Blog
Why METH Beats RICE for Injury Recovery: Science Finally Catches Up
Back in 2012, I introduced a controversial—but far more effective—approach to treating soft-tissue injuries. The acronym? METH, which stands for: At the time, the gold
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
A Good Problem for a Personal Trainer
Over the past week, I’ve run into a problem—a good problem, mind you—but a problem nonetheless. Four former clients want to return to training. The
Paused Close-Neutral-Grip Chin-Ups (5 Sets)
Paused reps can be a game-changer in your training. By deliberately stopping at key points during a lift, you reduce momentum, reinforce proper technique, and
Personal Training for Couples (Part 2)
Now it’s Barb’s turn to train upper body while Terry works his lower body. Strategic program design allows both of them to push hard in
Personal Training for Couples (Part 1)
While Terry focuses on upper-body strength, Barb targets her lower body with personalized training that suits her needs and past injuries. This is a great
Personal Training for Couples
Meet Barb and Terry. This husband-and-wife duo began training with me in November of 2017. Despite having different health histories and training goals, they wanted
How to Speed Up the Healing of a Buckle Fracture
Last week, my son suffered a buckle fracture during karate and now has to wear a splint for a month. We’re going to try to
My Thoughts on Intermittent Fasting
I worked hard for every ounce of muscle I’ve built over the years, and I’m not keen on losing any of it. That’s why I’m
Periodization of Rice
Nutrition Tip: In the winter, stick with white rice to help put on size and strength. As summer approaches, transition to wild rice or cauliflower
Heavy Hip Thrusts Are Dangerous
On an episode of the Live Life Aggressively podcast, guest Jerry Brainum discusses the dangers of hip thrusts. He references a report where a 36-year-old
A Deep Stretch for Your Chest
Horizontal adduction and internal rotation of the humerus are two primary functions of the pectoralis major muscle. To stretch this muscle, you would perform the
Interpreting Research
I regularly read research papers and always highlight sections that stand out. Here are some examples from recent readings, along with my interpretation of the
Our Top 10 Articles of 2018
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the most popular and impactful content we shared in 2018. From personal
Evening Yoga Improves REM Sleep
Normally, I do yoga on Thursday afternoons. But on October 26, I decided to try it in the evening around 7:30 p.m.—and then went to
Sunbathing Is Good, Sunburning Is Bad
Not long ago, Dr. Peter Osborne, author of No Grain, No Pain, gave a fascinating talk on vitamin D. Here are some key insights from
Stay Ahead of the Research
There’s a big difference between book smarts and gym smarts—and if you want long-term success as a personal trainer, you need both. Just because something
The News Is Spreading Fast: Use METH for Injuries
METH is a highly effective way to treat injuries—and no, I’m not talking about methamphetamine. METH stands for Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat, and it