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 : Heavy Sandbag Training Part I
Mike Amos
Building the Sandbags.
Looking At : Mar 1, 2015
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 a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here’s how.
Video : Crushing Potatoes with Your Hands
The best way to mash potatoes. Nice one Chris.
Gymchat 277 – Craig Bongelli (Strongman and Strength Coach)
Really looking forward to this one – Craig’s certainly a fascinating guy.
As we’re still finalising the details, I’ll post an update on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show – there’s a full list here. And if you’ve got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we’d love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.
Details –
Who : Strongman and Strength Coach Craig Bongelli, Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett, and You
Topic : Chat with Craig Bongelli
When : Monday Mar 9, 8:00pm EDT (the Event page shows what time that is in your local timezone).
How : Watch the live stream, join the hangout (just add Top Form Fitness to one of your circles, and Josh’ll send out the URL when the Hangout starts), or jump in the Q&A on the Event page itself. We’ll also post the full video shortly after the Gymchat.
Coming Up : We’ve got several fantastic discussions coming up shortly – with Powerlifter Bill Piche, Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Palfrey and many, many others. Of course, we’re always scheduling more; if you’d like to suggest either a topic or a person that should definitely be on the show, drop us a line. Cheers.
Tip of the Week: Using (and Making) a Fat Bar
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.
This tip comes to us from the obscenely strong Max Shank, in the form of a video from the article The Fat Bar. Take a look.
This video shows the bar in action. To read how it helps, and how to make one; head over to the article The Fat Bar. Nice one.
Over to Max :
Good stuff.
Checking Out : The Stubborn Fat Solution 1.1
Looks good.
As you can no doubt tell from the title, this is the updated version of Lyle McDonald’s Stubborn Fat Solution. Full review shortly (I’m about to dive in to it myself), but first a few words from Lyle on the reason for the update :
In the original Stubborn Fat Solution, I briefly discussed a hormone called Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP). As I talked about, ANP represents an entirely new fat burning (lipolytic) pathway that works outside of the normal insulin/catecholamine mechanisms.
But at the time, I saw and knew of no meaningful way of manipulating or impacting the pathway and left it at that. A little while later I would find a solution and this booklet was actually started years ago; then I put it away.
Recently, in researching something else, I found that ANP appeared to be even more powerful than I had previously thought. Because in addition to stimulating fat mobilization, ANP (and the other natriuretic peptides) can also increase levels and activity of beige fat (a brown-fat like type of fat that humans actually have) along with helping to control appetite.
Lyle McDonald’s Stubborn Fat Solution 1.1. Good stuff.
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 : Reynir Sterki performing Hip Lift
A lift rarely seen these days – the Hip Lift; demonstrated here by Icelandic Strongman Reynir Sterki. Nice one.
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.
Straight to the Bar Strength Calendar
Taking part in, helping out with or going to watch an upcoming strength competition?
Tell us about it.
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.