These look great - heavy, configurable sandbags. The video (Alan Thrall) will show you a great way to use them - in place of Atlas stones.

The Rogue Fitness Sandbags.

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 : I Love the Smell of Coffee in the Morning
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  Quality, not quantity.

  
  

• Looking At : Jul 8, 2018
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

Over 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.

Video : Total Fitness Bodybuilding Video Chat (Lee Hayward)

Another great Q&A series - this time with the incredible Lee Hayward.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ 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.

Gymchat 153 - Cycled Bulking

Maik Wiedenbach

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.

Tip of the Week: Training When Travelling

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

We've had a number of questions over the years along the lines of 'how do I train when travelling?'. Mark Konen's approach (from the article Pack Light, Train Hard) :

Well traveled suitcase.

I am visiting my sedentary family soon and I will not be near a gym so here is my plan:

First, there is a wide variety of bodyweight exercises I can do including push-ups, sit-ups, mountain climbers, burpees, squats, pull-ups and jumping rope. I can fashion these as a circuit or even as a Tabata workout. So, the first thing I will pack is the Gymboss interval timer. Since I will already have my laptop with me, I could also use an online Tabata timer.

To make the bodyweight exercises even more challenging, I will bring along my jumpstretch bands; specifically the mini-bands. I can add resistance to any exercise I do and can also use it for assistance in pull-ups and range of motion (ROM) work. I also have a couple minor, nagging injuries that would benefit from some band work.

I will bring some running gear and would run in areas where I could also find some things like rocks to lift and throw. I may add in some hills and speed training. (I do use the word "speed" with a sense of humor)!

I'll toss in a Captains of Crush Gripper. I can use that while watching sports on the tube.

OK, so far so good. But I really would like to do some heavy lifting so what can I do that is the same as what I would do at my home gym? Sandbag training! All I have to do is to take my sandbag liners of 50, 25 and 10#, empty them at home and then go buy a couple of 50# bags at a hardware store close to where I'll be staying. Sand is cheap.

That about covers all I could possibly need to get in great workouts while out of town. Since I am going to a colder clime, it may be unlikely there will be a heavy snowfall this early in the season, but if I happen to be in a big snowstorm, you can't beat snow shovelling! Snow shovel intervals could be interesting, challenging and fun. Come to think of it, I'll have to look in my dad's garage. I wonder if he has a sledgehammer? I may be able to talk my mom into steering the car while I push it down the street for time or reps!

Good stuff.

Checking Out : The Rogue Fitness Sandbags

These look great - heavy, configurable sandbags. The video (Alan Thrall) will show you a great way to use them - in place of Atlas stones.

The Rogue Fitness Sandbags.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

Interesting idea.

I go through a fair bit of food here, and I suspect I'm not the only one. Prepared in batches wherever possible.

Prepdeck is a kitchen assistant to help keep everything precisely measured, and organised. A bit of video to show you what I mean :

The Prepdeck.

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 : Soothing Music and a Handful of New PRs
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  Relax, breathe deeper, perform better.

  
  

• Looking At : Jul 1, 2018
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

Over 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.

Video : Learning How To Program, 5/3/1, Managing A Gym (Alan Thrall)

It's Q&A time once again. Great information Alan.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ 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.

Gymchat 152 - Leg Training

Maik Wiedenbach

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.

Tip of the Week: It's Never Too Late to Start

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

Ida Wasserman, hitting the gym at 100.

Age is not a contraindication to exercise, which can usually be initiated safely in older persons.

Checking Out : Prepdeck (Food Preparation Assistant)

Interesting idea.

I go through a fair bit of food here, and I suspect I'm not the only one. Prepared in batches wherever possible.

Prepdeck is a kitchen assistant to help keep everything precisely measured, and organised. A bit of video to show you what I mean :

The Prepdeck.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.

Always on the lookout for new protein bars, and these look great - the FATBARs. Anyone tried them; or any others that you'd recommend?

The FATBAR.

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 Lost Art of Overhead Pressing
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  How much? Time to find out.

  
  

• Looking At : Jun 24, 2018
  Scott Andrew Bird | Follow @scottbird
  What's been going on this week? Quite a lot actually.

  
  

Over 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.

Video : Pivot Blocks, and Fixing The Good Morning Squat (Alan Thrall)

Great information Alan.

Gymchat 278 - TBA

We're still finalising the details for this week's discussion. I'll post them on the blog (and Twitter, Google+ 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.

Gymchat 151 - Motivation II

Roger Lawson

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.

Tip of the Week: Try a Caffeine Nap

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via Twitter, Google+, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

Caffeine Napping.

For a start, they take place at different times of the day.

I'm curious though - has anyone here sampled a Caffeine Nap? I'd love to hear your thoughts; particularly if it's a regular thing.


From the article 'Caffeine Napping' :

Sleep researchers at Loughborough University were looking at various ways to keep motorists awake on long journeys. The winner - perhaps somewhat surprisingly - was the 'caffeine nap'.

The idea is simple : drink a cup of coffee and immediately take a brief (15-20min) nap. This helps clear the body of adenosine, a chemical commonly believed to make you drowsy.

Very interesting indeed.

Checking Out : FATBAR (Low Carb, High Fat Pre-Workout Bars)

Always on the lookout for new protein bars, and these look great - the FATBARs. Anyone tried them; or any others that you'd recommend?

The FATBAR.

Rather than trying to explain how it works, here it is in action :

Good stuff Bret, looks great.