squat

Dr Michaela Peramaki is a natural bodybuilder and former Division I pole-vaulter, and as if her practical experience with exercise is not enough, this buff-beauty is also a highly qualified doctor of physical therapy. When it comes to making gains with our glutes, Peramaki says there’s a split...

When it comes to the big lifts, technique is technique. But on top of mastering the form, everyone looks for progression – and there comes a time when even the best of us run into a stymie, and our strength (and size) doesn’t increase at the same linear rate that it did when we were 21 years...

We’ve all had our epic gym fails, but few of us have the nerve to upload our most cringeworthy moments for social media to consume. Recently, however, one Instagram user put a whole new spin on the term “lifting to failure,” with a funny but equally scary moment at the squat station. A few...

In many cases, a lifter’s leverages, injury history, or both, can frustrate his ability to perform well in large compound movements. Sadly, it’s left many with no choice but to abandon these moves and any variations for redundant sets of isolation training on machines, or movements that don’t...

In the world of strength training, there’s one day that stands out as both revered and feared: Leg Day. It’s the day that separates the dedicated from the indifferent, the strong from the weak. Too often, people skip leg day or go through the motions, avoiding the discomfort that comes with...

Love it or not, squatting is an effective way to build muscle and strength, and it’s a non-negotiable part of any serious workout routine. One squat variation that’s worth your attention is the single leg box squat. Overall box squat variations are fantastic for many reasons, but the three main...

As we learned in part 1 of this series, the squat pattern can take on many identities, and the best version is the best version to suit your comfort levels, body type, and individual goals. Depending on the skill level of the individual, the training effect that can be received from squat...

With all the different guides on exercising it can be very overwhelming for anybody and squatting is one of those exercises high on the list that everyone has an opinion on. There’s the basic how to’s, what’s a good squat form, and what’s a bad squat form, and the countless tips on how to fix...

When it comes to Olympic lifting, it’s about more than just the time you spend under the bar performing snatches and clean and jerks. You can hone the strength, stability, and technique required for these lifts through various olympic lift alternatives that don’t involve actual Olympic lifts...

People aren’t quick to admit that like many competitive sports, there’s an “ideal body type” for weight training success. Anyone can get a training effect from lifting weights, but leverages and skeletal build can help (or hurt) an individual tremendously when it comes to having a mechanical...

In Olympic Weightlifting competitions, the snatch is the first lift contested. Plain and simple, it’s described as one movement to move the bar from the floor to overhead. It’s a feat of power, strength, stability, and mobility. It takes time and dedication to enhance all of these qualities that...

Check out this 12-week Olympic Weightlifting Starter Program, designed to pave the way for your success on the platform. And if you’re new to the world of Olympic weightlifting, be sure to dive into The Ultimate Guide To Olympic Weightlifting Lifts for a solid foundation. Once you’ve delved...

The kettlebell is a tool that was initially used in Russia in the 1800s as a counterweight to weigh grains and other goods. Then the Russians realized they didn’t need to run in the cold for cardio and started swinging the bells full time. Kettlebell swings and their variations are foundational...

You must strap on the shoes and run, like a lot, to get better at running. You need to pick up and put down weight to get stronger, and when you do both, running magic will happen. Strength training turns a lot of marathon runners off because they believe they will get “too bulky” and slow them...

Mobility and strength are two sides of the same coin. Good strength training will improve overall mobility when the exercise is performed through a full range of motion. And uncomplicated mobility training improves your ability to go through a full ROM with strength exercises. What does that all...

What else do Drew Brees and Tom Brady have in common besides being Super Bowl champions? Both are also owners of Major League Pickleball (MLP) teams as this sport continues to become popular globally. When the sport started in 1965, it was popular with adults, but players of all ages are now...

How to Do the Landmine Squat for Stronger Legs The landmine squat is a unique exercise that builds serious strength in your legs while protecting your lower back. By changing the path of the resistance it allows you to squat deeper than a traditional back squat. Set Up the Landmine Squat Load...

No one talks about their one rep max for a dumbbell bench press and row. And why would they? Because boosting unilateral strength numbers is unheard of. If you ask a lifter how much they squat, bench, and deadlift, those numbers roll off the tongue. Ask them how long they have been married and...

The leg press gets a lot of love and hate. On the advantage side is the fixed range of motion, and your stable trunk takes core stability out of the equation. These two factors allow lifters to move massive weights. The fixed ROM and increased stability are a godsend for lifters who suffer from...

There is no more feared word in the gym vernacular than Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat (RFESS). The mere mention of it on the gym floor brings dirty looks from gymgoers and horror stories of taking the stairs after RFESS day. Neither is pretty, and it is best to speak this word with soft tones...