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 :
The Reversal of Sports : From ‘Aspirational‘ to ‘Pure‘
Scott Andrew Bird
Possible? Likely? What do you think will happen?- Looking At : Apr 6, 2014
Scott Andrew Bird
What’s been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.
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’re keen to do more writing in 2014 and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here’s how.
Video : World’s Highest Push-up
Gymchat 243 – How to Improve Your Pull Ups (Frank DiMeo)
There are certainly many, many varieties of chin-ups and pull-ups. Fantastic exercises.
This week we’re taking a detailed look at these amazing exercises, and discussing how to increase both their quality and quantity. Whether you can already knock them out by the dozen, or are gearing up for your first.
Helping us tackle this one – as well as your questions (just post them on the Event page, or use the Q&A tool during the discussion itself) is Strength Coach Frank DiMeo, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett. Fantastic.
NB : We’d love to hear your questions and comments. If there’s a particular subject you’d like Frank and Josh to address, just swing by the event page for this Gymchat and leave a comment or jump in the Q&A (during the discussion itself).
And if you’d like to point your friends/colleagues to the discussion, just use the ‘share‘ button at the top of that page. The more the merrier.
Details –
Who : Strength Coach Frank DiMeo, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett
Topic : How to Improve Your Pull Ups
When : Wednesday Apr 9, 8:00pm EDT (the Event page shows what time that is in your local timezone).
How : Watch the live stream, and ask questions, directly on the Event page. We’ll also post the full video shortly after the Gymchat.
See you there.
Previously : In Gymchat 242 we discussed The Role of Genetics in Aesthetics & Performance (with Powerlifter Bill Piche and Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett). Great conversation.
If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can watch the entire video here.
Tip of the Week: Speedbag Punch Technique
Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there’s always a way to improve what you’re doing.
The humble speedbag is a fantastic tool. When it comes to the right way to use it, there’s no better place to discuss technique than the incredible Speed Bag Forum.
Amazing place.
This tip comes to us from SBF‘s own Alan Kahn, and looks at a couple of the basic techniques (leading up to a front + side punch combination). Good stuff.
Checking Out : 8 Weeks to SEALFIT – A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Unconventional Training for Physical and Mental Toughness
Looks great.
I’m a big fan of both physical and mental strength, and this book has an intriguing combination of the two. Mark Divine‘s 8 Weeks to SEALFIT.
Full review shortly, in the meantime here’s a comment from the Amazon page to give you a taste :
Jumping into this program taught me something really important: you cannot HIDE from the work required here. I’ve been doing more traditional weight lifting and strength programs at the gym over the last many months, and while the plans and programs have gone rather well for me, in just six days of working on this program I realized that I hadn’t been giving it my all, and I’d been cutting corners. With 8 Weeks to SEALfit, if you stay committed to the work in front of you, you can’t hide. And that’s a great thing.
Good stuff. 8 Weeks to SEALFIT.
Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently – fantastic thing.
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
Exercise of the Week : Dumbbell Rotations In the Rack
Love this one – Dumbbell Rotations in the Rack. Good fun.
Incidentally, if you’d like to get in touch regarding this or any other aspect of strength, you can contact me here. Look forward to hearing from you.
New Guide : The Straight to the Bar Guide to Fat Loss
We’ve received some fantastic feedback following Vic Magary‘s Gymchats on Fat Loss, cheers. Greatly appreciated.
If fat loss is one of your own fitness goals, and you haven’t yet watched the discussions, you’ll find them all here. I’ve also added several other fat loss resources we’ve noted over the years – all of them highly recommended. Dive in.
Kettlebell Exercise Demonstrations & Tutorials
We’ve looked at a lot of kettlebell exercises and variations over the years – in the form of tips, tutorials and demonstrations.
Where do you find them all? Right here – a complete list of Kettlebell Exercise Demonstrations & Tutorials.
Enjoy.
A Daily Dose
Love this stuff? Same here. If you’re looking for a daily dose of strength-training goodness, grab the Straight to the Bar Daily.
Absolutely free.
Giving
If you’ve been training for a while, gradually cleaning up your diet, no doubt you’ve experienced the amazing power of transformation. It’s a tremendous feeling.
If you’re ready to give someone else a hand to transform their own lives – through education, sharing equipment, financial help – take a look at the full list of organisations on the Giving page. Cheers.
Images on Straight to the Bar
Finally, a quick guide to some of the incredible images we use on Straight to the Bar. It’s safe to say that there are quite a few of them, and you’ll find all the details here.