It’s not how much you do, but how you do it. Controlled “pin-touch” reps on the bench press are far better than uncontrolled “bounce-off-your-chest” reps. As far as load, anything above your body weight for reps is good. Unless you’re a powerlifter, it’s not the absolute amount that counts, but rather the relative amount compared…
Believe it or not, many lifters get injured not during a set, but while getting in and out of position—either before the exercise starts or after it ends! The lying dumbbell press is a classic example. It can be tricky, especially when you’re handling heavy weights. Unless you have two strong, experienced spotters to hand…
Do you know what the most common injury in the gym is? It’s a weight dropping on your foot. Don’t let it happen! Here’s the right way to load and unload a bar when squatting or bench pressing: There’s a risk involved with any weight training exercise, and deadlifts are no exception. You might get…
As I discussed in my Warm-Up to Strength Training DVD, incorporating plyometrics before weight training can significantly enhance performance—if done correctly. Many top strength coaches swear by this method, and the science backs it up. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance found that performing explosive-force movements immediately before a…
The reverse bench press is not mentioned often and I must admit, I don’t prescribe it too frequently either, but it can be a great triceps exercise. The big knock against it: comfort! It’s not a “wrist-friendly” movement, especially under a heavy load. But there’s a way to transform this into a winner, it’s called…