Fitness
Trap Bar vs Conventional Deadlift: Which is Best (And Why It Matters)
The deadlift is one of the best exercises you can do for building strength. But there’s more than one way to deadlift. Two of the most popular variations are the conventional deadlift (done with a straight barbell in front of you), and the trap bar (or hex bar) deadlift. Both lifts can build strength and muscle, but they feel different...
Training for Strength vs Power: How to Optimize for the Right Objective
Strength and power are often lumped together. But they’re not the same thing – and knowing the difference will make a big impact on your results. Strength is about how much weight you can move. Power is about how fast you can move it. One’s not necessarily better than the other. But depending on your goals, whether that’s lifting heavier,...
How Negative Reps Can Help You Break Through Strength Plateaus
If you’ve been lifting for a while, strength plateaus will be nothing new. Watching your progress stall is incredibly frustrating. But negative reps may be the solution to your struggles. Also known as eccentric training, negative reps are one of the most effective, underutilized tools in strength training. They’re simple in theory but brutally effective in practice. And when applied...
How to Strengthen Your Lower Back: A Guide to Core Stability and Resilience
There’s one area that many athletes and fitness enthusiasts overlook until it becomes a problem: the lower back. Your lower back plays a major role in almost everything you do. It supports your posture, helps you transfer power from your legs to your upper body, and stabilizes your spine when you lift, run, twist, or jump. If it’s weak or...
10 Safer, Easier or More Efficient Deadlift Alternatives
7 min read
12 Ways to Achieve Progressive Overload
If you’ve been working out for a while, chances are you’ve heard the phrase progressive overload. It’s one of the most foundational principles in strength and hypertrophy training. But for some, the classic approach (progressively adding more weight each time you work out) may not work. The good news? There are many ways to progressively overload your muscles beyond just...
Zone 2 Cardio: The Easiest Way to Improve Cardiovascular Health and Longevity
Zone 2 cardio is perhaps the most effective, yet underappreciated, form of exercise for long-term health and performance. It represents a sweet spot in aerobic intensity; challenging enough to drive meaningful physiological adaptations, yet sustainable enough to do frequently and enjoyably. If you're looking for the easiest and most accessible way to improve your heart, metabolism, and brain, Zone 2...
The Texas Method: The Best Way to Set New PBs in the Gym?
Many new lifters hit a wall after a little while. You might have strong early results, possibly following a beginner program like Starting Strength, but eventually the progress you see from these beginner-friendly routines slows down. The Texas Method offers a way to build on that early progress, for those who are still relative novices, with a goal of developing...
The Mind-Muscle Connection: Does It Really Work?
What if I told you that you could use your mind to lift more and get better gains in the gym? If you’ve ever watched a legit bodybuilder train, you might have noticed that they have a deliberate, almost meditative focus on every rep. This is the mind-muscle connection (MMC): the intentional focus on a specific muscle during an exercise...
Top 12 Muscular Endurance Exercises to Increase Strength & Stamina
A lot of people neglect muscular endurance when they train. As a result, these people tend to have poor functional strength compared to their size and 1-rep max. This is important because better muscular endurance and functional strength mean lower risk of injury, better performance in other athletic activities, and just feeling better and more mobile throughout the day. Anyone...
Cardio Before or After Weights? What the Science Says
Should you do cardio before or after lifting weights? It’s a debate that’s been waged in gyms, online forums, and locker rooms for decades. Some swear by warming up with a run. Others are terrified that a minute on the treadmill at the wrong time will make their gains disappear. The truth is, both sides have a point. But the...
How to Fix Muscle Imbalances: A Science-Based Guide to Restoring Strength and Preventing Injury
Muscle imbalances are not just a minor nuisance—they’re a serious issue that can affect your performance, increase injury risk, and cause chronic pain. Whether you’re an experienced lifter, recreational athlete, or simply someone who spends too much time sitting, chances are you have some degree of muscular asymmetry. The good news? They’re fixable with the right approach. In this article,...
AMRAP Workouts: What They Are and How They Can Transform Your Fitness
If you've spent time around CrossFit boxes or high-intensity interval training circles, you've probably heard the acronym AMRAP. Short for "As Many Rounds (or Reps) As Possible," AMRAP workouts have become a favorite for people looking to build grit, push intensity, and squeeze the most out of short sessions. But what exactly makes AMRAP workouts so effective? And are they...
