Blog
05 Feb The ‘Tom Platz’ High-Rep Back Squat Routine
Legendary. That's a word that comes to mind when I think of the 'Tom Platz' High Rep Back Squat Routine. I'm not sure if legendary bodybuilder Tom Platz invented it or not, but he sure made it more relevant. While there are many variations of the high-rep back squat (HRBS), the bottom line is the program involves squatting for high volume with moderate to preferably heavy loads.
01 Feb A Call To Strength
I don't usually write articles that are "rah-rah" or inspirational. While I definitely want to inspire you, that's typically not my bag to write the "rah-rah" type stuff. My thing is more about teaching ideas, concepts, or methods that you can walk away with and apply. Well, this article is a little different. With the release of my recent book The Edge of Strength I outlined my entire approach to training and optimizing human potential through decades of experiences. I've made mistakes, but I've also learned a lot and continue to learn every day. It was the legendary George Hackenschmidt who simply stated that “a man cannot derive real enjoyment from life unless he possesses a powerful and healthy physical constitution." I believe this to be true and this is why I wrote my book.
28 Dec The 5 Best Fitness Books of The Year (2015 Edition)
Here's my 4th annual post summarizing the top 5 fitness books of the year. If you're a regular reader, you know how much value I place on reading great books to improve the quality of your life - in any subject, not just fitness. There were some great books this year, without a doubt. While I read a lot of books each year, I can't read everything, so I'm sure there were some other outstanding books that are probably deserving to be mentioned here, as well. The list criteria has evolved a bit through the years, so here's what I based things on this year:
29 Nov The Overhead Press – Is It Bad For The Shoulders?
Is the overhead press bad for the shoulders? That's a common question and often a very debated one. Should you avoid this exercise? And, what are the benefits versus the risk? I’ll give you my perspective, as both a strength athlete and former PT (physical therapist). I'll tell you why I love this exercise, but it may not be right for you. I’ll talk about pressing in the context of using a barbell, which can be viewed as the most demanding on the shoulders.
03 Oct Quick Start Guide to Movement and Mobility
Mobility is such a common buzzword in the fitness industry today, but what exactly is it? Before you read ahead, think about this - how do you define mobility? And, how do you define good movement? In this article, I'll provide some simple background information about movement and mobility so that you have a better understanding and can assess your own movement and mobility.
23 Aug Why We All Need A Coach
I remember not too long ago interviewing Dan John for the podcast. In the interview, he mentioned that he had a coach to help him with his training. I was shocked that even Dan John had a coach, but quickly realized how right he was. You see, we all need a coach, no matter what level we're at. We all need a coach to get to the next level - assuming you want to actually get to the next level and I'm sure you do. Here's 7 reasons why we all need a coach.