Wrestling strength training should change across the year. Learn how to periodize your off-season, pre-season, and in-season lifting and conditioning so you build size and strength in the summer, convert it to power in the fall, and peak for the postseason. Coach Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym lays out the full blueprint.
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.
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.
The single leg lateral box jump is one of the best drills for building frontal plane power, single-leg explosiveness, and the hip stability that protects your knees during cutting and change of direction. In this guide, Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym breaks down how to perform the exercise in both lateral and medial directions, how to program it for in-season athletes, and why it’s a powerful tool for wrestlers and combat sport athletes. Learn the coaching cues, landing mechanics, and progressions that make this single-leg plyometric drill so effective.
The offset TRX push-up with shoulder tap is one of the most advanced push-up variations for building unilateral pressing strength, serratus anterior activation, and anti-rotation core stability. Learn the complete setup, step-by-step technique, muscles worked, common mistakes, and programming for this suspension trainer exercise. Ideal for powerlifters, combat sports athletes, and anyone ready to progress beyond the standard push-up.
Brandon Smitley of THIRST Gym recaps the 2025 year across YouTube, the THIRST More Podcast, Instagram, and online coaching, sharing real analytics, business challenges, and what is changing heading into 2026. From hitting YouTube monetization and growing to 6,000 subscribers to navigating a gym relocation due to eminent domain, this post covers the full story behind a year of growth and hard lessons for a working strength coach and small gym owner. If you are a strength athlete, powerlifter, wrestler, or coach looking for honest insights from someone in the trenches, this is the recap worth reading.
Discover the essential survival guide for new personal trainers navigating their critical first 90 days in the fitness industry. Learn proven strategies for building client relationships, optimizing your training business systems, and avoiding the common mistakes that cause 80% of trainers to quit within their first year. This comprehensive roadmap covers everything from client acquisition and retention to professional development, helping both new and experienced fitness professionals build sustainable, profitable personal training careers.