Crossbody Cable Kickstand RDL

The crossbody cable kickstand RDL is one of the most effective loaded mobility exercises you can add to your training for improving posterior hip capsule mobility and glute strength at the same time. Using a low cable and a kickstand stance, this exercise uses a cross-body pull to drive hip rotation through the hinge pattern, making it ideal for athletes and lifters who struggle with hip stiffness or limited range of motion. Whether you use it as a pre-training warm-up, an accessory movement, or a recovery day drill, this variation delivers real results for your hips and your posterior chain.

Heels Elevated Hatfield Squat

The heels elevated Hatfield squat is a powerful quad-dominant squat variation that uses a safety squat bar, heel elevation, and a hands-on support apparatus to maximize forward knee travel, improve squat mechanics, and drive serious quadriceps development. Whether you’re dealing with anterior pelvic tilt, looking to replace machine-based quad work, or simply want a versatile supplemental squat exercise, this movement delivers. Learn how to set it up, which muscles it targets, and how to program it for strength and hypertrophy goals.

Hatfield Squat

Hatfield Squat: How to Do It, Muscles Worked, and Programming Tips The Hatfield squat is one of the most underrated squat variations in strength training, yet it offers a unique combination of load tolerance, technical feedback, and lower body development that few exercises can match. Whether you’re a powerlifter looking to reinforce your squat mechanics,…

The 5 Best Tricep Exercises for Size & Strength (Backed by Science)

Discover the top five science-backed tricep exercises for building maximum strength and size, including the close grip bench press, JM press, overhead cable extension, rope push-down, and board press. Learn how to train all three heads of the tricep — long, lateral, and medial — with proper technique, programming recommendations, and progression strategies. Whether you’re a powerlifter looking to add plates to your bench press or an athlete chasing bigger arms, this complete tricep training guide from THIRST Gym covers everything you need.

Sandbag Ground To Shoulder

The sandbag ground to shoulder is a full-body strength and conditioning exercise that builds hip extension power, grip strength, and core stability using nothing more than a sandbag. Learn proper technique for both the direct ground-to-shoulder variation and the lapping technique for heavier loads, plus programming recommendations for athletes and combat sports competitors. This exercise is a staple in the THIRST Gym training arsenal for wrestlers, fighters, and anyone looking to build practical, real-world strength.

Single Arm DB Split Jerk

The single arm dumbbell split jerk is a powerful Olympic lifting variation that builds explosive upper body strength, unilateral coordination, and split stance athleticism using just one dumbbell. This exercise is ideal for coaches working with teams, athletes with limited equipment access, or anyone looking to develop split jerk mechanics without a barbell. Learn proper technique, coaching cues, and programming recommendations to get the most out of this versatile power exercise.

Single Arm DB Push Jerk

The single arm dumbbell push jerk is a full-body power exercise that uses an explosive lower body drive to launch a dumbbell into a locked-out overhead catch position — developing both power production and absorption in a single movement. Learn proper front rack setup, dip-and-drive mechanics, and how to land and absorb the load safely overhead. Program it for three to five sets of three to five reps per arm to build athletic upper body power without a barbell or platform.

Single Arm DB Push Press

The single arm dumbbell push press is a powerful unilateral exercise that combines a lower body dip with an explosive overhead press to build upper body power and improve athletic performance. Learn proper rack position, foot stance, and the dip-drive-punch technique to maximize force transfer through a single arm. Programmed for three to five sets of three to five reps per side, this exercise is ideal for athletes, wrestlers, and anyone serious about developing explosive pressing strength.

2025 Year in Review: Real Talk on Content Growth, Gym Ownership & What’s Next

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.

Kickstand Goblet Squat

The kickstand goblet squat is a quad-dominant squat variation that uses a staggered stance to emphasize one leg at a time — with nothing more than a single dumbbell or kettlebell. Learn proper setup, technique, and programming for this effective unilateral accessory exercise. Perfect for garage gym athletes, beginners, and anyone looking to add single-leg quad work without machines.