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 : The Demise of Monkey Bars
Scott Andrew Bird
Cause of accidents, or a sad loss?- Looking At : Feb 8, 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 : Workout and Vitamin Supplementation
More diet-related goodness : supplementation. Nice one.
Btw, what sorts of supplements do you take there?
Gymchat 275 – How Food Choices Affect Your Body (Kamal Patel)
What’s your current diet like? More importantly, what should it be like?
This week we take a look at the world of nutrition – how various types of foods affect your body. Regardless of your training goals, it’s important to understand how what you eat impacts things.
Helping us tackle this one is Nutrition Researcher Kamal Patel, joined by Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett. Fantastic.
NB : We love hearing everyones’ comments, questions and feedback in general. If there’s a particular subject you’d like Kamal 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 : Nutrition Researcher Kamal Patel and Personal Trainer (and Strength Athlete) Josh Hewett
Topic : How Food Choices Affect Your Body
When : Monday Feb 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: Modifying Lifts – The Jefferson
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 : Weighted Vest Workouts
Looks good.
Next on the reading list here : Jonathan Thompson’s ‘Weighted Vest Workouts‘. A close look at this deceptively simple piece of equipment; how to load it up (in all kinds of ways), and how to put it to work. There’s also a spot of detail on ankle and wrist weights.
The kindle version’s already available, the paperback edition comes out Feb 17th.
NB : If you’ve been training for a while, chances are you already know many of the exercises it outlines. However, if you’re just beginning your strength-training journey, this looks like a great addition to your collection.
Jonathan Thompson’s ‘Weighted Vest Workouts‘. 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 : Modified French Press (Horizontal Motion)
This is an interesting variation on the triceps press – using a horizontal motion. Good stuff.
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.