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Matt and Scott discuss a recent programming revelation from one of Scott's clients, a 40 year old lifter he has been working with for about a year. Scott has his lifter working on a 3-week mesocycle with typical 5x5 volume days for squats and presses. After observing that the lifter's barspeed was quite fast during multiple consecutive intensity day lifts, Scott took it as a sign that the volume day work was sufficiently driving progress and decided to hold the weight on the bar steady for future volume day workouts. Interestingly, the lifter has continued to hit intensity day PR's for several weeks without increasing the weight of the volume work. RIP Glenn Pendlay, who passed away on September 5, 2019. Glenn left behind many contributions to the strength world -- he introduced a style of barbell row now known as the Pendlay Row, had a hand in the creation of the Texas Method, and coached many Olympic weightlifters. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Save $10 off any belt purchase from Dominion Strength Training with the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Check out Scott's personal website www.scotthambrick.com to read about "The Problem with Problematicism" and more of his musings. Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Need a(nother) lifting belt? Dominion makes the best belts in the business, and Barbell Logic listeners can save $10 off any purchase by using the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Today we revisit our roots with one of the Top 10 most downloaded shows at Barbell Logic. We often say that good training has three qualities: it's simple, it's hard, and it's effective. The "hard" part is where the grind comes into play. Every novice has to go through a period where every set feels like a Herculean effort, every rep a bone on bone grinder. It's tough, and those who can make it through this phase of training become tougher people. During this process -- and even at later, more advanced stages of training -- it's important to establish some criteria for what a hard effort is. Matt tells his lifters to keep pushing on a lift for "five hard seconds" before calling it quits, even if they think from the start they won't make the rep. Scott tells his new lifters that they're simply not allowed to stop pushing until he tells them to. With either approach, the lifter is using objective, third-party observations (five seconds, as counted by a coach or training partner) to calibrate their effort, rather than their subjective experience. As any lifter knows, the brain usually tells you to quit far quicker than your body does. So, whether you've been training for years or you've just started, embrace the grind, and get a coach or training partner to double check your effort on the next heavy set. Have a question about the new Professional Barbell Coach (PBC) certification? Email [email protected] and include the word "cert" in the subject line, and Matt and Scott will answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Save $10 off any belt purchase from Dominion Strength Training with the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott chat with John Welbourn, a 10-year NFL veteran (Eagles, Chiefs, Patriots) and an excellent strength and coaching coach as well. John's football career ended almost as soon as it started when he sustained a severe knee injury in the first game of his rookie season. Failing to find good training and rehab advice from the traditional medical and PT routes, John took his rehab into his own hands and sought advice from a number of progressively minded doctors and strength coaches. One particular coach, Charlie Francis, encouraged him to start aggressive electro-stimulation therapy (EMS) to regain function in his surgically repaired knee. Meanwhile he managed his diet carefully, and walked into the following season significantly bigger, stronger, and leaner -- weighing well over 300lbs at sub 10% bodyfat. Although it took another year to regain his speed and agility, the non-traditional rehab approach paid off, leading John to a decade long career before retiring in 2008. Following retirement, John founded his training company Power Athlete and began working with Greg Glassman to develop Crossfit Football, using a blend of classic barbell training, explosive movements, and high-intensity interval training to develop better football athletes. Since then he has continued to expand his knowledge and train a wide variety of athletes at Power Athlete HQ, where he offers private coaching, custom programming, nutrition guidance, and educational material for coaches. You can follow John Welbourn on Instagram @johnwelbourn, read his blog at Power Athlete HQ, and read more humorous musings as well as get training advice from his alter ego at JohhnieWOD. Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Need a(nother) lifting belt? Dominion Strength Training makes the best belts in the business, and Barbell Logic listeners can save $10 off any purchase by using the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! As a reminder, the first certification weekends for the Professional Barbell Coach (PBC) certification will take place in November, and spots will go on sale on September 8th at https://barbell-logic.com. There are a very limited number of slots for the first weekend, so be ready when the sale begins! Have a question about the PBC certification? Email [email protected] and include the word "cert" in the subject line, and Matt and Scott will answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Need a(nother) lifting belt? Dominion makes the best belts in the business, and Barbell Logic listeners can save $10 off any purchase by using the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Today we revisit our roots with one of the Top 10 most downloaded shows at Barbell Logic. The TRUTH about linear progression is that it's a simple, hard, yet effective way to get anyone strong. While we like to nerd out about programming theory, it's important to remember that their are millions of untrained novices out in the world, whose lives could be significantly improved with this simple training paradigm. As a reminder, the first certification weekends for the Professional Barbell Coach (PBC) certification will take place in November, and spots will go on sale on September 8th at https://barbell-logic.com. There are a very limited number of slots for the first weekend, so be ready when the sale begins! Have a question about the PBC certification? Email [email protected] and include the word "cert" in the subject line, and Matt and Scott will answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Bill Hannon, VP of Coaching Development at Barbell Logic, returns to the podcast to discuss the announcement of Barbell Logic's own coaching certification -- the PBC or Professional Barbell Coach. Matt and Bill discuss the rationale and goals behind creating a new certification as well as how the testing process will work. Certification will take place via dedicated test weekends during which participants can test their platform skills and academic knowledge. Importantly, the grading rubric and testing standards will be communicated thoroughly to participants so that they understand where the bar is set for prospective Professional Barbell Coaches. Barbell Logic is also developing a Master Strength Coach certification which will cover a wider range of skills and topics including nutrition, injuries and rehab, advanced programming, and training considerations for Masters lifters. The first certification weekends for the PBC certification will take place in November, and spots will go on sale on September 8th at https://barbell-logic.com. There are a very limited number of slots for the first weekend, so be ready when the sale begins! Have a question about the PBC certification? Email us at [email protected] and include the word "cert" in the subject line, and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Whip your email inbox into shape with Sanebox! Sign up for a free 14 day trial AND save $25 off if you decide to keep the subscription. Visit https://www.sanebox.com/logic for details. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another BIG Q&A to answer your questions and work through the backlog in the Barbell Logic inbox. Thank you for submitting your questions and sharing your thoughts and experiences with the show -- and keep the questions coming! As always you can send your questions to [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Q&A episode! Discounts For a limited time, save 50% off your first month of coaching AND get a free Barbell Logic t-shirt when you sign up for the STANDARD plan at Barbell Logic Online Coaching. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott have discussed the primary programming variables of volume and intensity many times, but there's a persistent idea that "volume" and "intensity" happen in discrete workouts, at separate times. This idea probably stems from popular early intermediate programs like the Texas Method, which prescribes dedicated volume (5x5) and intensity (1x5) days for each lift. Indeed, this approach -- as well as more moderate approaches like HLM -- works well for a long time, but eventually the advancing lifter faces a problem. The loads on intensity day can only increase for so long before the cannot complete five reps. Typically at this point they would then try to complete three reps, and/or increase the amount of backoff on their volume days -- 90% of intensity day squats for 5x5 may become 80%, for instance. All of these tweaks are in service of increasing the weight on the bar and setting new PR's. However, many lifters soon run into a scenario in which they can no longer drive up their intensity day loads at any rep range. They could drop their volume day loads even further, but many athletes, especially Masters athletes, find that they detrain quickly with light loads even at high volume. At this point volume and intensity must become one, and the line between intensity day and volume day begins to blur. A lifter may complete a heavy triple for "intensity" then follow it with 2 or 3 sets of 5 at a lower weight for additional "volume." The key here is that you don't have to accrue volume and intensity on separate days, and eventually, if you advance far enough, you simply won't be able to! Thinking in terms of volume and intensity accruing over a training cycle -- whether it's two weeks, three weeks, or twelve -- and paying attention to both tonnage AND intensity (remember Masters lifters are prone to detraining at low % work) can help you to clarify the interplay of the programming variables and make better decisions on your next program. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts For a limited time, save 50% off your first month of coaching AND get a free Barbell Logic t-shirt when you sign up for the STANDARD plan at Barbell Logic Online Coaching. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Barbell Logic started life as a people-focused company, bringing exceptional online coaching to people without local access to coaching. The company has grown dramatically since then, branching into written and audio/visual content, establishing the Barbell Coaching Academy, and hosting coaching masterclasses on a variety of topics. The train keeps moving, too, and today Matt, Scott, and Bill Hannon (VP of Coaching Development and returning guest) discuss some exciting new developments and service offerings in the works for Barbell Logic. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts For a limited time, save 50% off your first month of coaching AND get a free Barbell Logic t-shirt when you sign up for the STANDARD plan at Barbell Logic Online Coaching. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

One of the most frequent questions we hear from new lifters -- or people considering strength training but not yet sold on it -- is will it make me bulky? It's a pervasive myth, and one of the most common concerns among women, but it has little basis in reality. The fact is, there ARE "bulky" women out there, that is, strong women with muscle mass. Generally these women work very hard for years to build that much muscle, and have a genetic predisposition to accumulate muscle. Most women who begin strength training, however, find themselves looking strong, capable, and healthy, while watching their dress size go down. At the heart of this concern is a cultural bias toward thin, lean physiques -- especially in the modernized Western world. We are bombarded with advertisements and visual entertainment mediums filled with idealized models of the human form, beautiful actors and actresses with far above average genetics. Furthermore, since the rise of bodybuilding in the mid-20th century, a fascination with big muscles and extreme low levels of body fat has endured. These ideals are not only unrealistic for most people, they are often mentally and physically unhealthy as well. That's why at Barbell Logic we focus on what you can do, not what you look like. Performance, strength, and health comes first, and aesthetics are a pleasant side effect of training. And of course for trainees who have completed a novice linear progression and built a base level of strength, there are always ways to customize programming to prioritize body composition and losing body fat. The key is that strength comes first! Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts For a limited time, save 50% off your first month of coaching AND get a free Barbell Logic t-shirt when you sign up for the STANDARD plan at Barbell Logic Online Coaching. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Former Army Ranger, law enforcement officer, and Barbell Logic coaching intern Nick Koldewey joins the podcast to talk about the military's outdated PT philosophy and it's shortcomings in meeting the demands of the modern soldier. Nick's experience in the field and as a platoon leader provided him the skills to handle a variety of combat scenarios, but when tasked with scheduling PT for his unit, his training (pardon the pun) fell short. As a leader, Nick was responsible for scheduling and programming workouts for his team. There was little guidance in how to do this, so workouts were based around his personal bias -- which happened to be barbell training. For other units, it was a heavy emphasis on endurance training. To compound the problem, higher-ups would frequently and randomly announce physical tests such as long, heavy rucks with little time to prepare for them. Consequently, many soldiers ended up injured, preventing them from being able to deploy and costing the military millions in VA fees annually. In his current career as a police officer, physical training is largely left to the individual, although a culture of endurance training permeates in the force too. Nick argues that soldiers, law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders have a responsibility to educate themselves on the importance of training for strength and take their training program into their own hands. To that end, he now teaches people how to get strong as a coaching intern at Barbell Logic Online Coaching. You can reach Nick at [email protected]. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott don the 20/20 glasses of hindsight to examine their training, coaching, and business careers and determine what they would have done differently, knowing what they know now. Matt shares a hard business lesson learned at STRONG Gym, and Scott shares a miserable early experience managing a construction company on an ill-fated project. When it comes to training, Scott wouldn't do anything differently. We are "the sum of our experiences," as he says, and any desire to change our past suggests we wish to be different people than who we are. It would be natural, of course, for Scott to want to have started training in his teens rather than his late 30's. But that fact is actually an important aspect of who he is as a coach; Scott can relate to the Master's lifter who is approaching the barbell for the first time in a way that a younger coach with earlier lifting experience cannot. As a former pro strongman and elite level powerlifter, Matt willingly sacrificed health in his competitive days to become as strong as possible -- an understandable outlook. However, his focus on strength above all else caused him to ignore, after retiring from professional competition, the value of doing some things that merely felt good: foam rolling, mashing his shoulders with a lacrosse ball, cold showers. He has also learned the value of doing assistance work after the main training movements, to promote extra blood flow and hypertrophy in ligaments and tendons. Perhaps you can learn a thing or two from Matt and Scott's disparate stories and avoid some of their mistakes in your own training. Remember, however, that you are the sum of your experiences under the bar and in life, and that includes the mistakes too. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also, A7 Strongwear has officially launched their new product line! They're known for their bar grip shirt which keeps the bar essentially glued to your back during squats, but have expanded their line to include shirts, shorts, leggings, IPF approved wraps, sleeves, socks, and much more. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also keep your eyes on A7 Strongwear's upcoming product launch on August 9th. A7 is known for their unique, durable squat shirt, which has a grippy surface on the upper back to help the barbell stick in position during your squats. They will re-open on August 9 with squat shirts and much more, so bookmark their site and stay posted: https://a7.co Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott wrap up Part 2 of their discussion of Zatsiorsky's two factor theory of programming and it's relevance to the basic SRA model that drives our programming decisions. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also keep your eyes on A7 Strongwear's upcoming product launch on August 9th. A7 is known for their unique, durable squat shirt, which has a grippy surface on the upper back to help the barbell stick in position during your squats. They will re-open on August 9 with squat shirts and much more, so bookmark their site and stay posted: https://a7.co Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

In part one of a two-part series, Matt and Scott discuss the history of programming theory in the context of Zatsiorsky's dual-factor or two-factor theory (as described in Science and Practice of Strength Training) which proposes that a training bout causes both fitness gain and fitness fatigue simultaneously. The management of stress to produce net fitness gains -- obviously without producing excessive fatigue which would tip the balance in the wrong direction -- under this theory helps us describe the phenomena we observe in everyday programming. Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Also keep your eyes on A7 Strongwear's upcoming product launch on August 9th. A7 is known for their unique, durable squat shirt, which has a grippy surface on the upper back to help the barbell stick in position during your squats. They will re-open on August 9 with squat shirts and much more, so bookmark their site and stay posted: https://a7.co Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt shares a new whiskey (almost, but not quite a bourbon) that's captured his attention -- Heaven Hill's Mellow Corn. It's big on flavor but light on the wallet. Scott shares an essay from the perpetually antebellum Walker Percy on the aesthetics of bourbon drinking, and eventually the two get around to answering a few questions about training too. Walker Percy's hilarious and poignant essay entitled Bourbon, Neat is a short read, well worth reading. Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Also A7, known for their excellent squat shirt which provides a strong, grippy surface for keeping the bar in place on your back, is launching a new series of products on August 9th, so make sure to check out their store: https://a7.co/ Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott discuss the thinking -- or lack thereof -- behind the many questions they receive each week asking them their opinion on someone else's line of thinking: "I've heard that..." or "So and so says..." While theses low-effort questions seem innocuous, they reveal a lack of critical thinking, which the Barbell Logic podcast has a mission to dispel. After all, "logic" is in the name, and the foundation of this show is a systematic analysis of strength training and life. Scott references the Art of Manliness show #527: Father Wounds, Spirituality, and the Journey to the Second Half of Life, featuring Father Richard Rohr. Check it out! Have a (thoughtful) question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Barbell Logic has long attracted thinkers, strivers, and a fair number of Type A personalities. "Logic" is in the name, of course, and barbell training in particular demands a sort of consistency and attention to detail that is well-suited to the driven person. Yet these same people often struggle with another problem -- the problem of perfectionism -- which the barbell community doesn't exactly help. We're barbell nerds. We love physics, programming, and the sundry little details of technique that help us optimize our training. These are the stepping stones on the path to strength, but for some they can be more of a trip hazard. The pursuit of excellence can become the pursuit of perfection, and when they inevitably fall short disappointment pervades. Perfectionism only robs us of the satisfaction of self-improvement and obscures the view of long-term progress; and, as we know, strength training is playing the long game. Or, as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it more eloquently in his essay Self-Reliance: "If our young men miscarry in their first enterprises, they lose all heart. If the young merchant fails, men say he is ruined. If the finest genius studies at one of our colleges, and is not installed in an office within one year afterwards in the cities or suburbs of Boston or New York, it seems to his friends and to himself that he is right in being disheartened, and in complaining the rest of his life. A sturdy lad from New Hampshire or Vermont, who in turn tries all the professions, who teams it, farms it, peddles, keeps a school, preaches, edits a newspaper, goes to Congress, buys a township, and so forth, in successive years, and always, like a cat, falls on his feet, is worth a hundred of these city dolls. He walks abreast with his days, and feels no shame in not 'studying a profession,' for he does not postpone his life, but lives already. He has not one chance, but a hundred chances." Also, listen to Brett's recent podcast with legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas on his idea of what it means to be a man: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/teddy-atlas-boxing-trainer-interview/ Have a question about training? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Save $79 off your first month of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching with the discount code LOGIC. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Monday's episode covered programming fundamentals for the ever-popular question: what do I do after the novice LP? Today Matt and Scott expand on the topic by walking through specific examples and discussing their thought process troubleshooting each scenario. Most people begin to fail on LP for just a couple reasons. As mentioned in episode #55 - Programming Is Secondary, consistency and technique make the biggest impact on progress in the gym. But let's assume that you consistently make your workouts, and your technique is good. The reasons you will fail on LP are: You have not done enough work to adapt to the current training loads You cannot recover from the work each session That's it! The coach's challenge (or the self-coached trainee's challenge) is to determine which is the case in any given scenario. In the case of the squat, when the bar speed begins to slow significantly and things get grindy, the first programming change we make during LP is to make the mid-week workout a light day, reducing the load to ~80% of the load lifted earlier in the week (but sticking with the 3x5 set/rep scheme). For most lifters at this point in LP, a 5lbs increase each workout constitutes sufficient stress to continue driving strength, but they cannot recover from three PR workouts a week. Now wait a minute... stress is supposed to go up if we want to continue making progress right? In the midweek deload, stress (as measured by tonnage) goes down since the load goes down and sets and reps remain the same. This is true, but only temporarily. If the midweek deload allows the lifter to drive his loads up, then in a couple weeks as the weight on the bar climbs he will indeed be doing more work (tonnage) than he was before. This is crucial. Stress must go up over time, but it's a trendline. After novice LP, you can't measure stress from workout to workout anymore. Loads won't go up every single workout. But they will go up over time. That window of time is governed by your level of training advancement, as discussed in the many intermediate and advanced programming episodes. Programming is pretty simple when you examine the problem at hand rather than talk in generalities. The challenge lies in the fact that there are often multiple solutions to the problem, yet some may be more optimal than others given everything else that's happening in the program. To recap from previous episodes, there are essentially four basic "moves" we can make in programming: Increase work -- using the programming variables of intensity (load), volume, frequency, and exercise selection Decrease work Increase recovery -- with more rest time between sets, more rest between workouts Decrease recovery -- with less rest time, or by doing more work within the same rest "window" Still confused about programming? Send a question to Matt and Scott! Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott discuss the eternal programming question: what do you do when novice linear progression stops working? While they have discussed this topic in great detail in past episodes, programming is not easy to grok for some people. And that's OK! This episode covers the basic theory and practical examples you need to transition out of LP and into the wide world of intermediate programming, with minimal fussing. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Save 50% off your first month of online coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching using the code TEAMBLOC Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Save 50% off your first month of online coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching using the code TEAMBLOC Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott discuss how their passion for training has waxed and waned over the years, how they currently feel about training, and the two types of attitude most clients approach the barbell with. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Save 50% off your first month of online coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching using the code TEAMBLOC Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott return to the MED toolbox to discuss the importance of PR's in measuring the success of a program. Of course, PR's are inherent in the novice linear progression, during which the athlete hits PR's for 3x5 every workout, or every other workout as an advanced novice. The PR then becomes a weekly occurrence for the early intermediate, then perhaps biweekly for the mid-intermediate. Texas Method, for instance, calls for a 1x5 PR each week on "intensity day." For athletes more advanced than this, where we begin to enter theoretical programming territory (because, as we have discussed ad nauseam, most people, even athletes, do not advanced beyond this stage), the PR is typically discussed in terms of a 1RM. At some level, this makes sense, as advanced strength athletes are, by definition, competing in strength sports where the 1RM is tested. An advanced athlete may train in a 6,8, or even 12-week blocks to obtain a 1RM PR. However, this does NOT mean that she does not also hit 3RM, 5RM, or sets-across PR's during the training block. Matt believes this is a crucial and overlooked point when discussing programming, particularly the use of volume. Many of his advanced lifters hit a number of PR's during their training cycles besides the 1RM. The implication is that, when programming, the focus should be on the PR itself, rather than adding sets. In other words, the number of sets shouldn't be the goal, the PR for a given rep range or number of sets should be the goal. Therefore, coaches should only prescribe as much volume as needed to continue driving PR's for the rep ranges being trained during the cycle. For strength athletes, the 1RM remains the gold standard for measuring success, but it does not diminish the importance of other PR's. Most importantly, focusing on the PR when programming ensures that we are using quantifiable data to determine whether the athlete is getting stronger, instead of subjective measures such as RPE. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Online Great Books closes enrollment on July 15!. Spots are limited, so visit https://onlinegreatbooks.com/barbell-logic/ and receive 25% off when you enroll today! Save 50% off your first month of online coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching using the code TEAMBLOC Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

It's no secret by now that Matt and Scott are men of passion. Occasionally these passions evoke such entertaining tirades, fulminations, and fervent orations during the podcast that they must be shared. This is one such occasion. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Online Great Books is opening enrollment on July 8th. Spots are limited, so visit https://onlinegreatbooks.com/barbell-logic/ to sign up for the VIP waiting list. When enrollment opens, if you sign up through this link you will save 25% off! Save 50% off your first month of online coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching using the code TEAMBLOC Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Today Matt and Scott welcome back Dr. David Puder, psychiatrist and host of the Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast, to discuss one of Hambrick's rules -- don't date someone you wouldn't marry. Dr. Puder shares some of his "red flags" of dating and offers some practical tips for evaluating potential mates for those currently navigating the dating market. Some of Dr. Puder's red flags include: When I think about this person, do I already want to change them? Would I want to have my future children with this person? Or, alternatively, would I want this person to babysit my children? Could I see this person being a good father or mother? Am I feeling a pull to rescue them in some way? Am I focusing only on the positive things about them (maybe 1 positive thing) and ignoring their faults? Does this person try to control everything about them, including me? Does this person react to obstacles with anger, rage, blame, or shaming others? Does this person blame others for their mistakes, where they are in life, or the problems they face? Does this person make impulsive decisions with their money or other choices? Does this person shut down, disengage, stonewall, or emotionally distance themselves during arguments? Does this person still have emotional energy tied to past relationships? Positive or negative lingering feelings. Do YOU have a burning question about dating and marriage? Send it to [email protected] and we'll answer it on a follow-up episode with Dr. Puder. You can find Dr. Puder on Instagram @dr.davidpuder and you can listen to his podcast Psychiatry & Psychotherapy on iTunes and all other major podcast outlets. Discounts Online Great Books is opening enrollment on July 8th. Spots are limited, so visit https://onlinegreatbooks.com/barbell-logic/ to sign up for the VIP waiting list. When enrollment opens, if you sign up through this link you will save 25% off! Save 50% off your first month of online coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching using the code TEAMBLOC Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz. Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength. Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

After 200 episodes and counting, we've heard from a lot of new listeners, some of whom are beginning their barbell journey for the first time. While we encourage everyone to go back to the first 20 or so episodes, in particular #15 - How to Kill It In Your First Starting Strength Session, this episode is an overview of what to expect when you start training, including common pitfalls to avoid. Discounts Online Great Books is opening enrollment on July 8th. Spots are limited, so visit https://onlinegreatbooks.com/barbell-logic/ to sign up for the VIP waiting list. When enrollment opens, if you sign up through this link you will save 25% off! Barbell Logic Online Coaching is running a summer sale! Save 50% off your first month of coaching using the code TEAMBLOC. Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Online Great Books is opening enrollment on July 8th. Spots are limited, so visit https://onlinegreatbooks.com/barbell-logic/ to sign up for the VIP waiting list. When enrollment opens, if you sign up through this link you will save 25% off! Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Two years and two days ago, Matt and Scott officially launched the Barbell Logic podcast with Episode #1 - Why Strength? The idea was simply to make a logical case for barbell training and how it should be done, an audio diary of Matt's coaching experience, so to speak. Since then, the show has expanded into all aspects of life -- business, finance, marriage, children, music -- as it became an extension of Matt and Scott's eclectic personalities. Simply put, it's hard to believe we've made it to 200 episodes. A show only makes it to 200 because of one thing -- you! Sincerely, thank you for listening to the show, for sending in your questions, for letting us know what you want to hear about and why. The barbell community is a close-knit family, and we're thankful you are a part of it. Thank you also to FLEO Shorts for sponsoring this episode. We'll let Charity and Rachel tell you why you need to get some, but make sure to visit their site to see the newest styles: https://www.fleoshorts.com Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Online Great Books is opening enrollment on July 8th. Spots are limited, so visit https://onlinegreatbooks.com/barbell-logic/ to sign up for the VIP waiting list. When enrollment opens, if you sign up through this link you will save 25% off! Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

In August 2018 Paul and Jarrad Markel of Student of the Gun joined us to talk about their experience strength training and how it made them more resilient, acute marksmen (Episode #97 - Fighting STRONG with Student of the Gun). A few months ago, Matt received news that "Professor Paul" had been diagnosed with cancer in his neck. Today Paul returns to the podcast to discuss his mindset that "fighting solves everything" and how the strength he has built under the bar is helping him battle cancer. Paul has had to uproot his household and move to Salt Lake City for treatment. His son Jarrad has created a GoFundMe to help with the financial burden. If you'd like to donate to Professor Paul, or just send him a motivational message, visit his GoFundMe page. We wish Paul a swift recovery, and we plan to catch up with him in a month or so to hear how his recovery is going and how he has managed his training through the process. Discounts Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Coach Matt and Scott explore the fitness fatigue model on today's show. They have discussed the SRA model at length on the show -- go check out episode #144: Rethinking SRA and Post-Novice Programming -- and one thing is clear: to continue getting stronger, stress has to go up. We've got plenty of templates and models to organize programming in such a way to make this happen for the intermediate lifter, but as the lifter advances there is a practical hurdle to overcome, the management of fatigue. In 1995 former Soviet Vladimir Zatsiorsky published Science and Practice of Strength Training, in which he outlined the "two-factor" theory now known as the fitness fatigue model. The idea is that fitness improves following a stressful workout -- in SRA terms, a workout sufficiently stressful to disrupt homeostasis -- but it also produces fatigue, which transiently reduces performance. Therefore, it may not appear that a lifter is getting stronger, as fatigue builds up from workout to workout. Yet we know that the strength athlete is getting stronger, because we observe a "peaking" effect when we reduce the stressfulness of the workouts and allow the lifter to realize the fitness (strength) he has accumulated to that point. This is commonly done in preparation for powerlifting meets, and anyone who has peaked for a meet has experienced that even one to two weeks out from the meet, you feel tired and beat up. By the day of the meet, however, you are as strong as you've ever been during that training cycle. At least, that's the goal! The SRA model fits pretty cleanly into this model during the early novice phase of training. There is a clear stressor workout, recovery from and adaptation to the workout within 48-72 hrs, then another overload event occurs. And so on. As the lifter advances, and the SRA cycle gets stretched out over a longer period of time, things get a little blurry. Over longer cycles of training, fatigue accumulates from workout to workout, and if not carefully managed, can hinder the lifter's ability to complete the workouts toward the end of the cycle, which are necessary to produce the desired strength adaptations. That's why advanced training programs incorporate periodic deload weeks, to give the lifter a break from the fatigue. At the end of the day, the fitness fatigue model doesn't solve any mysteries, but it is a handy model for thinking about intermediate and advanced programming. The more advanced a lifter becomes, the more he walks a knife's edge of stress, recovery, fatigue, adaptation and fitness. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Coaches often note that the bench press is one of the easiest lifts to teach, probably because most people have done a bench press if they've ever set foot in a gym. After teaching the proper arch position, and identifying the correct grip, the execution of the bench press mostly takes care of itself. Yet there is one key to big benches that eludes many lifters -- the all-important leg drive. On today's show Coach Matt and Scott discuss the importance of leg drive and how to maximize it during the movement. Check out the Barbell Logic YouTube channel to see staff coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson demonstrate proper leg drive in the bench press. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

To quote Rip, "it's common to want what we cannot have." And let's be real, we all want abs. Or at least a flatter stomach. Yet many of us approach the barbell as novices with a little (or a lot) extra body fat, leaving us with seemingly conflicting goals: get stronger, or lose weight? It is in fact possible to get stronger and reduce your waistline at the same time, however it takes proper nutrition, intelligent programming, and a realistic mindset about the length of time it takes to make lasting change. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Get club coaching from the skilled interns at Barbell Logic Online Coaching -- just $79 for your first month! Use the discount code TEAMCLUB at checkout. Limited to 30 spots so sign up now! Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

For those that have walked the path and become strong, there are times when the weights go from challenging, to soul-searching, to world-endingly heavy, yet, stress must continue to increase in the quest for more strength. That's where the deload comes in -- a strategic, drastic reduction in load and volume to allow fatigue to dissipate and provide a much-needed psychologic break from heavy training. Whether it's following a meet, an advanced training block, or simply a phase of heavy training mixed with a large amount of life stress, deloads are an important part of an intermediate and advanced lifter's programming. Today Matt and Scott walk through some examples of deloads from their clients as well as their own training, and discuss how their approach to programming a deload week has evolved over the years. They also share their subjective experience of training during a deload week, which may come as some comfort to lifters experiencing their first deload; often a deload feels shockingly heavy despite the reduced loads. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott are back with another round of Saturday Q&A. If you'd like to ask Matt and Scott a question, email [email protected] and we'll feature you on a future Q&A episode! Discounts Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]

Matt and Scott talk with lifter and coach (and, recently, social media superstars) Miles "Smiles" Taylor and "Uncle" Nic Myers about Miles' incredible journey to the strengthlifting platform. Miles has cerebral palsy, a motor disability affecting his ability to control his body. Consequently, prior to discovering training he was very weak physically, but not mentally. Clearly Miles was determined to make the most of his body, and push himself to achieve more than others thought possible. Fortune favors the bold, an the old Latin proverb says, and Miles reconnected with an old school friend Nic Myers, who had returned from military service. Uncle Nic, as he is known, offered to coach Miles at Neversate Athletics in Westminster, MD, and soon Miles began lifting with the barbell. Progress was slow, as Miles has to muster intense concentration to get his body to move through complex barbell movements. Miles showed up consistently and worked hard, and eventually the gains came. In October 2018 he competed in his first strength competition at the USSF Fall meet in Westminster, going 9/9 and going viral with a video of his final deadlift attempt. Miles continues to set PR's, achieving a 2x bodyweight, 200lbs deadlift in February 2019. He now trains with strongman implements in addition to the barbell, and hopes to compete in a strongman competition in the future. You can follow Miles and his jubilant PR videos on Instagram @smiles_taylor, and you can follow his intrepid coach Uncle Nic @uncle.nic. While you're at it check out some of their sweet merch, including t-shirts and hoodies from the Neversate gym, at https://theloyalbrand.com. Got a question for Matt and Scott? Email us at [email protected] and we'll answer your question on an upcoming Saturday Q&A! Discounts Get 3 months of coaching at Barbell Logic Online Coaching for just $500! Use SUMMERGAINZ at checkout. Use discount code LOGIC to save 10% off microplates, dumbbell microplates, and more at Microgainz Use discount code LOGIC to save $10 off belts and more at Dominion Strength Connect With Matt Matt on Instagram Barbell Logic Online Coaching — Matt's website Matt on Facebook Matt on Twitter Connect With Scott Scott on Instagram Silver Strength – Scott's website Scott on Facebook Scott on Twitter Connect With the Show Barbell Logic on Twitter Barbell Logic on Instagram The Website Barbell Logic on Facebook [email protected]