Safe Execution of Strongman Events

A man lifting heavy makeshift weights

By: Josh Bryant Strongman training is lifting heavy, awkward objects and moving  them from point A to points B – whether that is from the ground to overhead, or from a designated start point to a finish point. Strongman training helps SWAT team physical preparedness, the aging Mrs. Jones carry in grocery bags, the linebacker, and the…

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Olympic Lifts—Fun, not Fundamental

Man doing burpees in a gym

by Josh Bryant Explode for Strength Go to your local “strength and conditioning center” or trendy chain gym and see the poor souls   hitting bastardized cheat curls that, in their warped world, moonlight as power cleans. Even scarier, more ambitious members will hit snatches and then the ambulance hits the gas.  It takes strength coaches with…

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Bench with Maximum Power

A handbook on explosive bench pressing

Straight from Julius Maddox’s own coach Josh Bryant, a manual with the info that will blow away your plateaus! In this manual Josh covers a simple concept in expert detail to help you overcome sticking points and bench with maximum power. In addition, the manual includes a 12 Week Program to get you in the strongest shape of your life! What are you waiting for?…

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Progressive Overload—
There is No Other Way

Image representing progressive overloading

By: Josh Bryant When I was 14 years old in 1995, my first powerlifting mentor, Steve Holl (RIP), took a cursory glance around Santa Barbara Gym and Fitness Center.  In disgust, Steve squinted his eyes and said, “Look around this gym. The same people lifting the same weights, doing the same exercises, and looking the same…

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Put a Little Old in the New School: Forgotten Dumbbell Exercises

Vintage picture of a male weightlifter

By: Josh Bryant Legendary strength coach Al Vermeil says, “You show me the exercise, I will show you what we used to call it.” The two exercises I am going to share have recently made a small resurgence.   I am not suggesting you execute these movements; I am not suggesting you avoid them. I am…

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Perception is Reality

A motivational quote from Bob Proctor

by: Josh Bryant A picture of Popcorn Sutton’s White Lightning ain’t West “By God” Virginia’s best moonshine, a road map is not a map and menu is not a meal. Regardless, people often confuse their perceptions with facts. When you are donating money to charity, your perception is either: it is an expense or an…

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Calm After the Storm

A weightlifter wearing a “GAS STATION READY” shirt

by: Josh Bryant Some people are so uptight, if you stuck a lump of coal up their ass, in two weeks, you’d have a diamond!  Think about the Karen that heads up the local HOA, the powerlifter that takes a 1000 mgs of caffeine before a deload workout or the linebacker always over pursuing. These folks are all sympathetic…

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Neck Training—When, Why & How

Neck of a man lifting heavy weights

by: Josh Bryant Baptiste Deodati, a long time user of Tactical Shield Training. 1990s oversized sweats can cover up missed leg days. Baggy t-shirts can hide the recent Asian Fusion Buffett Binges, but ain’t no hiding a stack of dimes neck. It’s not just all about the aesthetics of a no-nonsense physique. In tennis, if you…

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The Texas Extreme Powerbuilding Program

Muscular man doing bench presses

by: Josh Bryant Get the best of bodybuilding & powerlifting to develop size, symmetry, & strength. Over a decade ago, I co-authored with the legendary, Brian Dobson, the iconic, best-selling, Metroflex Gym Powerbuilding Basics. The powerbuilding principles have stood the test of time. Over time, I have refined the powerbuilding approach by logging thousands of…

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Training Adaptations—Fitness Fatigue Model

A picture of three men at a restaurant

By: Josh Bryant Meeting of the Minds at an Undisclosed Location As a teenager I remember this 35-year-old bodybuilder we will call Jimbo who lived in his van. This cat was a total disaster and did 70 sets per body part in training; “Two sets for each year” was his mantra and at 14 years…

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