People (enter trainers, coaches, physical therapists, body builders, and strongmen) toss the term “progressive overload” about in the absence of context for the larger audience. I believe progressive overload can be seen in lights: One view is the pre-planned process. While the other is outcome. I can see the logic in both. Take whichever you […]

The toes to bar was popularized by CrossFit but is not a new exercise by any means. This movement has been used to strengthen the core in gymnastics style forms of exercise for decades. Often this would be performed on a wooden ladder which provides back support. This either makes the exercise easier as you […]

In the world of weight lifting there are many tools we can use as accessories to make our training easier. That is generally the purpose of a “training accessory.” They take the load off, help out a weak link, or make our movements more efficient. These accessories fill gaps we might have. Take from these […]

To be clear, there are no core exercises specific to women. While the exercises below are NOT specific to women, they are all great ways to work the core. It’s important that we establish what “your core” is and what functionalities it has. Pinterest and fitpsos will have you thinking that your six pack is […]

Having round, well-formed, defined deltoid (shoulder) muscles is a arguably common desire of most men and women who lift weights. They really do provide a lovely shape to the upper body and back. While I don’t coach or often focus on aesthetics, this post may lean in that direction. But fear not. Building functional deltoids […]

Let us thank Ed Zercher, a strong man from St. Louis for this squat variation. The Zercher squat is a bilateral squatting exercise. To be clear, squatting is a movement pattern that involves ankle, knee and hip flexion, into hip and knee extension. We can then load this pattern in any way we choose. The […]