I came across an article on T-Nation that’s inspired me and is now something I am taking action on. It’s called the chinup project and by following the program it is said you will add an inch to your arms over the course of 8 weeks. Well, that’s a big statement so I’ve gotta know. Is the Chinup Project going to work for me?
If you’re looking to build muscle quickly and are short on time, you must include squats in your lifting program. This movement is a staple in programming whether it’s Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Strongman or CrossFit. It truly is the backbone of every good strength program.
If you haven’t yet read my first post on Jim Wendler’s original 5/3/1 program, you can do so here. And though I definitely recommend his first book if you haven’t already read it, I truly believe the magic lies in his follow up to 5/3/1, “Beyond 5/3/1.”
It seems no matter what program I undertake, I always find myself going back to Wendler’s 5/3/1 program directly afterwards. Why do it? For me, it brings the fun out in lifting. There are various methods you can take from his books and apply to your own programming to help you achieve your next PR. Using his methodologies below, you’ll be lifting heavy every day and know you’re getting stronger as the weights pile on.
Let’s face it; picking up weights is not easy. It’s taxing not only physically, but also mentally. Do you ever get nervous walking up to a barbell? I do on almost every occasion. As the weight increases so does my nervousness and determination. If you don’t get a bit nervous just before you lift, you probably need to lift a little heavier.
If I had a dollar for every time….
Listen, if you are an athlete or if you’re just an ordinary Joe like me who loves to lift weights, and you bust your rump enough to show off a physique, you’re bound to get asked, “Hey, are you taking anything?” Now this question doesn’t sound so intrusive but what is being implied is they want to know if you’re taking the juice. Are you, in fact, taking steroids?
When it comes to being fit, there are a number of ways you can track your progress and know whether your body is headed in the right direction. Technology today has spoiled us and made it very easy to track things such as number of steps we take and the daily calories we burn. It’s time we take a step back and look at what I believe are the top five items that are most important when it comes to determining our fitness.
This list goes in no certain order as they’re are all of equal importance.
Whether you
‘re new to the lifting game or you’ve been going at it a while now, you’ve most likely heard of the 5/3/1 program or read the original book by Jim Wendler. In Wendler’s original book he outlines the 5/3/1 program concentrating on the 4 main lifts that are the back squat, the bench press, the deadlift and the strict press. If you are unfamiliar with the original program, it goes like this:
