During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Forums and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

As long-term readers are doubtless well aware, I absolutely love Google+. We started having discussions on it last year (thanks again Adam), and it's been growing rapidly ever since. Fantastic.
Now a feature has been added which helps us organise these discussions somewhat : Communities. You'll find the Straight to the Bar Community at the URL below, together with an ongoing discussion of techniques, equipment, nutrition, competitions and a whole lot more.

Come and say hello at :

The Straight to the Bar Community page : https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/100569524789778696565

See you there.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Sand Digs
  Scott Andrew Bird
  How do your warm up your hands before heavy grip workouts? Like this.

  
  

• Looking At : Dec 9, 2012
  Scott Andrew Bird
  We've been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : Kody Burns - New World Record 270.52 lb 2 Hand Pinch at Gripmas 2012

Fantastic.

The Straight to the Bar Community on Google+

As you're no doubt well aware, I love talking about strength training - on the blog, on Twitter and so on. Can't get enough.

Joining the list is the Straight to the Bar Community on Google+, which is free and open to everyone who loves discussing strength-training techniques, events, equipment and a whole lot more. If you're also a huge fan of these things (and if you're reading this, you almost certainly are), come and say hello. Cheers.

The Gymchats : We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion - I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly.

NB : If you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, just leave a note on the Community Page over on Google+. Alternatively you can contact us privately, over here. Look forward to hearing from you.

Tip of the Week: Setting up Bands for Dumbbell Benching

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us from the Diesel Crew, in the form of a quick video demonstration. How to set up bands for the dumbbell bench press.

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It's actually fairly straightforward (once you've done it a couple of times). The steps :

1. Create a loop
2. Put a twist in the loop
3. Set a neutral, thumb up hand postion inside the ends of the band
4. Rotate the thumb down as you move the band to a upper to mid back position
5. Maintain band tension as you pick up the bands and throughout the movement

A quick video demonstration :

Good stuff.

Straight to the Bar 2012 : Strength-Training Resources

We've noted a number of superb resources - books, DVDs, equipment, workshops and sites - in the newsletter this year. Here are a few personal favourites.

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Quick update on the The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning we mentioned recently - an incredible collection.

As you'll see, this book manages to distil an awful lot of RKC wisdom into a single package. A snippet from the Dragon Door site will give you the overall idea :

Since 2001 and the world's first Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Instructor Certification workshop, thousands of individuals--martial artists, first responders, military, and fitness and strength professionals, have learned how to use kettlebells quickly and safely. And then introduce the remarkable benefits of the kettelbell to a global community of kettlebell enthusiasts.

Many of these RKCs have created a wide variety of effective workout programs for their clients, customers, teams, and units. So, who better to answer the question "How do I use kettlebells to get the best possible results for ME and MY goals?" than these same RKCs?

We asked the RKC Instructors to submit their most prized workouts, so you can not only see, but also use proven programs that have been successfully used by these qualified experts. The result became The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning, replete with time-tested, results-producing kettlebell workouts that can satisfy the needs of newbie and pro alike, for years to come.

Some workouts are used to develop strength. Some are used for conditioning. All have produced results either for the instructors themselves, their clients, or both. Enjoy the pain!

Once again, it sounds fantastic. And if you check it out, drop me a line - I'd love to hear what you think. Cheers.

We've noted a number of superb resources - books, DVDs, equipment, workshops and sites - in the Strength & Fitness Newsletter this year. Here are a few personal favourites.

Precision Nutrition Fat Loss Crash Course.

If one of your goals is to shed a bit of excess fat, but you're not quite sure what to do/where to start, have a look at the Precision Nutrition Fat Loss Crash Course. Absolutely free.

Iron Nation.

A compilation of training strategies from some of the heaviest players in the Iron Game. This is training the old-fashioned way - heavy weights, good food and plenty of recovery. Beautiful.

101 Fitness Myths.

Maik's take on the strength-training world is not exactly mainstream; but it's certainly well-supported and highly effective. Good stuff.

Get Strength Lock-Jaw Collars.

Well made, nice and tough, fast, and they can certainly handle heavy loads. Perfect.

Raising the Bar : The Definitive Guide to Bar Calisthenics.

Advanced bar moves, handstand push-ups and a whole lot more.

The Blank Slate.

Love a spot of Rock Climbing? Check this out.

Fixing Elbow Pain.

If you've ever been told you have a condition like Tennis Elbow or Golfer's Elbow, you need this. Brilliant.

DVDs from the Super Human Workshop #2.

The second Super Human Workshop was truly incredible, and a look at the many people involved will show you exactly why. To say there was some fantastic information shared is an understatement. Loved it.

The StrongerGrip Modular Grip System.

If you've ever tried any of the StrongerGrip gear (and if you're a grip fan, you absolutely need to give it a run - superb equipment), you'll certainly appreciate this. After being in the works for years, the StrongerGrip Modular Grip System is finally ready for prime time.

To the Last Breath - A Memoir of Going to Extremes.

As goals go, this one was certainly ambitious :

Physicist Francis Slakey committed himself to climbing the highest peak on every continent and surfing every ocean.

This is a glimpse at that incredible goal, and the various challenges he encountered along the way.

How to Make Atlas Stones.

Suffice to say that if you enjoy a bit of stone work from time-to-time, this DVD should definitely be in your collection.

Supersize Your Strength.

I love reading books from people who have 'walked the walk', and Andy Bolton's certainly done that. Supersize Your Strength is simply a 16 week training program helping you to replicate that tremendous strength in your own training.

RunTarget.

RunTarget is an application for your smartphone that keeps track of where you are, and how fast you are running at any point in time. Well worth checking out.

Techniques for Light Indian Club Swinging (DVD).

Club swinging is fantastic, but where do you start? Right here.

HardStyle Abs.

Want to lift more weight, and get seriously strong abs in the process? Grab this.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Forums and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Review : Glycomaize from Optimum Nutrition
  Derek 'D-Rock' Peruo
  A very starchy look at some very fancy corn.

  
  

• Looking At : Dec 2, 2012
  Scott Andrew Bird
  We've been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : Improving Shoulder Mobility

Fantastic.

Gymchat 195 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly; here are the various ways to watch/join in.

However you take part, enjoy.

NB : If you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, you can contact us here. Look forward to hearing from you.

---

Details -

Who : TBA
Topic : TBA
When : Wednesday Dec 5, 9pm EST
How : Google+ Hangout. If you've never been to one, here's how to take part.

NB : If you're keen to fire in a question or three, be sure to get there early. In addition to Kirk and the Interviewee, only the first 8 people to join us on the Hangout (and here's how) will be able to join in the conversation. Everyone else will be able to watch, but not ask questions.

See you there.

---

If you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, you can contact us here. Look forward to hearing from you.


Last Week : We had a double dose of Gymchat goodness last week, featuring discussions with both Kyle Bohannon and Conor Doherty. Thanks to everyone who was able to watch live, always the best way to keep up with what's going on.


If you missed the broadcasts, the full videos are available over on Kirk's Youtube Channel. That's also the best place to subscribe to the videos directly, and to see previous discussions.

Tip of the Week: Dumbells for the Home Gym - How Heavy Should They Be?

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us from the Gymchat on 'Training at Home', and is part of Jackie 'Hot at Home' Burgmann's description of her own setup. The weight of the dumbbells she owns.

---

From Gymchat 144 - 'Training at Home' :

I usually find my 10rep max weight, then keep a set of dbs that are one step higher at home. Once I've progressed to those with 10reps, I buy another set up, it sits idle for a few months 'til I need it, but eventually I need it. Now that my legs are super strong, I do have some heavy stuff here for legs that I'll never need for arms. But getting a set of adjustables that go super high is probably the best way to ensure you always have a place to progress to.

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Primal Blueprint Books

I love these books.

Whether they're for yourself or intended as gifts, these are certainly a great way to transform someone's diet. The Primal Blueprint Cookbook, Primal Blueprint Quick and Easy Meals and the one that started it all - The Primal Blueprint itself. Fantastic thing.


The books themselves - as the titles suggest - focus on the Primal approach to nutrition, which Mark explains in great detail in The Primal Blueprint. For those who are new to it, here's a brief snippet from our review :

The Primal Blueprint opens up with a wonderful introduction that is essentially a "primer". Sisson illustrates the main differences between "Conventional Wisdom" and his 10 Laws of Primal Life. Much of what passes as conventional thought is truly based on flawed science, protecting special interests, or both. A great example is that many of us think of grain as the "staff of life". On the other hand, Sisson quotes Jared Diamond, UCLA evolutionary biologist, as calling propagation of grain the "worst mistake in the history of the human race".

If you're ready to take a close look at the things you eat, grab these books. Superb.

---

Quick update on the The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning we mentioned recently - an incredible collection.

As you'll see, this book manages to distil an awful lot of RKC wisdom into a single package. A snippet from the Dragon Door site will give you the overall idea :

Since 2001 and the world's first Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Instructor Certification workshop, thousands of individuals--martial artists, first responders, military, and fitness and strength professionals, have learned how to use kettlebells quickly and safely. And then introduce the remarkable benefits of the kettelbell to a global community of kettlebell enthusiasts.

Many of these RKCs have created a wide variety of effective workout programs for their clients, customers, teams, and units. So, who better to answer the question "How do I use kettlebells to get the best possible results for ME and MY goals?" than these same RKCs?

We asked the RKC Instructors to submit their most prized workouts, so you can not only see, but also use proven programs that have been successfully used by these qualified experts. The result became The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning, replete with time-tested, results-producing kettlebell workouts that can satisfy the needs of newbie and pro alike, for years to come.

Some workouts are used to develop strength. Some are used for conditioning. All have produced results either for the instructors themselves, their clients, or both. Enjoy the pain!

Once again, it sounds fantastic. And if you check it out, drop me a line - I'd love to hear what you think. Cheers.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, the Forums and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Continuing on from the 'Training Athletes' discussion, this time we'll be concentrating on a small part of that - Performance Training for Hockey. Helping us will be Certified Athletic Trainer Conor Doherty, as well as Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Really looking forward to it.

If you'd like to join us for the hangout and ask a question or two, the details are below. And if it's your first time, welcome aboard. They're a lot of fun.

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

• Seeking Suggestions : Back Injury
  Scott Andrew Bird
  An open question on a serious injury. What would you do in Josh' case?

  
  

• Looking At : Nov 25, 2012
  Scott Andrew Bird
  We've been discussing some very interesting techniques, products and services recently. Here are the highlights.

  
  

Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you'd like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, here's how.

Video : Awesome Ninja Warrior Bedroom (Part 2)

Incredible.

Gymchat 193 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ etc) shortly; here are the various ways to watch/join in.

However you take part, enjoy.

NB : If you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, you can contact us here. Look forward to hearing from you.

---

Details -

Who : TBA
Topic : TBA
When : Wednesday Nov 28, 9pm EST
How : Google+ Hangout. If you've never been to one, here's how to take part.

NB : If you're keen to fire in a question or three, be sure to get there early. In addition to Kirk and the Interviewee, only the first 8 people to join us on the Hangout (and here's how) will be able to join in the conversation. Everyone else will be able to watch, but not ask questions.

See you there.

---

If you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, you can contact us here. Look forward to hearing from you.


Last Week : In the first of the 'Gymchat Bites' (Gymchat 192) we discussed Supplementation & Olympic Lifting with Personal Trainer Derek Peruo. Thanks to everyone who was able to watch live, always the best way to keep up with what's going on.


If you missed the broadcast, the full video is available over on Kirk's Youtube Channel. That's also the best place to subscribe to the videos directly, and to see previous discussions.

Tip of the Week: Setting a Gripper

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, Google+, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us from the incredible Jedd 'Napalm' Johnson, and takes the form of a superb video. Enjoy.

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Incidentally, if you want to learn more techniques like this, check out Jedd's own The Grip Authority.

Fantastic site.

Checking Out : MILO

It's that time of year again.

Whether it's for yourself or as a gift, this is definitely the time of year to set up a magazine subscription or two. Paper or digital downloads; there are plenty to choose from.


Personally, I lean towards publications such as Ironmind's MILO (though as it's US-only, getting it delivered isn't exactly easy). How about you : what's on your magazine must-have list?

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Quick update on the The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning we mentioned recently - an incredible collection.

As you'll see, this book manages to distil an awful lot of RKC wisdom into a single package. A snippet from the Dragon Door site will give you the overall idea :

Since 2001 and the world's first Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Instructor Certification workshop, thousands of individuals--martial artists, first responders, military, and fitness and strength professionals, have learned how to use kettlebells quickly and safely. And then introduce the remarkable benefits of the kettelbell to a global community of kettlebell enthusiasts.

Many of these RKCs have created a wide variety of effective workout programs for their clients, customers, teams, and units. So, who better to answer the question "How do I use kettlebells to get the best possible results for ME and MY goals?" than these same RKCs?

We asked the RKC Instructors to submit their most prized workouts, so you can not only see, but also use proven programs that have been successfully used by these qualified experts. The result became The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning, replete with time-tested, results-producing kettlebell workouts that can satisfy the needs of newbie and pro alike, for years to come.

Some workouts are used to develop strength. Some are used for conditioning. All have produced results either for the instructors themselves, their clients, or both. Enjoy the pain!

Once again, it sounds fantastic. And if you check it out, drop me a line - I'd love to hear what you think. Cheers.

I'm currently putting together a series on preventing and dealing with injuries (if you're a therapist or trainer who'd like to add your thoughts, please get in touch), and I just received an email that fits in perfectly. If you've ever experienced something similar and would like to make a suggestion or two, just leave a comment below. I've no doubt Josh would be most grateful.
From Josh :

I slipped my S1 disc in my back and pinched my sciatic nerve about a month ago. I did the same thing about 3 years ago, but this time around it is taking a lot longer to heal. I love heavy lifting with natural objects and homemade equipment, but I am nervous to try anything until my back is completely healed. My chiropractor says that the "only" way to strengthen those specific muscles in my back, is to use some fancy machine they have that targets those specific muscles that costs almost $100 per visit. Needless to say, I do not believe him. I would like to ask the straight to the bar community what they would recommend that I start with to get my back healed up so I can continue lifting. By the way, I am only 27, so giving up lifting now is WAY too soon for me.

Over to you. Have you ever experienced anything similar, and is there a particular course of action you'd recommend?