Key Points: *** For as long as I’ve been interested in strength training, there has been a notion that free weight training is more “functional” and better for athleticism than machine-based training. Rewind the clock even further, and you have the heated discussions about whether strength training is at all beneficial for athletes or if … Read more
When I began strength training many years ago, I did every bicep and tricep exercise I could find. My idea of being big and strong began and ended with a mental image of big upper arms, so, naturally, that’s what I was training. And sure, my arms grew. A little. But the rest of my … Read more
Powerlifting Polka is one of our most popular and effective powerlifting programs. It is six weeks long and comes in three versions: 3, 4, and 6 days per week. The goal of the program is to make you bigger and stronger in the three powerlifts: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Powerlifting Polka … Read more
In this article, we review 15 advanced strength training techniques to help you take your workouts to the next level. They go beyond standard training methods and allow you to do more, work harder, and improve your gains. Be aware that they called advanced for a good reason. While they can help boost your training … Read more
What are the most common deadlift mistakes? In today’s episode, we’ve compiled the deadlift mistakes we believe are holding people back, but are also easily correctable. If you want to improve your deadlift instantly, correcting these mistakes will be the closest you’ll come to a quick fix. We also discuss injury prevention and equipment like … Read more
In this article, you’ll find what we consider the 10 best exercises to build muscle—exercises that belong in every workout routine and for everyone looking for the fast track to muscle growth. From essentials like the squat and the bench press to bodyweight exercises like pull-ups and push-ups, these exercises give you the most bang … Read more
The barbell deadlift is one of my favorite strength exercises. I love the bench press and the squat, but the deadlift is the one that “clicked” for me first and that have always felt the most natural. My best deadlift to date is 260 kg (573 lb), and here is the receipt: I’m currently in … Read more
Do you build more muscle mass when you train to failure, versus stopping a few reps short? In today’s episode, we discuss a new study that examined this. Then we’ll zoom out and debate a lot of different scenarios, to give you a better understanding of when it might matter more if you train to … Read more
This article reviews 12 of the best strength training exercises for beginners. They cover all major muscle groups of your body and give you the best possible foundation for strength, lean muscle mass, and performance gains. Key Points: Click here to jump directly to the exercises! What Makes a Good Strength Training Exercise? The best … Read more
Key Points: *** Do you build more muscle if you train close to failure? Current research states that it doesn’t seem to matter much if you take your sets to failure or stop a few reps before; you’ll gain strength and build muscle equally fast with both methods. A meta-regression of 26 studies, however, found … Read more