barbell

The biggest knock-on resistance band is after a certain point they will not get you stronger. But resistance bands are a versatile tool as you can train your muscles in multiple planes of motion for better muscle development. The real magic with bands is when you add them to free-weight tools to...

The strict overhead press is the gold standard when it comes to overhead pressing. Using nothing more than your upper body you press a barbell strictly overhead with no help from your lower body. There’s no doubt strict overhead press is a fantastic exercise for strength and mass and requires...

Arm day way of life for most of us. Most new lifters only know a few exercises — and the barbell and the most popular one is this staple and its multitude of variations. One variation that is often left out cold is the drag curl. Why? Because it’s hard. The drag curl unlike a lot of other...

Here are some reasons to give up bench pressing. The barbell bench press is one of the most popular exercises. “How much do you bench?” is casually thrown around in gyms around the world. The bench press has been the symbol of strength for a long time. Think of it as the mile for the runner. It...

Some lifters go into full panic mode when every flat bench is occupied on Bench Press Monday. However, the savvy lifter never worries because there is plenty of space on the floor. Because there’s no reason to fret or lose your temper when you’ve got the best press you’re not doing, the barbell...

They say a good craftsman should never blame his tools. Weightlifters and strength sports athletes know all too well that working with quality barbells and other equipment is a must. Having the proper tools of the trade can be the difference between another average workout and achieving great...

The barbell bench press is a rite of passage lift for most lifters. The first two exercises people usually do are the bench press and biceps curls. And then the love affair begins. The barbell bench press allows you to build upper-body size and strength which is great for performance and the...

We love the barbell hip thrust, but there are other options to build glutes. The barbell hip thrust is a fantastic exercise popularized by Bret “The Glute Guy” Contreras. It remains the gold standard exercise for strengthening and adding mass to your glutes. Walk into any gym and it’s not...

A new course is available at Weik University on building massive biceps. Those interested in sitting through an easy course, no need to look any further because class has just begun. Everyone is guaranteed an “A” for the course as long as you sit through the course and pay attention (you can...

Let me guess, you find yourself like the millions of others in the modern world waiting in line on Monday for the bench press? Ready to kill your pecs into oblivion? Twenty plus sets and a boatload of intensity techniques ready to go? Kill it! You think to yourself – it’s going to be brutal...

Nothing signifies strength like a big, strong back. Thick, broad and detailed lats, rhomboids, teres minor and major and a thick, cable-like lumbar are all attributes sought after by many but achieved by few. Building said back requires toiling away with the right kind of tools and applying a...

The Top 7 Muscle Building Exercises Squats. Squats are the king of all muscle and strength building exercises. No workout should be without deep squats. They are performed with a barbell, generally in a squat rack. Squats not only build massive legs, but also stress most of the upper body. They...

No one can deny the host of benefits from deadlifts in any muscle building program. However, the main issue which arises for many lifters is that the traditional barbell deadlift leaves their lower backs beat up to the point of chronic injury and fatigue, ultimately limiting the use of this...

When it comes to lower body exercises, which one is the GOAT? Is it the squat? Barbell squats have been used by lifters for generations to build legs that look like tree trunks and perform like a high-performance machine. Is it the deadlift? Conventional deadlifts are not a pure lower body...

If there is to be a bodybuilding analog to the infamous Shakespearean quip, “To be, or not to be? That is the question.” I think it’s safe to say that, “To squat, or not to squat? That is the question,” would find itself atop the list. Classic literature references aside, barbell squats are...

When it comes to working out there are very few exercises that are more popular than the barbell bench press. It is a staple when it comes to building a strong upper body and a massive chest. Here are 10 ways to improve your pressing power. Some of these tips will allow for an instant increase...

Even though high frequency training isn’t a new concept when it comes to conditioning, it’s a whole other story when it comes to muscle-building. Traditional bodybuilding programs often have you training each body part once per week with a high volume of sets. Body-specific training and long...

Big, muscular deltoids can really set you apart from the pack when it comes to displaying a big, broad physique. Width is an instant indicator of being powerful, strong and in incredible shape. As an avid trainer your goal is to reap the reward of all your sweat, sacrifice, and hard work you...

48 Bicep Curl Variations Below are some of the traditional bicep exercises, as well as many of my favorites, and some great methods for muscle development. Pick a couple of them and add them to your training. Your training sessions will be more entertaining (and your biceps more developed)...

Over the course of these various posts you’ve read a number of pieces that discuss how various muscle groups work in tandem with other muscles groups in the body. They complement one another, work together, and support one another through daily activities. The forearm muscles are a prime example...