“As soon as you stop jumping, you start dying”
I used to be content with a generic “athletic” lifestyle—jogging a few miles here, bench-pressing a couple of dumbbells there—until a good friend nudged me into the explosive world of plyometrics. Fast forward several years, and I can honestly say that training my fast-twitch muscle fibers has been one of the most exhilarating (and, dare…
Weight Loss: Why You Must Go To War With Yourself
I’ve been pretty active my whole life but have upped my fitness game in the past few years, and if I could meet my past self, I’d probably slap the protein shake right out of his hands. The things I used to do? Hilarious. But we all start somewhere, and for me, it began with…
Ballistic Training: Explosive Gains (and Sore Everything)
For the past few weeks, I’ve been diving headfirst (not literally, but close) into ballistic training. You know, the kind of training where you throw things, jump explosively, and generally make the gym look like an action movie set. I’ve incorporated it into my plyometric workouts and even sprinkled in some ballistic push-ups on chest…
Why the Flat Bench Press Can Take a Seat: My Love Affair with Incline Presses
Alright, let’s get something out of the way: I’ve never been a flat barbell bench guy. I know, I know – it’s like confessing you take the tomato of your hamburger (which for me is also true). “stop being a child” The flat bench is the classic, the stereotypical barbell lift that gets you all…
Chasing the Elusive One-Rep Max: PRs, Sibling Rivalries, and Unlocking My Inner Mom-Strength
Chasing the Elusive One-Rep Max: When PRs Soar and When They Flop There are few things more satisfying in the gym than slapping an extra plate on the bar and absolutely smashing a new one-rep max (1RM). But let’s be honest—sometimes you walk in feeling strong, only to get stapled by a weight that you…
Can Music Make You a Gym Beast? Science Says Yes.
If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly lifting heavier just because your favorite song came on, you’re not imagining things. Science backs it up—music can actually make you stronger, faster, and more enduring. But how? Let’s break down what the nerds in lab coats have found. The Studies (AKA People on Treadmills with Headphones) A bunch…