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 : DIY – How to Build an Olympic Weightlifting Platform
  Kat ‘The Mighty Kat’ Ricker
  Setting up a home gym?

  
  

• Looking At : Aug 23, 2015
  Scott Andrew Bird |
  Follow @scottbird
  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, get in touch.

Video : Dumbbell Tricep Extensions against Mini Bands

Very interesting combination.

Gymchat 277 – TBA

We’re still finalising the details for this week’s discussion. I’ll post them 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 an example below, and 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.

Sincere Hogan.

Previously : In Gymchat 253 we discussed Improving Recovery & Performance (with New Warrior Training Systems’ Sincere Hogan, joined by Strongman & Personal Trainer 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.


NB : if you’d like to take part in a future episode – either as an interviewee, or as a guest host – just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week: Nails – Converting Imperial to Metric

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.

150mm (6″) Nails.

When it comes to incredibly enjoyable ways to train, bending things is certainly high on the list. I love wandering around hardware stores in any case, and always seem to end up in the ‘nails and fasteners‘ area.
Love it.


The first time I did that however (well, the first time after Jedd suggested I try a little nail-bending), I was in for a bit of a shock. The days of Imperial -> Metric conversion charts were gone, and the nail sizes were all noted in millimetres.
If – like me – you’re looking to go the other way (I learnt a number of core concepts from friends in the US, and Imperial measurements were everywhere), the following might help. From the article Nails : Converting Imperial to Metric, a couple of tables that may come in handy :

Enjoy.

Looking Forward To : Garage Gym Bible (William Smith)

William Smith’s Garage Gym Bible.

Looks great.
Although it doesn’t arrive for a while yet ( _Oct 27_ ), the title makes it pretty clear what it’s all about – setting up a ‘_Garage Gym_’. Still, it’s a book we’ll be checking out in a couple of months’ time.
In the meantime, you’re more than welcome to pre-order it directly from the Amazon page :
“**William Smith’s Garage Gym Bible : The Expert Guide to Creating The Ideal Home Gym.**”:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N6PBB3G?tag=cameraderie-20

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 : Three Stages Press

Vasily Alexeyev.

Just one of the exercise variations suggested by Christian Thibaudeau. Interesting idea.

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.

Want to Guest Host a Gymchat?

Gymchat 211 – Training Approaches.

I love the Gymchats – great show. Fantastic to hear how everyone trains.
To help uncover even more, I’d like to extend an invitation. For you to act as a Guest Host, and interview someone you know about their own workouts & competitions. Whether that’s a work colleague, training partner or just someone you know who likes to lift.


If you’d like to Guest Host an episode or two of the show, let me know. And if you haven’t watched any yet and would like to see what they’re all about, there’s a full list here. Cheers.

Images of Strength

Wide Plate Pinch.

As you might expect, we love seeing training-related photographs. Pics of your home gym, DIY equipment, workouts, diet or competitions – it’s all fantastic.
If you’ve got an image or three that you’d love to share with a strength-focussed audience, just upload them to Flickr/Instagram/SmugMug and send us the link. Cheers.

Straight to the Bar Strength Calendar

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.

Giving

Straight to the Bar Team on Kiva.

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.