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 : Bare-Handed Nail Driving Basics
Ryan Pitts
Looking for a serious challenge? Try this.
Looking At : Feb 2, 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 : 100lb Plate Hold for Time
A deceptively simple challenge – holding a couple of 100lb plates for as long as possible. Try it, and you’ll see what I mean.
Nice one Logan.
Gymchat 234 – Fitness Industry Posers (Education vs Experience) (Bill Piche)
When you’re looking for a Personal Trainer, what sorts of things do you consider, and expect to see? Is a little time ‘under the bar‘ important, or are you more concerned with them knowing what they’re talking about?
This week we’re tackling this area – discussing the value of education vs experience when it comes to training. How to evaluate what’s on offer, and the types of things to consider when choosing someone to work with. Helping us tackle this one is Powerlifter Bill Piche, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett. Fantastic.
If you’ve got questions/comments for Bill or Josh, just swing by the event page for this Gymchat. 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 : Powerlifter Bill Piche, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett
Topic : Fitness Industry Posers (Education vs Experience)
When : Wednesday Feb 5, 9:00pm 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 233 we discussed The Basics of Getting STRONG (with Powerlifter Tyler Thor Jefferis 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: The Modified Jefferson Lift
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 Jason‘s superb article 29 Things to do with a Barbell in the Corner; and looks at just one of the many ways to put a partly-loaded barbell to work. The Modified Jefferson Lift.
Over to Jason :
This is where you straddle the barbell with both legs, and grasp above the weights while you lower yourself straight down as if sitting down into a chair. The R.O.M. is limited so you can use heavier weights if you feel comfortable.
Good stuff.
Checking Out : Basic Anabolic Hypertrophy Training
Perfect.
Josh Hewett’s shared some fantastic information over the years – in the form of videos, articles and, well, just doing it. Good stuff.
His latest offering, Basic Anabolic Hypertrophy Training, is certainly no exception. A detailed guide to putting a little more muscle on your frame; regardless of your starting point. If you’re ready to put the work in, Josh is ready to help.
Best of all – he’s used this program with a number of clients, so you know it works. Basic Anabolic Hypertrophy Training.
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 : Band Sumo Walk
I love the versatility of bands. Try the Band Sumo Walk.
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.
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.
Free Downloads from the Strength Kit
I recently added a number of resources to the Straight to the Bar Strength Kit, and as a Strength & Fitness Newsletter subscriber you’re more than welcome to download as many of them as you like. Several great eBooks, podcasts and videos – all absolutely free.
Just head over here, save them to your hard-drive, and dive in.
Good stuff.
NB : This is an ever-changing list. If you’d like to put your own work in front of a fantastic strength-focussed audience, let me know.
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.