It’s been a scorcher of a summer! What a great year to own a swimming pool. Taking a dip whenever you want can be refreshing on a hot day, but be mindful of overexposure to chlorine. As I mentioned in a previous post, chlorine can compete with iodine in your body and disrupt thyroid function….
Back in the summer of 2012, I was approached by a 34-year-old male who was overweight and dealing with some health issues. He was planning to propose to his girlfriend, which meant a wedding in the near future, so he wanted to get in shape for the big day. Let’s call him Louis, after one…
A typical second or third meal of my day is a hearty salad. This “beast” of a meal delivers a balanced mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, covering all colors of the nutrient rainbow. It satisfies hunger, tastes great, and, as far as I’m concerned, a salad a day will keep the doctor away—provided the…
Q: I like to work a different body part every day. Do you have a good routine to beef up my back? A: The following routine targets the back from multiple angles using various movement planes, grips, training implements, and loading parameters. You’ll start with five sets on the first exercise and gradually work down…
Whole body vibration (WBV) has gained popularity in the fitness industry over the past few years. This form of training offers several benefits, including: For more on the benefits of WBV, check out the following video: Best Use of WBV In my opinion, WBV is most effective as part of a warm-up routine to stimulate…
A mixed-grip chin-up, also known as an alternate-grip or opposite-grip chin-up, is performed with one hand pronated and the other hand supinated. How to Perform It Progressions A great way to incorporate the mixed-grip chin-up into your training is with the high-volume routine featured on page 49 of Mass Explosion. Check it out!
If your goal is to get lean, it’s wise to limit fruit intake due to its sugar content. Consume fruit primarily on workout days: Stick with low-glycemic choices like berries, tart cherries, and grapefruit before training, and opt for high-glycemic fruits like bananas, pineapples, and figs after training. Watermelon is another great post-workout option—perhaps one…
What happens when guys train with other guys? Often, the weight starts to pile on the bar, and form gets thrown out the window! “It’s all you, Bro. I’m barely touching it!” says your training partner while he deadlifts the bar off your chest. Out of a set of ten on the bench press, you…
I just got back from a 10-day vacation in Florida, where I managed to train six times—twice at a gym, twice in our condo (check out the photo of me doing “piggyback” split squats with my son on Twitter), and twice at a beach workout area in Fort Lauderdale. But the most memorable training session…
Trying to superset or circuit train in a crowded gym can feel like an impossible task. You grab a bench, turn around for two seconds, and—boom—someone’s taken it. Now imagine trying to occupy four or more pieces of equipment at once. Good luck! But don’t worry—there’s a smart way to do it. The key is…