Spotters - You Don't Need One!

Ok, I better qualify that to ensure that what I'm saying is very clear - 99% of the time and 99% of you, do not need to use a spotter - ever! Who and when would the 1% be? Someone like a powerlifter going for a big 1RM on the bench or the squat for example. BUT, the spotter would be doing what a spotter is supposed to do - be there just in case. A spotter's job is not to help you do the lift. Another example where I can see the use of a spotter - again, doing what they're supposed to be doing, which is not helping you complete reps - is getting a hand off when... read more 8 comments

Undulating Periodization

I just put up an article I was asked to write for a print magazine in the Q&A/articles section of the website. You can read it here Periodization of the Undulating Type read more 2 comments

"Ya Gotta Wanna"

The quote in the title is one that a number of us on the Lean Bodies Fitness forum have gotten used to seeing - namely from one long-term LBC client and personal friend, Ileen Natic. It's a quote she stands by in the pursuit of her physique goals and it's powerful in its simplicity - if you're going to achieve something, you have to want to achieve it. And really want it. Rather than do Ileen any injustices in my sharing of her journey to where she is now - someone admired by many of her peers for her consistently strong effort and as a result, consistent payoff with results and physique improvements - I'm just going to post... read more 13 comments

Hunger and Fat Loss

A conveniently timed blog post from Lyle McDonald adds more to what I've been harping upon for the last few posts about hunger, expecting it when dieting, and fat loss. One quote in particular: There are other adaptations, folks often decrease their activity levels (conserving energy), fat burning goes down and fat storage goes up, appetite often goes up so that people eat more when food is made available. In common parlance, this is often referred to as the ’starvation response’ and, yes, there is something to it. Unfortunately, it’s basically the price that has to be paid for losing body fat to any significant level. People talk constantly about avoiding the starvation response and things of that nature but the... read more 0 comments