Can't do a Chin-up or Pull-up? Do This!
/Why can't I do a chin-up or pull-up, and what's the first step I should take toward the goal of getting my first chin-up or pull-up?
(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 05/23/22)
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Get the Most Out of Your Warm-up
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(A Blast from the Past article originally posted on 03/27/19)
You know - sage lifter that you are - that the purpose of your warm-up is to prepare you for the work ahead of you that day. You know it’s important, and you know that whether you’re going to squat 145 lbs or 345 lbs for your work sets, it is neither prudent nor productive to simply load the work weight on the barbell and have at it without the appropriate warm-up.
But . . . there is an additional purpose to the warm-up. Perhaps it’s not even an additional purpose, but rather a purpose that is merely hidden in the concept of preparing for the work ahead. Put simply, you can (and should) use your warm-up to become a better lifter.
The weights are (relatively) light when warming up, so this is a great time to work on refining your technique. Because you haven’t yet reached the soul-crushing, mind-altering load that is your work weight for the day, the warm-up is when you can spare some mental bandwidth and put into practice any changes or cues that you and your coach have recently discussed.
Maybe you’re trying to fix some pesky knee slide in the squat. Break out the TUBOWs and get to squatting. Perhaps you’re attempting to improve the bar path in the press or the bench press. The warm-up is a great time to do exactly that. Are you inconsistent when it comes to hitting depth in the squat? Grab a coach (or a fellow well-informed lifter) and ask him or her to check your depth as you warm-up.
The warm-up is a precious time. A magical time. Don’t just plow through it - get the most out of it. You can finish your warm-up a better lifter than when you started. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
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Get Thee to a . . . Gym?!
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In Shakespeare’s day, “nunnery” was simply another word for “gym.”
(A Blast from the Past article originally posted on 04/08/22)
When it comes to getting stronger, you know that technique is important. You know programming is important. Nutrition is important (that’s right, if you’re eating 75 grams of protein per day, you might be a very strong 8-year-old . . . someday). The equipment you lift with and on is important. So many important things!
But, do you know what is most important?
Consistency. It ain’t sexy, but it’s the truth. And you know it’s the truth. You know that you’ve seen people doing silly, ridiculous stuff in the gym for years, and some of them have even gotten pretty darn strong. Know why?
They. Do. Not. Miss.
In other words, they don’t miss a training session. You might have the greatest technique ever seen and the greatest program ever written, but if you only show up to train once a week, or if you train for two weeks and then skip the gym for three weeks, it doesn’t matter. It’s like having a billion dollars on the moon - it doesn’t do you any good.
If you’ve been inconsistent, then here’s your new mantra: Just show up. That’s it. Don’t miss a training session. Starting back up again after a lay off? Start light - do whatever you need to do to get your butt back in the gym, even if it’s just for one lift that first day. But get your butt there (the rest of you will accompany your butt, of course - that’s how this works).
Start with one day, and Just. Show. Up.
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If you found this helpful, you’ll love our weekly email. It’s got useful videos, articles, and training tips just like the one in this article. Sign up below, and of course, if you don’t love it, you can unsubscribe at any time.
At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Would you like to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach?
Motivation is for Suckers. Punch the Clock.
/Relying on motivation to keep your training on track? Don't. Motivation is a fickle thing. Habit is where it's at.
(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 05/14/22)
At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Click the button below to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach and start getting stronger TODAY.
You WILL Get Weaker . . . So Why Bother?
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Julie understands the importance of getting strong now.
(A Blast from the Past article originally posted on 03/25/22)
This topic may not be particularly inspiring, but it is extremely important. Here goes:
You will get weaker. So get stronger. Right. Now.
Everyone gets weaker at some point. As the saying goes, in the game of life, “ . . . no one gets out alive.” Whether through injury, illness, or age, there will come a point when we start to get weaker, so it’s very wise to grab a barbell and starting getting really strong right now - while we still can.
When a man who has a 400 lb squat gets older and starts to lose some strength, he still has a 350 lb squat or maybe a 300 lb squat. That is still a very capable man.
When a woman who has a 225 lb deadlift gets older and starts to lose some strength, she still has a 200 lb deadlift or maybe a 175 lb deadlift. Again, that is still a very capable woman.
When a man who can barely climb the stairs gets older and starts to lose some strength, he can no longer climb those stairs. He is no longer nearly as capable in his daily life as he once was.
Strength is vital for the quality of your life. Remember, the day you can’t squat is the day you can’t get off the toilet by yourself, and the day you can’t do that is the day you can’t live by yourself anymore, so get to the squat rack today and build the biggest buffer against weakness that you can - you’ll be glad you did.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.
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