Results matching “log”

Monday, 4 Jun 2018 - Issues

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 :

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 : A Brain Boosting Breakfast for Low Carb Diets (Max Lugavere)




I get a lot of questions about low-carb diets in general (notably Paleo), and this answers one of the more common ones - how to begin the day.


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.



Previously : In Gymchat 148 we discussed Training for Football II with the wonderful Justin Andrushko. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can see the entire transcript here.

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: Lifting Without a Spotter

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.


I love the home gym - it's definitely the perfect place to focus, and to really get to work. Particularly when you're training solo.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when lifting by yourself. In the Setting Up the Home Gym Gymchat, Andrew noted his own guidelines for Lifting Without a Spotter. Good stuff.

From Gymchat 167 - Setting Up the Home Gym :

My personal general rules for lifting without a spotter:

Don't do:

  • 1. Anything I haven't done before.
  • 2. Anything that could get me killed.
  • 3. Anything that I am not 100% sure that I will get all the reps.
  • 4. Anything that I cannot do with good form.
Do:
  • 1. Anything that doesn't violate the "don't do" and will get me stronger!

Love it.


Checking Out : SPT2 (Wearable GPS Tracker for Team Sports)

Looks great (would love to see them used around here).

The SPT (Sports Performance Tracking) is a wearable GPS tracker, to keep an eye on the movements of each athlete on the team. If someone's injured/slowing down/underperforming it's immediately clear. As for the item itself, a spot of video will help show you what I mean :



The SPT2 Wearable GPS Tracker.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.

Monday, 28 May 2018 - Issues

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 :

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 : The Best Way to Breathe For Maximum Power & Strength (Ben Pollack)




Very interesting look at the right way to breathe & brace when training.


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.



Previously : In Gymchat 147 we discussed Long-Term Paleo with the wonderful Jeremy Loo. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can see the entire transcript here.

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: How a Paleo Diet Can Benefit Strength Training

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.


My diet has been gradually improving for years (since I began lifting weights), becoming cleaner and more streamlined over time. This was all with the purpose of having a greater intensity in the gym, and recovering faster. Of course there are many other benefits; these are just the two that were on my radar.
In May 2009 I decided to make a transition to a new eating approach altogether, the Paleo Diet. Not only did I experience a number of incredible health benefits, the intensity and recovery aspects increased markedly. Here's a brief look at the main benefits of the Paleo Diet, as far as strength-training is concerned.

From The Straight to the Bar Guide to the Paleo Diet :

As strength-training is a major part of my life, I was careful to ensure that the Paleo Diet integrated well with it. I'm pleased to report that it's a great mix, and even comes with a number of benefits. These include :

Energy levels maintained : as your body isn't being subjected to constant insulin spikes under the Paleo Diet, you'll have a much more stable level of energy going in to the gym. This is particularly noticeable after you've been on the diet for a few weeks or so.

Better recovery : although it's most notable in the form of improved sleep, you'll find that your body's ability to recover from your workouts is improved overall. And this is definitely a good thing.

Improved focus : one of the most surprising benefits from a switch to Paleo (in my case at least) has been an improvement in mental clarity. This change can have a very subtle effect on training; remembering exactly what happened in a prior session and just how much impact it had. Additionally, you'll find an array of subtle benefits from it when you're outside the gym. Love it.

Fantastic.


Checking Out : Coresport Gear (Workout Clothing)

Looks great.

The Coresport range is a set of breathable, moisture-absorbing workout gear - keen to try it out. In the meantime, a spot of video :



Coresport Workout Gear.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.


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

Monday, 21 May 2018 - Issues

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 :

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 : Why Sleep is More Important Than Diet (Shawn Stevenson on Health Theory)




We talk a lot about sleep on this site - it's easily my favourite form of recovery - as well as optimal nutrition. This is a fascinating discussion of both.

Love it.


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.



Previously : In Gymchat 146 we discussed Nutritional Basics with the inimitable Roger Lawson. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can see the entire transcript here.

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: Constantly Fine-Tune Things

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.


I've received more emails over the years on the transition to biphasic sleeping than almost anything else I've ever written. I can't thank everyone enough for those, they really are appreciated. Thank you.

Most of them take the form of 'do you think this would work...' and the answer is usually to try it and see. I really haven't made any large structural changes to the original routine; however there has been a little fine-tuning. A snippet from the article Biphasic Sleep : 30 Day Summary explains the overall idea :

Nap in the Sun
Nap in the Sun.
When I started doing this, my idea was to have a 1.5 hour nap and a 3 hour main sleep period. This proved to be a little under what my body required, and I switched to a 3/4.5 hour split (3 hours by default, 4.5 on workout days). Once again this didn't feel like quite enough, and I changed to a regular 1.5 hour nap followed by a 4.5 hour sleep (every day). This feels right.

I say this to demonstrate that making small changes can be of benefit, and I'll continue to make them as required. As the volume of weight training increases (as it almost certainly will), as I age and as my life situation in general changes; the length of the main sleep period will change.

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Silentmode (Music-Enabled Sleep Mask)

Very interesting combination.

I've tried out a number of ways to listen to music (or audiobooks) as I fall asleep, with my current preference being audio via the TV (with an off-timer set for 15mins or so).

The Silentmode looks to beat them all.

If anyone's tried anything like this, I'd love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, a spot of video :



The Silentmode Music-Enabled Sleep Mask.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.


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

Monday, 14 May 2018 - Issues

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 :

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 : Meathead Meal Prep (Brian Shaw)




Interesting look at some of the regular meal prep (the meat) for a competing Strongman.


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.



Previously : In Gymchat 145 we discussed Running with Body by Long's Bill Long (@bill_long1). Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can see the entire transcript here.

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: Becoming Aware of Your Transverse Abdominis

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.


There's an awful lot more to abdominal work than exercises like the humble crunch. Everything from Louie's infamous 'Stand-Up Abs' to the many, many varieties of the squat.

Before doing any of that, however, it helps to understand a little about the various muscles being worked. For that, it's over to Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker.

For starters, from Kat's superb article Specific Training for the Transverse Abdominis: Belt It In, here's a quick way to learn to feel what your TA is doing :

Tara Scotti
Tara Scotti.
Begin by becoming aware of this muscle. Sit upright on a bench. Have a partner face you, place both of his hands on your shoulders, and gently push you backward (gently!). Your goal is to maintain your upright position, not allowing your spine to extend/your back to arch. Your TA will kick in to achieve your goal.

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Luft Qi (Portable Air Purifier)

Interesting idea (though I do have a few questions ... ).

In particular - range (I'd love to use something like this in the gym, without carrying it around from one station to the next); and effectiveness for various types of pollutants. As for the item itself, a spot of video :



The Luft Qi Portable Air Purifier.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.


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

Monday, 7 May 2018 - Issues

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 :

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 : 100 Push Ups A Day (THENX)




Good way to get a few push-ups in (100 in this case) - different varieties, multiple sets.


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.


Previously : In Gymchat 144 we discussed Training at Home II with the wonderful Jackie Burgmann (aka 'Girlwithnoname'). Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can see the entire transcript here.

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: A Routine for Neck-Training Beginners

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.


I love a dose of neck training. Using a neck harness, a fitness ball, bodyweight exercises and so on. There are certainly more than a few ways to do it.

This tip comes to us from one of the Gymchats on this area, and is a routine aimed at complete neck-training beginners who are looking to get started on this wonderful journey. Over to Andrew Nalepa.

Good news for anyone who is beginning neck training, "you" are pretty much all you need. I like Mike Bruce's beginner program on Straight to the Bar, but another really simple beginner program is this :

Lay on your back on the floor, or on your bed, and just raise your head, curling your chin to your upper chest, as many times as you can. Then lay on your stomach, and raise your chin to the ceiling as many times as possible. Then lay on your side and curl your ear toward your shoulder as many times as you can, and then lay on your other side and do the same thing.

Many people who have never done any neck training have difficulty just laying on their back and curling just their head 20 times. It is a really simple starting point just using gravity. To progress, you could do more reps, do more sets, or start holding a book to your head as you do your repetitions.

NB : if you like the sound of this and want to further explore the wonderful world of neck training, check out the free guide here. The exercises, equipment and techniques you'll need.

Checking Out : Bala Bangles (Wearable Weights)

Interesting idea.

Although I'd usually like something a little heavier, the 'wearable weight' approach would be ideal for several things. To give you an idea of what I mean by 'wearable weight', a bit of video :



Bala Bangles.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.


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

Monday, 30 Apr 2018 - Issues

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 :

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 : Using DIY Strongman Equipment with Clients (Alan Thrall)




Very interesting area (and yes, I agree entirely).


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.



Previously : In Gymchat 143 we discussed Strength Training Over 40 with Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine and the enigmatic Raymond Ho. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can see the entire transcript here.

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: Ice for Better Sleep

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.


Sleep is easily my favourite form of recovery. Huge fan of a well-timed nap, and the associated dietary fine-tuning. Love it.

This tip comes to us from the Gymchat on sleep as a recovery method, and is a comment by Personal Trainer Derek Peruo on how he helps his new clients get a solid dose of shut-eye. Very interesting approach.

Over to Derek :
For sleep, I usually recommend zinc and magnesium. If those don't help, I also recommend an ice pack to the back of the neck right before bed.
The ice pack lowers core temperature and promotes the release of melatonin.

And yes, all of those things work extremely well. Good stuff.


Checking Out : Professional Heavy Duty Abdominal Roller

Looks great.

Serious about your ab work? Check out the Professional Heavy Duty Abdominal Roller - the 'King of Ab Wheels'.

Good fun.

NB : if you've never used an ab roller (aka 'ab wheel'), the basic idea is described here.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.

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