Periodization is the foundation of strength and conditioning. Coaches start by defining an annual plan around a competitive season. Then specific training goals like hypertrophy, strength, power, and conditioning are used to form mesocycles. Finally, each mesocycle is unpacked into small microcycles designed to elicit very specific adaptations. But a recent study from the JournalContinue reading “Periodization, Does it Matter?”
Category Archives: Resources
How to Clean an Old Barbell
After a barbell has been used for a few years, it begins to lose a little of its spin. This is bad, because for olympic lifts like snatches and cleans, it’s imperative that the bumper plates are able to rotate freely. If they cannot, then you have to waste energy turning the bar over inContinue reading “How to Clean an Old Barbell”
Book Review: Power Speed Endurance
Power Speed Endurance: A Skill-Based Approach to Endurance Training promises to uproot much of the conventional wisdom surrounding endurance training. The author, Brian Mackenzie, is the founder of CrossFit Endurance, a program that uses CrossFit and sport-specific training to propel endurance athletes to new heights. The book starts with a simple premise: What is theContinue reading “Book Review: Power Speed Endurance”
Kettlebell Swings vs Back Squat, Fight!
How do the demands of a kettlebell swing differ from a back squat? Are kettlebells an effective tool for increasing maximal strength? Researchers set out to answer those questions in today’s study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The study asked 16 men to perform kettlebell swings with kettlebells from 16 to 32Continue reading “Kettlebell Swings vs Back Squat, Fight!”
Special Events in January
Two very cool events are happening on January 26-27th, 2013. So jump in on the fun with one of them! The CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer Course is coming to CrossFit Impulse! You’ll spend two days with Coach Jeff Tucker’s team and become a certified CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer. This is a great continuing education opportunity for anyContinue reading “Special Events in January”
Kettlebell Training for Spine Health
Kettlebell training offers unique benefit to the core and spine, says a study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The authors set out to simply study the mechanics and muscle activation patterns of kettlebell training, since no previous studies existed. They studied the swing, snatch, and carry. They found that kettlebell swings andContinue reading “Kettlebell Training for Spine Health”
Weightlifting Shoes can Improve Your Back Squat
A few months ago I visited Deep South Barbell, a competitive powerlifting gym, and saw something odd. Two of the athletes were wearing weightlifting shoes—shoes with hard, inclined heels normally used in Olympic weightlifting. But mixing weightlifting and powerlifting…that’s like oil and water. I had to ask about this, so I caught the attention ofContinue reading “Weightlifting Shoes can Improve Your Back Squat”
Better Performance Through Better Therapy
[This article is a guest post by Dr. Ryan Davis, the official chiropractor for CrossFit Impulse. Dr. Davis performs ART and Graston therapy on me twice a week. When I leave his office, my shoulders feel dramatically better than when I arrived. I have seen such huge benefits to my training that I asked himContinue reading “Better Performance Through Better Therapy”
Compression Clothing Can Improve Performance
Compression clothing like Skins is very popular right now. And I’ll be the first to admit—they look cool. My pale legs at least look ready to do work when wrapped in black plastic with yellow stripes. But does science bear out any real advantages from wearing them? Indeed, compression clothing may provide something other thanContinue reading “Compression Clothing Can Improve Performance”
Power Snatch or Squat Snatch?
Can you power snatch more than you squat snatch? Such is the case with many CrossFitters, but this is the opposite of truly proficient lifters. A really smart Russian guy once found that proficient lifters power snatch only 81% of their full snatch. Let’s examine why this reversal happens and figure out what we can do about it.Continue reading “Power Snatch or Squat Snatch?”