The sandbag Zercher step-up builds single-leg strength in your glutes and quads while keeping your torso tall and your joints happy. Learn how to choose the right box height, fix the most common step-up mistakes, and program it for strength, hypertrophy, or low-impact conditioning.
The double kettlebell clean to push jerk is a full-body power exercise that builds triple extension, explosive hip drive, and overhead stability with just two kettlebells. Learn proper clean and push jerk technique, how it differs from the push press, how heavy to go, and how to program it for strength, power, and conditioning.
The double kettlebell clean to push press is a full-body kettlebell exercise that builds strength, power, and conditioning in one explosive movement. Learn proper technique, common mistakes, and how to program it for athletic performance or conditioning.
The glute ham roller lateral lunge is a frontal plane exercise that builds adductor strength, hip mobility, and single-leg stability all at once. Learn how to perform it, the key coaching cues, common mistakes, and how to program it for wrestlers, powerlifters, and any athlete who needs stronger, more mobile hips. A simple, scalable way to train lateral movement and change of direction.
The 45-degree back extension with medball rotation adds loaded thoracic rotation to a classic glute-ham hyper, building a stronger, more resilient posterior chain while priming your lower back for heavy deadlifts, squats, and hinge work. Learn how to perform it correctly, the common mistakes to avoid, and how to program it as a warm-up or finisher for wrestlers, powerlifters, older lifters, and general fitness clients. Strength coach Brandon Smitley breaks down the cues, muscles worked, and progressions in this complete exercise guide.
The elevated superman with med ball rotation is a posterior chain exercise that builds isometric strength through the glutes, hamstrings, erectors, and multifidus while training controlled spinal rotation. Using a plyometric box and two medicine balls, this superman variation locks in hip extension and makes an excellent warm-up or primer before lifting and conditioning days. It’s a smart, low-impact option for athletes and anyone working toward a stronger, more resilient lower back.
Learn how to perform the glute ham roller reverse lunge, a single-leg exercise that builds stronger quads and glutes while challenging hip stability. This joint-friendly reverse lunge variation uses a glute ham roller to support your back foot, making it accessible for athletes, powerlifters, and general fitness clients alike. Get step-by-step technique, common mistakes to avoid, and programming guidance from strength coach Brandon Smitley.
Master the single-leg glute ham roller leg curl, a brutal unilateral hamstring exercise that builds serious posterior-chain strength using only your bodyweight. Learn proper technique, the muscles it works, common mistakes to avoid, and how to program it to fix side-to-side imbalances and protect your knees. A must-have hamstring builder for wrestlers, combat athletes, and anyone who has outgrown the standard glute ham roller leg curl.
The glute ham roller leg curl is a simple, equipment-light way to build stronger, more resilient hamstrings without a leg curl machine. Learn how to perform this supine hamstring curl with proper hip drive, the most common mistakes to avoid, and how to program it for wrestlers, combat athletes, powerlifters, and lifters at any level.
The seated weighted vertical jump is a concentric-only power exercise that develops explosive starting strength and rate of force development by eliminating the stretch-shortening cycle. In this guide, strength coach Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym breaks down proper setup, load selection, programming, and sport-specific applications for wrestlers, powerlifters, and team-sport athletes. Learn who should use this advanced jump variation and how to program it for a more explosive first step.