strength

The most often asked gym question is, ‘How much do you bench?’ No one ever asks how much you chin up, but they should. Although the bench press is a fantastic exercise to add upper body size and strength, the chin up, in my opinion, is the gold standard when it comes to upper body strength. It’s...

Getting out in the great outdoors and admiring what it offers is a worthwhile pursuit. One excellent way to do this is hiking. Hiking is a long walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside, and became popular in 18th-century Europe. Currently, hiking is enjoying a resurgence in North...

Most of us have heard the term “functional fitness.” It’s been associated with all kinds of fitness trends. When the phrase first became popular, it seemed like it was practically all about performing an insane variety of gym circus tricks—you know, like balancing on air-filled discs while...

In the 1930s, golfers were told to avoid gyms until Tiger Woods turned Pro in 1996. Back then, there was a belief that a strength training program for golfers would ‘tighten’ the body. Golfers were instead told that walking five to six miles per round was enough to maintain fitness. Then, in...

The great Dan John downplays the importance of lunges, while other coaches overplay their significance in the strength realm. No matter where you fall on the lunge scale, there is one fact most can agree on. They suck, and they’re difficult. IMO, almost every lifter will benefit by having a...

If you have ever watched a basketball pickup game or a college or NBA game, it is easy to marvel at the players’ athleticism as they jump out of the gym and change direction at the drop of a hat. Some with blessed genetics can do this, and some can do it at a high level, but I will most...

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...

Have you seen those “runners” who run on the side of the road, who seem to run solely to lose weight? The pained expression on their face as they struggle with every step because they believe that running is the best way to lose weight. This article is not for them, but if you’re serious about...

Despite what you see in your social media feeds of dramatic fat loss results, training and eating for fat loss is hard. Like really hard. Ronnie Coleman said that everyone wants to get big, but no one wants to lift heavy weights. Something similar could be said for fat loss. Everybody wants to...

Tiny tweaks in your wrist position when pumping iron can result in impressive muscular improvements. “It is often overlooked how a simple change in hand placement can make a difference in muscular results,” explains Natalie Wolfe, NASM, CPT. Without having to change an actual exercise, “Simply...

There are not many more satisfying things in the gym than pulling a heavy barbell deadlift from the floor. It’s you versus the barbell, and you win. The regular barbell deadlift is not the greatest exercise to build muscle due to a lack of eccentric contraction, but it sets the table for muscle...

The ab wheel rollout isn’t a fancy exercise. But this simple move is a lot harder than it looks and it takes a lot of effort and practice to perfect ab rollout form. And after a set or two, you’ll quickly learn that ab rollouts will indeed crush your abs. The more significant eccentric or...

University of Georgia football strength and conditioning coach Scott Sinclair has no offseason. For the many non-football staffers in his inner circle, the year-round commitment is sometimes hard to understand during the sizzling summer months. “I might be at church or somebody you see at the...

To get better at performing chinups, you need to do more chinups. It would be best if you actually did the thing, which some people miss. But when doing more doesn’t improve performance, it’s time to train smart. This is where these four chinup accessory exercises come in. Chinups are one of...

A muscular body looks good and is often a goal for many weightlifters. Clothes look (and feel) better, and compliments from others are a constant confidence booster. Not to mention, looking and feeling strong is priceless. However, the benefits of muscle mass reach beyond aesthetics. “Your...

Are you a person to exercise on vacation? If you are, then this is for you. Summer vacation is a great time to mix up your workouts because you haven’t the gym to fall back on. When time and equipment are limited, it is time to get creative and train with this short sharp high-intensity training...

There’s probably no need to tell you that dumbbell rows are near the top of the list when it comes to helping build a massive back, as well as blow up your biceps and improve your grip strength. But did you know that a combination of different unilateral dumbbell row variations each serve a...

British obstacle course competitor Mila Stanzani recently returned from Hungary where she represented the U.K. in the European Championships. This elite athlete, who has also appeared on the U.K.’s edition of “Ninja Warrior,” does stunt work, and has a fast growing following on social...

The trap bar deadlift is a godsend variation for lifters who can no longer pull from the ground with the barbell. With the weight being more in line with your center of gravity and the elevated handles, the trap bar puts less stress on the lower back and reduces your range of motion; both...