Mike Robertson, Author at Robertson Training Systems

My Core Training Story

on September 30, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Many people want to know why I originally got interested in core training. Even as someone who was just getting into the industry at the young age of 21, I quickly realized everyone and their brother wants to train their abs, or learn how to get a 6-pack. Let’s take a little trip down memory […]

Should You Crunch? #2

on September 28, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Amazingly enough, crunches are still a hot-button topic in the fitness industry. 10-15 years ago, crunches were all the rage. After all, they were easier on your achy back than sit-ups, and they did a better job of isolating the target muscles, the rectus abdominus. About 5 years ago, crunches really started to fall out […]

Should You Crunch?

on September 27, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

“Should we perform crunches in our exercise routine?” This question has been hotly debated, especially in recent years. Many have leaned on the work of Dr. Stuart McGill and excluded crunches, sit-ups and other spinal flexion work from their programming. But one question that almost always comes up is this: What about mixed-martial artists (MMA)? […]

Improving Plantar Fasciitis

on September 21, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Every now and then, I get people with a wild-hair who want to write a guest blog for the site. Strangely enough, it doesn’t happen all that often, but if the person is serious about getting better and has a unique piece, I’m all ears. Here’s a nice guest blog from Adam Rees on plantar […]

Speed Work? Or Technique Work?

on September 13, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

The other day I was having a discussion with IFAST Olympic-lifter Adam Coons, and we got started on the topic of speed work. Adam is a guy that’s been putting in a lot of hard work under the bar, and he has recently started using some dynamic effort training in his programming. Speed work has […]

Developing the Overhead Press

on September 6, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

In case you guys missed it, I had a new article thrown up over at T-Nation a week or so ago on the overhead press. Here’s the link: Long Live the Overhead Press The premise of the article is simple: I like the overhead press and I know people enjoy training it, but it’s not […]

Training the TALL Athlete

on September 2, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

It’s funny how things happen sometimes. This past weekend, my good friend Joe Dowdell came in for the Midwest Seminar, with plans of flying out on Sunday afternoon. Evidently, mother nature had other ideas with regards to his travel schedule! As a result, Joe stuck around an extra day and his client, Indiana Pacers starting […]

Counting Reps to Counting Revenue

on August 23, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Let me tell you a little story from 2007…. In 2007, Robertson Training Systems was booming. It seemed as though Eric, Bill and myself could do no wrong with the information-products we released, and we were definitely riding the wave. I was doing 1-on-1, in-home personal training, and while I had awesome clients, the hours […]

Muscle Imbalances Revealed Upper Body Review

on August 22, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

A few weeks ago, Rick Kaselj hooked me up with a complimentary copy of the newly released Muscle Imblances Revealed, Upper Body edition. I was honored to contribute to the lower body version, and this is a series I hope he keeps rolling out in the future. Here are just four reasons I love webinars: […]

Q&A: Back Soreness After Deadlifts

on August 17, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Q: I get lower back soreness after I deadlift, especially with lower reps and heavier weight. I’m pretty sure my form is good but I also want to make sure I’m not injuring my back. Thanks for your help! A: This is a great question and one that I literally get weekly, so I figured […]

Fitness Business Basics – The Plunge

on August 12, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

At some point in time, it has to happen. The time where the pain of not owning your own fitness facility is greater than the fear, doubt or stress of owning it. For me, this happened in 2008.

Fitness Business Basics – Selling

on August 11, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

There’s a very simple rule when it comes to opening a gym or fitness facility that I’m not sure people 100% grasp. It’s quite simple, really: If you don’t sell contracts, you won’t be in business very long. Period. Now I know what some of you are thinking – “Duh, Mike, I know that!” But […]

Fitness Business Basics – My Biggest Mistake

on August 10, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

In yesterday’s blog, I discussed how great people are the foundation to a great fitness business. Today, I want to tell you about the single biggest mistake I’ve made as a business owner. When Bill and I opened IFAST, we had that “Field of Dreams” approach to business – if you build it, they will […]

Fitness Business Basics – The Team

on August 9, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Want to know a really simple way to determine where you stand with people? It’s quite simple, actually – MOVE. The next time you move, whether it’s to a new apartment, a new house, or even your business office, I want you to stop in the middle and take a quick look around at who […]

Bench Press

on August 4, 2011 | by Mike Robertson

Let’s be honest: Almost all of us like to bench. It’s pretty much burned into our DNA, from the first time we walk into a weight room and start moving the iron. For me, personally, the bench press has always been the lift that has given me the most trouble. I can do a lot […]