People come in to train with me for a lot of different reasons. Some dream of glory on the competitive battlefield, others just want to stop feeling like crap, and many want to look better in the mirror. Getting stronger will have a profound impact on any of these goals, but the results take time. Results do start happening immediately, but they are not the results that most people think about. Everyone wants to focus on the major transformation. However, no matter how ba

Training for strength is about a whole lot more than how much weight is on the bar. Not everyone is designed to move hundreds and hundreds of pounds, but anyone can get a little stronger. Everyone benefits from getting stronger. Many of them come in weak and timid, but they leave stronger and more confident. I have learned over the years that training is an experience that changes a person for the better. It is not about competing with anyone else, but simply competing w

Lately, I have dealt with the same issue over and over again. It is rooted in every young man's quest to become jacked and tan. I have a term in the gym I use for bodybuilding assistance work that we use after our big lifts are done. I call it 'bro stuff.' It is basically light weight, hypertrophy work that serves a small purpose. It can be fun to chase a pump everyone so often. The problem lately has been guys coming in wanting to discuss programming. I always know what

There are good days in the gym and bad days. Sometimes you will be full of energy and othertimes you will struggle to get going. That is just the way it is and there is nothing you can do about it. I witness these ups and downs all of the time with the clients in my gym and in my own training. It is a constant battle, but I have a few ideas for dealing with it. First of all, make sure that you have the basics in order. Your training plan should make sense for your level

Over the last ten years of working in the training business I have had the good fortune of working with many great people. You get a unique opportunity to interact with people as personal trainer on a different level. There is a connection built and a trust that must be maintained in order to effectively work together. I am truly thankful for all of the relationships I have built. My role as a trainer is pretty straightforward, I help people get strong and in shape. There

It seems to me like a lot of people are confused about what a barbell is used for. You lift to get strong, not to get in shape. Conditioning is much more effectively built with other activities. You do not need to do a bunch of circus acts with light weights to get in shape. You lift to get strong, plain and simple, and you should definitely get strong. I have discussed why many times, just remember that strength is the foundation of our physical performance. Everything