A couple of Ryan's loadable Maces ready for painting. Great things.

Steve Maxwell discusses a fantastic (and challenging) bodyweight exercise - the 6-Count Burpee (aka 6-Count Body Builder). Nice one.

Ready for some more Gloved Beast Snatches? Here's Strong As Hell's Max Shank.

Seattle Local Food takes a look at the basics of a major part of a typical diet (mine at least) - Cooking Oil 101. Very interesting.

Video - Two Guys, One Bar

CrossFit's 'Grace' with a twist. Good stuff.

Primal Nature Play

Remember Rocannon MacGregor? He's learnt a thing or two about outdoor training over the past few decades, and he shares that over at Primal Nature Play. Think of the great outdoors with kettlebells, ropes, clubs and other fun things. Nice one.

NB : this is only one of many of Rocannon's blogs - there's a complete list over on rocannon.com. At least there will be shortly.

Got a site, event or product you'd like to recommend? Drop us a line.

Via Body By Long : Block Weights (Blobs).

Today we have hundreds of different approaches to exercise, training, equipment, etc. No one could possibly be without excuse if they can't find what they're looking for. Weight training, athletic conditioning, and cardio programs all abound and they're out there just waiting to be tried or used. But what if the modern facilities we have now didn't exist nor the manufactured weights, machines and multitudes of fitness gear? How would we exercise or train? Or maybe more importantly, would we? I believe most of us would find alternative ways or means to stay fit.... But just 'what if' we tried doing it right now?

As a fitness enthusiast for years I enjoy and continue to enjoy outdoor fitness and training. While there are many, many paths one can choose to reach his or her fitness goals, I find the outdoor approach the most challenging and rewarding. I can't say where this passion began exactly, but it could have started subconsciously in high school when I read about the gladiators of Rome. They trained in sand, would carry and run with stones in their hands over long distances, practiced jumping over pits to develop leg strength and engaged in tug-of-war with fellow gladiators to build upper body strength. It might have also been the Spartans of Sparta I read later which inspired me good deal. Here were men trained at young ages to wrestle, survive in all types of weather, fit enough to carry a 30lb shield in one hand while wielding a 15lb short sword in the other, ah, and let me not forget their ability to throw the javelin with acute accuracy!

As you can see, even Santa finds time to squeeze in a few sets of pulldowns. Have a great holiday.

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There have been a number of fantastic articles on Straight to the Bar this year, contributed by a range of guest authors. While you're temporarily escaping the festivities, take a look through some of my favourites.

10, to be exact.

Via Napalm's Corner : one of the many superb feats at the 2008 Gripmas Carol, Jedd snatching a 106lb kettlebell with woollen gloves. Good stuff.

Via Beyond Strong : Laine Snook Lifting 2 Millenium Dumbbells at once. Nice one.