Working the Non-Mirror Muscles Part I – Vanity

Many guys just getting into bodybuilding or strength training often find themselves in a mad love affair with the bench press.  I have witnessed many of my peers develop a sudden interest in being able to impress everyone (especially the other guys) with how much they bench. I will admit, at one point, I was obsessed with the bench press but I never compromised my other lifts due to this stubborn, lustful infatuation.  Naturally, I didn’t have a choice as I was introduced to strength training as a result of being involved in athletics.  Coach said “you WILL do rows and deadlifts or you will get the hell out of my facility!”

The main point I want to bring to your attention today is the importance of training the non-mirror muscles and in this part we will be discussing vanity.  So many young guys develop this grandiose obsession with building a huge chest and a big bench that they often neglect their back, shoulders, traps and lower body altogether.  There is a fundamental flaw in this approach to training.  You can only go so long and get so strong before you run into a myriad of problems. [Read more...]

Naivety, Scams, and Newbies Who Know It All

Over the last few years I’ve had the great pleasure in helping many reach their fitness goals whether it be via email, message boards, training with them or through my various articles here and elsewhere.  I wish I kept tabs on everyone but there are just too many; I’ve lost count.

I might also add that I’ve learned a lot during my fitness journey.  If you’ve read my free ebook, you know I am completely transparent about the mistakes I’ve made and I sincerely hope to help those of you reading my articles sidestep the potholes I previously fell into.

As most of you know, I keep my phone number on the contact page and at the bottom of the site.  This is because I want you to know I am a real person.  That picture at the top of this site is me; the pictures on my about page are really me. I don’t purchase or steal stock images of models; I don’t fabricate my opinions nor do I pretend to know everything.  Hell, I encourage any and all of you to do just as I have and question the authorities.  I questioned all of the so-called experts we see on the internet today touting a bunch of false hopes and promises. [Read more...]

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Sprints

Photo Credit: Fe Ilya

Sprinting, HIIT, running really fast in between telephone poles, whatever you want to call it, you know it’s a lot of fun and you may be doing too much of it.  Allow me to explain.

Within the last few years, the idea of HIIT training, sprinting for fat loss, etc., has become extremely popular.  If you’re interested in just how beneficial this type of training can be, just look at some of the programs built specifically around HIIT(Turbulence Training), the success people have experienced and all of the before and after photo’s floating around online.  They seem to be endless, however many have a mad love affair with this newfound way of training and some even swear by it.  Some believe it’s the only way to train and that everything else pales in comparison. [Read more...]

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