The original post was not or is not intended as a diatribe against Olympic lifting, rather it is a plea for sanity and common sense in exercise selection and application. Dan posted this comment that I think requires further comment: “Though, the catch is valuable as it trains deceleration and control of bodyweight + bar.” This is another example of drinking the Kool-Aid that is the pa [...]

The idea behind this workout is to move across the spectrum of muscle actions and to take advantage of the size principle of muscle fiber recruitment to target the fast twitch muscle fibers. The spectrum of muscle actions is as follows:Isometric>>>>Resisted>>>>Dynamic>>>> Ballistic. The workout has it’s genesis with a video of Wernor Gunthor, the Swiss sho [...]

Do a squat, do a single leg squat, take a still picture, plug it into a computer and get a training and injury prevention program. Presto – no need to watch the athlete move, no injury or performance history just two simple tests, a video and a computer program and an online certification to learn how to do the evaluation. Something is wrong with this picture, yet in certain situations this [...]

Some of the comments on squatting are absurd. The squat is a basic foundational exercise that is the cornerstone of any sound strength training program. It is not a ¼ squat it is a full squat – that is a snapshot of the whole movement. In my estimation this young lady has acceptable technique for where she is in her development. As far as getting under a bar – that is the muscle [...]

Be careful when the bottom line becomes the bottom lineAn exercise should never be an end unto itself. Dead lift, squat, power clean, picking your nose, it does not matter they are all part of a bigger picture and a means to an end.The injury prevention component of a training program is essential, but it should be a transparent component of every training sessionWork and training are not the same [...]

On this first day of April, I want to set the record straight on several viewpoints that I’ve foolishly supported over the past couple years. I've been holding these confessions deep down inside waiting for the right day to come forward and right my wrongs.  Today felt like the perfect day. I can't hold these thoughts inside anymore and I want to publicly come forward to set thi [...]

I have been following the comments on my post on the neutral spine. The comments have been interesting to follow. The post was prompted by a question at my seminar in Seattle. I was demonstrating a squat and at the break the question was: do you tell the person squatting to keep their spine neutral. As I am sure you would expect my answer was I tell them to squat. For some reason this question and [...]

Someone just sent me a link to a new website that allows to access “great” workouts in a multitude of different sports and training activities for one great price. This is the Wallmart or Sams club of Athletic Development. I know I will piss more people off by this post and alienate a lot more but this is ridiculous. It is precisely this approach that is killing this field and adding c [...]

When I saw a picture of field hockey players it made me immediately think about why we train the way we train. I am an advocate of single leg squats and unilateral & reciprocal training exercises of the lower extremity (for that matter the upper body also). When you consider the forces that player must attenuate on one leg in stopping and starting it makes sense to train unilaterally. Also conside [...]

My wife and I are due with our fist child in about 14 days. She's been working out throughout the pregnancy. In fact, she's been working out at a level similar to what she was doing pre-pregnancy but the program is heavily modified (this is what ACSM suggests is healthy and safe). Yesterday in her last heavy lifting session before the birth she squatted 315.  I took this video of her [...]