Results matching “Bird”



With the gyms closed, equipment-free home workouts certainly have plenty of appeal.





NB : We first looked at this one in the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit). If you'd like to have it sent to you automatically (free!) each week, just add your email here.

We also discuss a number of training-related books. If you're looking for the full list of the ones I recommend personally, swing by Goodreads. Great site.


Monday, 30 Mar 2020 - Issues

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 :

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 : Gym Closed? A Simple Home Bodyweight Workout (Alan Thrall)



With the gyms closed, equipment-free home workouts certainly have plenty of appeal.

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.


Previously : In Gymchat 257 we discussed Muscle Activation Techniques with Core Strength's Eric Seifert, and Personal Trainer & Strength Athlete Josh Hewett. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you'll find 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.

Tip of the Week : Use a Weight You Can Control

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 to us from the enigmatic Gerard F, and is a snippet from a series of very interesting conversations surrounding the insights of the 'Iron Guru', Vince Gironda.


The full quote is :

Use a weight you can control, and control the weight you use.

This applies to a lot of things, but in this case we were talking about the bench press. Gerard noted :

At best the Bench Press is an "OK" exercise even when done correctly, but nearly everyone performs it based on the wrong concept. Using 8-12 reps its OK, but what happens is, when the reps get tough, your form goes bad, the back arches and/or your torso torques; stress goes from the chest to the triceps to the shoulder/cuff, and your strong side lifts the load that your weak side can't handle.

Over bench pressing gives you a circle looking chest, that's when the shoulders and tris are developed because the chest can't handle the weight, and what happens is the shoulder and tris are targeted more than the pecs.

Very interesting. Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.


Checking Out : ROCKUBOT (UVC Sterilization Robot)

Interesting idea.

The ROCKUBOT is a small, sterilising robot. Think Roomba with UVC rather than suction.

Personally, I'd love something like this for the home gym - and I suspect I'm not alone in that. Nothing like a little 'shelter in place' time to reinforce a few things.

As for the device itself, a little video :



The ROCKUBOT.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.


During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Looks great.

The Circular Smart Ring is a fitness-tracking wearable device in the form of a waterproof ring. Perfect.

A little video :



The Circular Smart Ring.





NB : We first looked at this one in the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit). If you'd like to have it sent to you automatically (free!) each week, just add your email here.

We also discuss a number of training-related books. If you're looking for the full list of the ones I recommend personally, swing by Goodreads. Great site.




If you're spending a bit more time indoors right now - and don't yet have a home gym setup - here's a simple equipment-free workout to keep the gains coming.





NB : We first looked at this one in the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit). If you'd like to have it sent to you automatically (free!) each week, just add your email here.

We also discuss a number of training-related books. If you're looking for the full list of the ones I recommend personally, swing by Goodreads. Great site.


Monday, 23 Mar 2020 - Issues

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 :

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 : The PERFECT Home Workout (Athlean-X)



If you're spending a bit more time indoors right now - and don't yet have a home gym setup - here's a simple equipment-free workout to keep the gains coming.

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.


Previously : In Gymchat 256 we discussed Injury Prevention & Management with Exercise Physiologist John Paul Catanzaro, and Personal Trainer & Strength Athlete Josh Hewett. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you'll find 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.

Tip of the Week : Beginner Neck-Building Program

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 to us from the obscenely strong Mike 'The Machine' Bruce, and is a snippet from his superb article Building A Neck Of Steel. Take a look.


Neck work - whether you're a beginner, or have been training for years - doesn't need to be that complicated. And if you're new to the area of neck strengthening, this is a great place to start.

Over to Mike :

Neck Harness lift
Now that's a neck harness lift.
Following is a beginner program to help get you started from Pencil Neck to Neck of Steel.
  • Neck Curls on a flat bench with weight 1-2 sets of 20-30 repetitions
  • Neck Harness work [same as above]
  • Side of Neck on a flat bench [same as above]


Do this every other day for the first month. Then you can increase the workload to every day you train. Or increase the weighted repetitions to 5 sets of 50 repetitions. Once you can attain 100 straight repetitions in the 3 exercises then it is time to increase the weight.



Good stuff.


Checking Out : Circular Smart Ring (Fitness-Tracking Wearable)

Looks great.

The Circular Smart Ring is a fitness-tracking wearable device in the form of a waterproof ring. Perfect.

A little video :



The Circular Smart Ring.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.


During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Facebook, Twitter, in The Daily 'Paper' and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Looks great.

I tend to train in a variety of locations, and I suspect the same applies to a number of people here. Either from travelling, or simply from enjoying the great outdoors.

The FoldEat looks ideal for that sort of routine - combining several food storage containers with a machine-washable eating mat.

A little video to show you what I mean :



The FoldEat.





NB : We first looked at this one in the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit). If you'd like to have it sent to you automatically (free!) each week, just add your email here.

We also discuss a number of training-related books. If you're looking for the full list of the ones I recommend personally, swing by Goodreads. Great site.




If all of the closures and cancellations have got you down, take a look at this. Nice one.





NB : We first looked at this one in the weekly Strength & Fitness Newsletter (part of the Strength Kit). If you'd like to have it sent to you automatically (free!) each week, just add your email here.

We also discuss a number of training-related books. If you're looking for the full list of the ones I recommend personally, swing by Goodreads. Great site.


Monday, 16 Mar 2020 - Issues

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 :

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 : 6 Reasons To Be Optimistic About Coronavirus (Medlife Crisis)



If all of the closures and cancellations have got you down, take a look at this. 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.


Previously : In Gymchat 255 we discussed Pillars of Paleo with Kettlebell and CrossFit Coach Adam Farrah and Personal Trainer & Strength Athlete Josh Hewett. Great conversation.


If you missed the live stream (or just want to go over a particular point again), you'll find 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.

Tip of the Week : Steel Bending Benefits - Increased Neural Strength

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 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 :

Adam T Glass
Adam with a reconfigured #5 Draft Horse Shoe.
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.

Good stuff.

Checking Out : FoldEat (Food Storage & Eating Mat)

Looks great.

I tend to train in a variety of locations, and I suspect the same applies to a number of people here. Either from travelling, or simply from enjoying the great outdoors.

The FoldEat looks ideal for that sort of routine - combining several food storage containers with a machine-washable eating mat.

A little video to show you what I mean :



The FoldEat.




Quick update on the Hip Thruster we mentioned recently - fantastic thing.

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



Good stuff Bret, looks great.

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