Max effort lifting is often thought of as lifting the maximum amount of weight that you are capable of lifting for a single rep. I think this is basically because Westside Barbell popularized the term, “max effort day.” For a…
The longer I am involved in resistance training, the more evident it is that training based on momentary performance interferes with long-term progress. Momentary performance is based on doing the best you can do at the current moment in time.…
This article is part three of a series of blogs that will combine into the formation of a book called, From Giants To Pyramids; The 4 x 10 Workout. It will be hard to understand the content of this blog…
Linear periodization is a training method in which you start out with poundages that are moderately heavy, and weight is gradually added to your lifts each week for several weeks. One of the most frustrating things about using a linear…
What does your training look like in terms of effort? Some lifters don’t push hard enough; other lifters push too hard, and some lift with an ideal amount of effort. Early Stages of Effort It could be that you are…
Mechanical tension is one of the biggest keys to stimulating an increase in muscle size (i.e. hypertrophy). It has taken me years of training to understand this because my focus has always been on feeling leverage instead of feeling mechanical…
Motivation is important. It is essential for success, but must be controlled. If you are like me, you enjoy learning about weight training and resistance training. You can go on the internet and find tons of content in regard to…
The ability to achieve a pure muscle contraction is one of the keys to successful long-term lifting. A pure muscle contraction starts with a stretch that puts the muscle under a high degree of tension. The high degree of tension…
Do you focus on using your muscles to lift weights, or on lifting weights to stimulate your muscles? Using muscles to lift weights is the main focus of powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and strength training. In contrast, lifting weights to stimulate…
Do you want to get bigger and stronger over the long-term? Do you want to last a long time at weight training? If so, my advice is to use perfect form on all of your exercises, and to stay within…
