The Overlooked Role of the Calf Muscles in the Squat
We rarely appreciate the role of the calf muscles when training for strength. The reality is that the calves have a huge impact on our squat form and depth, and certain kinds of calf training will improve our squats.
What Is the Ideal Number of Exercises Per Workout?
Should your workout be short, or long? How many exercises should you use? There's a lot of conflicting information out there - but the reality is that in most cases, it doesn't matter too much.
Bodybuilders Train Less Than You Think
It's commonly believed that it takes hours per day, many days per week, to build world class muscle. However, I've consistently found that such a training regimen is far too taxing to recover from. A recent study suggests even pro bodybuilders train a lot fewer hours per week than you'd think.
Muscle Activation Is More Dependent On Load Than Form
It's commonly believed that small tweaks to your exercise form can sometimes have huge results in terms of muscle activation, and you can use this to preferentially target certain muscles. However, it's far more important to focus on good progression first.
What To Expect When You Start Lifting
Beginners often have no clue what to expect when they start lifting. As a result, they set poor goals, have unrealistic expectations, and set themselves up for failure. You can avoid this using the guidelines set in this post, though your own progress may not be ideal.