[est_time] estimated total reading time So I’ve been meaning to write a post on Ice Baths, Cold Showers and Cold-Thermogenesis / Cryotherapy for quite some time. Several years in fact! I believe I first came across the idea in 2010, via The Four Hour Body by Tim Ferriss. Now, let me say, I am eternally […]
Why I’d Still Skip the Ice Baths, Even if they Worked Read More »
Previously I’ve talked about how Functional Training is a Myth, that performing multiple sets of resistance exercise is probably a waste of time, that free-weight exercises such as squats and olympic lifts have little cross-over to sports, and that stretching has little benefit for the majority ofathletes. I know, I’m such a killjoy! Most professional
Strength and Conditioning for Sports – Separating Fact from Fiction Read More »
When I first came across it, one of the main selling points of CrossFit, was that it was a great method for conditioning your body for sports – be this football, athletics, martial arts, triathlon or any other sport on the planet. Personally, however, I think the evidence indicates that the concept of Functional Training
Why Training CrossFit is like Learning Latin Read More »
In parts I and II, we looked at the utility of static stretching for warm ups before and cool downs after exercise and activity, and concluded that for most people it is at best a waste of time, at worst counter productive. So stretching may not be an effective warm up or cool down, but
A Stretch too Far – Part III – Stretching for Flexibility Read More »
In Part I, we looked at the widely accepted practice of static stretching as a method of “warming up” before exercise, and how this practice is in fact not backed by any evidence, and may even be deleterious in its effects. Static Stretching is also widely advocated after exercise, in order to facilitate recovery, and
A Stretch Too Far – Part II – Stretching to Cool Down Read More »
Put your hand up if you hate stretching? It takes a long time out of your busy schedule, it can be pretty dull, and even unpleasant, but we all know we should do it, don’t we? Proponents of stretching BEFORE EXERCISE claim that it is an effective way to increase the R.O.M (Range of Motion)
A Stretch Too Far – Part I – Should You Stretch to Warm-up? Read More »
It’s “generally accepted gym wisdom” that 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps is what you need to do for hypertrophy, and 4+ sets of 1-6 reps is the recipe for strength. More than just “Bro-Science”, these are the rep ranges you will be taught as fact if you certify as a trainer with the American College
The debate: Sets, Reps and Training to Failure Read More »
I overheard someone talking about a friend the other day, saying “She’s so slim, she’s so lucky!” As it happened, in this case, luck certainly had nothing to do with it. The individual in question actually used to be considerably over-weight, but had transformed her figure through a combination of diet and lifestyle change, strength
Are Slim People Ever Lucky? Read More »
In Part I of this series “Is Functional Training a Myth?“, I challenged the conventional wisdom on strength and conditioning routines, and argued that training programs based around free weight exercises such as power lifts, Olympic lifts and other functional exercises do in fact have little transfer to other activities and sports. In short, squatting
Primal Fitness 2.0 Part II – From Functional to Practical: Free weights still rock! Read More »
It’s been quite some time since I’ve written a post on the movement/exercise component of evolutionary health and fitness. The main reason for this has been that over the past year or so, many of my long standing beliefs with regards to exercise/training/strength and conditioning (or whatever you want to call it) have been challenged,
Primal Fitness 2.0 – Part I: Is Functional Training a Myth? Read More »