Everyone has an opinion on how to squat. High bar, low bar, toes forward, knees out, belt on, belt off. Coaches argue, lifters swear loyalty, and internet experts defend technique like sacred doctrine. Yet most of the things we treat as universal truths in squatting are barely a century old. The movement has never been… Continue reading How the Back Squat Took Over the Gym (and Why Its Future Is Still Being Written)
I am delighted to share that my new article, Mistakes I Carried: Building Strength in a Time of Crisis, has just been published in the American Historical Review. For historians, the AHR is the big one. But what excites me most is not the prestige of the publication. It is that the piece gave me… Continue reading The Weight of History: Building Strength in a Time of Crisis
Lee Moran was the first man to squat 1,000 lbs. in competition and an absolute goliath within the sport. The following source, from a powerlifting magazine in the 1980s - annoyingly I've lost the source which so rarely happens it is worth mentioning - details his thoughts on a 3 month training split to bring… Continue reading Lee Moran’s Squat Workout
Three time World Strongest Man champion Bill Kazmaier was an absolute golaith during his career. Excelling in both powerlifting and strongman, there is little doubt that Kaz is one of the most impressive strength athletes of all time. He had the static strength needed to excel in powerlifting, the athleticism needed for strongman and the… Continue reading Bill Kazmaier’s Squat and Deadlift Program
CULTIVATE FEARLESSNESS. Plenty of people say they need to feel the weight on their backs before a meet so they are conditioned to it. Well, I have found that it doesn’t matter how conditioned I am; the squat is always heavy. This means that when the weight is on your back in a meet or… Continue reading Scott ‘Hoss’ Cartwright, ’10 Steps to a Huge Squat,’ Power, 1 no. 1 (2009), 15-19
Today's post deals with an exercise I love to hate, the overhead squat. Now this is not one of those posts about how I hate doing it, but the benefits are so great, that I do them anyway. Nope, not at all. I hate this exercise and, chances are, I hate the people who promote… Continue reading When Did People Start Overhead Squatting?
If you’re ready to get friendly with the squat rack, congratulations! This can feel like a big step in your strength training journey. And while that’s exciting, it also means it’s important to make sure your body is ready for this new challenge — and there’s more to that than just pure strength. Before you… Continue reading Guest Post: How to Improve Your Squat Mobility
"Friends don't let friends skip leg day." If you're looking for some inspiration for your next leg workout then you've come to the right place. Today we look at some of the greatest leg exercises that time has forgotten about. They were invented by iron legends like Gironda and used by men like Arnie. Needless… Continue reading Old School Leg Exercises
How do you squat without a squat rack? Don't worry this isn't another post about the trials and tribulations of a home gym (I've already done that here). No this is about the early 1900s and the difficulties facing the average barbell man or woman. The birth of our modern fitness cultures can be traced… Continue reading How to Squat Without a Squat Rack?
Today's post deals with an exercise I love to hate, the overhead squat. Now this is not one of those posts about how I hate doing it, but the benefits are so great, that I do them anyway. Nope, not at all. I hate this exercise and, chances are, I hate the people who promote… Continue reading When Did People Start Overhead Squatting?
