Athletes are frequently instructed to stretch what feels "tight", and to stretch it often. While the majority could benefit from some targeted mobility work, the sweeping generalization that "more is better" doesn't reign true. In athletics, we're always after more. More strength. More speed. More agility. More endurance. More wins. It's natural to approach mobility with that same mindset. However,...

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Tour any modern gym and you're bound to stumble upon a section littered with kettlebells. A kettlebell looks like a cannonball with a handle. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors and weights. Most kettlebell exercises require the lifter to grab the implement by the handle or horn, though some see the hand placed directly on the bell...

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A firm handshake is often considered polite, but it can also carry greater implications. Specifically, research has established a strong link between one's grip strength and their expected longevity. Those who retain higher levels of grip strength throughout life have been found to have lower risk of several common, life-threatening diseases. For example, a 2018 study published in The BMJ...

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Coaching is a blend of both art and science. Those who apply science-based methodologies in a practical fashion yield the greatest results. It is not how much one knows, or how much others think one knows, it is how well one is able to articulate key points to others. A coach can spend a lifetime in academia gaining unlimited knowledge...

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Return to sport protocols are integral in ensuring athletes are healthy and capable of safely performing at the highest level. Sports medicine staff as well strength and conditioning coaches commonly agree on what athletes need prior to reengaging in sport, but rarely are they on the same page regarding the optimal methodologies. Some believe that when a previously repaired joint...

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The barbell is considered the essential implement in modern strength training. And for good reason. The first written record of the barbell came in 1854 from French strong man and gym owner Hippolyte Triat. In the 160+ years since, the barbell has proven to be an extremely potent tool for building strength, power and athleticism. Today, it is used as...

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Helping others increase fitness for winter sports is the lion’s share of my job. My email inbox is often bombarded with messages asking what the best exercises for skiing/snowboarding are, as well as the most effective means to staying injury free Implementing effective means of training is essential to success, whether I am assisting an Olympic athlete or weekend warrior....

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A common misconception in strength training is that lifting to failure is the ultimate way to get bigger and stronger. After all, that's what hurts most and feels hardest. And in many people's minds, harder is always better. Doing a set until "failure" means allowing fatigue to accumulate to the point where performing even one more rep with proper technique...

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Strength and conditioning is about enhancing the performance capabilities of athletes. When programmed correctly, it also instills discipline, builds healthy habits, and assists with injury prevention. But there's another component many strength and conditioning and sport coaches alike like to develop during training--Mental toughness. They like to build grit and perseverance. They want kids who don't quit when things get...

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