Should you be doing full range lifts exclusively? Or are partials useful? Rick sent in this response to a recent email on pullups… “I ,too , have had much experience with pullups. I found adding weight and getting super strong was the single best way to increase reps. Also, contrary …
The “Non-Workout” Workout
My training as of late has been different than most. Besides the occasional hill sprints, it is all of the form that Pavel Tsatsouline popularized as “Greasing the Groove”. This involves doing sets of an exercise throughout the day rather than in a dedicated workout time period. The goal is …
14 Reasons to Do Pullups
In my mind, pullups are one of the best groups of exercises you can do. Let me list the reasons why… They strengthen the arms particularly the biceps which, beyond just being a beach muscle are very helpful for lifting things, including your body. The strengthen the back, notably the …
Golfer’s Elbow Stopping Pullups
Norman asks: “I always love reading your messages. I would like to hear your thoughts about golfers elbow, the reason why I cant manage to do a single pullup.Tried everything: rest, stretching, strengthening even changing diet choices as to inflammation. Nothing works. As a strongman you sure know this condition. …
Greasing the Groove with Pullups
Yesterday I shared that I got a doorway pullup bar so I could begin training this exercise again. With this I had a good opportunity to train my pullups differently than I had in a long time. Greasing the groove. This phrase and method was popularized by Pavel Tsatsouline. It …
Doorway Pullup Bar
That may have been the longest time I’ve gone without doing any pullups or chin-ups since I began seriously training! I’m talking about the months since my gym burned down and until I bought the following… Ultimate Body Press XL Doorway Pull Up Bar with Elevated Bar & Adjustable Width …
25 Bodyweight Pullups
My previous personal record was 23 reps. Recently I hit a new record of 25 reps at the end of December. Sorry for the crappy video, but this is my current setup as far as training this exercise since my gym is gone. I’ve been training in a “Grease the …
Working Out after 1 Week Fast
Bernarr MacFadden, known as the Father of Physical Culture, was a big proponent of fasting. I remember reading about him testing his strength after a long fast. So this time around, after doing a week-long fast, I decided to do the same. This video shows a couple clips from that …
How to Breakthrough a Chin-up Plateau
I remember the Presidential Physical Fitness Test back in 8th grade. Well, part of it anyway… For those not familiar with the test it involved doing reps on pushups, situps and pullups. And it was the pullups that stand out in my mind. I jumped up onto the bar and …
Rafter Rows
One thing I never really had an opportunity to work on is rafter pullups. If you’re not familiar with this exercise, it is where you pinch a rafter, fingers on one side, thumbs on the other, and holding up yourself just like this, you do pullups. In my new place …
6 Strength Training Measuring Sticks
How do you match up? While you shouldn’t necessarily compare yourself to other people out there, it can be useful from time to time.These six measuring sticks can be helpful guidelines for how you might want to structure your training and what your weak points might be. Deadlift – Bodyweight …
Progressive Slides vs. Jumps
If you want to become stronger (more enduring, flexible, skilled, etc.) it comes down to progression. If you understand the principles of progression then you can achieve just about any physical thing. It’s just a matter of putting in the work over time. People often ask, how do you tear …
PCC Century Test
Next weekend I’m going to be one of the assistant instructors at the Progressive Calisthenics Certification in Mountain View, CA. I look forward to teaching others tips and progressions of bodyweight exercises. (Plus I always pick up a few insights myself at these events.) Anyway, I want to share a “workout” …
What I have Achieved…and YOU Can Too
Like I told you in my last article about practicing what I preach its one of the most important things that I do. So I wanted to take a moment and share with you the achievements I have accomplished and how you can do the same or similar ones by …
What is Perfect Form?
I received a response from one of my earlier articles where I stated that I’m not all that concerned with good form in my exercises. This is very much in contrast with what most people believe, so it is worth going into more detail. Good Form = No Injuries and …