Intriguing combination.
The OTARI is a Yoga mat (although it has plenty of potential uses for other aspects of training) with a strong interactive component. In addition to a screen with specific advice relating too the workout, the inbuilt AI can help to offer specific advice on form (there's a camera built in to the mat).
A little video :
The OTARI Interactive Workout Mat.
I'm a huge fan of sleep as a recovery method. Here's a quick look at a basic nighttime routine from the medical side of things.
I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :
Gem From The Vault : The Step-up : a Real Squat Alternative?Looking At : May 31, 2020Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.
I'm a huge fan of sleep as a recovery method. Here's a quick look at a basic nighttime routine from the medical side of things.
We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Facebook etc) shortly.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.
NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.
Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.
I've received more emails over the years on the transition to biphasic sleeping than almost anything else I've ever written. I can't thank everyone enough for those, they really are appreciated. Thank you.
Most of them take the form of 'do you think this would work...' and the answer is usually to try it and see. I really haven't made any large structural changes to the original routine; however there has been a little fine-tuning. A snippet from the article Biphasic Sleep : 30 Day Summary explains the overall idea :
When I started doing this, my idea was to have a 1.5 hour nap and a 3 hour main sleep period. This proved to be a little under what my body required, and I switched to a 3/4.5 hour split (3 hours by default, 4.5 on workout days). Once again this didn't feel like quite enough, and I changed to a regular 1.5 hour nap followed by a 4.5 hour sleep (every day). This feels right.
I say this to demonstrate that making small changes can be of benefit, and I'll continue to make them as required. As the volume of weight training increases (as it almost certainly will), as I age and as my life situation in general changes; the length of the main sleep period will change.
The OTARI is a Yoga mat (although it has plenty of potential uses for other aspects of training) with a strong interactive component. In addition to a screen with specific advice relating too the workout, the inbuilt AI can help to offer specific advice on form (there's a camera built in to the mat).
A little video :
The OTARI Interactive Workout Mat.
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
I love these.
The latest issue of Brooks Kubik's 'The Dinosaur Files' (May 2020) is now available. An instant .PDF download. Perfect.
If you've never read one, these are monthly newsletters which comprise a mix of pieces by Brooks, well-known old-time strongmen and the Dinosaur Training community. As an example, here's a brief look at a previous issue :
It's a great mix.
You can grab the latest incarnation here :
brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles-may2020.html .
I was chatting with a friend the other day about the various benefits of Intermittent Fasting and Time Restricted Eating, and he asked about sleep. For everyone wondering about the same thing, this video explains the various sleep-related impacts.
I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :
Gem From The Vault : The Ab WheelLooking At : May 24, 2020Over to you. I'd love to hear what you think : leave your comments on the above articles, and share them with your friends/colleagues/clients and so on.
NB : If you're keen to do a little fitness writing and would like to submit your own piece for Straight to the Bar, get in touch.
I was chatting with a friend the other day about the various benefits of Intermittent Fasting and Time Restricted Eating, and he asked about sleep. For everyone wondering about the same thing, this video explains the various sleep-related impacts.
We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Facebook etc) shortly.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the previous episodes of the show - (there's an example below, and a full list here). And if you've got any questions or comments on the various topics discussed, we'd love to hear them. Just leave a note below the video.
NB : if you'd like to take part in a future episode - either as an interviewee, or as a guest host - just drop us a line. Love hearing how everyone else trains.
Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, the blog; and the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.
There's an awful lot more to abdominal work than exercises like the humble crunch. Everything from Louie's infamous 'Stand-Up Abs' to the many, many varieties of the squat.
Before doing any of that, however, it helps to understand a little about the various muscles being worked. For that, it's over to Kat 'The Mighty Kat' Ricker.
For starters, from Kat's superb article Specific Training for the Transverse Abdominis: Belt It In, here's a quick way to learn to feel what your TA is doing :
Begin by becoming aware of this muscle. Sit upright on a bench. Have a partner face you, place both of his hands on your shoulders, and gently push you backward (gently!). Your goal is to maintain your upright position, not allowing your spine to extend/your back to arch. Your TA will kick in to achieve your goal.
The latest issue of Brooks Kubik's 'The Dinosaur Files' (May 2020) is now available. An instant .PDF download. Perfect.
If you've never read one, these are monthly newsletters which comprise a mix of pieces by Brooks, well-known old-time strongmen and the Dinosaur Training community. As an example, here's a brief look at a previous issue :
It's a great mix.
You can grab the latest incarnation here :
brookskubik.com/dinosaurfiles-may2020.html .
Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :
Good stuff Bret, looks great.
If you're looking to dive into the strength-training world a little deeper, here are a number of resources to check out. Both on this site, and elsewhere.
And of course :
If you're looking to dive into the strength-training world a little deeper, here are a number of resources to check out. Both on this site, and elsewhere.
And of course :
