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Building the Monolith. Jim Wendler

Building the Monolith Review: Did It Actually Work...

I'm 5'9", 195 pounds. I've lifted all kinds of programs for twenty years now, so I'm not experiencing beginner gains or whatever. I've been all 5/3/1, a little bit of a Wendler homer, and pleased with every result I've gotten since I decided to go all in with 5/3/1 about 14 months ago. I'm an average guy: literature and writing professor, dad and husband. I'm definitely not someone who can do things most others aren't physically capable of doing...

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How To Build Your Own Kroc Dumbbell

How To Build Your Own Kroc Dumbbell

Before we start with the simple process, let me define the Kroc Row. Named after everyone’s favorite Polish American Powerlifter, Matt Kroczaleski, the Kroc Row has quickly become a staple exercise in many lifting circles. In its infancy this exercise was simply a single set of high rep dumbbell rows with the heaviest weight possible. Matt did this because of necessity – the dumbbells he had access weren’t heavy enough to perform the requisite “10-12” reps that is often prescribed. To combat this, he just did a ton of reps with the heaviest dumbbell available. Initially done to build his upper back for his bench press, this exercise also gave him great deadlift lockout strength as well as grip strength.
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Weighted Chin Ups

Weighted Chin Ups

I like weighted chin ups. I'm not voting for them in the next "Five Awesome Exercises" election but they certainly have their place. I've championed chin ups for years, mostly because they're great for the upper back, lats, and arms. And because you can do them anywhere – chin-up bar, top of the Smith machine, scaffolding, top of the monolift, playground equipment, etc. Weighted chin ups are a good idea IF you can do them, and even then you still need to keep bodyweight chin ups as part of your training (unless you can bang out multiple sets of 20 with good form). And if that's the case, gain some weight!
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4 Common "Boring But Big" Training Questions Cleary Answered

4 Common "Boring But Big" Training Questions Cleary Answered

Question: I've being doing the 5/3/1 full body routine that has me squatting 3 times a week for a while now. Very enjoyable, makes you feel like a man! About to move onto Phase 2. I like the sound of the 3 month BBB challenge, what are your thoughts on including that BBB template with the full body routine? If thumbs up, you got any pointers/dos & don'ts?

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Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size

Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size

6 Week Training Template for size: So this template is not easy but it is very doable – but only if you are dedicated to making it happen. “Dedicated” doesn’t just mean that you want to do it; it means you are dedicated to doing what it takes to get it done and that means EATING right. I had 4 people run this and all of them ate like champions – all ate at least..
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5/3/1 and Football

5/3/1 and Football

In June, we ran a combine and every player that had been lifting consistently showed huge improvements, 20%+ gains in their totals. We were also faster (40), more explosive (broad jump and shuttle) and the kids just carried themselves differently. We no longer looked like a young team, we looked like a Varsity team...Coaches told us we were the most physical team they played.
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5 Training Tips About Chins/Pull Ups

5 Training Tips About Chins/Pull Ups

"If you can’t do chins, you are either hurt, fat or weak - And none of these three things are good...doing this will greatly increase your chin volume without taking any extra time or energy from your workouts."
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Instagram Question & Answer Part 1

Instagram Question & Answer Part 1

This is the first half of the Instagram Q/A that I put up recently.  Some of the questions were answered on the Table Talk that Dave Tate and I did. The ones we didn't get to, I answered them below.
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5/3/1 for Hardgainers

5/3/1 for Hardgainers

Wolves and Sheep There are a couple things you need to understand if you fall into the hardgainer category. For many, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy. While some people have a harder time putting on muscle or getting stronger, others...

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Jim Wendler

5/3/1 Tops the List - Most Popular Programs

I had no idea I'd write a book - I just love training. And I still do. And as you become more and more popular and try to help others, you will be hated by more and more. It is just part of the game and it's good to know that you will occupy the mind/time of total losers who hang on to your every word. They are just waiting to comment and send you something shitty. Conor McGregor recently said something important: "Winners focus on winning. Losers focus on winners." Seems to be about right.

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Jim Wendler Blog - Boring But Big...And Really Sore

Boring But Big...And Really Sore

The Boring But Big program is probably the most popular, the easiest and the most widely talked about assistance protocol for 5/3/1 Training. There are numerous ways to do Boring But Big and here is one of the worst/best. Like...

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The 5/3/1 Philosophy for Beginners

The 5/3/1 Philosophy for Beginners

Now if you're a beginner and are working out without any guidance whatsoever, it's probably best to just stick with the basic program. One of the worst things a young lifter can do is take advice from other beginners on message boards –  they usually have all the advice and none of the experience
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