Electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) can be a valuable tool for weightlifters. Here are four ways you can benefit from EMS: Kots’ method works well 4–6 hours after a workout as part of a double-split system, while the recovery method is best used the day after training. The latter can be conveniently performed while working on…
The standard side-lying dumbbell external rotation primarily overloads the middle of the range of motion. If you use a resistance tube, it shifts the overload to the end of the range. But what about the start of the range? That’s where these two variations come in. I learned the Buchberger External Rotation from renowned shoulder…
I’ve always tried to avoid problems. If a glass is near the edge of a table, I move it. If a parking spot is too tight, I find another one. But the other day, I had an epiphany—maybe avoiding problems isn’t always the best strategy. In fact, having a few challenges might actually help with…
You won’t find a better exercise for building the lower body than the squat. However, that doesn’t mean squats should be the only tool in your toolbox! Recently, single-leg training has been championed as a suitable alternative to bilateral squatting, with split squat and lunge variations being the go-to choices for folks seeking a break…
In the presentation below, I introduce a fresh approach to structuring strength training programs: The Alternating Conjugate Periodization Model. This method optimizes strength development by strategically alternating training variables to prevent plateaus and maximize progress. I think you’ll find it interesting—take a look. For a deeper dive into periodization strategies, check out page 101 of…
One of my most popular articles to date is about calf training: The Answer for Massive Calves It’s been widely discussed in forums, and I still receive questions about this method—especially about tempo: “Is it really necessary to go that slow when training calves?” Yes, it absolutely is. Here’s why. Why Slow Reps Matter for…
Staying up to date with scientific research can provide valuable insights for health and fitness professionals. If you’re a personal trainer, here are some recent findings that can help you stay ahead of the pack: 1. Recruit Fast-Twitch Muscle Fibers for Rehab and Performance Lovering performed muscle biopsies of the rotator cuff and found the…
We know that the supraspinatus plays a greater role in the first 15–30 degrees of a lateral raise, while medial deltoid activity peaks between 90–120 degrees. So, how can we use this information to our advantage? If you want to place more stress on the supraspinatus fibers—such as during rehab from a rotator cuff repair—overload…
I have hundreds of old muscle magazines tucked away in storage, but the one that started it all for me was the December 1985 issue of MuscleMag International, featuring Scott Wilson on the cover. I must have read that magazine every day for weeks. One of the standout pieces in that issue was an excerpt…
Most people “wear their shoulders too low,” according to Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, author of Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes. At an Ontario Kinesiology Society seminar in 2004, Sahrmann pointed out that shoulder depression causes more problems than elevation—one of the most common being neck pain. Simply raising the shoulder girdle can improve cervical…