13 years. That's how long I've been strength training. During that period of time I've learned a lot. Not just about strength training, but the effects it has on my body and mind. I've also learned some other valuable lessons that one is bound to experience from having a heavy barbell in their hands. Here are 28 lessons I've learned over the past 13 years of strength training. 1) The reason you …
Lift Like a Girl
If You Want to Build a Better Body, Do This for More Results in Less Time
Imagine for a moment your boss gives you the option of working 30 hours per week instead of 40. Your benefits and yearly salary will be exactly the same. The only thing changing is the amount of work you do -- instead of 40 hours per week, you'll only work 30. Your boss also says, "If you improve your productivity during the new 30 hour work weeks you'll get a raise." Would you accept this …
[Read more...] about If You Want to Build a Better Body, Do This for More Results in Less Time
WARNING! How to Properly Prepare to Lift Heavy Stuff, for Your Enjoyment
My goal with this article is simple: to thoroughly prepare you for one of the best workouts of your life. To make that happen, I'm going to share some critical "do's" and "do not's" when it comes to lifting heavy stuff. As you read through this list, please remember . . . I'm only looking out for your best interests. How to Properly Prepare to Lift Heavy Stuff 1) Make sure you pee before lifting …
[Read more...] about WARNING! How to Properly Prepare to Lift Heavy Stuff, for Your Enjoyment
5 Training Techniques to Shake Up Your Workouts – Part 2
Last week was Part 1 of 5 Training Techniques to Shake Up Your Workouts. We covered two - Rest/Pause training and Ladders - out of the first five in that article. Let's get to the last three methods you can use for a change of pace, to get off the boredom-train, or to break through a plateau. Total Reps Based on Speed I'm not sure if there's a more formal title for this method, but I first read …
[Read more...] about 5 Training Techniques to Shake Up Your Workouts – Part 2
How to Train When You’re Traveling or on Vacation
How should you train when you're traveling or while you're on vacation? Should you find a way to stick with your current program? Should you skip training all together and participate in some other physical activity? Should you simply adapt your current program based on the equipment that's available. I'm going to answer those questions and more in this article. I've managed to create four …
[Read more...] about How to Train When You’re Traveling or on Vacation
There’s More Than One Way to Lift Like a Girl
"My lungs feel . . . my lungs . . . my lungs feel like . . . they're on fire." I uttered that phrase to my training partner as I walked around, panting, desperately trying to catch my breath after completing my sixth hill sprint. The sun was hot and unforgiving that afternoon, and the humidity was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Even though it wasn't the most comfortable of temperatures …
[Read more...] about There’s More Than One Way to Lift Like a Girl
30 Rules to Lift Like a Girl & Be Absolutely Awesome
A couple weeks ago, I came across an awesome article – 30 Rules to Lift Like a Man. It was a terrific list of training and nutrition "rules", and I commented that women should follow the majority of them, too. Because I strongly believe women should proudly Lift Like a Girl, I decided to create a list of my own, and by applying these "rules", you'll end up looking absolutely awesome. Without …
[Read more...] about 30 Rules to Lift Like a Girl & Be Absolutely Awesome
Bodyweight Workouts – When You Can’t Get to the Gym or You Want to Workout Anywhere
I love bodyweight training, and I don't think it gets the respect it deserves for building muscle, aiding in fat loss, or just allowing you to build a strong, lean, and healthy body. "You can only do so many push-ups and bodyweight squats." I've heard that statement along with many others about training solely with your bodyweight. All too often people poo-poo the awesome results they can …