Health & Fitness Blog — Weight Lifting

Guest article by Daniel DeBrocke, online strength coach and writer for elitefts, Breaking Muscle, and Kabuki Strength.   The subject of training to failure is by no means new. However, there’s been a recent surge of interest, which has sparked discussions on podcasts, social media posts, etc. Often, these conversations are discussed in a should you or shouldn’t you format. In my opinion, this method of comparison is inappropriate since both approaches have produced a long list of elite-level physiques. Therefore, the purpose of this article is not to make a black-or-white comparison but to evaluate the relevant evidence (both research and...

(Guest blog by Tom Sheppard, Strength Coach and Author) For physique athletes, whose goals are purely based on aesthetics/hypertrophy, the role that heavier loading plays is controversial. Some will point to the famous videos of Ronnie Coleman lifting crazy pounds even during contest prep, along with training styles such as DC Training or those utilized by Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates, to illustrate the important role heavier lifting can play. On the other hand, it’s easy to point out a long list of fantastic and successful physiques that have been built without the use of heavier loading or even much...

When it comes to sculpting those arms, understanding the muscles you're targeting is crucial. So, before you even pick up a weight, let's ensure you have a solid grasp of the muscles involved and their functions.   Biceps and Triceps: The Basics Biceps: Location: The biceps are located on the front of your upper arm, running from your shoulder down to your elbow. Composition: It's called 'bi-ceps' because it has two parts or "heads": The long head (outer part) which creates the peak when you flex during biceps exercises. The short head (inner part) which gives width to the bicep. Triceps: The triceps are...

Muscle recovery is a crucial aspect of any fitness regimen. It allows muscles to heal, grow, and strengthen after intense workouts. Adequate muscle recovery can lead to improved performance and less risk of injury. This article delves into the science of muscle recovery and explores what to look for in muscle recovery supplements.   Muscle Recovery: Understanding the Process Protein Synthesis and Breakdown: A Detailed Overview Protein Breakdown During intense physical activity, muscle proteins are subjected to mechanical stress, leading to a natural process called proteolysis, where these proteins are broken down into their constituent amino acids. This breakdown is...