I won’t lie, front squats are brutal. But they’re even MORE brutal if you can’t get into a good setup position. We had a great question during our Facebook Live event (click here to re-watch it) about how to fix the front rack position to make front squats less grueling. If you have a hard time …
Technique Tuesday: 3 Ways to Fix Your Front Squat Setup Read More »
In the final installment of this 3-part series, we’ll talk about how to use paused reps to target weak points in your deadlift. Paused deadlifts might be the most evil of all the paused variants of the powerlifts, but they make up for their brutality with their effectiveness. And in case you haven’t already, check out …
Problem Solving with Paused Reps – Deadlift Edition Read More »
Continuing on the theme of using paused reps to fix weak points, this installment addresses several bench press technique mistakes and how to use paused reps to eliminate them. (If you missed Part 1 of this series which covered paused squats, click here.) More so than the squat and deadlift, pauses are essential for building a …
Problem Solving with Paused Reps – Bench Press Edition Read More »
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link.” This quote applies nicely to powerlifting because technique ultimately limits the amount of weight you can lift, and your technique eventually breaks down due to your weakest link. This three-part series will focus on my favorite method for finding and destroying your weakest links: paused reps. We’ll touch …
Problem Solving with Paused Reps – Squat Edition Read More »
After 10 years of lifting, I’ve learned some valuable lessons about training, coaching and life in general. My last post covered five of those lessons, and this post has five more. Check ’em out: 6. VOLUME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TRAINING VARIABLE Progressive overload is to training what Newton’s First Law is to physics: “An …
It’s hard to believe that this summer marks the 10-year anniversary of when I first started lifting weights. I didn’t think I was old enough to have done ANYTHING for 10 years. But lifting has given me some of the most important lessons, closest friends and best experiences of my entire life. I started lifting during …
Last week, I talked about two trap bar exercises to build upper back strength. I also mentioned how I didn’t like the trap bar for building the conventional or sumo deadlift, and received several questions as to why. You asked and I answered in this week’s Technique Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong, trap bar deadlifts …
Technique Tuesday: 3 Reasons Trap Bar Deadlifts Don’t Carry Over to the Straight Bar Read More »
The trap bar is a fantastic tool to build strength for almost anyone. Team sport athletes and general fitness enthusiasts especially can use it as their go-to strength builder. Unfortunately, the trap bar has limited carryover to powerlifting. It’s too far removed from a conventional or sumo deadlift to have a big impact, so I don’t recommend it …
Technique Tuesday: 2 Unconventional Uses for the Trap Bar Read More »
