Training

The Strength Sensei on Shoulder Training Practical advice on building a great V-taper   In the early days of the Iron Game, bodybuilders often performed the same exercises as weightlifters, resulting in those physique champions being as strong as they looked. Consider two Iron Game legends, Bill Pearl and Tommy Kono. Pearl won the 1971 […]

Get More Done with Hybrid Reps   Combining exercises into supersets, tri-sets, and giant sets were among the favorite training methods of Charles R. Poliquin. These methods enable the user to get more work done in less time, so they appealed to those on a time-restricted schedule. Another method is Hybrid Reps. The term Hybrid

The Strength Sensei on the Incline Bench Press Determining the right angles on this popular exercise   Charles R. Poliquin was often asked for suggestions on how to improve bench pressing results. After all, the bench press is considered the standard for upper body strength in many sports, including the NFL. The problem is, the

  Don’t Walk in Running Shoes   “Use the right tool for the job!” is a common expression and one that especially applies to walking and running shoes. Running shoes may look cool, but that does not mean you should be wearing them to work or for causal strolls to the local CVS to pick

The Strength Sensei on Off-Season Bulking The facts and falsehoods about getting in top shape   One of the most challenging tasks for a professional bodybuilder is being at the lowest possible bodyfat with the greatest amount of muscle mass during the competition. Often you hear about bodybuilders who looked great in the pre-judging and

Recharge Your Training with One Lift Per Day Workouts   Despite our love for lifting, sometimes we get burnt out and need to do something to get back into the proper mindset for training. For some, a short layoff could be the answer. Another way, and one that doesn’t result in a temporary loss of

The Strength Sensei on Concentrated Training Blocks   How to get a lot of hard work done in a short period   Charles R. Poliquin believed that training is both a science and an art. He intensely studied research journals (often on his long flights) and attended seminars by leaders in their fields. That’s the

Change Grips Intra-Set for Bigger Lats   One of Charles R. Poliquin’s favorite training methods was drop sets, which were also a favorite of the first Mr. Olympia Larry Scott. Scott was introduced to them by Steve “Hercules” Reeves. By reducing the weight after achieving momentary muscular failure, drop sets stimulate more growth by prolonging

The Strength Sensei on Buying Barbells What to look for in this fundamental training tool   Gym owners frequently asked Charles R. Poliquin what equipment he recommended. For barbells, the short answer would be, “You only pay for quality once, so buy Eleiko!” For those who can’t afford $1,000+ barbells, let’s explore some guidelines to

Keep Your Tendons Healthy with Full-Range Leg Exercises   For most of his career, Charles R. Poliquin preached the benefits of knees over toes in the squat and other leg exercises. Reasons include greater metabolic demand and increased muscle development. Another, which is seldom discussed, is keeping your tendons healthy. There is considerable concern about