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 :
Gem From The Vault : How to Get Your Gym on the Map
Yael Grauer
We’ll be going into this in the Online Training Gymchat – the various ways to tell people where you are, and what you do.
Looking At : May 18, 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 : Leg Press Foot Position
Love the Leg Press.
Gymchat 247 – The Power of Visualization (Jen Mulhall)
There’s a PR up for grabs. Just before you begin the lift, what do you say to yourself? What are you thinking about?
This week we’ll be discussing the incredible power of Visualisation, and how it can help in this exact situation. Whether you’re looking to break your own record, or beat the competition.
Taking us through the entire process – and sharing their own experiences on what works, and what doesn’t – are Personal Trainers (and Strength Athletes) Jen Mulhall and Josh Hewett. Fantastic.
NB : We’d love to hear your questions and comments. If there’s a particular subject you’d like Jen and Josh to address, just swing by the event page for this Gymchat and leave a comment or jump in the Hangout and ask them directly.
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 : Personal Trainers (and Strength Athletes) Jen Mulhall and Josh Hewett, and You
Topic : The Power of Visualization
When : Wednesday May 22, 8:00pm EDT (the Event page shows what time that is in your local timezone).
How : Watch the live stream, or join the hangout (get your questions ready), directly on the Event page. We’ll also post the full video shortly after the Gymchat.
Coming Up : In an upcoming Gymchat we’ll be discussing the various forms of Online Training, and how each can be integrated into your existing fitness business. If you’re a Personal Trainer who’s currently offering online services – and would like to be on the panel – just drop Josh a line. Cheers.
Tip of the Week: Lifting Without a Spotter
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.
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 the Setting Up the Home Gym 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.
Checking Out : The Amazing Samson
Looks great.
Alexander Zass’ The Amazing Samson is another of the superb resources noted in Gymchat 237, with Logan Christopher and Josh Hewett. And as with the ‘Görner the Mighty‘ book we noted at the time, I haven’t read it for many, many years. Certainly keen to dive in this time around.
The book details Zass’ life and feats, both in training and in his various performances. Fantastic.
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 : The Buddy Carry on Stairs
This one is much, much tougher than it looks – the Buddy Carry on Stairs. Love it.
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.