From Bookworm to Bikini: Week Eight

By Caroline Gick CAUTION: FITNESS BUZZWORD AHEAD. Balance. We see and hear this word everywhere. Most times, people use it to talk about obtaining and maintaining it in their lives. They want a healthy combination of work, family, training, and everything else that goes into a productive week. I’d … [Read more...]

Out of Balance: How to Think About Dieting

Last weekend, I sat on a rather interesting discussion panel at the Paleo F(x) conference in Austin, TX. As I listened to otherwise rational people, who were making otherwise sound recommendations, emphatically claiming that a “balanced diet” for health required 30 percent carbohydrates—mostly from … [Read more...]

How To Be Awesome: The Pendlay Row

By Jesse Burdick “THE 10 BEST EXERCISES YOU’RE NOT DOING!” Fitness magazines publish this bullshit piece all the time—accompanied by a similar cover-line to get your attention while you’re walking through the airport—and I always take issue with it, because the people writing the pieces generally … [Read more...]

Why Breakfast is Nothing But a Scam

Here's another updated classic from the archives: She’s sitting on the opposite side of the bar, by herself, and she’s smoking hot. With her stiletto heels, fishnet stockings, and hang-your-keys-on-them chest, she’s obviously being watched by every guy in the place, whether they’re single or … [Read more...]

The X-Frame Protocols: Ice Cube Abs

By Monte Spicer When your ab training goes wrong, or you’re not getting any results, it’s not because you’re doing the wrong exercises. It’s not about volume, intensity, or rest periods, either. The reason your abs aren’t coming in the way they should—other than your shitty diet, of course—has … [Read more...]

Book Excerpt: Carb Back-Loading

Don’t Let Training Derail You Although this is a book about targeted performance nutrition, the outlined plan relies heavily upon training for its efficacy. I need, therefore, to discuss training—and what qualifies as acceptable. When it comes to Carb Back-Loading, not all training is created … [Read more...]

From Bookworm to Bikini: Week Seven

By Caroline Gick Last week was all about shit. I felt like shit, I looked like shit, and I didn’t want to do shit—unless we’re talking about beating the shit out of anyone who tried to motivate me with any positive, “can do” type of shit. I couldn’t even muster the energy to do that, though, so I … [Read more...]

The Power of Power

By Scott Paltos Want the secret to everything? I know you’re looking for it, at least for your fitness, because that’s why you’re on the fucking internet today in the first place. I’m also sorry to disappoint you, because the answers you’re so desperate to find have nothing to do with any of the … [Read more...]

The Cortisol Challenge

I know, it's a stupid fucking title for an article, but in this case, I'm challenging you to know your enemy. This is simple advice we’d all do well to follow, but in bodybuilding it’s easier said than done. The hormone cortisol is a prime example. Ask any bodybuilder—even the top guys in the world, … [Read more...]

The X-Frame Protocols: Shoulders

By Monte Spicer To find out more about Monte Spicer’s X-Frame series, read the introductory article here. To build your X-Frame physique, we have to take advantage of angles. When you train any body part, the goal is to hit it from every conceivable angle. Doing things this way accomplishes two … [Read more...]