The squat is one of the most fundamental human movements. It activates big chunks of the human musculoskeletal system, challenges one’s balance and coordination, and can help prevent and treat a variety of postural deviations, injuries, and pains. This is particularly true if it’s performed with added resistance. Unfortunately though, a lot of people perform […]
Strength training
The Dangers of Bodybuilding
Yesterday I was in a park with a friend of mine soaking up some sun. As we were lying there restocking our vitamin D supplies, we got to talking about bodybuilding. When we were younger, both of us were obsessed with strength training. We were in the gym lifting heavy many times every week, we […]
How Deep Should You Squat?
The squat is a an excellent exercise for building the lower body, in particular the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Not only that, the squat can help you improve your posture, metabolic and cardiovascular health, and hormone levels. Not all squats are equally effective at producing these positive health effects though. A bad squat, performed with […]
Ask Eirik: What Type of Strength Training Program Should I Follow?
I’ve talked a lot about strength training here on the site. This is not by coincidence. Strength training has been one of my main interests for more than a decade. Not only have I done a lot of resistance training myself, but I’ve also set up strength training programs for hundreds of other people and […]
Ask Eirik: What Can I Do to Fix My Quad-Dominant Squat?
The barbell back squat is one of the most popular and effective strength exercises in existence. When properly performed, it strengthens the posterior chain, quads, and core, helps correct muscular imbalances, and brings about positive changes in body composition. Unfortunately, a large majority of gym goers don’t perform the squat with good technique. They fail […]
20 Tips to Master the Big Four
During the years I’ve worked as a strength coach/personal trainer I’ve helped hundreds – if not thousands – of people learn how to train effectively and correctly. I’ve done a long range of strength and conditioning exercises with my clients; everything from push-ups to kettlebell swings to indoor rowing to the clean and jerk. However, […]
The Dangers of Excessive Strength Training
Strength training is great. No other activity has such a profound impact on bone health and body composition. You can run for hours on the treadmill every week and go to every Zumba class at your local gym, it’s not going to give you a strong, muscular body. You need to lift something as well, […]
Muscle Memory: It’s a Real Thing
Strength training is an essential component of a well-balanced fitness program. By performing squats, push-ups, dips, chins, deadlifts, and other multi joint exercises on a regular basis you can build a leaner, stronger body, correct muscle imbalance patterns such as lower crossed syndrome, and prevent and slow down chronic disease processes. Another potential, often forgotten, […]
7 Types of People Who Should Strongly Consider Doing Full-Body Workouts
One of the major questions personal trainers, strength coaches, and gym goers face is how often each muscle group and compound lift should be trained. Should you split up your clients’ training program so that 1-3 muscle groups are trained each session, or should you have them do full-body workouts? And what about your own […]
8 Tips to Perfect Your Squat and Deadlift Form
The deadlift and squat are often considered to be the king and queen of all strength training exercises – and for good reason. These two lifts target most of the major muscle groups in the human body, boost the production of growth-enhancing hormones, and can help lower the risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures, and a […]