Cure for string-bean arms
Came an email from a reader (who gave me permission to share anon): === Hey Phil, You have been a big reason for my recent lifting and newfound sense of strength/confidence so wanted to share a story. Went on holidays at the beach with some family friends over the weekend, and rented surfboards with a […]
CrossFit’s subtle (yet profoundly positive) impact
First, a confession: I know very little about CrossFit. In fact, I tend to switch off whenever someone tells me they’re into it. I’ve never visited a box and I’ve never done a proper session aside from the occasional “Grace” or “Murph” workout (the former because it’s a laugh and the latter was something I […]
Words of advice for those of a certain vintage
If you are of a certain vintage, you don’t need me to tell you that you ain’t going to achieve nearly as much on the training front as you would if you were in your 20s. Well, you might if you were irredeemably thick. But if that were the case, you’d be haunting some dope […]
the vital few and the useful many
Looks like I’ve been rumbled: === Good email Phil! I recognise that guy! And yes it had made me more profitable. Much like your training plans, I have cut back business activities and costs to the basics which can be sustained and daisy chained at 80% – the margin has improved.. I am now applying […]
If I sound like a broken record, it’s because I am
Few things sadden me quite like the state of the local parks. And by “state” I mean the absence of children, especially during the school holidays. If this sounds like I am a broken record, it’s because I am. It’s a serious problem, and I’m going to keep talking about it no matter how many […]
Why “good enough” is good enough
Behold proof I am not kidding when I say proper training will enhance your whole entire life (so not just your looks, health, respectability, etc): Client of mine from about a year ago occasionally gets in touch to tell me about how the approach to training I taught him has greatly improved his ability to […]
“Silver Era” Titan reveals two common form pitfalls
“Trying to use too much weight, and by watching some other guy working out, and he’s using poor form and you’re, let’s say, only eighteen years old or sixteen years old and that guy is 25 and he has big arms. So you would automatically think that must be the right way. However, it may […]
How to build up your baseline
A common misconception is that “extreme” training regimes don’t work. Quite the contrary, they do. As a matter of fact, they can work exceptionally well in certain cases. To wit, it’s perfectly possible to get significantly leaner, stronger, more muscular, or even some combination of the three in as little as 8-12 weeks. But… You’ll […]
How playing the contrarian leads to hassle free results
“feels like the internet just supercharges everything out of all moderation and pushes everyone to compete in a really extreme way. It’s the reason I liked your stuff when I came across it – no crazy mad promises – but really direct. It’s unique!” So opined a former client and now good friend of mine […]
Advice to overweight trainees who want to build muscle
A hill I will die upon is that anyone who wants to build muscle should start by spending a good chunk of time getting their body fat down. Why? Mostly because you cannot train efficiently and effectively while you’re carrying around a bunch of extra blubber. Exceptions exist, of course. Generally in the form of […]