Fitness

Somehow, the purpose of lifting weights has gotten lost in today’s training culture. For one reason or another, complexity has replaced simplicity. And it’s not helping any of you get in the best shape of your life. Before information overload confused us all, people did it right. Guys went to the gym to lift weights and get strong. Then, they played some sports or did some conditioning the other days to stay lean. They didn’t blend conditioning into their lifting, or run sprints between sets. They understood the single most important factor for getting jacked: Building strength.  Whether… continue reading.

If there’s one thing that curses genetically average, skinny-fat guys, it’s the constant cycle of yo-yoing up and down between fat loss and size gain. The vicious cycle that transforms you from a doughy ball of pudding into an emaciated bean pole with a pot belly. Over and over again. I see it all the time. A guy realizes he needs to get lean because his stomach ripples and shakes like a bowl of jello with every step. But, he has tube steaks arms and zero muscle. So when he gets lean, he freaks out at the sight of his hideous physique. This… continue reading.

Guest Post by Eric Bach, CSCS Being yoked and strong is great. But, to be the total package you need power — the ability to generate strength fast. The result is improved athleticism. Problem is, once most guys hit 25 they stop playing sports. Their athleticism and power evaporate quicker than a raindrop in Death Valley. Most guys take one of two roads. Half ditch the gym altogether, they occasionally waste away on the treadmill, before rushing to yet another “urgent” work meeting. They come to accept a mediocre body as the cost of doing business. The other… continue reading.

When it comes to getting jacked, focusing on the basics will get you 90% of the way there. That means doing the following: Staying consistent with 3 hard strength training workouts per week  Dialing in your nutrition plan  Adding in 1-3 high intensity conditioning sessions each week to stay lean. But, to take your physique to the next level, there are some advanced strategies that you can use in the gym and the kitchen. From body part specific workouts and training templates to small tweaks to your daily diet.  These adjustments will separate you from the masses. continue reading.

Three of the most common topics of confusion for guys who wanna get jacked are: Getting better at bodyweight exercises like chin-ups Advanced training techniques to increase muscle and strength gains  Stress management and avoiding adrenal burnout When it comes to getting better at pull-ups, there are hundreds of ways you can go about it, but only a few are smart and effective enough to give you results without beating up your shoulders, elbows, and wrists. The same goes for the advanced training techniques like rest-pause, forced reps, and drop sets. Many work, but you have to use them in ways that… continue reading.

While fitness has changed a lot the past few years, the path to getting strong and ripped never will. We’ve known for over a century now the few key principles of training and nutrition that will let any guy build muscle or lose fat. And no matter how many people I coach, or how many research articles come out, those truths remain the same. What does change, however, is the best way to go about achieving those goals. And throughout my 20+ years of getting guys jacked, I’ve uncovered the techniques that deliver optimal results. In this episode, I go into detail on those exact… continue reading.

A few years ago I had to stop taking on new training clients. I simply didn’t have any time left and if I kept saying “yes” my life would start to really suffer. So, even though it pained me to do so, I said “no” to a well-known UFC fighter. And I said “no” to Hollywood entertainers. Time after time I continued to say “no,” no matter who asked. But there was a method to my madness. I did it, so that in the long term, I’d be able to say, “yes” to you. By freeing up some time I… continue reading.

Question: Are there any natural testosterone boosters that could raise my levels without having to resort to drugs? What about lifestyle choices? Answer: Low testosterone is no fun. It leads to less muscle, more body-fat, depression and, of course, the inability to get it up. This is a recipe for a disastrous, unhealthy, lonely life. The problem, though, is what happens when you look for ways to boost testosterone. You get bombarded with supplement scams that claim 697% increases in testosterone. If only that were true. continue reading.

Now, some people out there seem to be completely immune to stress. These guys are just blessed with invincibility. I’m talking about the ones who… -Build muscle by looking at weights -Don’t need to sleep more than 4 hours per night -Stay ripped and jacked while eating Cinnamon Buns and Bagel Bites -Work 18 hours per day and stay more relaxed than the Dalai Lama -Never read about training on the internet -You aren’t one of those guys. I’m not either. We’re the ones with… Stress prone tendencies- constantly over thinking, staying indecisive, getting worked up about nothing Tons of life stressors like a… continue reading.

You want to lose fat, build muscle and look sexy at the beach.  So, you gotta work out, right? Screw that. You do NOT need to workout. You need to train. There’s a huge difference. Have you ever watched a dude at the gym walk from one machine to the next? He’s got a puzzled look on his face, clearly trying to figure out what the hell to do next? That’s working out. I know you’ve seen this group of guys at the gym. They go from flat bench, to incline bench, to dumbbell bench, to machine bench… And, finally,… continue reading.

You wanna build muscle? You wanna get strong? You wanna get ripped? You wanna do it with short muscle building workouts you can do at home? In a sweet, minimalist garage or basement gym? Where you can avoid the expensive public gym memberships and the nonsense that goes along with those hell holes? I feel you. I hate most public chain gyms. Walking into that type of place usually sickens me and makes me question humanity as a whole. The sight of guys loading on weight plates and doing a two inch range of motion. The smell of fake tanner… continue reading.

Sleep is the single most important thing for improving your body composition and overall health. In Anthony DiClementi’s amazing book, The Biohackers Guide you’ll learn how to instantly improve your sleep. Topics include: -Why is it that dozens of influential thinkers, inventors, businessmen, and politicians can get away with 5, 4, or even 3 hours of sleep each night and function at a high level? The answer will surprise you – pg. 172 -5 sleep biohacks, 14 sleep improvement tools, 10+ smartphone apps, dozens… continue reading.

I love loaded carries and include them in every training program I design. There is nothing more functional than picking up something heavy and walking with it. It’s manly, hardcore, old school shit. Makes you feel like a badass. Especially when you’re doing them in a public gym where no one else would dream of doing such a thing. Loaded carries bulletproof your entire body from head to toe. Ankle, knee and hip stability is increased from loaded carries. Your toes, feet and abs get stronger. continue reading.

Yes, you can. Absolutely. What you shove down your pie hole is the single most important factor relating to fat loss. Diet, diet, diet. That should be your focus. You could do nothing but get up and go to work each morning, come home, sit on the couch and repeat. And still lose a significant amount of bodyfat if you’re eating properly. But that is the worst message in the world to be promoting. I hate it more than people texting at the dinner table. I loathe it. It’s that oafish, unathletic, unfit 80’s bodybuilder type of mindset. The… continue reading.

Guest post by Coach Robert Dos Remedios One of the often overlooked aspects of training is the warm-up, or  what I  like to call “Activation and movement preparation”. For many years we have used a simple yet effective and efficient pre-workout routine to get folks primed for a great training session. This is our 5-step sequence 1. Soft Tissue drills (2-3 minutes) Foam rolling has become mainstream and anyone who has ever got on a roller will attest that it can be quite addictive. We keep it direct… continue reading.