For whatever reason some training systems remain in the public psyche while others fall to the wayside, continued only by a few dedicated and often fixated trainers. Thus while nearly every intermediate and certainly every advanced trainee is familiar with manipulating rep ranges, few seem to stray outside the comfort zone of 5 x 5,… Continue reading Forgotten Training Protocols: 4 x 10 Clusters
Some time ago I published an article here on the 'death wish' in bodybuilding. For those who haven't read it, and shame on you, it focused on the most obvious problem with the sport I love - it is killing people. This isn't mere hyperbole. Over the past three decades, a significant number of bodybuilding… Continue reading Are Steroids Killing Bodybuilders?
“Variety is the mother of enjoyment.” –Benjamin Disraeli The crux of Rachel’s eminently successful bodybuilding philosophy is variety – in training, in diet, in everyday life! “By constantly changing my workouts, I am able to keep my muscles off balance. I shock them so they can’t adapt to a constant stress, and they are forced… Continue reading Guest Post: Bill Reynolds, “Rachel McLish says, ‘VARIETY IS MY SPICE OF LIFE!’,” Muscle & Fitness, April 1983, 78-81, 177-184
Late last year, in 2024, Bodybuilding.com did the unthinkable. They closed the infamous bodybuilding.com forum down. In an age of Tik-Tok and Instagram, younger readers may question why anyone should care. The answer lies in an interesting mix of influencers, trolls, questions about how many days are in a week (yes really!) and a community… Continue reading The Birth, Life and Death of Bodybuilding’s Most Important Forum
Even though numerous companies worldwide started calling employees back to offices in 2025, remote work is now deeply rooted in the business culture. While we all have had the chance to experience the perks of remote work, it also comes with challenges. Contrary to popular belief, it is equally difficult to maintain healthy habits when… Continue reading How to Eat Like a Pro if You Are Working Remotely All Day
In 1967 Sergio Oliva, one of the greatest bodybuilders to ever grace the sport, won the Mr. Olympia. The previous two years Larry Scott had won the title but, following Scott's retirement, the floor was open for Oliva to step into the spotlight. The Cuban bodybuilder, and former Olympic weightlifter, was himself new to the… Continue reading Lost Footage of the 1967 Mr. Olympia
My 'new year' starts a lot earlier than most. While many will count January 1st as the dawn of a new year, I usually see August 1st as my new beginning. Teachers, lecturers, and parents, will know my pain. As an adult, who has never truly left the education system, my sense of time is… Continue reading What I Learned About Lifting in 2024
In 2018 the strength and conditioning community lost one of the most creative, and controversial, coaches of recent memory, Charles Poliquin. Known primarily for his work with Olympic athletes, Poliqun's training methods and philosophies were often times at the cutting edge of the field. This is not to say that Poliquin was not without his… Continue reading Charles Poliquin’s Nausea Leg Routine
This, admittedly, is an article promoted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Like many during that time, gyms in my area were closed or reopened on restricted times. The market for home gym equipment saw unprecedented levels of demand and adjustable dumbbells were selling for two or three times their original value. Today's post looks at Powerblock,… Continue reading The History of Powerblock Dumbbells
Nowadays kettlebell training is the staple of modern fitness due to its flexibility and effectiveness. Yet this form of unique strength training has a history much older than we originally thought, going far back in time and around the globe. The kettlebell, originally a tool of functional strength, is now a ubiquitous force in athletic… Continue reading Guest Post: The History of Kettlebell Training: From Ancient Strength to Modern Fitness
