Attia's Upcoming Book
Really looking forward to it.
Really looking forward to it. We've noted both Peter's podcast and emails in the past, so I suspect you already know roughly what to expect. Both in terms of content and style. The book promises to be a blend of the two - a longer discussion of some fascinating topics. And yes, I'm really keen to get my hands on a copy. In the meantime, a sampling of Peter's writing; and a few thoughts on the book itself : peterattiamd.com/book-update.
Japanese Climbing Gyms (Magnus Midtbø)
A wonderful look at one of Tokyo's climbing gyms.
Taking the form of a vlog detailing Magnus' trip to Tokyo, it provides a wonderful look at a Japanese climbing gym. Nice one.
Incidentally, if you just want to see the gym itself, it starts at 9m:14s.
Looking At : Dec 1, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
HardstyleFit Kettlebell Level One Course (Dragon Door)
Great course.
Great course. As you'd expect for this time of year, there are more than a few Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotions on offer. One that caught my eye is Dragon Door's HardstyleFit Kettlebell Level One Course - a wonderful offering at a superb price ($99). The course's main page has a detailed list of what's included, but suffice to say that it's a wonderful way to learn the HardstyleFit Kettlebell approach. The Goblet Squat, Get-Up, and the Swing. Dragon Door's HardstyleFit Kettlebell Level One Course.
Strength Standards - 'How Strong Should I Be?' (Alan Thrall)
Great information.
Great information.
Looking At : Nov 24, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
MONKII 360 (Portable Workout Setup)
Looks great - especially for travel workouts.
Looks great (especially for travel workouts).
The MONKII 360 is a door-mounted band workout system, designed with interval training in mind. Looks ideal for a quick session in the hotel room, or wherever you end up when on-the-road.
A spot of video :
The MONKII 360.
All About The Gut Microbiome (Joe Scott)
Very interesting area.
Very interesting area.
Looking At : Nov 17, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
NeoRhythm (Neurostimulation Headband)
Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.
The NeoRhythm Neurostimulation Headband - using a combination of electromagnetism and positioning to aid focus, sleep, relaxation and so on.
Although I'm slightly skeptical of this device in particular, it's certainly a fascinating area.
The NeoRhythm.
Dr David Sinclair on the Informational Theory of Aging, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Resveratrol & More (FoundMyFitness)
Fascinating.
Fascinating.
Looking At : Nov 10, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Swytch (eBike Conversion Kit)
This looks great.
This looks great.
The Swytch is a relatively simple device for converting any bicycle into an ebike. And yes, this is the second generation of the device.
The benefits - people typically ride further, and more frequently. If you'd love to spend more time on the bike and less in the car, this is a great solution.
The Swytch.
Do This After Every Workout (OfficialThenX)
Great idea.
Great idea.
Looking At : Nov 3, 2019
What we were talking about this week on Facebook, Twitter and in The Daily 'Paper'.
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
ChopBox (Smart Cutting Board)
This looks great.
This looks great.
It's fair to say that I love the bulk preparation of food - with the careful weighing of much of it - and I suspect I'm not the only one. With that in mind, take a look at The ChopBox : a waterproof cutting board with a built-in scale.
Perfect combination.
A bit of video to show you just what's on offer :
The ChopBox.
Are You as Strong as You Could Be?
Grab the Straight to the Bar Strength Kit.
Training Guides, eBooks and of course the Strength & Fitness Newsletter. Absolutely free.
If you love talking about training, make sure you check out the Gymchats. There's a full list of previous shows here.
To give you an idea of what they're like, here's an example :
Gymchat 277 - Barefoot Running - Believe the Hype! (Steven Sashen)
Fantastic discussion.
NB : if you'd like to be interviewed on an upcoming show (or know someone who should be), drop us a line. 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, we'd love to hear them. Cheers.
what we're saying
NB : As well as leaving a comment or two beneath the articles themselves, you might like to swing by the Daily 'Paper' for a somewhat more frequent dose of training goodness.
ready to get in shape?
A dose of Online Personal Training is ideal. Your place, their experience.
As you'd expect, I work with a number of Fitness Professionals myself - including the wonderful Josh Hewett. If you're about to begin your own strength-training journey, swing by his site at :
top-form-fitness.com/online-coaching
Highly recommended. If you're looking to get serious about 'getting in shape', book some time with Josh. Fantastic guy.
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.
reading : Ferocious Fitness (Phil Ross, Marty Gallagher)
Remember this? Great book. Ferocious Fitness : A Fighter's Proven Action Plan to Develop Blazing Power, Animalistic Strength and Killer Conditioning is a distillation of Phil Ross' training wisdom, in the form of a superbly comprehensive book. We took a look at the digital version recently, and you'll be pleased to know that the paperback version is now available. Definitely worthy of a place on the fitness shelf. Phil Ross' Ferocious Fitness.
community
talking about If you tweet a lot about fitness and would love to be on this list, let me know.love your grip work?
Check out The Grip Authority. Fantastic site.
daily newsletter
For some people, this site's weekly newsletter (The Strength & Fitness Weekly - part of the Strength Kit) isn't quite frequent enough. For those I produce a daily version, which you can grab here. Absolutely free.
in the wild
It’s always great to see how other people train.
If you’d like to send in a photo of yourself in action (wearing one of the Straight to the Bar Shirts of course - the latest design is here), just upload it somewhere and send us a link. Cheers.
the future of fitness
Over the years we’ve looked at the fitness industry from a number of angles - discussing the history, present approaches and potential future trends involved. Fascinating areas.
When it comes to the last part - discussing potential future trends - things get a little, well, unusual. If it’s an interest you share, or you just want to find out the types of things we think are likely, check out the posts tagged ‘Futurism’. And of course, Gymchat 224 (Roundtable) - The Future of Fitness. Superb discussion.
air pollution & health
We discuss air pollution quite a bit on this site - particularly the various health impacts involved. If you'd like to dive in a little deeper, I invite you to check out the following :
- The 'Electric Cars' list on Twitter
- The 'Leave it in the Ground' newsletter
- The daily 'EVs in Australia' 'paper'
and of course :
Cheers.
checking out
Jself (Massage Pillow)Looks great.
The Jself is a pillow with massage/heating/music functions built in. Looks like an ideal post-workout device.
I'm keen to test one, though I suspect that the heating and massage functions feel pretty good regardless of their long-term abilities. And in the meantime, a spot of video :
The Jself.
And for the full list of the Books & DVDs we recommend, swing by the Recommended Books & DVDs page. To check out what we're reading at the moment (and to make suggestions), join us on Goodreads.
See you there.