All Articles & Reviews by
Scott Andrew Bird
(12373 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, 34) 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, Google+, Facebook; 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.
The Upsens Air Pollution Monitor
Very interesting area.
TweetVery interesting area - the constant monitoring of air quality. I suspect we'll start seeing a number of devices shortly which tackle the problem in similar ways.
As for the Upsens itself, here's a spot of video which outlines its capabilities :
How to Pick Stuff Up (Mark Rippetoe)
It might seem incredibly simple, but if your training includes stones/logs/odd objects; watch this video.
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It might seem incredibly simple, but if your training includes stones/logs/odd objects; watch this video.
Looking At : Jul 23, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
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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.
The Tim Ferriss Show #252 - The 'Meathead Millionaire' - SuperTraining's Mark Bell
Love this show.
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Learning the Clean & Jerk (with Meg Gallagher, Kristin Pope & Max Aita)
Nice one.
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Nice one.
Looking At : Jul 16, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The Tim Ferriss Show #250 - Myers-Briggs, Diet Mistakes, and Immortality
Love this show.
TweetHow to Fix a Hip Shift in Your Squat
Nice one.
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Nice one.
Looking At : Jul 9, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The UrbaNext Wheel
Rechargeable, and entirely self-contained.
TweetThis looks great.
If you're already sold on the idea of electric bikes but don't fancy shelling out for a new one, this may be just the solution. The UrbaNext Wheel is a battery-powered replacement for your existing bike's front wheel.
Rechargeable, and entirely self-contained. For a bit of a look at the UrbaNext, here's a bit of video :
The UrbaNext Wheel.
Finger Strengthening Technique for Closing Grippers
Fantastic explanation Joe.
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Fantastic explanation Joe.
Looking At : Jul 2, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The MeCam NeoMe (Wearable Video Camera)
A great way to record your workouts.
TweetThis looks like a great way to record your workouts - in the gym, or in the great outdoors. Particularly with the various mounts available.
To give you a general idea of what's on offer, here's a spot of video :
The MeCam NeoMe.
Various Recovery Methods (Including a Brief Review of the NormaTec System)
Plenty of options available when it comes to muscular recovery.
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Certainly plenty of options available (some more effective than others) when it comes to muscular recovery. Curious : what's your own approach like?
Looking At : Jun 25, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The Mobility Ring System
Interesting idea.
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Arm Over Head Pistol Squat
Grab a kettlebell, dumbbell or anything reasonably heavy.
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There are many varieties of the superb Pistol Squat - here's one of the weighted varieties. Grab a kettlebell, dumbbell or anything reasonably heavy.
Looking At : Jun 18, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
Hypnos Wireless Earbuds
Active noise cancellation, access to various virtual assistants and a 'sleep mode'.
TweetIn the meantime, here's a brief video overview to give you an idea of what's on offer :
The Hypnos Wireless Earbuds.
How To Develop A V-Taper
Very interesting area.
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Very interesting area.
Looking At : Jun 11, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The Upright Go Posture Device
Love the idea of constant monitoring.
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Fatbells vs Dumbbells
Great demonstration of the Fatbells at work.
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Great demonstration of the Fatbells at work.
Looking At : Jun 4, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The Master Method Course [Kindle Edition]
Looks great.
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6 Variations of the Face Pull
Nice one Chris.
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Nice one Chris.
Looking At : May 28, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
EverSleep
The sleep-tracking goodness continues.
TweetThe sleep-tracking goodness continues. Say hello to the EverSleep.
NB : we've noted a number of sleep-tracking devices over the years. Which do you use personally, or are keen to try out? Any specific features you're on the lookout for?
(For me, it always comes down to control over the data - the ability to download it, add it to other health monitors and to share it with medical staff.)
Calisthenics Glossary
Nice one.
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Nice one.
Looking At : May 21, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
Get Strong
Looks great.
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The Ultimate Bent Over Row Guide (Brian Alsruhe)
Great information.
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Great information.
Looking At : May 14, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
Beginner Grip Training (Videos)
Just beginning your wrist (and finger) strength journey?
TweetFinally got a chance (been travelling) to watch Jedd's video series on Beginner Grip Training. Fantastic information.
If you're just beginning your wrist (and finger) strength journey, check out the first episode 'Beginner Plate Pinching' below :
The others will appear in the same place, Jedd Johnson's youtube channel. Dive in.
The 'Strong Grip Ready' Project
Sounds great Joe.
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Sounds great Joe.
Looking At : May 7, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
Dorian Yates on High Intensity Training, Injury Prevention, and Building Maximum Muscle
Tim Ferriss' chat with Dorian Yates.
TweetHow to Perform Push-Ups
Nice one.
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Nice one.
Looking At : Apr 30, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
The Dinosaur Strength Training Notebook - Volume I [Kindle Edition]
Perfect combination.
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44 Best Calisthenics Exercises
Some wonderful exercises here.
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Some wonderful exercises here.
Looking At : Apr 23, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
Bodyweight Master™ Free Standing Pull Up Bar
Looks good.
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Jefferson Curl
Much more difficult than she makes it look.
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Much more difficult than she makes it look.
Looking At : Apr 16, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
QuietOn - Active Noise Cancelling Earplugs
Great combination.
TweetI always train with music (typically 'hard rock'), but a friend of mine prefers absolute silence. If you're in the latter camp, check out the QuietOn - Active Noise Cancelling Earplugs. Great combination.
A spot of video :
Curious : do you prefer working out to music, or training in silence?
Beginners Guide to Snatching
Nice one Meg.
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Nice one Meg.
Looking At : Apr 9, 2017
What we were talking about this week on Google+, Twitter and Nuzzel
TweetDuring 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.
Trap Bar Training (Kindle Edition)
This looks great.
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Arms-90 Hybrid Shrugs
Very interesting combination.
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Very interesting combination.
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.
This week :
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.
just joined us? try these
There are some incredible writers on the team here. To give you an idea, check out these posts :
DIY: How to Build an Olympic Weightlifting Platform
Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker
Building A Neck Of Steel
Mike 'The Machine' Bruce
Straight to the Grip Contest
Jedd 'Napalm' Johnson
A Little Yoke Work : 10 Exercises for a Bigger Neck
Scott Andrew Bird
29 Things to do with a Barbell in the Corner
Jason Kirby
Get Mental! The Psychology of Strength
Josh Hewett
Small Victories
Josh Hanagarne
If you enjoyed the articles above, check out the complete 'Best Of Straight to the Bar' list. And if you'd like to do some fitness writing yourself and submit your own piece, get in touch.
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.
what we're saying
And if you'd like to see the comments as soon as they arrive, you can grab the RSS feed here.
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.
gift buying guide
When your spouse/sibling/friend is ready to 'get in shape' (or they already are), what do you get them?
No matter what sort of training they're in to, we've got a few suggestions. And if you're looking for something specific, we'll help you find out where to get it. Just leave a comment on any of the posts listed below.
There are a number of articles that may help you in your quest. Specifically :
- Grrl's Valentine's Day Wishlist (Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker)
- The Bodyweight Aficionado's Guide to Gear (Jason Kirby)
- Recommended Books and DVDs on Strength-Training & Nutrition (The Straight to the Bar Authors)
And there's also the full list of the fitness-focused books and DVDs we've looked at over the years : Reading
NB : if you're still not sure what to get, there's always the option of buying them a gift card. There are certainly plenty of options; Amazon
's still my favourite.
Now it's your turn. Let us know how you get on, and feel free to share any photographs of what you bought or how it's being used.
Look forward to hearing from you.
strength calendar
Looking for an upcoming competition, or know of one in your area? Why not add it to the spreadsheet.
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.
giving
If you've been training for a while, gradually cleaning up your diet, no doubt you've experienced the amazing power of transformation. It's a tremendous feeling. If you're ready to give someone else a hand to transform their own lives - through education, sharing equipment, financial help - take a look at the full list of organisations on the Giving page. Cheers.
love your grip work?
Check out The Grip Authority. Fantastic site.
want to help out?
As you've doubtless noticed, in addition to the main site is a Community on Google+, Facebook and Twitter. Wherever you are, a daily dose of strength isn't all that far away.
To help run all of these sites, we're on the lookout for several additional Moderators. To welcome new community members, bring up new items to discuss and generally keep the conversations on track.
If you're already spending a bit of time at any of the above sites, and would like to offer your services as a Moderator, just drop us a line. And thanks for that, it really is appreciated.
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.
leave it in the ground
On Straight to the Bar we talk a lot about air pollution, primarily from a gym-owner's perspective. In the 'Leave it in the Ground' newsletter we look at the topic far more broadly - the gradual move away from the use of fossil fuels. Daily, and free.
elsewhere
As you can see, we love talking about training. In addition to the conversations on here, in the Google+ Community, Twitter and so on are discussions on several other great fitness-focussed sites.
Check out :
- Josh Hewett : DrawBacks of a Low Carb Diet
- Al Kavadlo : Revolving Pull-up Handles for Grip Strength
- Diesel Crew : This Week in Grip – Episode 23 – 7/9/17
- Year of the Bear : One Week To Go! / Looking Ahead
- Gains & Aesthetics : What The Greek God Fitness Program Is All About
Of course, we're always on the lookout for new additions to this list. If you'd like to suggest a site you've come across personally (or perhaps one that you run), drop us a line.
checking out
The Upsens Air Pollution MonitorVery interesting area - the constant monitoring of air quality. I suspect we'll start seeing a number of devices shortly which tackle the problem in similar ways.
As for the Upsens itself, here's a spot of video which outlines its capabilities :
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.
This is a superb resource. With a focus on law enforcement personnel, it takes the form of a Facebook Group as well as one on one coaching sessions. Created by the incredible Jeff Wilson.
Mike Gillette explains the various ways to put the gymnastic rings to work - progressively - in Rings of Power. With clear emphases on both strength and rehabilitation, it's an ideal place to start.
Particularly those of us in the 'over 40' crowd.
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.
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 at the moment (training-related and otherwise), join us on Goodreads. And for a cut-down list showing only the ones we recommend, swing by the Recommended Books & DVDs page. See you there.