For reasons I have yet to fully understand, it has come to pass that certain types of exercise or pieces of equipment are now classed as “functional” while others are not. According to a leaflet that was thrust into my hot little hands the other day, a new gym that’s just opened in my area […]
The Bulgarian Squat vs. The Barbell Squat: What the Science Says
Some time ago, a strength coach by the name of Mike Boyle caused controversy when he announced the death of the classic barbell squat. “The back gets injured the most when squatting,” says Boyle. “So we train our legs for size and strength by bypassing the back.” Boyle has his athletes perform an exercise called […]
Is Skipping Breakfast Good for Weight Loss? What the Science Says
For years, we’ve been told that skipping breakfast is a bad idea. Breakfast is supposed to stoke your metabolism so that you burn more calories throughout the day. Without it, your stress hormones will skyrocket, your muscles will waste away, and you increase your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Is breakfast really the most […]
The One Minute Workout: Is 60 Seconds All You Need?
A new book out, called The One Minute Workout, claims to have found a way to get fit that is “smarter, faster and shorter.” The idea of a “one minute workout” might sound completely ridiculous. But, there is some science behind it. First off, I should point out that the title of the book is […]
Do Ice Baths Reduce Muscle Growth?
Is it a good idea to immerse yourself in a tub of cold water after a workout? That’s a question that popped up in my inbox the other day. Here’s what it said: “One thing I’ve tried to find more about is cold water immersion after training and whether it’s actually beneficial or not. I […]
Is Training to Failure Necessary for Muscle Growth?
One study that caught my eye this week, from John Sampson and Herbert Groeller at the University of Wollongong in Australia, looked at failure versus not-to-failure training and its effect on gains in size and strength. Sampson and Groeller took a group of 28 untrained men and assigned them to one of three groups. All […]
Stuck at 16% Body Fat
When DK first got in touch, he was trying to get down to 10% body fat. But he was stuck at around 16%. He’d gone from losing a couple of pounds a week to losing almost nothing at all. That’s despite the fact he was on a strict diet. Lifting weights 5 days a week. […]
My Skulpt Scanner Review: How Accurate Is It?
The Skulpt Scanner is a device that claims to measure your body fat percentage quickly and accurately. But does it really work? Is there any science behind it? The Skulpt Scanner is shaped a little like an iPhone, with sensors on the back. You put it over your muscles, and hold it in place for a few […]
To The Busy Man with No Time to Exercise
You are busy. Stressed. Under pressure. You’d like to go to the gym more often, but with everything that’s going on you just don’t have the time. Obviously, I can’t wave a magic time wand and add an extra day to your week. But what I do have is something that – if you implement […]
The Overload Principle and Muscle Growth
What is the overload principle? And how can you apply it to your workouts to make your muscles bigger? Here’s everything you need to know. What Is the Overload Principle? The principle of progressive overload refers to the idea that you need to constantly increase the demands you impose on your muscles in order to […]