Does lifting weights make you slow? It’s one of the most damaging myths in sports. Strength training doesn’t kill speed — weakness does. Learn what the research says about strength and speed, the force-velocity curve, and how to build a program that makes athletes stronger and faster.
Every year the fitness industry rolls out new “revolutionary” trends, but separating real science from marketing hype takes a clear evaluation framework. In this comprehensive breakdown, THIRST Gym owner and strength coach Brandon Smitley analyzes the biggest fitness trends of 2026 across velocity based training, blood flow restriction, zone 2 cardio, HRV wearables, biohacking protocols, and more, identifying what’s legitimate, what’s overhyped, and what’s complete nonsense. Learn how to filter fitness trends through peer-reviewed research, effect size, and cost-benefit analysis to make smarter training, nutrition, and recovery decisions.
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.