How Beginner Lifters Mess Up Their 1RM Attempts
Testing your one rep maxes (1RM) is a way to measure strength progress, but there are a lot of wrong ways to go about them. Attempting maxes too frequently or too soon, wasting your energy during a warm up, or not tapering/peaking beforehand, can all lead to 1RM that aren’t representative of your strength. It’s extremely important to take proper precautions when doing 1RM because the heavier the weight, the more likely it is it’ll cause a serious injury if something goes wrong. Remember that there are many other ways to measure strength and progress, and not meeting your goal on a 1RM is not the end of the world, nor proof that your training isn’t working.
Which Is Better - Machines or Free Weights?
It's commonly believed that free weights are superior to machines for building muscle and strength. This isn't always the case, and I dig into why.
The Beginner's Guide To Lifting Weights
The most common question I get is, "how do I, a complete beginner, start lifting weights?" This guide is intended to give you a basic introduction to the science of diet and exercise, as well as a basic exercise program you can use to get started.