Blog
The Biggest Assessment Mistakes Personal Trainers Make
After 30 years in the fitness industry, I’ve seen the same assessment mistakes repeated again and again. Many personal trainers overcomplicate the process with endless screens and diagnostics. In this article, I explain the most common assessment mistakes and how trainers can simplify their approach while still gathering the information they need.
How to Reduce Shoulder Stress During Presses
Yesterday we looked at a simple fix to reduce hip stress during wide-stance squats and deadlifts. Today, let’s shift our focus to decreasing shoulder stress
Semi-Wide-Stance Back Squats
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu were known for experimenting in the gym to overcome weaknesses. One of their discoveries: squatting with a wider stance helps
A 15-Year-Old Making Progress in the Gym
For several weeks now, 15-year-old Joseph has been working hard on hanging-band squats and assisted chin-ups. Friday night he was able to see what effect
Half-Kneeling Rope Woodchop and Reverse Woodchop
The half-kneeling rope woodchop and reverse woodchop are two exercises that work your obliques in a “spine-friendly” manner. These anti-rotational movements are a solid addition
Angles90 Pull-Ups with Xvest
The Angles90 grips are a great tool to add variety and reduce joint stress during pull-ups. One challenge, however, is that their lower starting position
Circuit Training for Fat Loss
Here’s a glimpse of my latest workout—a circuit training routine based on a system I call Modern Muscle Moulding. If your goal is to drop
Try These 3 Moves in the Gym
Here are some interesting moves from this morning’s workout: 1. Incline Telle Forward Dumbbell Raise This is a unique movement I picked up from Jerry
A Breast Milk Alternative
Yesterday, Health Canada issued a warning to parents about the potential health risks of buying breast milk online. For those seeking an alternative, one ingredient
Don’t Let an Injury Stand in Your Way
A few years ago, I shared the story of Arzhang and his horrific fall off Mt. Aconcagua in the Southern Andes. Through hard work and
The 30-Minute Digital Time Rule: Push-Ups
My son is a wizard when it comes to digital devices. Hand him an iPhone, iPad, or iMac and he’s right at home. But as
Interval Training for Children
When it comes to kids and exercise, fun is the key! If you can turn physical activity into a game, you’ll build lifelong habits and
Three Exercises That Beat Boring Planks
The front plank is a popular exercise to promote core stability. Sure, it has its benefits—and yes, there are ways to make it more difficult—but
Superman Back Extension
A great antagonist movement for abdominal exercises like Ab 45s and the Reclining Field Goal is the Superman Back Extension. It’s best performed on a
Reclining Field Goal
I discovered this unique abdominal exercise about a decade ago in the e-book The Bodybuilding Truth by Nelson Montana. According to Montana, abdominal development is
Ab 45s
I first came across this exercise in the book Underground Secrets to Faster Running by Barry Ross. No matter how strong you think your core
How to Prevent a Long Night Without Sleep
Exercising too close to bedtime can mess up your sleep. It keeps your body in a sympathetic “fight or flight” mode when it should be
Chest and Back Superset
Here’s a “super” combo to finish off your upper-body workout: pair the standing cable crossover with the bent-over dumbbell lateral raise. Perform 3 sets of
Full Squats with Chains
Different strokes for different folks—I prefer high-bar, ass-to-grass squats. If you’re not accustomed to full squats, using chains can help by reducing the load at
Wobble Board Push-Ups
Here’s a way to make push-ups more challenging: place your hands on a wobble board, elevate your feet on a step, and wear a weighted
Stop Scratching Your Shoulder Scab
If you constantly scratch the scab, you’ll never heal. That applies to any injury, but it’s especially true for shoulder injuries. The shoulder is the