As we wrap up another year, let’s take a look back at some of the most popular and insightful articles we published in 2015. These ten articles covered everything from injury rehabilitation to Olympic lifting, flexibility training, and advanced strength techniques. If you missed any of them, now’s the perfect time to catch up! The…
Over the years, I’ve explored various injury prevention and treatment strategies for aging athletes. What I discovered was quite interesting—mainly that a high degree of the aging process is controlled by the brain. As mental function starts to decline, your body starts to fall apart. Boost the brain, and you’ll boost the body! One of…
Most strength programs marketed for self-defense are nothing more than conditioning routines disguised as strength training. They often feature circuit-style workouts with a random mix of weighted self-defense movements. Not only is this ineffective, but it also increases the risk of overuse injuries. A better approach is to focus on developing strength in the weight…
What happens when guys train with other guys? Often, the weight starts to pile on the bar, and form gets thrown out the window! “It’s all you, Bro. I’m barely touching it!” says your training partner while he deadlifts the bar off your chest. Out of a set of ten on the bench press, you…
Common Weight Training Injuries JP: What are the most common weight training injuries you see in your practice? Dr. S: The biggest issues I see stem from muscular imbalances—particularly between the superficial front and back lines (for more on this, check out Anatomy Trains). Tight hamstrings are a major culprit, but just as often, injuries…
An offset grip, sometimes referred to as an “off-center” grip, is often used during arm curls to increase activation of the short (medial) head of the biceps. The same concept can be applied to lateral raises. By using an offset grip—where the thumb and index finger are positioned against the front plate of the dumbbell—you…
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure The best way to deal with an injury is to prevent one from happening in the first place. Here are some suggestions to help keep you injury-free in the gym: The same logic applies to performing your favorite exercises every program… you know, the ones…
The Inevitable Truth Whether it’s during competition or training, injuries are bound to happen. It’s part of the game. If you play with any form of intensity for long enough, you’ll be nursing something eventually. Let’s take a look at the top injury in sports and in the gym. The #1 Athletic Injury I’m sure…
If an exercise doesn’t work for you or a client, then change it! No one is forcing you to stick with it. There are many ways to achieve the same goal. Modify the exercise, and if that variation still doesn’t work, choose a completely different movement that accomplishes the objective. Remember, if something doesn’t feel…
Many lifters struggle with an imbalance between the internal and external rotators of the shoulder. Most of the time, the internal rotators (pecs, lats, and anterior delts) are overactive and tight, while the external rotators (infraspinatus and teres minor) are weak and underdeveloped. The ShoulderHorn is a well-known tool for targeting the external rotators in…