Written by: Kevin Cann When I first started coaching, this was the area of programming that interested me the most. I think that it interested me the most, because the biggest question that I think every coach has is “Where do I start?” I was always confused as where to start for volumes and intensities. We have had this general guidelines laid out in many textbooks, but they were not directed at the competitive strength athlete. I would Read More
As a competitor, it’s your duty to know what constitutes a good lift or a bad lift. Continue reading and swipe on the carousel to learn more about the deadlift!1. Prior to deadlifting, you must setup in the proper position. First off, make sure you have your socks on. For the deadlift, you must have 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬. Then you simply have to have the bar in front of you facing the front of the Read More
As a competitor, it’s your duty to know what constitutes a good lift or a bad lift. Continue reading and swipe on the carousel to learn more about the bench press!1. Prior to benching, you must setup in the proper position. This includes your head, shoulders and butt on the bench, feet flat on the ground, fingers gripping the bar and elbows locked. 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: Your thumbs must be wrapped around the bar. 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 Read More
Written by: Kevin Cann I had a conversation with Vince Anello and Jeremy Hartman last week. This conversation will be up on Boston’s Strongcast, probably next week. It was a really great episode, with a lot of good information, especially on the mental pieces of training. When we were signing off, Vince said “We are all brothers and sisters in the greatest sport on earth.” He genuinely meant this, and this really stuck out to me. I have had Read More
As a competitor, it’s your duty to know what constitutes a good lift or a bad lift. Continue reading and check the carousel below to learn more about the squat!1. Prior to squatting, you must setup in the proper position. This includes facing the front of the platform, having the bar across the back of the shoulders, fingers gripping the bar, standing upright, and having the knees locked. 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 Read More
Written by: Kevin Cann I was having a conversation with a couple of people online that sparked the idea for this article. There is this current theme in the lifting world that everyone needs to find the best technique for them as an individual. This gives many lifters the ok to keep lifting how they are currently lifting, and in many cases, this is utilizing a technique that is very limited. When I first started powerlifting, I Read More
Wondering how a USA Powerlifting (USAPL) competition flows from beginning to end? Well, continue reading and check out the images at the bottom to learn more!1. Prior to lifting, you must 1st go through the check-in process. This includes showing your current USAPL membership, a photo ID, obtaining your rack heights, getting your equipment checked, giving your opening attempts, and officially weighing in.2. If you’re competing in the squat, then you’ll warm-up prior to the Read More
Did you know tainted supplements and doctor-prescribed medications can cause a drug test failure? Well, continue reading to learn more!1. 𝐁𝐄𝗪𝐀𝐑𝐄: Supplements are minimally regulated in the US and some are tainted with ingredients that aren’t listed on the bottle.2. In addition, some medications require a 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (TUE) prior to competing.3. Just because your doctor prescribed it you 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 mean it’s allowed and you’re in the clear!4. Use 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐑𝐎 to check Read More
Looking to compete in the sport of Powerlifting but don’t know how to start? Well, continue reading to learn more!1. All the currently sanctioned USA Powerlifting (USAPL) meets are on the national website. www.usapowerlifting.com.2. Click on the “Calendar” tab at the top to see the full list of current competitions.3. You have the option to filter by “State” and/or “Level”.4. If the meet isn’t listed on there, then they aren’t a USAPL meet or haven’t Read More
Written by: Kevin Cann I just finished up reading “The Forgotten Secrets of Westside Culver City.” This was a really fun read. It was mainly a collection of magazine articles that told the story of some of the pioneers of the sport. These pioneers were actually a major influence on Louie Simmons, who named his gym after this one to honor their memory. I really enjoyed reading about their training strategies. When this group was training, the internet did Read More