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Zach Thomas - Athletes & Genetics - jimwendler.com

The Truth on Genetics and Athletes

In athletics, genetics is often used as a reason for success and failure. It is a term that is used primarily as physical modifier; he who has the body and athletic ability to play his sport has great genetics.  However, sports is filled with many people who are insanely successful despite not having the traditional physical attributes associated with his sport.

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Instinctive Strength Training- jimwendler.com

Instinctive Training

In theory, I think "instinctive training" does hold water. But in practice, for most people it's probably counterproductive. This doesn't mean you can't adjust your training day to day a little bit — to account for feeling better (going for more reps on a final set) or feeling worse (just doing the required workout and leaving). But to rely entirely on your instinct requires two things:
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From Average to Athlete www.jimwendler.com

From Average to Athlete

Some of these standards may be easy; others may be hard. Don't be upset with the standards if you fail to make the grade. Standards should exist regardless of the social consequences. They don't exist to make you sad, unhappy, or a victim.
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Bigger, Stronger, Baseball

Bigger, Stronger, Baseball

I've known the author, Nick, for over 10 years now.  Not only does he like to shoot his meals and has passable taste in music, but he is a great strength coach. I've seen how his players respond and work for him. The difference between an average/good coach and a great one is usually communication. How does he get his athletes to believe in him and trust in his process? Is he able to get his message to an athlete without resorting to gimmicks or abandoning his principles?  NIck has this in spades. Now read up. - Jim Wendler '17
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Three Prowler Workouts

Three Prowler Workouts

The following three Prowler workouts can be done during the same training week. All sets are done on the vertical posts. The easy and medium workouts can be done between training days and after bench press or press workouts. The hard Prowler workout can be done after you squat and deadlift.
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Jim Wendler Pushing Prowler - jimwendler.com

A Letter to My Younger Self

Remember walking back from track practice amazed at your new speed? Remember looking up at the sky and thinking, "Making my body stronger made my body faster?" Don't worry, this secret is safe with us as few people seemed to have grasped it, "experts" included.

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The Overrated Pullthrough - (not as bad as the Overhead Squat)

The Overrated Pullthrough - (not as bad as the Overhead Squat)

When I was first introduced to pull throughs, I was incredibly  underwhelmed. To get any sort of effect, the reps had to be pushed very high and the weight was frustratingly limited due to the fact that you can't load the exercise with any more weight than you    can get into position with. But I did them anyway, because a lot of strong folks swore by them, and I assumed they must have some magical properties of some kind.
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Krypteia Training Program - jimwendler.com

Krypteia Training Review

The Krypteia program has been used by all the HS/College athletes I work with and members of the private forum.  Here is a review of this program by forum member Josh.  This was done in two parts and over time;...

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What You Do Matters

What You Do Matters

This is from the Jim Wendler forum. I wrote this almost 4 years ago and think it's important for people to read, especially young people who currently have jobs they hate.  Or maybe if you are years into your career and aren't sure about your choice.  Or maybe you downplay/criticize what others do in order to "put them in their place".
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Daddy Warbucks - jimwendler.com - blog

It's Not in My Budget (or is Jesus the only one saving?)

I've noticed a trend on my Facialbook page and in the emails I get regarding equipment, including shoes and belts, racks and bar; it's that nothing is in anyone's budget. Luckily I've found a great way around such things: saving your money. Its different, I know but bear with me. Sometimes things are too expensive for us to afford RIGHT now.
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5/3/1 Forever: Simple And Effective Programming For Size, Speed And Strength - jimwendler.com

5/3/1 Forever Excerpt: Recovery

The following is a portion of the new book, 5/3/1 Forever.  The book is extensive and covers how to PROGRAM your training for long term results.  Besides the actual weight training, conditioning, jumps/throws, mobility, conditioning and recovery are discussed.  This has been years in the making with a lot of successes and a lot of failures.  The goal of the book is to give you the tools to help plan and periodize your training, whatever your goals may be.
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Jim Wendler - Kill Your Boss Tattoo - JimWendler.com

Doing it Right the First Time

I just had a question regarding missing reps.  I've done about 5 cycles of 531 now and love it.  Some odd days I might mess my final set up by having a bad starting position or something small.  I usually end up repeating the final set again properly, not sure if this is wise. 

In the future, if I miss the # of required reps should I:

(a) punch a hole in the gym wall, rip my hair out and worry about it for the next 4 weeks 

(b) suck it up and do it again 

(c) forget about it and continue to assistance work 

(d) kill myself

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King Ragnar Lothbrok - jimwendler.com - Conditioning Queens vs. Kings

Conditioning Queens vs. Kings

After many years of running myself into the ground in high school, it wasn't until college that I realized how to properly condition. There is a trend amongst the natives that when you do conditioning, whether it be running, Prowler sprints/pushes, hill sprints, weight training circuits or whatever your poison YOU MUST STOP JUST SHY OF DEATH. This is the manly thing to do, right? No pain, no gain! No brain, all pain! (And subpar results!) You don't have to go all out - you don't have to fall to the ground, gasping for breath. It makes a good picture or YouTube video but what type of person trains for the camera?

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