Master the close grip bench press with proper hand positioning, elbow mechanics, and bar path techniques that maximize tricep development while eliminating wrist and elbow pain. Learn how to optimize grip width for wrist-elbow stacking, fix common mistakes like elbow flare and improper touch points, and program this essential accessory movement to build lockout strength and dramatically improve your competition bench press numbers.
Discover which bench press accessories actually build serious strength with this comprehensive exercise tier list ranking movements from S-tier to D-tier based on proven carryover to your one-rep max. Learn why cambered bar bench press, floor press, and close grip variations dominate the rankings, while popular exercises like Smith machine pressing and bicep curls waste valuable training time. This guide helps powerlifters and strength athletes program smarter by focusing on exercises that deliver maximum bench press gains.
Discover the complete squat exercise tier list ranking every major squat variation and assistance movement from S-tier essentials to D-tier time-wasters for powerlifters and strength athletes. This comprehensive guide evaluates pause squats, safety bar squats, belt squats, front squats, Bulgarian split squats, and dozens of other exercises based on their direct carryover to competition squat strength, helping you prioritize training time on movements that actually increase your squat max. Learn which squat accessories belong in your program, which exercises waste your time, and how to structure your squat training for maximum strength gains using evidence-based exercise selection strategies.
Building a bigger deadlift requires strategic selection of assistance exercises that actually transfer to competition performance, not just random supplemental work that looks hard in the gym. This comprehensive tier list ranks the most effective deadlift accessories from elite movements like deficit deadlifts and banded pulls to overrated exercises that waste your training time, giving you a clear roadmap for programming decisions based on movement specificity and actual carryover to pulling strength. Whether you struggle off the floor, at lockout, or simply want to optimize your deadlift programming, understanding which assistance exercises deserve priority in your training will help you break through plateaus and consistently add weight to the bar.
Discover how training residuals impact athletic performance and why understanding these crucial training adaptations can be the difference between maintaining or losing your hard-earned gains. Learn the science behind different training effects’ “shelf life” – from speed and power to strength and endurance – and how to optimize your training program to maintain peak performance throughout the season. This comprehensive guide breaks down the five key training residuals every coach and athlete needs to know for sustainable athletic development.
Discover the powerful principles behind conjugate and concurrent training methods that have revolutionized athletic development and strength programming. This comprehensive guide breaks down the three fundamental pillars of the conjugate system—max effort, dynamic effort, and repetition methods—while explaining how to implement them effectively for both athletes and strength enthusiasts. Whether you’re a coach looking to optimize your athletes’ performance or a lifter seeking to enhance your training methodology, this in-depth exploration provides practical strategies for programming success.
Dive deep into undulating periodization, an advanced training methodology that’s revolutionizing how athletes and coaches approach strength programming. This comprehensive guide breaks down the science behind non-linear periodization, explaining how to manipulate training variables like intensity, volume, and frequency to optimize athletic performance and prevent burnout. Whether you’re a powerlifter, competitive athlete, or strength coach, discover how this sophisticated programming model can elevate your training to the next level.
Discover how block periodization can transform your training approach and optimize athletic performance through strategically designed training phases. This comprehensive guide breaks down the three crucial phases of block periodization—accumulation, transmutation, and realization—providing you with the advanced programming knowledge needed to achieve multiple performance peaks throughout your training year. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or serious lifter looking to break through plateaus, understanding this powerful training methodology could be the key to unlocking your next level of strength and performance.
Twenty competitors got together to help raise money for breast cancer awareness at THIRST gym in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Learn to set up bands properly for the squat to maximize lower body strength and power from strength coach and personal trainer, Brandon Smitley.