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 »
Last week’s Technique Tuesday discussed what you should do between sets of squats, so naturally, this week focuses on the bench press. Remember, your “A2” exercise should do one of three things: Mobilize (in this case, thoracic spine mobility) Activate (lat tension) Excite (explosive pressing movement) Watch the video below to see what exercises I …
Technique Tuesday: What Should You Do Between Sets? (Bench Edition) Read More »
One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “What should you do between sets?” Besides just sitting there and resting (which is totally fine), you can make good use of your rest periods by focusing on one of three things: Mobilization Activation Excitation This week’s Technique Tuesday explains how to attack these three areas between …
Technique Tuesday: What Should You Do Between Sets? (Squat Edition) Read More »
This week’s Technique Tuesday answers a common question: how wide is TOO wide for squats and sumo deadlifts? One might assume that wider is better because it reduces the range of motion and means you can lift more weight. That’s kinda true, but once you get too wide, there’s a point of diminishing returns. This …
Technique Tuesday: How Wide is Too Wide for Squats and Sumo Deadlifts? Read More »
Learning to creative active versus passive stability is an important concept for any lifter. Most people create passive stability, meaning they rely on an end-range position or the bar to create tightness (not always a good thing). From a performance and health standpoint, it’s often better to create active stability, where you brace/contract certain muscles …
Technique Tuesday: Active vs. Passive Stability During the Squat Read More »
Continuing on the theme of specialty bars, this week’s Technique Tuesday introduces the giant cambered bar. Called the GCB for short, we use this bar significantly less than the Safety Squat Bar at Cressey Sports Performance, but it still has its place. Often regarded as a shoulder-friendly bar, this video will cover why that’s NOT true …
Technique Tuesday: Intro to the Giant Cambered Bar Read More »
Last week, we discussed how to use the Safety Squat Bar to build the deadlift. This week, I’ll show you how I like to use the SSB for lower body hypertrophy training. Can’t you just use a barbell to build big legs? Sure, but there’s that whole thing about your back fatiguing before your legs. Here …
Technique Tuesday: SSB Exercises for Lower Body Hypertrophy Read More »
This week’s Technique Tuesday covers one of my favorite deadlift assistance exercises: pin squats with the Safety Squat Bar. It’s tough to train the deadlift frequently without getting worn out or beat up. SSB pin squats have solid carryover to the deadlift without having to pull from the floor multiple times per week. The key is …
Technique Tuesday: SSB Pin Squats to Build Your Deadlift Read More »
The safety squat bar is an awesome tool to have in your lifting arsenal. This week’s Technique Tuesday introduces you to the SSB and provides a few tips for how to use it effectively, regardless of the exercise you’re performing. Over the next few weeks, I’ll discuss different exercises you can do with the safety squat …
Technique Tuesday: Intro to the Safety Squat Bar Read More »
This week’s Technique Tuesday covers cable chops and lifts, a group of anterior core exercises that we use all the time at Cressey Sports Performance. Along with hammering the abs from multiple directions, cable chops and lifts encourage good shoulder motion, which is ideal for our baseball players and powerlifter alike. In this video specifically, …
Technique Tuesday: Cable Chops and Lifts for Core and Shoulder Stability Read More »
