When it comes to maximizing your performance in the gym, there’s a strategy that can take your training to the next level: priming. Priming involves super setting activation drills and explosive movements before your main lifts, tapping into the powerful concept of Post-Activation Potentiation...
The common thread that links basically any exercise together is the fact that maintaining spinal integrity is usually paramount, and of prime importance. Many times it goes beyond simply using good posture when performing a big movement – especially if you’re someone who’s more susceptible to...
Amid all the conflicting information about a warm up before a training session, it’s heartwarming to know that doing something is much better than doing nothing before your workout begins. But knowing just what to do may be a bit more daunting a task. Doing the wrong warm up can be ineffective...
Kettlebell training dates all the way back to 18th century Russia, however it still feels like yesterday that you’d be fortunate enough to find a decent set of bells at your neighborhood fitness club. That’s starting to change as kettlebells continue to increase in popularity among mainstream...
Since the beginning of time, humans moved all day long. They walked everywhere and used their bodies constantly (and with ease), building shelters, foraging food, and trenching through rugged terrane while providing for their families.
As time went on, the world became more modernized, and...
Did the chicken or the egg come first? Who cares? Both chicken and the egg are delicious—and you’re wondering what this has to do with mobility exercises.
Stay with me for a moment. In the fitness universe, “experts” have often debated which exercise quality is more important to train...
The dead bug exercise is a silly name for any exercise, there’s no getting around that. The movement doesn’t appear to do anything that beneficial, which is why many lifter may shrug it off and ignore incorporating it into their routine.
That’s a real shame because when the dead bug is...
Has your leg growth fallen behind? Are you in need of a solid leg day, but don't have access to a squat rack. Try barbell hack squats for instant growth!
During the inception of the strength and conditioning game there was only iron.
This was an era where machines didn’t exist. If you wanted to...
It’s hard not to be impressed when you see someone performing muscle-ups! You can see, immediately, that he or she has put in the time and dedication to make their “machine” strong and capable.
Muscle-ups are a very challenging, advanced movement that demands explosiveness and power from many...
Eccentric training is more than just a burnout technique. You can use heavy negatives in your daily routine to see big strength gains in the gym.
If you are like most weight lifters, you have probably incorporated an eccentric emphasis into a workout from time to time, maybe adding an extra...
This article outlines everything you need to know to help you build a coveted V-tapered physique. Check out all of the tips & tricks you need to know!
WORKOUT SUMMARY
Main Goal
Build Muscle
Workout Type
Split
Training Level
Beginner
Program Duration12 weeks
Days Per Week
5
Time Per Workout45-60...
Mastering The Straight Arm Pulldown
The Straight Arm Pulldown
The straight arm pulldown is an excellent lat-isolating strength exercise which has been derived from the classic lat pulldown exercise. Unlike the lat pulldown, the straight arm variation involves assuming a standing position...
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced athlete, having abs is awesome. Nothing beats the feeling of being able to pull up the bottom of the shirt to reveal a sliced six pack abs. The definition comes from dieting, but training them is important too. A quality ab workout will go a long way in...
When it comes to performing a full-body workout, are we really hitting every necessary moves? There’s a slight chance that in our search for creating the most effective workout in the shortest amount of time, effectiveness at times gets sacrificed for efficiency.
The benefits of incorporating...
All branches of the United States Armed Forces are united by a common bond — to serve and protect both domestic and abroad. While that mission will never change, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a friendly rivalry amongst themselves. One example of this is the annual Army-Navy football game. Both...
Here is a ranking of the best exercises for building a better chest based on personal experience and the training articles of top IFBB pro bodybuilders. This is not necessarily a determination of exercise order, but the exercises that are most effective for muscle fiber recruitment and targeting...
With an increasing range of fancy workout machines crowding gym floors, it’s easy to assume that there are more mass building options than ever.
Workout machines, various cables, and gimmicky training devices can be fun to use.
However, nothing beats gutting it out under the unforgiving weight...
Of all the reasons Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered a legend – and there are certainly many – the Arnold Press, a shoulder exercise named after the Austrian Oak, is one that every gym rat has performed. As a guy who has loved the gym for as long as I can remember, that’s a definite sign of...
The strength and conditioning world can become a bit polarized sometimes.
Okay, not sometimes. Often.
It’s easy to fall down the education pigeon hole that can make a lifter or coach write off any method that isn’t a conventional strength training protocol using barbells or dumbbells as the...
The lat pulldown is an exercise that can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to back training. That’s because pull ups are considered the more effective version as well as the more “hardcore” movement.
The lat pulldown is also sometimes frowned upon because it’s the movement that is...