Minimalist strength training means squeezing the maximum possible gains from the minimum effective dose of training. It might not be ideal for high-level powerlifters and aspiring bodybuilders, but for most of us, it can be what makes the life puzzle work while staying fit. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what minimalist strength training … Read more
Key Points: Progressive Overload: Introduction Legend has it that an ancient Greek wrestler named Milo of Croton wanted to get freakishly strong. So, he picked up a newborn calf and carried it on his shoulders. The next day, he did it again. As the calf grew into a massive bull over the years, Milo kept … Read more
Key Points: Can You Build Big Legs Without Squats? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Heck yes. Squats have been crowned the king of not just leg exercises but all exercises for the better part of a century. And yes, they are fantastic for strength, athletic performance, and, indeed, building big legs. However, they are not … Read more
Cable exercises deliver in a way that free weights alone sometimes can’t match. If you’re looking to build muscle, isolate a body part, or leave the gym with a skin-splitting pump (or all of the above), it’s time to embrace the pulleys. In this guide, I’m going to give you the best upper body cable … Read more
If you’ve ever stood in the gym debating whether to grab the dumbbells or set up the cable machine for lateral raises, you’re not alone. A new study set out to determine if one exercise is superior for building those coveted boulder shoulders. Let’s take a look at the juicy details of the study, what … Read more
Can you get a complete triceps workout with cables only? Heck yes, you can. In fact, if you told me I could only use cables for triceps for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t even be mad about it. Cables are arguably the absolute best tool for building juicy horseshoe triceps. Let me explain … Read more
Do you need free weights and rusty iron to build big biceps? Negative. Barbells and clanking dumbbells are awesome, but your biceps don’t care about what tools you use, only how much effort you put in. All you need to build a pair of great guns is a cable station and some elbow grease. This … Read more
Can you get a complete, muscle-building back workout using nothing but cables? Heck yes, you can. If the barbell bros tell you that you can’t build a thick, wide back without heavy deadlifts and barbell rows, just smile and wave. Free weights are fantastic, but cables work just as well on back day. Here’s why … Read more
Can you get a complete chest workout with cables only? You bet you can. In fact, some bodybuilders actually prefer cables over free weights for chest isolation. Here’s why it works, and then I’ll give you what I’d consider an optimal cable-only chest workout and explain the reasoning behind it. The Magic of Cables Your … Read more
The StrengthLog workout log app is the best way to track both your training and your muscle growth. Join 100,000+ monthly users! Building muscle takes a lot of time, consistency, and effort. A workout log app can’t lift the weights for you, and it can’t shout at you to do one more rep when the … Read more