abs Archives - Robertson Training Systems

RTS Coaching: Finishing the Push-up

on May 25, 2016 | by Mike Robertson

When it comes to training, virtually anyone and everyone includes push-ups in their programming. Whether your goal is to build muscle, lose body fat, or become a better athlete, well-performed push-ups can help you get there. I’m a huge fan of the push-up for obvious reasons – and if it’s not obvious, grab a cup […]

RTS Coaching: The Reaching Dead Bug

on April 14, 2016 | by Mike Robertson

I’m pretty sure if you’ve hung out around here for a while, you know I’m a fan of the dead bug. Whether it’s core engaged, a standard variation, or even with a twist like wall press abs, dead bugs are a staple in many of my programs. Along those same lines, I’m also obsessed with […]

RTS Coaching: Lats vs. Abs

on March 31, 2016 | by Mike Robertson

Whether you coach personal training clients or overhead athletes, one of the biggest issues that I see is an inability to go overhead safely and effectively. Now there are obviously a ton of reasons why someone may not be able to go overhead effectively, but one of the biggest reasons is poor muscular balance between […]

RTS Coaching: How to Plank

on March 9, 2016 | by Mike Robertson

Everyone and their mother knows that the plank is a solid core training exercise. However, just because it’s a great exercise doesn’t mean that most people are doing it correctly! In fact, my model actually shows one of the most common technique errors I see in the plank, so watching the video should help you […]

RTS Coaching: The Knees Extended Bear

on January 13, 2016 | by Mike Robertson

A few months back, I introduced you to a new core training exercise: The Bear. I love the bear because it really targets the obliques, and also reinforces good reaching patterns for my athletes. However, if you’re anything like me, you always want to get to the next level. Enter, the knees extended bear… Now […]

RTS Coaching – The Breathing Push-up

on July 15, 2015 | by Mike Robertson

At this point, we all know that push-ups rock. They train the serratus anterior, strengthen the rotator cuff, and tie the upper and lower body together. So how do we take an awesome exercise and make it even more awesome (and a lot more challenging)? Simple – we add focused breathing into the equation. Below […]

Ground-Based Core Training

on October 9, 2013 | by Mike Robertson

“You play sports on your feet!” “If you’re not standing up, it’s not functional!” “Life is 3D – don’t forget about rotation!” Chances are if you’ve been training for a little while, you’re heard one (or all) of these quotes. And don’t get me wrong – there’s definitely some truth here. But it’s not the […]

Big Lifts and Core Training

on June 18, 2013 | by Mike Robertson

Yo Mike! Coach Poliquin (and others) have noted that you only need squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, etc. to build core strength. What do you think? This is an age-old question, and hopefully I can do it justice in one post. Let me begin by saying I have the utmost respect for Coach Poliquin and everything […]

Understanding Your Abs, Part II

on September 10, 2010 | by

Stay up late some evening, and I have no doubt you’ll be bombarded for core training products like the Bender Ball, Ab Dolly, or an assortment of other ridiculous contraptions promising to help sexify your abs. In Part 1 of Understanding Your Abs, I did my best to explain the true role of your core […]