Blog
Periodization vs. Programming: Are Researchers Testing the Right Thing?
Discover why many resistance training studies may not actually be testing periodization. Learn the difference between programming and periodization.
Get a Grip
Grip tools from IronMind can add a serious strength challenge when programmed properly. Use them in extensive or intensive phases depending on the goal.
Setting Up a Home Gym During COVID-19
A well-planned home gym can keep training alive when commercial gyms shut down or life gets inconvenient. This entry highlights smart equipment planning and why home setup deserves serious thought.
An Annual Plan for Neck Training
Neck training deserves more than an afterthought. Rotate eccentric, isometric, and dynamic methods through the year to build a stronger weak link.
Back-to-School Supplements
Back-to-school season can be hectic, especially for busy families. Strategic basics like nutrition, sleep, and select supplements can help support resilience during the school year.
My Daily Coffee Ritual
Coffee can be more than caffeine. From stovetop espresso to cinnamon and herbal coffee, this daily ritual blends flavor, routine, and a small performance lift.
Single-Leg Cable Romanian Deadlift
The single-leg cable Romanian deadlift looks simple until balance, hip control, and posterior-chain tension all show up at once. The cable version provides guidance while still lighting up the stabilizers.
Keeping Up with Current Research (August 2020)
Fresh research highlights practical takeaways on interval training, memory, body composition testing, and exercise science for coaches who want to stay sharp.
15-Degree Incline Rope Triceps Extensions
A slight incline and cable resistance keep the triceps loaded through more of the range than standard free-weight extensions. The payoff is constant tension and a nasty peak contraction.
Heel-Elevated Side Step-Up
The heel-elevated side step-up keeps the torso more upright and shifts emphasis toward the quads and VMO. It is a smart variation when standard step-ups turn into too much forward lean.
Not Everyone Experiences the Quarantine 15
Some people gained weight during lockdown; others used the disruption to get leaner and stronger. Joseph’s progress shows what consistency can do when training, food, and recovery line up.
Reverse-Band California Press
The California press already blends close-grip pressing with triceps-extension mechanics. Adding reverse bands offloads the bottom, protects the elbows, and makes the top range do more work.
Break the Inertia to Get Stronger
Strategic pauses remove momentum and force the muscles to do more honest work. Use pause training to build strength where you need it most.
Q&A with John Paul
A reader question about Lean and Mean breaks down program notation, tempo, rest periods, and the details that make strength-training prescriptions easier to follow.
Which is the Best Brand of Eggs?
Egg quality shows up in size, yolk color, and structure. Comparing brands makes a simple point: food quality matters, and the yolk belongs in the conversation.
Negative-Accentuated Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Negative-accentuated lateral raises turn a simple shoulder exercise into a brutal eccentric overload. Raise with bent arms, lower with straight arms, and let the delts earn every inch.
3 Tips to Improve Your Sleep
Better sleep starts before your head hits the pillow. Light exposure, bedtime alarms, and old-school wind-down habits can support recovery when training hard.
Outdoor Training with a Sandbag
Sandbags turn outdoor training into a full-body challenge for strength, stability, grip, and conditioning. The equipment is simple, but the training effect is anything but.
Ring Dips Done Right
Ring dips can build serious upper-body strength, but they demand control. Master the setup and respect the risk before turning them into a high-fatigue circus act.
Rear Delt Training
Rear delts often need more than random reverse flyes. This video pairs two shoulder movements that hit the back of the delts from different angles for more complete shoulder development.
Fat-Loss, Muscle-Building Workout
Pairing lower-body and upper-body movements with short rest periods can create a powerful body-composition workout that builds muscle while driving up training density.