Strength Training Think Tank - Natural Strength.com

Check Out - "BLACK WIDOW" - STRENGTH EQUIPMENT

2012-05-16T19:37:00.005-04:00

Hey everybody... I hope all is well. I love equipment and recently ran accross a company called Black Widow. They are in Long Island and their equipment is built really strong. I have purchased numerous items and everything is as strong as any other company people buy from. They also make things custom ... no big company would ever do that. I got farmers walk items as well as a rickshaw bar and

So what is Best? - By Jim Bryan

2012-05-15T16:36:00.001-04:00

Let me start off by saying that I’m not a Scientist or Researcher. I don’t claim to have a research lab that turn’s out to be a closet in my home. I’m a Coach or Strength Trainer that has been active in the field for over forty years. I’ve had the good fortune to know some of the best Scientists, Researchers, Coaches, and Trainers in the Strength World. I've trained with them and been trained by

PUSH/PULL - SPLIT ROUTINE - By John Griffin

2012-05-08T17:10:00.003-04:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on October 14, 2006 O.K. you do chest/shoulders/triceps on Mondays and Thursdays, and legs/back/biceps on Tuesdays and Fridays. Cardio three times a week, and then, wait a minute, where am I. Is this the "good old days". Thank God its not the "good (bad) old days". I remember doing this and being told that I wasn't doing enough because I was only doing 3-

Not Just Another Day at the Beach - By Jim Duggan

2012-05-03T10:26:00.001-04:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on November 2, 2006 About a year ago, I purchased a weighted vest in the hope that it would add a new wrinkle in my training. The vest weighs 84 pounds. When I purchased the vest, I thought that the benefits I would reap from using it would not only help me in my training, but would also carry over to my job. I am a NYC Firefighter, and a large part of my

Crush Workouts - By Jim Bryan

2012-04-29T15:02:00.012-04:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on April 20, 2005 Before I met Arthur Jones I had been training quite awhile. Our workouts were always a contest of strength and quick wit. My last training partner was Bob H. He was a strong big bodybuilder (215) that had a physique that resembled Steve Reeves. When we met at the gym one of us would tell the other “I’m going to crush you like a grape

GET BIG ROUTINE - By Vincent Bowers

2012-04-19T14:21:00.001-04:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on December 4, 2006 TRAIN ONE DAY ON - THREE DAYS OFF. BREATHING SQUATS - THIS IS IT, THE MOST PRODUCTIVE EXERCISE YOU WILL EVER DO. DO ONE SET OF TWENTY, TAKE AT LEAST THREE MASSIVE BREATHS BETWEEN REPS AND ADD AT LEAST 5lbs EVERY WORKOUT. ALL OF YOUR STRENGTH AND SIZE GAINS DEPEND ON HOW HARD YOU WORK IN THIS SET, HARD WORK IS THE WAY TO BIG BIG GAINS

Common Sense in Strength Training - By Vincent Bowers

2012-04-12T12:39:00.001-04:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on November 11, 2006 I recently visited my older sister and whilst there got into a conversation with my nephew.I went into the kitchen where my nephew was preparing his evening meal, as I watched him prepare to grill his approximately 4oz steak and make ready his green salad I asked him how his training was going. He told me he was presently training at

The Second 5 "Hard & Fast" Rules of Strength Training - By Tom Kelso

2012-04-05T09:22:00.003-04:00

Originally Posted on NaturalStrength.com on January 6, 2007 See the previous installment in NaturalStrength for the "First 5 Hard & Fast Rules" 6. Use a reasonable volume of training. As mentioned in point number 4 above, there is no need to perform a high volume of exercises per session. This holds true for exercise sets. A 1 to 3 sets/exercise protocol is within reason and should be the

Cardio Training for Guys Who Would Rather Just Lift - By Jon Schultheis

2012-03-27T17:12:00.001-04:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on November 16, 2006 I have loved weightlifting, strength training, and physical culture for nearly as long as I can remember. Watching Steve Reeves play Hercules on TV, getting my first barbell from my mom’s brother, my Uncle Rich (God rest his soul), doing curls and presses with my dad in the family room (the only exercises we knew). These are events

The First 5 "Hard & Fast" Rules of Strength Training - By Tom Kelso

2012-03-19T10:12:00.002-04:00

1. Be compliant and work hard. Provided the “X’s” and “O’s” are in place, simply making a concerted effort to “do something,” do it on a regular schedule, and do it as hard as you can at the time will go a long way to maximizing your potential. It’s 80% of the battle and the first requisite if anything is to be gained. Yes, there are specifics (type of exercises, number of reps, rep speed,

Why Complicate Exercise? - By Fred Fornicola

2012-03-08T10:43:00.001-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on February 5, 2007 Too often in today’s fitness world there is an overabundance of misleading information that seems to create more havoc than providing solutions. Having to stay on top of the latest fads and trends is a full time job – one that I do not subscribe to and never will since I see no reason. The need to find what is “best” or “optimal”

What Are You Talking About… Specifically? - By Fred Fornicola

2012-03-06T08:02:00.001-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on March 12, 2007 My original intention for this article was to go through a thorough explanation of the misnomer “sports specific training”, but after a few conversations over the last few days with some of my peers who have encountered some “debates” over this idiotic concept, I’ve decided to just cut to the chase and discuss this plain and simple.

Tips from WST to Get You Stronger - (16-30) By Bob Whelan

2012-02-28T10:24:00.009-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on June 28, 2007 16. Buy and read the classic old magazines like Strength & Health, Muscular Development, Strength, The Strong Man, Iron Man, (only by Peary Rader - not the modern crap the magazine turned into since 1986) etc. from Bob Adams. Bob is My Favorite Source. There are several others who sell them, but NO ONE gives me the great service that Bob

Tips from WST to Get You Stronger - (1-15) By Bob Whelan

2012-02-23T07:13:00.004-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on June 9, 2007 Here are some tips that will help you reach your goals: 1. Read every article on the NaturalStrength.com web site. It may take you awhile, but work on it. Pay special attention to the Physical Culture History section, the Strength Training Truth section and Ken Mannie’s section (Spartan Strength) in Special Features. 2. Buy and read all

Man on a Mission - By Dave Wright

2012-02-21T11:39:00.002-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on August 5, 2007 As some of you may or may not know, I have a job that keeps me in the “Hot Zones”. Currently I have the privilege of working in Baghdad, Iraq. Now I am a civilian but also work with and around many, many fine young Americans in uniform. What never ceases to amaze me is how our military are NOT trained to exercise. So much of the

Need old USED Singlets for AAU Lifters in Afghanistan - ASAP

2012-02-19T20:54:00.002-05:00

To Bob and any lifters, who may have gear they are not using please consider sending old stuff you do not use. Read message below. Thanks for your support. - LInda Jo Belsito OK POWERLIFTERS AND OTHERS: Time to help others. Admiral Pittman and Captain Allen are working to have another satellite meet from Afghanistan as part of the AAU Nationals April 14-15 in Laughlin, NV. Along with US Armed

Not Your Typical Birthday Celebration - By Jim Duggan

2012-02-16T11:42:00.001-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on August 17, 2007 This year I decided to challenge myself for my birthday. In years past, I would set a modest goal for myself- maybe a heavy set of 10-20 reps in the Deadlift, or an extra ten minutes on the Stairmaster. Nothing too extraordinary. This year, for some reason, I decided to really push myself to the limit. Maybe it was some of the

University of Tennessee Strength and Conditioning Clinic - March 2nd and 3rd, 2012

2012-02-15T12:12:00.000-05:00

CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up. Physical Culture Books.com

What’s Your Obsession? - By Brian Cass

2012-02-11T14:52:00.000-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on August 26, 2007 I have not shared this with Max Bob yet (well, at least not until he read this article), but one of my personal goals is to add at least 100 pounds to my 20-rep squat over the next six months or so. Truth be told, I’ve become obsessed with getting my squat poundage up to competitive standards. At WST we usually squat on a "machine" (

5th ANNUAL BASKETBALL SPECIFIC STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING SYMPOSIUM - Friday, May 18th -OR- Saturday, May 19th, 2012 at UNC-Chapel Hill

2012-02-10T12:27:00.000-05:00

*Only register for ONE of the days. Click HERE for More Info Physical Culture Books.com

What I Think of Commercial Gyms - By Steve Meredith

2012-02-05T15:16:00.001-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on August 30, 2007 Jim Duggan posed the question, "What is it that bothers you the most when you are training at a gym?" in one of his recent posts in the Natural Strength Inner Circle, after he read a newspaper article about a fracas in a health club between two middle aged men. The fracas that Jim read about happened because one of the men was “

The Passing of an Olympic Legend - By Jim Duggan

2012-02-02T08:51:00.001-05:00

Originally posted on Natural Strength.com On Monday, October 1, 2007 Al Oerter, the first man to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same event, died of heart failure near his retirement home in Ft. Myers, Florida. He was 71 years old. He won the first of his gold medals in the discus in 1956, when he was just 19 years old. He won his last gold medal, battling poor weather and

Carry Like Crazy! - By Zach Even–Esh

2012-01-31T10:04:00.002-05:00

Originally posted on NaturalStrength.com on November 17, 2007 The simplest movements can often yield the most powerful results. Is this why I never saw anyone doing farmer walks with the 180 lb dumbbells at some gyms I’ve been to? Or heavy rack pulls, heavy squats, heavy military presses (standing not seated) or heavy barbell rows? These movements pack on the real muscle and make you stronger

My Story - By Efraín Vázquez

2012-01-29T09:57:00.001-05:00

Ever since I was a kid in elementary and junior high I was your typical skinny-nerdy type. The textbook definition of hardgainer. I was very tall but packed little to no muscle, and all the time I was either picked on by the bullies at school or I was the last person to be chosen by any team when we played sports. At 16 years of age I decided it was time to change, and entered a gym with three

THE TRUTH ABOUT WEIGHTLIFTING - (circa 1911) - CHAPTER 15 - (Last Chapter) - By Alan Calvert

2011-12-17T07:27:00.001-05:00

In my long association with heavy-weight lifters, both amateur and professional, I have been a witness of some very funny incidents. I remember one time that a friend of mine was about to write an article describing a certain Herculean “hand-balancer.” My friend wishes to illustrate his article with photographs of this gymnast, so he arranged to have the gymnast meet him at the photographer’s