When I started personal training in the mid-’90s, most of my education came from muscle magazines. I had subscriptions to all of them. Combined with years in the gym and thousands of articles and books, I felt ready to train clients. I also had a university degree in kinesiology and health science, but in reality,…
Testosterone is linked to aggression, but perhaps not in the way you think it is. Contrary to popular belief, high levels of aggression may be a result of low levels of testosterone. Those with low testosterone levels try to assert themselves through aggression and they fly off the handle quite easily. On the other hand,…
See that swimsuit above? I used to fit in that before my biceps surgery—now I’m swimming in it! My waist shrunk, but not because of diet. It’s the result of not lifting as heavy anymore. Most people don’t realize just how much the abdominals engage during heavy compound and isolation movements. For years, my core…
Thick-bar training has gained traction over the years, and for good reason—it rapidly improves grip strength and overall strength. You’ve probably heard of training tools like TylerGrip, Fat Gripz, EZ Grips, and Grips FEAR attachments. But there’s another way to challenge your grip and forearms: use kettlebells… in an unconventional way! How to Perform Cannonbell…
It’s hard to settle for less when you’ve had the best. The same way a great personal trainer sets the bar high with professionalism, knowledge, and results, high-quality food makes it tough to go back to the standard fare. My wife and I have been using Brooker’s Natural Meats for years, and I have to…
The classic model of fatigue focused entirely on the body: muscle depletion, lactic acid accumulation, and declining performance. According to this outdated view, the athletes who could push through their “poisoned” muscles were the most successful. But over time, this peripheral fatigue model has been challenged. After all, muscles always have some reserve capacity. Clearly,…
Guest Blog by Mary Catanzaro Summer is always a busy time for my family, and mealtimes can be a little stressful. Making healthy and creative dinners that everyone enjoys is a challenge! To keep things simple, I like to prepare large portions of “favorite” foods that can be used as backup when the main meal…
Most strength programs marketed for self-defense are nothing more than conditioning routines disguised as strength training. They often feature circuit-style workouts with a random mix of weighted self-defense movements. Not only is this ineffective, but it also increases the risk of overuse injuries. A better approach is to focus on developing strength in the weight…
Guys who lift serious weights regularly are usually better equipped to protect themselves if trouble arises. But safety is a concern for everyone—especially for those who may not be as big or strong. That’s where Christopher Roberts and his team at SAFE International come in. They’ve been teaching personal protection for years, catering to women,…
Nearly everyone owns a mobile device today, and more people are turning to coaching apps to guide their workouts. But which app is the best? That’s hard to say, but a recent study examined the quality of 30 mobile coaching apps—and the findings weren’t great. Are Coaching Apps Following Science-Based Guidelines? A study published in…