Recently in elsewhere
Renaissance Fitness Supplement Kits
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : supplements
These sound great.
Personal Trainer extraordinaire Derek 'D-Rock' Peruo is currently putting together various supplement kits, designed to provide regular doses of everything needed to help attain a particular goal. The video below will give you the overall idea :
The Quest for Victory
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : history of strength, photography
The Quest for Victory.
The incredible Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker pointed me to a superb resource on the History of Strength, The University of Austin's 'The Quest for Victory' site. Love it.
The 40-Day Program
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Dan John.Dan John notes an interesting idea - 5 exercises, 40 days. A good read.
Tips for Kettlebell Pressing Power
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : kettlebells
Jeff Steinberg.Via Mike Nelson's blog : Mike posts a nice piece on Dragon Door which looks at several technique changes which help the kettlebell press. Nice one.
More Lower Back Savers
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Spine.Cressey's superb series on the lower back continues over on T-Nation (part I). A great read....
Contrast Training for Strength, Size, and Power
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Rotary Scoop Toss.Looking for a change? Try a few weeks of contrast training. Nick Tumminello explains....
Lower Back Savers
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : back pain, injury prevention
Spine.Eric Cressey kicks off what promises to be a great series on lower back pain - its many forms and causes. Definitely one to check out.
VeloCity : Plan Your Cycling Trips
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : cycling
The VeloCity Cycle Route Guide.Via TubaDuba : this is where my fitness and computer geek sides meet - the VeloCity Cycle Route Guide.
What is a Movement Screen?
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : conditioning, kettlebells
Shoulder Pain.Via the Dragon Door forums : over at Begin to Dig, MC takes a look at the idea of Movement Screens; and why the site of pain is not necessarily the source. A good read....
The Infamous TRX Workout
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : suspension training, Training When Travelling
As Laree notes: 'You can work pretty hard with this simple pair of straps'.I love suspension training - particularly when travelling. John Berardi discusses a great program using the TRX - the Infamous TRX Workout. Good fun....
Huge in a Hurry
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : books
Clevio 'Tony' Massimo. Image from Earle E Liederman's Secrets of Strength.Been training for a few years? Chad Waterbury notes 5 basic rules for continuing to make gains as a more experienced lifter. A good read.
The Strongest 72-year-old You'll Ever Meet
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : powerlifting, still got it
Fred Glass at Youngevity 2006.Via Xenophilia : the Evening Sun notes the strength-training exploits of Fred Glass, a 72yo record-breaking Powerlifter who shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Fantastic....
Crossed Up by CrossFit
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : certification, conditioning, seminar, seminars
Mastering the Muscle-Up.Bryan Krahn takes great look at the CrossFit approach, from the fun side of a Level 1 certification seminar. Very interesting indeed.
A Man's Guide to Getting His Woman In Shape
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
A Man's Guide to Getting His Woman In Shape.Although the headline will undoubtedly elicit a harsh comment or three, this is excellent advice for anyone looking to get 'in shape'. Over to John Berardi....
Top 5 Mobility Exercises For Desk Jockeys
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : mobility
Look familiar? Photo by milesgehm.If this is a familiar sight, Adam's look at the Top 5 Mobility Exercises For Desk Jockeys may be just what you need. Nice one....
Explosive Training for Bodybuilders
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Scott Abel.Abel Bodies' Scott Abel takes a great look at his own approach to training - for bodybuilders, football players, MMA fighters - anyone at all. A great read....
Prowler Challenges
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Prowler training.How do you make Prowler workouts a little more challenging? Jim Wendler explains....
So You Want to Be a Fitness Professional?
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : fitness business
Alwyn Cosgrove.Alwyn Cosgrove has a superb outlook on the fitness industry, as this interview over on T-Nation clearly shows. A great read....
Time For a Coffee Run
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : coffee
Coffee. Photo by D'Arcy Norman.Via FitSugar : the New York Times notes yet more of the evidence that a dose of caffeine can assist athletes. I definitely enjoy a pre-workout cup; anyone else?...
Active Release Techniques for Strength Athletes
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : injury, injury prevention, massage
Charles Poliquin Performing ART.Over on EliteFTS, Mike Westerdal briefly notes the value of A.R.T. for those times when an injury is holding you back. Nice one....
Creating Super Shakes
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : post-workout supplements, protein
Super Shake guide.Over on the Precision Nutrition site, Ryan Andrews takes a look at the contents of a 'Super Shake'. These are great....
Understanding Your Training Operating System
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Weightlifting.Charles Staley notes a very interesting point - that your beliefs about training (such as 'pain means you're working hard') will have a big impact on your results. Definitely something to think about....
10 Unknown Treks
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : hiking
Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland.Via The Adventure Blog : warming up there? If you're planning a bit of time outdoors, take a look at these 'unknown' trails on the Backpacker Magazine site. Shamefully, I've only tested myself on two of them....
Stuff You Should Be Doing, But Aren't
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Just warming up.Over at T-Nation, Tony Gentilcore takes an interesting look at a few commonly-forgotten training elements. Of particular note - the idea of 'Implementing Fillers'; increasing strength overall rather than obsessing over minor injuries. Good stuff....
An Introduction to Periodisation
posted by Scott Andrew Bird
Filed in : elsewhere
Tags : periodisation
Overcompensation.The Principle of Overcompensation? Spheres of Load? Simon Perreault explains all in Periodization, Part I. Good stuff....
We do these every Monday, starting 8pm Eastern. This week :
Gymchat 274 - Forskolin For Fat Loss & Muscle Building (Kurtis Frank)
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.
ready to get fit? not quite sure where to start?
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 (both personally, and to research various parts of this site) - 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.
also on this site
Gymchat 274 - Forskolin For Fat Loss & Muscle Building (Kurtis Frank)
Forskolin. Yes? No?
Looking At : Jan 25, 2015
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
835lb Speed Deadlift
Time for a spot of serious speed work with the incredible George Leeman.
Gymchat 273 - 10 Tips for Achieving Balance in Your Life & Your Diet (Aeryon Ashlie)
Moving from where you are to where you want to be.
Looking At : Jan 18, 2015
During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.
Winter Workout Routine
What are your winter workouts like?
NB : We first looked at this one in the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit). If you'd like to have it sent to you automatically (free!) each week, just add your email here.
Gymchat 272 - NLP Skills for Fitness Professionals (Jen Mulhall)
There are some valuable skills in there.
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)
- Clothing (Glenn Bird)
'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.
the writers
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.
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.
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.
checking out
Zen Mind, Strong Body
Zen Mind, Strong Body.This looks great. Zen Mind, Strong Body is an insight to the training philosophy driving the incredible Al Kavadlo; in the form of a number of articles he's written over the years. Really looking forward to it. I'll share a few thoughts once I've finished it here; in the meantime, a brief comment from none other than Paul Wade : Zen Mind, Strong Body expertly covers the methods, the moves, the nutrition, the equipment, the benefits, the philosophy and even the culture of bodyweight training. If you are a newbie uncertain about whether to explore bodyweight, or an advanced athlete looking for a new take on the most ancient conditioning method, this is now the definitive go-to book. Good stuff. Al Kavadlo's Zen Mind, Strong Body. »»
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 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.