Breathing—A Key Factor to Competition Success

What if I told you I could let you in on a little secret to keep you cool as a cucumber at a test event or competition? If you are a human being, I am sure you have, at some point, been nervous or maybe even hyperventilated at an event where you knew everyone was […]

Absolute Strength Is the True Master Quality

Relative strength is impressive, but it is absolute strength that has the effect of allowing all other attributes to become greater. So if you ask me for training advice, then I’ll probably ask you, “How much can you pull?”

How Plan Strong Programming Empowers the Weightlifter

Using Plan Strong programming gave Mira new strength - and the edge she needed to win a silver medal at the USAW Masters Nationals Weightlifting Championships.

The Patience of Strength: the Russian Science of Rest Intervals

An Italian food writer launched a “slow food” movement to promote leisurely meals to enjoy the company of friends and even to taste the food. Perhaps we should do the same in strength.

Forward to the Past: the Best Strength Systems

The surprising truth is the strength-training methods of the 1980s were decidedly superior to today’s methods. To go forward, we must go BACK to the future.

Mobility for a Stronger Barbell Front Rack

Brett Jones, StrongFirst Director of Education, has a saying, “I can be talked into just about anything.” Brett is referring to your individual context for doing something—the reason WHY you choose to do what you are doing.  The same question can be applied to your barbell front squat training:  Why are you doing front squats? […]

How to Unlock the Potential of Individual Differences

As a researcher in individual differences, I suspect there is a perfect training program for you today and a different perfect program for you next year. To find that program, you have to be both a student and scientist of strength.

An Olympic Weightlifting Approach to Coaching the Kettlebell Clean

The kettlebell clean is tough for people to “get." I've found using weightlifting techniques makes coaching the kettlebell clean simpler and more effective.

“Dry Fighting Weight”: Fat Loss Through Strength

Let's look to both science and weightlifters to see what they do for fat loss. May you reach your “dry, fighting weight” without the dishonor of dieting and aerobics!

The Origins of StrongFirst Programming: The Soviet System

An experienced eye can easily see the logic behind an American training plan. A Russian plan, when you look at it up close, is just noise. You have to step a lot farther back to see the pattern in what appears to be chaos.