Article recommendations week #37 2016

We have searched the web for the most valuable and interesting articles of week #37 2016

Strength Training Articles

Breakingmuscle published 3 articles

The Only Variable That Matters guess what that one variable is – yes, it’s consistency. Can’t agree more, that’s what I have seen over the years as well, the guys that always show up will reap the benefits in the long run!
Stop Being So Fragile: Push Harder and Overreach a good article on the topic of overreaching and how overreaching is (to a certain extent) part of the adaptation process
Can You Train Mental Toughness? an interesting discussion on whether you can train mental toughness or not, with a solid conclusion ‘everything is trainable.’

How to Make your Programs Programs your Clients will actually follow some good points to think about, when you do your programming and planning
How Unilateral Strength Training Can Improve Your Squat, Bench, and Deadlift explaining the integration of unilateral (one arm or one-legged) training helps improved the bilateral training (both arms, both legs), something we do all the time

T-Nation published two good articles

The Missing Movement 10 experts discussing the best exercise that you are not doing
The 4 Levels of Pull-Up Power a really good solid approach how to progress the Pull-Up from simple through to complex

The Poliquin Group offered Ten Glute Training Tips for a Stronger and Leaner Backside interesting to see that it mainly involves compound movements.

Eric Cressey debated Strength and Conditioning Programs: Methods vs. Applications where Eric argues, that every (training) method should have an application to be useful, which ties in well with my article of this week 3 Steps to Develop your own Power Training Method.

The Strength Sensei gave his thoughts on How to Choose a Physique Preparation Coach hitting on a few good points.

Robertson Training Systems shared 6 Ways To Improve My Training Programs some goal setting on how to improve his training programs with action points on how to accomplish that.

Bodybuilding.com explained

Why Full-Body Workouts Make You Stronger offering a few good points to favor full-body strength training programs.
8 Gym Benchmarks Everyone Can Achieve a really great article on strength standards / benchmarks and how to use them from Mike Robertson, which aligns pretty well with the standards I have put out for
- the Back Squat in the article The Fundamentals of the Back Squat
- the Front Squat in the article What Do Front Squats Develop and Why You Need To Do Them
- the Power Clean in the article The Ultimate Guide to Power Cleans
- the Power Snatch in the article The Ultimate Guide to Power Snatches

Stack proposed 3 Principles for the Perfect Dynamic Warm-Up a great piece, emphasizing every Warm-up should have a structure and include purpose.

Advanced Human Performance published a detailed piece on Eccentric Isometrics The Ultimate Way to Strength Train explaining the benefits, its’ application, and underlying principles. If you are unsure how the author defines Eccentri Isometrics have a look at the video below

Youth Strength Training Articles

Breakingmuscle proposed A Lesson Plan for the Youth Athlete a good approach to setting priorities for youth athletes with the bottom-line, that the goal with youth athletes is not to create elite-level lifters, but to prepare them for the future by helping them accumulate as many skills as possible. I fully agree!

Stack recommend 3 Things Youth Athletes Should Never Do in the Weight Room simple and effective advice.

Plyometric Training Articles

Elite Athletic Performance shared 5 Benefits of Plyometrics a good overview of the main benefits plyometric training can do for you.

Back Squat and Front Squat Articles

Men’s Health explains how This Common Squat Mistake Could Seriously Injure Your Lower Back a common flaw you see often during the Back Squat, which is most often attributed to improper Back Squat form or weak anterior chain muscles.

The Strength Sensei Charles Poliquin offered A Great Tip to Improve Shoulder Flexibility in the Squat have a look at the video below

Barbellrehab explained Turn Your Feet OUT For a Bigger Squat showcasing how the stance can influence the Back Squat, Front Squat or Overhead Squat.

Robertson Training Systems coached the Hip Position on the 2-KB Front Squat have a ook at the great cues

Power Clean, Power Snatch and Olympic Lifting Articles

Catalystathletics shared two great articles

The First Pull: Your First Chance to Get the Snatch & Clean Right a very detailed analysis of the first pull and how to improve it, reminds me of the saying ‘the first pull, where the lift is made or lost’.
Ask Greg: Snatch & Clean Pull Loading & Necessity I do like the discussion on the necessity of the Snatch Pull or Clean Pull. Whether you should use them or not? I guess the answer depends on, some people tend to pull heavily with the arms, for them, Pulls might not be the right assistance exercise. Others, however, don’t get a full hip extension during the second pull, for them, the Pulls would be a good add-on.

Juggernaut Training Systems showed the Jerk Tutorial wit Max Aita and Anthony Pomponio a good overview on how to Split Jerk covering all important points, have a look at the video below