Want a Bigger Bench?: Tips to increase your bench press
“How much ya bench?” Possibly the most asked question of anyone who lifts. While many people roll their eyes and consider the bench to be an ego lift, the bench press is about much more than a big chest. Many aspects of this lift are frequently overlooked. Let’s talk about why the bench press is […]
Breathing and Bracing
Everything you need to know about intra-abdominal pressure, core stability, and when (or when not) to slap on a weight belt. Breathing and bracing — the two foundational techniques that are essential for both movement quality and injury prevention. Let’s discuss how your breath and core work together in every lift, why bracing is key […]
Strength Training for Runners
Running is a very popular form of exercise due to many factors. Running is convenient and there is virtually zero cost (other than a decent pair of shoes) and barely any skill development needed in order to begin participating. Many people get into running and stay with it as their main form of exercise because […]
Breaking Parallel: Part II
THE HOW: BREAKING PARALLEL SQUATS Last week, we discussed the benefits of breaking parallel in the squat. Check out last week’s blog on breaking parallel. As we discussed, a below parallel, full range of motion squat is performed by squatting down until your hips are below your knees. In a powerlifting competition, the judges look […]
Breaking Parallel: Part I
THE WHY: FULL ROM SQUATS Quarter squatting? It’s probably time to rethink the way you train. In this article we will discuss why quarter and above parallel squatting does not provide the full hypertrophy and strength benefits as the below parallel squat does. A full range of motion squat causes greater stress on the posterior […]
Recovery, Overtraining, Undertraining, and Balance
We all enjoy those brutal workouts – the ones where we train to failure and then take our post-workout selfie on the floor covered in sweat, unable to move because of the intensity and the effort we just put forth. However, training like that constantly can seriously ambush your fitness goals and in some cases, […]
Hitting the Stage: Are you Ready for your First Figure/Bikini Competition?
Bikini and figure competitions have been growing in popularity over the past few years as the Bodybuilding industry continues to change. As a novice contestant, what can one expect during one of these competitions? We’ve had quite a few questions about where to start and what to know. I’m sure there will be more posts […]
Training vs Working Out: Getting the Most out of Your Time in the Gym
While picking up heavy things may be one of your favorite hobbies, why do you do it and how do you make sure it is effective? Training vs. Working Out: What’s the Difference? The benefits of resistance training are numerous and everyone knows that this type of training is extremely important for function and health, […]
POWERLIFTING 101
Maybe you’ve been considering competing. Maybe you’re just interested in training like a competitor. Either way, we are breaking down the basics. What is powerlifting? What are the requirements? Could I do something like that? How does a meet work? What lifts are involved? What is Powerlifting? Powerlifting is a weightlifting sport where the competitors […]