One thing I’ve noticed as I continue to gain experience in the fitness industry is that A LOT of people get married to a textbook’s claims on how to do something. If a textbook claims that a back squat should be performed ass to grass (ass to ankles) with a narrow stance, people start trying […]
A Case FOR Exercise Machines
“Exercise machines suck.” “Exercise machines don’t build muscle.” “Exercise machines don’t build strength. “Exercise machines aren’t functional.” These are just a handful of the things I hear on a regular basis regarding exercise machines and their use – or lack thereof – in an exercise routine. Now, I’m all for compound, barbell exercises, and I […]
Don’t Get Married to Percentages
Percentages are awesome. I use them in nearly all of the training programs I write – both for myself and for my clients – and not only do they allow you to regulate the weight/intensity used on a given exercise (and control the progression scheme moving forward), but they give you an idea of […]
What Dragon Ball Z Taught Me About Strength Training
If your childhood was anything like mine, it was filled with epic pizza parties, video games, chasing women (that’s right, little Smoot was a playa …not really), and spending every Friday night in front of a TV screen watching Dragon Ball Z. I LOVE Dragon Ball Z (DBZ). I’ve seen all of the episodes, all […]
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
The other day I was talking with an athlete who was extremely frustrated with the results he had been getting in his training. His squat hadn’t budged in two months, his deadlift had improved by 10 lbs. at best, and his bench had actually REGRESSED to a previously set PR. He asked me to […]