This week’s Technique Tuesday wraps up the deadlift, specifically how to find the right deadlift hip position. I’ve struggled with this in the past and when it clicks, it makes a huge difference in how much weight you can pull. Start with your hips too high and you’ll rely mostly on your lower back and …
Technique Tuesday – Finding the Right Deadlift Hip Position Read More »
Here’s the bad news: I had so many problems with my squat that I could break them into a 3-part article series (read part 1 and part 2 here). Here’s the good news: I fixed most of them and want to share the knowledge I gained along the way. After years of lifting and coaching, …
How I Cured My Squat Woes (so You Can Too) – Part 3 Read More »
Squat depth is a funny thing. When people start lifting, they usually squat high. They don’t know how low they’re supposed to go, or they’re scared if they go too low, they won’t be able to stand back up. Then, once they read or hear that you “must” squat ass-to-grass, squat depth is everything. Like, …
Stack.com – Improve Your Squat Depth with 5 Easy Warm-Up Exercises Read More »
I love kettlebell swings. This is not breaking news. I’ve written about them before (here and here) and I wrote about them again. This time, I wrote a piece for MyFitnessPal called “Learn the Kettlebell Swing in 4 Easy Steps“. I break down three essential exercises that you need to learn before you start adding …
MyFitnessPal: Learn the Kettlebell Swing in 4 Easy Steps Read More »
The hamstrings might have it worse than any other muscle group in the body. They sit below the waist and on the backside of the body. Unless you’re running around in a Speedo, no one’s going to see your hamstrings at the beach. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore your hamstrings. Far from it. Strong …
SheerStrengthLabs.com – 3 Exercises That Get You Herculean Hamstrings Read More »
The past year has brought some serious growth and reflection for me as a coach. During my transition from intern to full-time coach at Cressey Sports Performance, my eyes have been opened to the benefits of many exercises that I would have scoffed at a few years ago. I haven’t been shy in my disdain for …
If there was a lower body exercise Mount Rushmore (which would definitely be erected in Columbus, Ohio, NOT South Dakota), squats and deadlifts would be the Washington and Lincoln. And I’d argue that kettlebell swings, in all their hip-thrusting glory, would represent the progressive Teddy Roosevelt. Kettlebell swings can do it all. Strength, power, insane conditioning …
If you play a sport that doesn’t require you to spend significant time on one leg, you’re not playing a real sport. Running, jumping, cutting, kicking and throwing all require the legs to act independently of one another to create speed and power. So if you’re not performing single leg exercises in the weight room, you’re …
Stack.com – 7 Tips to Master Single Leg Exercises Read More »
Arguing on the internet is dumb. But at least now we’re not arguing about whether squats are good or bad. Now, we’re arguing about what’s better – front squats or back squats. It’s still silly, but at least that means lots of people are squatting. Is one really better than the other? That question needs …
Stack.com – Back Squat vs. Front Squat: What’s the Better Choice for Athletes? Read More »
I spent the weekend at my parents’ house in Northern Vermont just relaxing, enjoying the sunshine and good company. The gorgeous weather got me thinking about how many people are scrambling to get “beach ready” now that it’s nice outside. And that got me thinking that when I design exercise programs for fat loss, I …
