Barbell

Sep 8, 20193 min read

Q&D + Minimalist Deadlifts

I was watching Andy Bolton pull over 900 pounds from the back stage at the Arnold Classic. It struck me that his deadlift looked exactly...

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How to Become a Barbell Instructor With Kettlebells

StrongFirst

Jun 18, 20199 min read

How to Become a Barbell Instructor With Kettlebells

Strength is a skill…and you’ve decided that it’s time to add SFL skills to your toolbox. But you have limited barbell experience and zero...

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What Chocolate Chip Cookies and Guinness Beer Can Teach You About Barbell Basics

StrongFirst

Mar 12, 20194 min read

What Chocolate Chip Cookies and Guinness Beer Can Teach You About Barbell Basics

On the flight home from teaching a StrongFirst Lifter certification (SFL), I was thinking about the programming section and some of our...

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Reload vs Plan Strong—What is the Difference?

StrongFirst

Mar 5, 20196 min read

Reload vs Plan Strong—What is the Difference?

By Fabio Zonin, Master SFG and Pavel Tsatsouline Earlier this year, we launched “Reload: Your Barbell Strength Blueprint,” a concise...

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StrongFirst

Dec 13, 20181 min read

Podcast Episode #16: Mira Kwon

StrongFirst Podcast Episode #16 Summary Mira Kwon is the co-owner of Industrial Strength, an Accredited StrongFirst Gym in Portland,...

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How Mastering the Pause can Boost your Bench Press

StrongFirst

Nov 20, 20184 min read

How Mastering the Pause can Boost your Bench Press

How do you boost your bench press? By mastering the pause between your concentric and eccentric movements. Master SFG Dr. Michael Hartle...

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How to Row 3000 Miles Across an Ocean with a Barbell

StrongFirst

Oct 9, 20186 min read

How to Row 3000 Miles Across an Ocean with a Barbell

How do you strengthen sport required qualities in the gym and practice the skills it requires in sports-specific sessions when your...

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Barbell BDSM: the Secret Marathon Training and Recovery Strategy

StrongFirst

Aug 21, 20186 min read

Barbell BDSM: the Secret Marathon Training and Recovery Strategy

With August upon us, members of the StrongFirst community from the New York City area and elsewhere have already begun their preparations...

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Why Kettlebells are Needed for Barbell Training

StrongFirst

May 31, 20186 min read

Why Kettlebells are Needed for Barbell Training

When Pavel and I wrote the SFL Manual back in 2012-2013, we decided to build it on top of what is taught at the SFG Level I...

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A Look Inside the StongFirst Lifter (SFL) Barbell Instructor Certification

StrongFirst

May 15, 201810 min read

A Look Inside the StongFirst Lifter (SFL) Barbell Instructor Certification

Which came first in your strength training experience—the barbell, or the kettlebell? Kettlebell, barbell, and bodyweight (the third...

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StrongFirst

Jan 23, 20185 min read

“Which Knee Sleeves Should I Buy?”

It’s a question I hear all the time from beginner lifters, be it barbell or kettlebell fans. It’s a question that I dread, because they...

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What You Need to Know About the Lats and Your Front Squat

StrongFirst

Nov 28, 20174 min read

What You Need to Know About the Lats and Your Front Squat

During the StrongFirst SFL Certification, I might mention the word “lats” one or two times. Once you understand the anatomy and the...

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Training Shoes: My Recommendations and Why

StrongFirst

Oct 24, 20175 min read

Training Shoes: My Recommendations and Why

When you are training, one of the decisions you make before you start each session is whether you will be wearing training shoes. While...

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How I Achieved a 3 x Bodyweight Deadlift (and You Can Increase Your Deadlift, Too)

StrongFirst

Oct 10, 20176 min read

How I Achieved a 3 x Bodyweight Deadlift (and You Can Increase Your Deadlift, Too)

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his...

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The Single-leg Deadlift: The Most Underutilized and Powerful Skill

StrongFirst

Aug 22, 20173 min read

The Single-leg Deadlift: The Most Underutilized and Powerful Skill

If you have spent time on the StrongFirst blog, on our forum, or attended one of our Courses or Certifications, then you know we are a...

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How to Get Properly Loaded in the Deadlift and Swing

StrongFirst

Jul 25, 20175 min read

How to Get Properly Loaded in the Deadlift and Swing

Not so fast—”getting loaded” means something completely different at StrongFirst. Getting “loaded” means an active eccentric to the bar...

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StrongFirst

Jun 27, 20175 min read

Deadlift: To Stop or To Go

Every time I teach the deadlift, a particular question comes up: whether to perform “stop reps” or “touch and go” reps during sets. As I...

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Quality a Mile Deep: A Strength Program Based on Skillful Practice

StrongFirst

Jun 6, 20174 min read

Quality a Mile Deep: A Strength Program Based on Skillful Practice

Becoming strong doesn’t happen overnight. Strength is a skill, and with any skill, you must put in the time to become better. No matter...

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Absolute Strength Is the True Master Quality

StrongFirst

May 16, 20175 min read

Absolute Strength Is the True Master Quality

For me, absolute strength is king. It has been and will continue to be my main obsession. Relative strength is impressive, but more...

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A Hip Hinge Program to Help You Generate Deadlift and Swing Power

StrongFirst

Apr 18, 20174 min read

A Hip Hinge Program to Help You Generate Deadlift and Swing Power

Nobody got bull strong who wasn’t tough. “There is no hard body with soft hands,” I’ve heard. While grit is part of the game, let’s also...

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