This Week on Straight to the Bar
I’m constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you’re looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you’ll enjoy these :
Cardio on an Empty Stomach – Does it Burn More Fat?
Maik Wiedenbach
For fat loss, there’s nothing like a little cardio to start the day. Or is there?
Looking At : Mar 25, 2012
Scott Andrew Bird
We’ve been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.
Over to you. I’d love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you’d like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here’s how.
Video : Foam Rolling for the Lower Body
It may look a little unusual, but a spin with the foam roller is a fantastic part of a solid recovery session. Highly recommended.
NB : this is the roller he’s using in the video. Great thing.
Gymchat 162 – TBA
Still confirming a couple of details with this one. I’ll announce everything shortly, over on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and the blog. Wherever you are, you’ll hear about it.
NB : if you’ve just joined us on Google+, welcome. Swing by on Mar 28, and add a comment/ask a question or three. Dive in.
Details –
Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : TBA
When : Wed Mar 28, 9pm EDT (2am UTC)
How : Post a comment, question or reply
Where : Google+
If you’ve never been to one of these discussions before, here’s how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.
And to see when it’s on in your timezone, head over to the calendar.
See you there.
Quick update on last week’s gymchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Belts, Wraps & Straps. Some superb ideas in there.
For those who missed out on the conversation, here’s the transcript. Was a great one.
NB : if you’d like to add a fitness-related event (either a competition you’re taking part in, or something you’re helping to organise there), just login to the forums and add it to the calendar. Cheers.
Maik Wiedenbach Interview
Quick one : Personal Trainer Maik Wiedenbach will be interviewed this Monday (at 9:30 EDT) on Good Day NY, about the 101 Fitness Myths ebook and training in general. If you’re in the area, watch it live; we’ll also be posting the video as soon as it’s available.
Tip of the Week: Ice for Better Sleep
Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there’s always a way to improve what you’re doing.
Sleep is easily my favourite form of recovery. Huge fan of a well-timed nap, and the associated dietary fine-tuning. Love it.
This tip comes to us from the recent Gymchat on sleep as a recovery method, and is a comment by Personal Trainer Derek Peruo on how he helps his new clients get a solid dose of shut-eye. Very interesting approach.
Over to Derek :
For sleep, I usually recommend zinc and magnesium. If those don’t help, I also recommend an ice pack to the back of the neck right before bed.
The ice pack lowers core temperature and promotes the release of melatonin.
And yes, all of those things work extremely well.
Good stuff.
Stocking Up : 15% off Everything at AtLarge Nutrition
I’ve long been a fan of the team at AtLarge Nutrition (here’s why). Superb guys.
If you haven’t already, swing by their store, grab as much as you can, and get a huge 15% discount when you go to check out. Protein powders, BCAA; whatever you like.
Beautiful.
Quick update on the superb The Primal Blueprint we first looked at quite a while ago now. Holds up extremely well.
Recently I re-read this (yet again – it’s a great book), after discussing the numerous benefits of a Primal diet with a friend of mine. There’s a full review here, but suffice to say if ridiculously good health is something you’re after, it’s essential reading.
Love it.
Exercise of the Week : Pull-up Progressions
Pull-ups are fantastic things, and simply too good to ignore. No matter what your current pull-up abilities are, take a look at this. There’s definitely a starting point in there somewhere.
For a demonstration of several Pull-up Progressions (assisted and otherwise), it’s over to NorthPoint’s Rebecca Pedrick. Nice one.
Incidentally, if you’d like to get in touch regarding this or any other aspect of strength, you can send me an email here. Look forward to hearing from you.
Free Straight to the Bar eBooks
As a Strength & Fitness Newsletter subscriber you get several great eBooks, absolutely free. Just head over here, save them to your hard-drive, and dive in.
Good stuff.
NB : This is an ever-changing list of books. If you’d like to put your own work in front of a fantastic strength-focussed audience, let me know.
Time for Some New Gear? Here’s What to Get, and How to Use It
Thanks to everyone who’s sent in feedback (via email, Facebook and Twitter) about the Straight to the Bar Guides – it’s greatly appreciated.
For everyone who hasn’t seen them yet, the Guides will help you decide what to get (and where), and how to train with it. There’s some great information in there.