This episode is all about strength training, and specifically embracing the grinds. The grinds are lifts such as deadlift, pressing variations and squats. While most people think that the grinds are pretty easy exercises to execute, it all changes when the weights get heavy . In this episode, we discuss all things grinds including: Technique … Read More
Squat
You Don’t Know Squat
You don’t know squat! But you will soon… In this episode of the Minimum Effective Dose, we’re talking all about squatting. We go over the squat as an exercise, the movement of squatting and the key differences between the two. Mike and Brett discuss several aspects of the squat including: Progressions Movement competency and prerequisites Coaching … Read More
Everyone Should Squat
The squat is a fundamental human movement pattern that also happens to be a wildly popular strength training exercise. Unfortunately, the squat pattern is often misunderstood, misapplied and taught incorrectly. In this podcast, Mike talks about why adults cannot squat like babies, how hip architecture plays a role in movement and also how anthropometry will influence … Read More
The Lost Art of Preventative Maintenance
I come from a blue-collar family. My father was a machinist by trade, but his skill set was pretty damn impressive. There was nothing that he couldn’t fix, fabricate or repair. To this day, I vividly remember details about my father‘s garage in the house I grew up in. It was basically his personal automotive … Read More
Why You Can’t Squat
Squats when done correctly, are amazing for strength, joint health, bone density, hypertrophy and performance. Also, they are not bad for your knees! Let’s stop blaming your bad knees for why you can’t squat and go over some common squatting issues! Maybe it’s not that you can’t squat, but perhaps your squats simply just don’t feel good or … Read More
Wall Sits Stink {and What to do Instead}
The wall-sit is a very common exercise used by athletes and coaches as a regression to the squat, or as a lower body strengthening exercise. You won’t see me selecting wall-sits for my athletes at Skill of Strength. Today I’ll share with you why I have beef with wall-sits and what I use instead! Frankly, I … Read More
Move Better with Hip Prying
Hip prying. You should be doing this! Yes, you. Hip prying might be one of the quickest and most effective hip mobility drills that I know exists. In just a few minutes, I’ve seen clients go from barely being able to squat at all to squatting below parallel! Steps to Perform Hip Prying Mobility Drill … Read More
Let’s Have Some Standards
Before I start, keep in mind I’m not saying you need to call the exercise police and demand perfection on every set and rep, but rather that you (and your clients) should have some standards on how to perform basic exercises. Sure, technique will vary from person-to-person, but here’s the way I look at it: If you were … Read More
10 Kettlebell Training Tips
Today we’re sharing 10 tips to help you improve your kettlebell training technique. Remember, when performed correctly, kettlebell training can do wonders for your health, fitness and fat loss! When performed improperly, you might be setting yourselves up for an injury! 1. The hips drive and the arms guide! If you are using your arms to … Read More
Squats Are Bad For Your Knees
You’ve heard this before. “Squats are bad for your knees.” I don’t know the origin of this foolishness about squats being bad for your knees, but it needs to stop! I’ve been a personal trainer and strength coach for about 12 years now. Over those years, I think I’ve seen 2 cases where someone shouldn’t … Read More