Posts Tagged 'Weightlifting'

On my to do list is a goal to improve my programming skills for
workouts. As I review some of the programs being written for
weightlifters, it dawns on me no matter what you put down, pen to paper
or excel formulas to spreadsheets, they all should rely on the
observations of the coach on a day to day basis. Percentages are
important, sets, reps, volume and program design, but nothing replaces
communication between the athlete and coach ...

Part Two: Core Exercises for the Weightlifting Athlete

If you haven’t read “5 Minute Mobility” or “Core Work for a Healthy Spine Part One,” please do so before reading this.

Review of Lower cross syndrome and dysfunction from Part One:

• Hip flexors tight
• Tight spinal erectors
• Weak glutes
• Weak Abdomen

Can ...

Part One: Understanding the importance of Lower Cross Syndrome

In my previous article, “5 Minute Mobility,” I talked about the importance of spine mobility at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar spine; T12 – L1. If you haven’t read that article, please do so before reading on.
The issue with excessive extension at the lumbar spine commonly seen in weightlifting, and many other humans is called “lower cross syndrome.” See figure 1 below.

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This 5-Minute Mobility routine is so simple it can easily be done at home or at the gym, does not require any equipment, and you don’t even have to change clothes to do it! It is to be done upon waking or just before bedtime. You may do it before training, although more vigorous routines as seen in previous mobility videos on this website would be more beneficial.

This routine is completely based on feel. Your body will tell ...

As an Olympic coach who has worked with lifters at the Olympics, World Championships, Junior World Championships and many local & national events, nothing is more important than selecting the right attempts to put your lifter in the best position to win or set a possible PR.

A really good coach once told me that you should count attempts at a local event as if you were  at the World Championships vying for a medal.  Counting attempts is science and art ...

Coffee – Check
4 Eggs over-easy – Check
Orange Juice – Check
Whole Wheat Toast – Check
String Cheese – Check
Fish Oil – Check
Fruit – Check
ESPN – Check
Laptop – Check

I absolutely love waking up on Sunday to make breakfast, drink my coffee, watch Sportscenter and work on my computer. There’s something about this ...

The world of weightlifting is very individualized. There is a wide variety of ages and skill levels in each gym and each person has their own warm-up routine that they feel works best. Person A might like to foam roll and use a dynamic band stretch, Person B might like to jump rope for 5 minutes before moving onto a stretching routine and Person C might like to go right up to the bar and start moving around. This is ...

As individual lifters we all have issues that are specific to us. The path to correcting these issues can be long and tedious. Hell, you can even have the same problem for a number of year, which then you might start to accept as just being part of you. Here is an opportunity to avoid that. To proactively approach your issues and start on a path of working through your issues and hitting bigger weights.

Take every opportunity to learn new ...