Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu were known for experimenting in the gym to overcome weaknesses. One of their discoveries: squatting with a wider stance helps develop the inner thighs (see page 123 of Total Recall, Arnold’s autobiography, for more details). This is an area I’ve been targeting over the past couple of years using a…
For several weeks now, 15-year-old Joseph has been working hard on hanging-band squats and assisted chin-ups. Friday night he was able to see what effect that type of training has had. After working up to 45 pounds per side on hanging-band squats, he was ready for conventional squats with the “big plates.” No problem! Now,…
The half-kneeling rope woodchop and reverse woodchop are two exercises that work your obliques in a “spine-friendly” manner. These anti-rotational movements are a solid addition to any program if you want to train your core safely and effectively. Give them a shot!
The Angles90 grips are a great tool to add variety and reduce joint stress during pull-ups. One challenge, however, is that their lower starting position can cause the plates from a chin/dip belt to hit the floor at the bottom of the movement. If that’s the case, switch to a weighted vest like the Xvest…
Here’s a glimpse of my latest workout—a circuit training routine based on a system I call Modern Muscle Moulding. If your goal is to drop body fat while maintaining muscle, circuit training done the right way can be incredibly effective. The Modern Muscle Moulding approach blends strength and conditioning for maximum efficiency. You can read…
Here are some interesting moves from this morning’s workout: 1. Incline Telle Forward Dumbbell Raise This is a unique movement I picked up from Jerry Telle’s Beyond 2001 training manual. It’s excellent for targeting the anterior deltoids, medial deltoids, and serratus anterior. Be careful not to go too heavy—this one is all about control and…
My son is a wizard when it comes to digital devices. Hand him an iPhone, iPad, or iMac and he’s right at home. But as much as I appreciate his tech skills, I’m not a big fan of excessive screen time—or the posture-destroying, sedentary behavior that comes with it. To counteract the effects of extended…
When it comes to kids and exercise, fun is the key! If you can turn physical activity into a game, you’ll build lifelong habits and create positive associations with movement. My son loves watching Ultimate Beastmaster on Netflix—so we created our own version right in the gym. It’s a simple obstacle course that includes running,…
A great antagonist movement for abdominal exercises like Ab 45s and the Reclining Field Goal is the Superman Back Extension. It’s best performed on a back hyperextension bench or a glute-ham raise (GHR) machine. To do it, extend your arms fully overhead and keep them in line with your torso throughout the set. Raise your…
I discovered this unique abdominal exercise about a decade ago in the e-book The Bodybuilding Truth by Nelson Montana. According to Montana, abdominal development is genetically determined, and classic movements like sit-ups and leg raises are largely ineffective for the abs—those movements hit the psoas (hip flexors) more than anything. Montana believes the abdominals respond…