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 :
- Quael dich, du Sau! (Talent Alone Means Nothing!)
Maik Wiedenbach
Sometimes you’ve just got to put in the work. - Looking At : May 6, 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 : Muscle Up Progressions
How are your muscle-ups?
Gymchat 168 – Workout Nutrition II
The other side of training – nutrition.
This week we’re returning to our conversation on diet, looking at Workout Nutrition. What to consume before/during/after a workout, how it changes based on workout type, and why it all works. The good stuff.
Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than Olympic athlete, personal trainer and nutritionist Maik Wiedenbach. Fantastic.
As a bonus, we’ll also be having a bit of a giveaway this week. Maik will be giving out 5 copies of his ‘101 Fitness Myths‘ ebook shortly after the gymchat, to randomly chosen commenters. If you’d like a chance to win a copy of the book, just fire in a question or comment at any point during the discussion.
Details –
Who : Olympic athlete, personal trainer and nutritionist Maik Wiedenbach
Topic : Workout Nutrition II
When : Wed May 9, 9pm EDT (here’s how to find out when that is in your timezone)
How : Post a comment, question or reply
Link : https://plus.google.com/u/0/113406428532094481598/posts/T8rqkYjru3A
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.
For everyone who’s joining us for their first Gymchat, welcome. Just dive right in, and ask Maik any nutrition-related questions you like.
See you there.
Quick update on last week’s gymchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion : Setting Up the Home Gym. 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.
The Hunt for Broken Links
Straight to the Bar has been around for more than 8 years now, and there are a lot of articles/videos/photos/reviews to say the least. Nearly 6,000 in fact (there’s a full list here).
Unfortunately, this number also means there’s inevitably a video that’s no longer available, or a link to a site which has just moved. Whatever it is, I’m always looking to fix it as quickly as possible.
To help me find the problems : if you spot something that isn’t quite working right – a video that’s been removed, or a link that no longer works – let me know. Leave a comment, or send me a message on Google+, Twitter or Facebook (all of the details here). As a bonus, you’ll receive a selection of strength-training goodness shortly afterward. Not to mention my eternal gratitude.
Thank-you.
Tip of the Week: Lifting Without a Spotter
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.
I love the home gym – it’s definitely the perfect place to focus, and to really get to work. Particularly when you’re training solo.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when lifting by yourself. In last week’s Gymchat, Andrew noted his own guidelines for Lifting Without a Spotter. Good stuff.
From Gymchat 167 – Setting Up the Home Gym :
My personal general rules for lifting without a spotter:
Don’t do:
- 1. Anything I haven’t done before.
- 2. Anything that could get me killed.
- 3. Anything that I am not 100% sure that I will get all the reps.
- 4. Anything that I cannot do with good form.
Do:
- 1. Anything that doesn’t violate the “don’t do” and will get me stronger!
Love it.
Looking Forward To : StrongerGrip Modular Grip System
Beautiful.
If you’ve ever tried any of the StrongerGrip gear (and if you’re a grip fan, you absolutely need to give it a run – superb equipment), you’ll certainly appreciate this. After being in the works for years, the StrongerGrip Modular Grip System is finally ready for prime time.
Full details shortly, but in the meantime, here’s what’s in the collection so far :
- The Thickburger grip plug-in
- 2-3/8″ V-bar (with other V-bar options as well)
- 3″ GripBall plug-in (other sizes to follow)
- Plateau Buster Handle
- StrongerGrip loading pins
- Bear Hug device
Also available will be a hook (like on the GripBalls) into which plugs each of these attachments.
All-in-all, it’s an awesome setup. Full specs and videos shortly.
Quick update on the superb Fixing Elbow Pain we mentioned recently. Suffice to say that if you’ve ever experienced conditions like Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow, it’s essential reading.
Love it.
Exercise of the Week : Long-Pull Triceps Extension
I love coming across new exercises (new to me that is); and a few years ago I stumbled across this gem – demonstrated here by Larry Scott – the Long-Pull Triceps Extension.
Brilliant.
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.