The Snatch: The Tsar of Kettlebell Lifts

How to perform the kettlebell snatch: start with a kettlebell on the ground in front of you, swing it back between your legs, and bring it into an overhead lockout position in one uninterrupted motion. My Introduction to Snatching Most people are introduced to kettlebells through swings and get-ups, and rightfully so. I, however, was […]

Coming Back Strong After Surgery

“Strength is Tension—Tension is Strength.” I can still hear those words taught by StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor, Jason Marshall at the barbell course I attended a few years ago. Tension ties the body together to enable strong movement. Tension creates the structure that can hold and move heavy weight. Tension is the mind’s command to […]

Dairy Cows and Burrito Bowls—How to Win the TSC

The StrongFirst Tactical Strength Challenge returns around the world on Saturday, October 26. The TSC is a personal challenge held twice a year, but the October instalment also sees men and women in the Competition Division vie to be crowned annual TSC Champion. What does it take to reach the top of the scoreboard? Someone […]

Make Every Rep Count: Preparing for the TSC

The next Tactical Strength Challenge is on October 27, 2018. Register before August 31, to get your free T-Shirt. In October of 2017, I competed for the first time in the Women’s Elite Division of StrongFirst’s Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC). I was happy with my results—Deadlift 136kg, Pull-up 7, and Snatch 120—but felt I could […]

All-Out Competition, or Fat-Loss and Status Check: Two Other Reasons the Tactical Strength Challenge is Good for You

Yes, it is still a (world-wide) competition, twice each year. But many (if not most) participants have a completely different reason for committing to the TSC.

Grounded in Strength

Three years ago, at the age of 50, I decided to find out how strong I was. It wasn’t an easy time in my life, and this new path started with a stumble and fall before I embarked on a tough climb. I had just left my 24 years marriage which had left me anxious […]

Avoid Common Deadlift, Pull-Up, and Snatch Mistakes to Own your TSC

Co-authored by Ryan Toshner The TSC is StrongFirst’s bi-annual strength challenge, where participants put their training pedal to the competition metal. Judged on performance while adhering to solid lifting technique, the upcoming TSC is the perfect opportunity to focus your training on new goals—learning to lift, beating a previous personal best, or ascending the podium. […]

From the Battlefield to Back Injury to Beast Tamer: Ollie Quinn’s Kettlebell Journey

Have you ever seen one of the “Army Strong” commercials? Well in the UK, there’s no stronger or more capable military unit than the Royal Marines (even though they’d be quick to point out that technically they’re part of the British Royal Navy, not the Army.) Entry into this elite commando group requires making it […]

Podcast Episode #07: Derek Toshner

StrongFirst Podcast Episode #07 Summary: In this episode of the StrongFirst Podcast, Craig Marker talks with Senior StrongFirst Instructor, Derek Toshner about endurance and winning the Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC). Derek is best known for dominating the TSC, a three exercise competition: A max powerlifting deadlift (three attempts); Pull ups for max reps (palms forward, […]

The Critical Difference Breathing Can Make in the Snatch Test

We often revert to our training when competing. Therefore, we must practice proper breathing under extreme circumstances in order to get better at it and have it become what feels most natural.