This past weekend I was at the Longevity Now Conference in Anaheim. One of the speakers was the Ice Man, Wim Hof. In case you’re not familiar with him he’s the holder of 26 world records including the longest ice bath, climbing Mt. Everest in shorts, completing a marathon in …
Principles of Progression Part 1
I often mention the principles of progression and the fact that if you understand these principles making progress in any exercise is, at the very least, simple to understand. However, just recently when I was asked about these I realize that I didn’t have them posted anywhere online. (The best …
Ageist Attitude Poision
I’ve got a popular video on Youtube about How to Get Up Off the Ground without Your Hands. Just as the title says it talks about what it takes to get off the ground from sitting or lying down without using your hands. It gets some interesting comments. The following …
Visualization 101
Welcome to Visualization 101. When I introduce people to how mental training can make them stronger, more fit, and achieve the body they want, I’ll often hear one of two things: “I can’t visualize.” …or… “I suck at visualizing.” If you think you’re in either of the above cases, then …
Intensity vs. Severity
The terms we use when it comes to training, guide our thinking about training. As such I feel this is one of the most important terms to “grok” if you want to become stronger. The following comes adapted from The Master Keys to Strength and Fitness where I originally wrote …
Benefits of Backflips
A short and simple question came in the other day: “What are the benefits of doing back flips?” Well, if you’re just looking for ‘general fitness’ this move isn’t for you. Really it should be looked at more as an application of your fitness rather than a method to build it. …
25 Pounds of Muscle in 30 Days
It may sound unbelievable, but let me tell you a story… Almost two years back I ran an experimental group with a few Inner Circle members. All of them self-proclaimed “Hard Gainers”. The aim was packing on size over a 30-day period. (Okay, it’s not 100% muscle, but a good …
No Two Words More Harmful than “Good Job”
One of my favorite movies to come out in recent years is Whiplash which won several Oscars. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s the link to it in IMDB. If you haven’t seen it I HIGHLY recommend that you do. Many people probably look at it quite differently than …
Intuition Bends Wrenches
The other day I had some time to kill. I had already gone through all my email so I did something I don’t often do…I looked at Instagram. And I’m happy that I did as I saw the following picture and post from Chris Rider. If you don’t know Chris …
Sex on Strength
I am very impressed with the quality of questions that have been coming in lately. Jon-Mikael asked the following: “I wanted to ask your take on how sex affects the body and one’s strength. I have at times “released” my sexual energy and my body feels like it is on …
As Good as Steroids?
An interesting question… Dorian asks, “Can your Testosterone and HGH programs work as good as steroids and HGH injections?” My first reaction to this was of course not…but there are two sides to this. The answer depends on what you mean by “work as good”. With steroids, testosterone replacement, or …
Acid or Alkaline?
There are certain health ideas that get widespread despite their “truthiness”. I don’t claim to have all the answers…just most of them 😉 Seriously though, I am constantly learning more and updating what I think is best. In fact, I use to fall for the one below regarding acid and …
Mind Muscle Connection
Anyone that has been involved in strength or muscle building for even a short amount of time is likely to come across the term, mind muscle connection. But like many things having to do with the mind it is ill-defined. Being ill-defined it is then tough to really develop as …
Don’t be a Robot!
Bodybuilders get a lot of crap, especially from us in the “functional training” world. But that’s not to say there aren’t some smart and strong guys out there in that world. Recently came across this quote from Tom Platz, a professional bodybuilder voted to have the ‘Best Quads and Hamstrings …
Body Building Versus Sports
The following is an article from Sig Klein, famous strongman and bodybuilder of the early 1900’s. I think you’ll find it interesting. Many people are of the opinion that one should indulge in body building with one view in mind – that is, competitive sports. I believe, and have heard …