Navigating Stress: Acute vs. Chronic Stress
I’ve worked with over a hundred athletes since beginning my personal training and coaching career back in 2017 and one thing that I’ve learned as my relationships grew with my athletes is that we all deal with a certain level of stress in our day-to-day lives. Whether it's meeting tight deadlines at work, juggling personal responsibilities, or dealing with unexpected challenges, stress can manifest in various forms and affect our performance levels. In this blog post, we'll touch on some stress management strategies, explore the differences between acute and chronic stress, and highlight how acute stress can surprisingly yield positive outcomes.
Don’t Overlook Your Rest Days
In the fitness world, many of us are motivated to get results as quickly as possible. Over the years, I have had more than a handful of clients come to me telling me that they go to the gym 6 or 7 days a week. Now, you CAN make progress training 6 days a week when overall volume is taken into consideration, but I can honestly say that the volume in the splits for each and every one of these clients was entirely too much to be training every day.
So, what did we do? We added rest days!
3 Exercises You Should Be Doing To Increase Your Deadlift
We all love the deadlift, but what can we do to help prompt better strength gains aside from just picking up the weight off the floor? Regardless of stance, incorporating specific accessory exercises can further enhance deadlift performance. Here are three of my favorite exercises that complement both conventional and sumo deadlift variations, targeting key muscle groups and movement patterns to maximize strength and power output.
The Importance of The Right Training Environment for Fitness Success
Whether you’re powerlifting, bodybuilding, strength training or trying to improve your general fitness, success is not solely dependent on physical strength and endurance. The environment in which training takes place is equally as important. The right environment can significantly impact an athlete's performance, motivation, and overall sense of well-being. In this article, we cover what it takes to cultivate the ideal training environment for all us fitness buffs across a variety of training goals.
Why Everyone Should Be Taking Creatine Monohydrate
Since the 90’s few supplements have garnered as much attention and praise as creatine monohydrate. Due to its ability to enhance athletic performance, this compound has become a staple for athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts alike. But what exactly is creatine monohydrate, and why should everyone consider incorporating it into their regimen? Let's get into the science behind my #1 GOAT supplement and explore why it deserves a place in your routine.
Does “Mind Muscle Connection” Really Matter?
A trend that has gained widespread popularity is the idea of the mind-muscle connection (MMC). While proponents often preach about its benefits for maximizing muscle activation and growth, a closer examination reveals that its significance may be overstated. Let’s look into why the mind-muscle connection matters less than commonly believed in the realm of strength training.
Does Your Squat Depth Suck? Let’s Fix it.
Achieving squat depth to competition standard isn't just about strength, it's also about mobility. Limited mobility in key areas like the hips, ankles, and thoracic spine can hinder your ability to perform a deep squat. Fortunately, with targeted mobility drills and exercises, you can improve your range of motion and avoid those dreaded red lights. In this blog post, we'll cover some mobility tips specifically designed to improve squat depth, including specific drills and exercises to help you on your journey.
The Importance of Progressive Overload
If there is one principle that one must follow when it comes to making any sort of progress in the gym regardless of goals, it is progressive overload. It's not just a fancy term thrown around in the gym, it is quite literally the cornerstone of effective training. This blog is going to touch on this concept and explore its practical application in putting together effective powerlifting programs.
The Power of Pre-Workout Nutrition
Us powerlifters and strength athletes understand the importance of a well-structured training routine. But what many may overlook is the pivotal role that pre-workout nutrition plays in maximizing performance and achieving our goals. In this article, we delve into the science behind pre-workout nutrition and offer practical tips to help you optimize your pre-exercise fueling strategy.
Should you Bench Press with Flat Feet or Heels Up?
When comparing flat feet versus heels up bench press, there are a few considerations to take into account, including biomechanics, muscle activation, stability, and personal preference. Here's a quick breakdown…
5 Signs Your Adductors Are Weak AF!
Are your adductors weak af?! 🤔
Here are 5 signs your adductors may be lagging on the deadlift…
5 Tips to Increase Your Bench Press!
Improving your bench press performance involves a combination of strength training, proper technique, and smart programming. Here are five tips to help you increase your bench press…