Contrast training (pairing a heavy strength training movement with a lighter, more explosive movement) isn’t just for athletes. We’ll occasionally use contrast training with our more advanced adults and powerlifters as a means to prime the central nervous system for heavier lifting and to create context for the level of intent we want to put …
Kettlebell swings are the best. They’ve got a place in nearly any program for any goal. I’ve talked about them before (here and here), but figured I’d dedicate this Technique Tuesday to fixing the “squat swing”. Sometimes you see lifters do their kettlebell swings with too much knee motion in relation to their hips. Check out …
Technique Tuesday: 2 More Tips for Better Kettlebell Swings Read More »
Power development for powerlifters sounds pretty redundant. I mean, they’ve got “power” in their name so they must be pretty powerful, right? Actually, powerlifters have the most deceiving title in all of strength sports. Strongmen are indeed strong and weightlifters do indeed lift weights, but by definition, powerlifters are NOT powerful. That’s because power requires …
Power Development for Powerlifters: 3 Underutilized Methods Read More »
Usually I prefer to cry in the corner by myself between sets of deadlifts (it’s historically been the most challenging of the powerlifts for me), but this week’s Technique Tuesday covers what to do between sets of heavy pulls. Our primary goals between sets of the deadlift are to: Mobilize the hips Activate the abs and upper …
Technique Tuesday: What Should You Do Between Sets? (Deadlift Edition) Read More »
I’ve been slacking the past week as I prepare for my wedding this weekend. Since I didn’t share my Technique Tuesday last week, you’ll get a double-dose this week. 2 Bench Press Habits You Need to Break Far too often I see lifters do two highly-detrimental things on the bench press: lift their head off …
By now, you probably know the best exercises for stronger glutes. Squats, deadlifts, swings, lunges, hip thrusts… these are not new ideas. But if you’ve ever coached them or done them yourself, you know that sometimes your quads or your hamstrings take over the exercise, leaving your precious glutes behind. Well, get excited, glute enthusiasts. My …
MyFitnessPal: 4 Simple Exercise Tweaks for Stronger Glutes Read More »
In my first article for MyFitnessPal, I broke down the kettlebell swing into four parts and showed you how it’s really not as intimidating as it seems. But the 3 kettlebell workouts in my latest MFP article… now these might be a bit intimidating. Don’t let them scare you. They’re safe and simple. But that …
MyFitnessPal – 3 Quick Kettlebell Workouts Anyone Can Do 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 »
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 …
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 …
