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My response to a question regarding recovery:

I don't know how your surgery/back problems relate to mine but I'm going to assume that they are somewhat similar. I had trouble training, walking, sitting, sleeping... living. I had severe nerve impingement, sciatic pain and massive leg pain on both sides all the way down to the foot. However, it did give me a good excuse to fly first class...I just told me wife I needed more room. More room for free alcohol.

Did they test well in the vertical jump because they were great athletes or did they improve their vertical jump and the result was more playing time? I think we all know.

There seems to be a theme lately with people who are hurt/injured and can't do certain movements. Trust me, I know your pain.

I serve our country abroad, and am getting ready to go back overseas. We have a yoke rack, Texas/BC powerlifting bar, and lots of plates/accessories. The weight adds up, and we are dangerously close to our maximum allowance, the exceeding of which would be no bueno for our bank account....what do you recommend?

In the last 13 weeks I also purloined the framework from Jim Wendler to construct THE strongest version of myself to date. Following a program outlined from his book I've been able to go Beyond what was once the outer reaches of my capabilities in the weight room. The ensuing words are not to recap my woes in the pursuit of adding more lbs on the bar than I have previously, its a recollection of the mindset awarded to me by having done just exactly that.

A few weeks ago, I did a Q/A on Instagram. Keep in mind that I asked that the questions be short/answers short - like most people I find typing on a phone ridiculous and impossible to write 16 week training cycles.  So I tried to be as precise with my answers as possible while not being so damn boring.

Although Law Enforcement Officers have more incentive to be in great shape/be strong, all of us, regardless of who you are/what you do, have no excuse to be weak and out of shape.  One thing I tell the kids I'm coaching is that it takes no talent to have great manners, have a winning attitude and be in awesome shape. Yes, some people will be genetically stronger or be able to run faster/longer.  But you can always be a better version of yourself. And not just "a little better".

I've done many versions according to what I was looking for goal-wise or what I was doing in life at the time. I am not going to go over how each version worked out but they all lead to me increasing strength over the long haul. One example I will bring up is the fact that I followed Jack Shit for 8 months...3 of those cycles I didnt go for any rep records at all, I trained twice a week. At the time I didnt think I was getting stronger but I knew I wasn't getting weaker (boy was I naive).

This is a classic case of an idea that works beautifully in theory but, at least in many cases, fails to pay off in the real world. The theory behind rack pulls is that they allow you to use more weight than you normally can handle in conventional deadlifts, which helps target  certain sticking points, namely the lockout position—a real sore spot for many lifters. Sounds good, huh?

The drama that is the Great Gear Debate is overwhelming. Powerlifting is one of the few sports where men will criticize what another man is wearing. I never thought powerlifting could end up on Bravo but it certainly looks like it might.

Under his own admission, Gabe thought these goals were pipe dreams. However see his progress after a year of dedicated training with the 5/3/1 program.

Are you saying you don't need to get slapped in the face before every set?

Listen, this is what I learned. When I was at the University of Arizona and Rob Waldrop, who was the Outland Trophy Winner (awarded to the best college football interior lineman), was squatting. This guy was insanely strong. That day he was squatting in the mid-600's for 7 or 8 reps, and he was just getting under the bar when some kid yells, "C'mon Rob, lets go man!"

Rob just stopped...

What is the worst thing you see people doing? Keep it fitness related.

Novice lifters listening to novice lifters on message boards – it’s like two Navy recruits running a nuclear submarine.  Nothing good can happen.

This story was told to me by my good friend and former training partner, Kevin Deweese.  A young man told Kevin that he'd like to train, look and be strong like Bill Kazmaier (Kaz).