10 Jan What Are We Training For? (The Bigger, Better, Stronger, Faster Paradigm)

I've been thinking a lot about training lately. What are we training for? I mean, specifically, what are we working to achieve? After some serious thought, I believe it really comes down to these 4 things: Bigger, better, stronger, faster. That sums up my training paradigm. I’ve talked about my philosophy being built on a foundation of movement and strength - and it is. But a paradigm is how I think about training, it's how I approach training.

A paradigm is, by definition, a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about.

Becoming bigger, better, stronger, and faster is the process and the “end game” of what I train for. This paradigm isn't just for athletes and I'll explain why. Anyone can adopt this paradigm and it can be considered to improve both health and performance. Let me explain this important concept in more detail so you can see how it can help guide your training and results.
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19 Dec How To Deload (A Simple Guide To Deloading)

One question I'm asked a lot about is deloading. For me personally, deloading is one of the key contributing factors to my own training longevity. What I'll answer here are the key questions: what exactly is it, why you should use it, and how to keep it simple. THE SCENARIO Let's assume you've been training hard over the last several weeks. As a matter of fact, let's say you're just finishing a 6 week training cycle of a 5 x 5 program. What do you do after you complete the program? Well, the answer may depend on what's next or what your goals are, but in most cases after completing a structured program like this, a period of reduced volume and intensity is a pretty smart idea. That leads to the "deload."
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26 May Straight Bar Vs. Hex Bar Deadlifts – Is One Better Than The Other?

There's a brand new study comparing muscle activation and power with the straight bar versus the hex bar deadlift. Is one style or variation better than the other? This study definitely sheds some light on that question. And it’s also a really interesting and exciting study, so let's take a look. The new study comes from the May 2016 issue of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The title of the study is An Examination of Muscle Activation and Power Characteristics While Performing The Deadlift Exercise With Straight and Hexagonal Barbells.
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10 Apr How To Excel In Anything And Avoid Being Average

There's no doubt that one the biggest training mistakes when I started out was that I wasn't training to improve my performance. I was training for other reasons. Honestly, I never understood the importance of technique or pursuing the path to mastery. Today, it's a completely different story and I want to share with you a lesson I wish I knew years ago. The greatest thing about chasing excellence is that you can perpetually improve yourself, your skills, your results, and your life in so many ways. In today's world, the truth is that people mostly live without developing themselves physically anywhere near their full potential. Why?
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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.
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22 Dec 6 Killer Squat Progressions: A Practical Guide For Advancing The Squat

Is there anything more debated than the squat? Is there anything more fundamental in training than the squat? The squat and it's variations are regarded as one of the most effective , if not the most effective exercise, to build total body strength and enhance functional and athletic performance. But, what type of squat is best? It depends. When I started training years ago, the squat was always one of my favorite exercises. It still is.
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02 Oct When Does “Technical” Go Too Far?

Barbell GripIn the most recent podcast (episode #86) on bodyweight training I spoke about how we need to be “technicians” in our training. I spoke about my background and why I believe we need to be more technical in our exercise approach. But, let me clarify things because I don’t want this point to be misunderstood.
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