Interesting device.
Follow Me is a small sensor-laden device which sits on your upper back, keeping an eye on your posture. A curved spine will immediately result in a notification being sent to your phone.
Additionally, the device keeps track of your daily step count; and has an hourly stand reminder (many smartwatch owners will already be intimately familiar with both of these). It'll be interesting to see if they add more of these fitness-centric features over time.
For now, a little video :
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 Lost Art of Overhead PressingLooking At : Jan 24, 2021Over 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.
Two weeks ago we noted Andrew's wonderful book 'Ageless' (highly recommended). If you're more of a visual learner - or know someone who is - you might like to check out the above presentation. Loved it.
We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Facebook 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.
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.
Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.
This tip is from Josh Hewett's excellent 'Bulletproof Your Body' series. The 'right' way to fix your knees after surgery.
Over to Josh :
Good stuff. Note that this is only a snippet from the full piece - swing by Josh' blog for the entire article. A great read.
Interesting device.
Follow Me is a small sensor-laden device which sits on your upper back, keeping an eye on your posture. A curved spine will immediately result in a notification being sent to your phone.
Additionally, the device keeps track of your daily step count; and has an hourly stand reminder (many smartwatch owners will already be intimately familiar with both of these). It'll be interesting to see if they add more of these fitness-centric features over time.
For now, a little video :
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
Curious : has anyone here tried anything similar, and do you find yourself straightening your back even when not wearing the device?
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 : Why Bend Steel?Looking At : Jun 4, 2017Over 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.
Great demonstration of the Fatbells at work.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
- 1. Anything that doesn't violate the "don't do" and will get me stronger!
Love it.
Curious : has anyone here tried anything similar, and do you find yourself straightening your back even when not wearing the device?
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
Great video.
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 Zercher SquatLooking At : Feb 26, 2017Over 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.
Great video.
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.
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.
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.
This tip comes to us from 'Unbreakable' Adam Glass' superb article Why Bend Steel?; and looks at just one of the great benefits of a regular dose of steel bending. Increased Neural Strength.
Over to Adam :
First benefit is to your neural strength: Steel bending is an exceptional way to build your single unit application of tension. What I mean is this - you have to tense and load every muscle in your body, take out all "leakages", brace everything together and direct it through you hands with a sniper's precise angle. If you get sloppy punching on the nails ends, you will hurt yourself. You could possibly punch yourself in the face, roll your hands out of the groove, stab yourself, or any other combination of less desirable outcomes. This activity will turn your wrist to stone. Your ability to direct power will be significantly increased. This will directly carry over to any other strength-skill you currently have. The way I load up to bend a Huge Stainless Steel Bastard is exactly the same feeling as when I load up to pull a max dead, to press a 48kg bell, or to slam an axe through a log. It adds a critical power appliance to your "strength skill tool box".
This increase in strength and power naturally will carry over to an increase in your endurance. Anyone who has bent a nail will tell you the first time they bent it was so tiring. I have watched people sweat bullets bending their first respectable nail. As time goes on you gain huge reserves of power. A personal testament to this level of power for me was October 2007 when I bent 150 60D nails in one hour using the double under (DU) grip. That represented a massive improvement from Jan 2007, when bending 10-15 nails left my hands extremely fatigued.
This looks great.
As the name suggests, this is a look at the training required in order to successfully tackle this somewhat uncommon grip challenge.
Comprising a number of videos and exercise descriptions, this is an ideal package. As for the lift itself, here's a bit of video to show it in action :
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
Remember the iPosture? The Poze is a similar idea (which is definitely a good thing). I'll let the video explain :
Sounds great - the Poze
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 : Napping in the AfternoonThose who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allen Poe
Looking At : Nov 6, 2016Over 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.
There are some great lunge variations possible, and here's one of my favourites - the Short Stance version of the Walking Lunge.
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.
If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can watch the entire video 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.
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.
However, they're very powerful things indeed.
The basic logic behind using a checklist is pretty straightforward. As Adam Stoffa notes in the article Checklists and Complex Problems :
An example from training might be properly warming up. Everyone knows it's foolish to engage in physical training without warming up first, but with time pressure, competing interests, or environmental stress, this step occasionally gets skipped. The risks associated with skipping this step, are significant. Pulled muscles are a major setback to a training program. When you balance the interests involved, saving a few minutes versus suffering a major setback, the risk associated with skipping this key step is unacceptably high. Therefore, item number 1 on your checklist could be:
- Complete Warm Up Exercises
And yes, although it looks almost laughably simple, this absolutely works. The checklist approach is very highly recommended indeed.
Sounds great - the Poze
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
I'm currently checking out the 'Forward Head Posture FIX' program, which aims to tackle the areas that the name suggests - the slightly slouched posture commonly seen in office buildings. If you've ever been told to 'stand up straight', you know what I mean.
The program takes the form of downloadable (or physical, if you prefer) videos and books; outlining a series of exercises and movements which address the posture issue. For a full rundown of everything being offered, swing by the main site :
http://forwardheadposturefix.com
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 : Road to StrongLooking At : Apr 3, 2016Over 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.
This is a great - and thorough, it runs about 37min - video showing construction of DIY atlas stones; using both the Slater Stone and Hybrid Stone moulds (or 'molds' if you prefer). Nice one Alan.
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.
If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you can watch the entire video 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.
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.
This tip is not so much 'How to Hold the Bar in the Front Squat' (though the article shows no fewer than 10 ways to do just that), as much as a simple demonstration that there are often many ways to achieve the same result in strength training. If what you're doing isn't working (or you simply don't enjoy it), try something else.
From the article Holding the Bar in the Front Squat :
If the Mike Boyle article on T-Nation has you considering the Front Squat, you may be mindful of just how awkward it can be to hold the bar. Like Zercher Squats, they're often overlooked simply due to the difficulty.
There are several ways to hold the bar for the Front Squat. If one method doesn't feel right, or your current flexibility or injury precludes it, try one of the others. It really is a great exercise.
I'm currently checking out the 'Forward Head Posture FIX' program, which aims to tackle the areas that the name suggests - the slightly slouched posture commonly seen in office buildings. If you've ever been told to 'stand up straight', you know what I mean.
The program takes the form of downloadable (or physical, if you prefer) videos and books; outlining a series of exercises and movements which address the posture issue. For a full rundown of everything being offered, swing by the main site :
http://forwardheadposturefix.com
Looks great.
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
