Blog
From Zero to Two: Leo’s Chin-Up Breakthrough
When Leo began training with me in September 2024, our first goal was to improve body composition — lose fat, build a foundation. By May
Front Squats with Chains
Here’s a quick look at wave loading in action — with a twist of accommodating resistance. Chains not only change the strength curve… they change
Unilateral Training: Which Side First?
When performing unilateral (one side at a time) training, the common advice is to start with your weaker side while you’re fresh, and then train
The Hanging Bat Crunch
If basic abdominal crunches are too easy for you, here’s a more advanced version that will literally turn your world upside down — it’s called
Should You Train When You're Sick?
When you’re feeling sick, the knee-jerk reaction is often to skip training and rest. But in some cases, exercise can actually be beneficial. To help
The Most Important Variable for Muscle Hypertrophy
Several variables influence muscle hypertrophy (growth), including how much weight you lift (intensity), how many total reps you perform (volume), and how often you lift
Get More From Weights Than Aerobics
The number one reason people exercise is to lose weight, and aerobic activity is crucial for that… right? Sure, you may lose weight—but at what
Pre-Workout Stimulants
Everyone has their own unique pre-workout ritual. Some people prefer to blast music to get revved up for their workout. Others watch motivational videos, and
Strength Training Motivation
What motivates you during a workout? I mean, when you’re about to get under a bar stacked with 45s that can staple you to the
How Much Should the Knees Bend During Squats and Deadlifts?
When it comes to squats and deadlifts, you can analyze knee mechanics in great detail—or keep it simple. Let’s take the easy route: While individual
A Simple After-School Snack
With the kids back in school, here’s a quick and tasty snack that will keep them satisfied until dinner. Unlike the usual snacks kids reach
Climbing to New Heights: An Inspirational Story
We all experience injuries in life. Minor ones are usually no big deal—you make a few adjustments to your training, give it time, and things
The Value of Isometric Training
Few stories highlight the power of isometric (static) training better than The Spiritual Journey of Joseph L. Greenstein: The Mighty Atom by Ed Spielman. In
5 Exercise Problems and Solutions
There are certain exercises that are simply too uncomfortable or seem to fatigue everything but the target muscle. Usually, you just stay away from them,
Parallel-Bar Dips for Females: How to Get a Positive Outcome from a Negative Action
Many females struggle with parallel-bar dips much like they do with chin-ups. If you perceive that you’re unable to do an exercise, sure enough, you’ll
Negative-Only Parallel-Bar Dips
Many women struggle with parallel-bar dips, but that can change quickly with the right approach. Negative-only training is a powerful method to build the necessary
Force Results with Triple Split Training
In strength training, it’s best to coax or nudge adaptation, or so we’re told. The body can only adapt at a certain rate and trying
Keeping Up with Current Research (September 2016)
Staying up to date with scientific research can give you a competitive edge as a personal trainer. Here are some recent findings that can enhance
One PlateMate, an Offset Grip, and Two Arm Exercises
Did you know that simply shifting your grip on a dumbbell can change muscle activation? Using an offset grip—where you hold the dumbbell closer to
What Do Females and Endurance Athletes Have in Common?
Ever notice that women and endurance athletes can perform more reps at a given intensity than the average guy? That’s because they typically have a
3 Warm-Up Methods for More Strength
Want to lift heavier? Try tricking your nervous system with these three advanced warm-up strategies: 1. Postactivation Potentiation (PAP) for Strength Gains Gradually ramp up