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 : How Many Calories Do I Need?
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  Work it out precisely.

  
  

• Looking At : Nov 22, 2020
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : How To AWAKEN Your Glutes (Redefining Strength)

Great information.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Josh Hewett.

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 : Lateral Sled Work

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes from the Gymchat Bite on Sled Training, with Strength Coach Frank DiMeo and Personal Trainer and Strength Athlete Josh Hewett. How Frank performs Lateral Work with a Sled :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Earth 2.0 (Jump Rope System)

Looks great.

The Earth 2.0 is a jump rope system, with the ability to add weight (the cables themselves are various thicknesses, and are easily swapped out).

There's also a companion smartphone app, complete with a virtual personal trainer.

To give you an idea of what's on offer, a little video :

The Earth 2.0.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : A Brief History of Circuit Training and Peripheral Heart Action (PHA)
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  How it all began.

  
  

• Looking At : Oct 11, 2020
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : Carbon Nanotubes Help Eat Plaque Responsible for Heart Attacks (ColdFusion)

The TBI 'nanocage' we pointed to yesterday got plenty of people discussing medical nanotechnology in general. Here's a wonderful look at a recent discovery of nanotech's ability to help eat the plaque responsible for heart attacks.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Josh Hewett.

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 : Fast or Slow Reps?

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

One of the areas that Josh Hewett and John Paul Catanzaro covered in Gymchat 256 - Injury Prevention & Management was the general approach to choosing rep speed based on your goals. John Paul outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : SpoonTEK (Taste-Enhancing Spoon)

Interesting idea.

The SpoonTEK spoon is a typical piece of cutlery with an intriguing addition - the use of a small electrical current to stimulate your taste buds, enhancing the flavour of any food.

I'm curious to see how it performs on a particularly bland diet, or an unfamiliar one. As well as for people with a damaged sense of smell.

The video will give you an idea of what's on offer :

The SpoonTEK spoon.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : Owning an Underground Gym: Some Insights
  Al Heinemann | Follow @AlHeinemann
  The first 18 months of the Terminal City Barbell Club.

  
  

• Looking At : Oct 4, 2020
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : 3D-Printing Human Parts - The Future of Our Bodies (Venture City)

Although we've touched on several of these possibilities over the years, it's wonderful to see them all in a single video.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Josh Hewett.

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 : Fine-Tuning Your Lifestyle

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

One of the areas that Josh Hewett and Adam Farrah covered in Gymchat 255 - Pillars of Paleo was the general approach to fine-tuning your lifestyle. Though the specifics will obviously vary from person to person, Adam outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Skill Board (Balance Board)

Deceptively simple.

The Skill Board is a balance board & ball (rather than the typical cylinder) - challenging your moves in 360 degrees. Think of it as the foundation of several types of agility training.

Although I'm keen to test it out myself, I'm also curious to see what it commonly gets paired with. Will it make its way into the home gym, or is it best suited to more commercial spaces? Keen to hear everyone's thoughts.

A little video :

The Skill Board.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : Ultimate Masters World's Strongest Man 2011
  Davie Easton | Follow @DavieEaston
  Great competition.

  
  

• Looking At : Sep 20, 2020
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : Apple Watch Series 6 - Sports & Fitness Hands-on Tests (DC Rainmaker)

The latest generation of the Apple Watch was officially launched the other day, and the reviews have been steadily trickling in ever since. My favourite so far - this one by DC Rainmaker.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Conor Doherty.

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 : Sleep Hygiene

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

One of the areas that Josh Hewett and Sincere Hogan covered in Gymchat 253 was the general approach to sleep hygiene. Though the specifics will obviously vary from person to person, Sincere outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Intriex (Metabolism Tracking Device)

Very interesting idea.

Although I'm not a fan of the infomercial-style advertising, the product itself - The Intriex Metabolism Tracking Device - is interesting. A couple of questions though :

1. Can I export the data for use in another app (either a commercially-available one, or one I've written myself)
2. How many times can the strips be used? Will I be forced to buy new ones all the time, or can I clean & re-use them?

The Intriex Metabolism Tracking Device.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 Strong
  Davie Easton | Follow @DavieEaston
  Its only 110kg per hand...

  
  

• Looking At : Nov 17, 2019
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : All About The Gut Microbiome (Joe Scott)

Very interesting area.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Kurtis Frank. Photo by Kira Beriault.

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 : Lateral Sled Work

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes from the Gymchat Bite on Sled Training, with Strength Coach Frank DiMeo and Personal Trainer and Strength Athlete Josh Hewett. How Frank performs Lateral Work with a Sled :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : MONKII 360 (Portable Workout Setup)

The MONKII 360 is a door-mounted band workout system, designed with interval training in mind. Looks ideal for a quick session in the hotel room, or wherever you end up when on-the-road.

A spot of video :

The MONKII 360.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : Odd Object Training
  Kevin 'Sgt Sweaty' Miller
  Ready for something a little different?

  
  

• Looking At : Oct 6, 2019
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : Robert Oberst's Biggest Lifts (The Strongest Man in History, Season 1)

Love this show.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Conor Doherty.

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 : Fast or Slow Reps?

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.

One of the areas that Josh Hewett and John Paul Catanzaro covered in Gymchat 256 - Injury Prevention & Management was the general approach to choosing rep speed based on your goals. John Paul outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Handy Gym (Portable Inertial Trainer)

Was just having a conversation about the Handy Gym, a portable inertial training device that is roughly equivalent to 'weighted band training'. The video below will show you what I mean :

Looks ideal for rehab work, and for quick sessions when travelling. Keen to give one a try.

Handy Gym.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : How to Build Your Own Sandbag
  Derek 'D-Rock' Peruo | Follow @DerekPeruoCSCS
  Whether it's for the versatility, experimentation or budget constraints - this is the only way to go.

  
  

• Looking At : Sep 29, 2019
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : David Sinclair on Intermittent Fasting (Modern Wisdom Podcast #066)

We get a lot of questions on both Intermittent Fasting and longevity. Here's David Sinclair's view on the combination.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Karsten Jensen.

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 : Fine-Tuning Your Lifestyle

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

One of the areas that Josh Hewett and Adam Farrah covered in Gymchat 255 - Pillars of Paleo was the general approach to fine-tuning your lifestyle. Though the specifics will obviously vary from person to person, Adam outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Fridge Eye (Smart Fridge Camera)

Fridge Eye is a camera for inside the fridge - as well as a 'phone app - to turn any fridge into a 'Smart Fridge'.

The smartphone software includes object-recognizing AI, though I suspect the device is quite powerful even without that. The ability to quickly check what's in the fridge at any time (particularly when shopping) is wonderful.

A spot of video to show you what's on offer :

Fridge Eye.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : Double Kettlebell Workouts: For the Best of Both Worlds
  Yael Grauer | Follow @yaelwrites
  An interview with Strength Coach Troy Anderson.

  
  

• Looking At : Sep 15, 2019
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : Arnold Schwarzenegger's Fridge & Current Training (Men's Health)

Nice one.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

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.

Jen Mulhall.

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 : Sleep Hygiene

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

One of the areas that Josh Hewett and Sincere Hogan covered in Gymchat 253 was the general approach to sleep hygiene. Though the specifics will obviously vary from person to person, Sincere outlines the basic idea :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : My Quarter Century in The Iron Game [Kindle Version] (Sig Klein, John Wood)

My Quarter Century in The Iron Game.

This compilation is from several of Sig Klein's articles in Strength and Health Magazine, put together in Kindle form by John Wood. Taking the form of an autobiography, it covers the period from 1924 - 1945.

And yes, his training continued well past that point.

Sig Klein's My Quarter Century in The Iron Game.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : 10 of the Best - Parkour Television Commercials
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  These are incredible.
  

• Looking At : Nov 11, 2018
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : Improving Brain Health, Reducing Dementia Risk (Max Lugavere)

Great information.

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.

Barry Gibson.

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 : Lateral Sled Work

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 from the Gymchat Bite on Sled Training, with Strength Coach Frank DiMeo and Personal Trainer and Strength Athlete Josh Hewett. How Frank performs Lateral Work with a Sled :

Good stuff.

Checking Out : Altifarm (Indoor Herb Garden)

We've been talking recently about the various ways to fine-tune your diet, and 'growing your own herbs & vegetables' is certainly high on the list. The The Altifarm is a great way to do just that.

Designed especially for indoor/small space use, it's essentially an organised stack of adjustable height planter boxes.

A little video will show you what I mean :

The Altifarm.

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

Good stuff Bret, 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 : Nails - Converting Imperial to Metric
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  Ready to begin your nail bending journey? Live in a country where Metric measurements are the norm?
  

• Looking At : Oct 21, 2018
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

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 : Fasting vs Eating Less - What's the Difference? (What I've Learned)

Great information.

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.

Chas Melichar.

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 : The Benefits of Getting Your Shoes Fitted (Rather Than Fitting Them Yourself)

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 were a number of great points raised in Gymchat 185 - Training for Marathons & Triathlons, including this suggestion from Chas. There are real benefits to having your shoes fitted, rather than simply picking the ones you think will work well.

Well said.

Checking Out : Laserlight Core (Light for Night-time Cycling)

Remember the Blaze? The Laserlight Core is the latest incarnation, though the idea is the same - a light to assist night-time cycling, both in seeing and in being seen.

To give you an idea of what this thing looks like and how it works, a spot of video :

The Laserlight Core.

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

Good stuff Bret, looks great.