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 :

• Gem From the Vault : DIY - How to Build an Olympic Weightlifting Platform
  Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker
  Setting up a home gym?

  
  

• Looking At : Jul 16, 2017
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.

Video : Learning the Clean & Jerk

Nice one.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Logan Christopher.

NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week : Overhand Card Tearing

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

Completed tear.

1. 

   Hold it firmly.
   Hold the deck firmly with your weak hand (right side shown for me) with the deck firmly and horizontal to the floor.
   
2. 

   Pinch the deck.
   Pinch the deck with the strong hand with the thumb and index finger. It's the same grip you use to use a remote control.
   
3. 

   Pull towards your chest.
   Pull your strong hand (pinch side) towards your chest. The index finger splits the deck. You must pinch hard!
   
4. 

   Turn your weak hand towards the floor.
   Continue to pull hand towards your chest, turn your weak hand towards the floor. The deck will rip - not twist - if you have a tight grip. The tear line will be clean.
   
5. 

   Separate the deck.
   Continue to pinch the deck hard and pull back towards your chest until you separate the deck. The line will be a clean cut right through the deck. With this method you can put the cut anywhere you want on the deck.
   

Tearing cards.

It takes pain tolerance and hand strength with this method. Keep practicing. THERE IS NO TRICK. Rub some lip balm on your hands after you tear if the skin is raw.
I can now rip decks of bicycles in less than 3 seconds, and quarter them in a second with this grip. It makes you strong.

NB : it's certainly possible, but by no means easy. If you enjoyed doing that and would like to take it a step further, check out Jedd Johnson's superb Card Tearing eBook. Invaluable resource.

Checking Out : The Tim Ferriss Show #252 - The 'Meathead Millionaire' - SuperTraining's Mark Bell

The Tim Ferriss Show.

This is a fascinating discussion with the wonderful Mark Bell, founder of 'The strongest gym in the West', Super Training Gym in Sacramento. Love it.

Dive in :

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-tim-ferriss-show

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

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 :

• Gem From the Vault : The Bodyweight Aficionado's Guide to Gear
  Jason Kirby
  A few extras that can add a whole lot of possibilities.

  
  

• Looking At : Jul 9, 2017
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.

Video : How to Fix a Hip Shift in Your Squat

Nice one.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Jason Paris.

NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week : Dynamic Thumb Training with the Titan's Telegraph Key

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

TTK.

Still, there's always a different way of looking at things. Here's an excellent example of that - Jedd shows just how a piece of equipment like the TTK can be put to a slightly uncommon use. I'll let him explain.

From the article Getting the Most out of Your TTK :

Thumb training can be broken up into at least four different types: Dynamic, Static, and Extensor, and Multi-Planar.

The focus of this article will be Dynamic thumb training with the Titan's Telegraph Key, or TTK.

One way to mix things up a bit is to make the Range of Motion longer by adding something underneath the finger-side handle. A catalog is a perfect choice for this. This makes the hand work through a longer range of motion the muscles are not used to. The first time I did this, I was sore for several days from the new stimulus. This technique has worked great for me in my quest for lifting heavier and wider block weights.

A brief demonstration :

Love it.

Checking Out : The Tim Ferriss Show #250 - Myers-Briggs, Diet Mistakes, and Immortality

The Tim Ferriss Show.

I love this show, especially the Q&A episodes - they provide a great insight into a wide range of topics and approaches. This show - #250: Myers-Briggs, Diet Mistakes, and Immortality - is one of those.

The title highlights 3 of the topics discussed (there are many others), including a concept which I always find intriguing - immortality [starts about 20min in]. Certainly a lot to think about.

(Personal view : I suspect it'll be here relatively soon - perhaps 12 or 13 years from now - in the form of several advanced rejuvenation surgeries. The ability to have an operation which cleans up/repairs/resets everything in the body; effectively winding back the clock a couple of decades or so. Repeat every 10-15 years, and you'll live indefinitely.)

Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject (and on the Tim Ferriss Show itself). Is immortality possible (how?) or desirable?

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

This looks great.

If you're already sold on the idea of electric bikes but don't fancy shelling out for a new one, this may be just the solution. The UrbaNext Wheel is a battery-powered replacement for your existing bike's front wheel.

Rechargeable, and entirely self-contained. For a bit of a look at the UrbaNext, here's a bit of video :

The UrbaNext Wheel.

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 :

• Gem From the Vault : The Power to Give And Take Away In a Fight
  Rob Pilger | Follow @robpilger
  Footwork is key.

  
  

• Looking At : Jul 2, 2017
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.

Video : Finger Strengthening Technique for Closing Grippers

Fantastic explanation Joe.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Kurtis Frank. Photo by Kira Beriault.

NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week : It's Never Too Late to Start

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

Ida Wasserman, hitting the gym at 100.

Age is not a contraindication to exercise, which can usually be initiated safely in older persons.

Checking Out : The UrbaNext Wheel

This looks great.

If you're already sold on the idea of electric bikes but don't fancy shelling out for a new one, this may be just the solution. The UrbaNext Wheel is a battery-powered replacement for your existing bike's front wheel.

Rechargeable, and entirely self-contained. For a bit of a look at the UrbaNext, here's a bit of video :

The UrbaNext Wheel.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

This looks like a great way to record your workouts - in the gym, or in the great outdoors. Particularly with the various mounts available.

To give you a general idea of what's on offer, here's a spot of video :

The MeCam NeoMe.

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 :

• Gem From the Vault : Bare-Handed Nail Driving Basics
  | Follow @strongergrip
  Ready for a serious challenge?

  
  

• Looking At : Jun 25, 2017
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.

Video : Various Recovery Methods (Including a Brief Review of the NormaTec System)

Certainly plenty of options available (some more effective than others) when it comes to muscular recovery. Curious : what's your own approach like?

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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

In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.

Tyler Thor Jefferis.

NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.

Tip of the Week: Try a Caffeine Nap

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

Caffeine Napping.

For a start, they take place at different times of the day.

I'm curious though - has anyone here sampled a Caffeine Nap? I'd love to hear your thoughts; particularly if it's a regular thing.

Checking Out : The MeCam NeoMe (Wearable Video Camera)

This looks like a great way to record your workouts - in the gym, or in the great outdoors. Particularly with the various mounts available.

To give you a general idea of what's on offer, here's a spot of video :

The MeCam NeoMe.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.