Recent Posts

Improving Your Glute-Ham Raise

Glute-ham raises are one of my favorite exercises. Whether your goal is to run fast, lift heavy stuff, or simply to keep your hammies healthy, glute-hams can help you achieve that goal. Unfortunately, the glute-ham raise is often performed incorrectly. The video above should help depict proper performance, and how to get more out of […]

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Road to Redemption Week 1

And so it’s begun. I’ve talked about it for quite some time, and I feel like there’s no more putting it off. It’s time to get back on the platform. Between my current training crew and last weekend’s Learn to Train Seminar, I’m ready to make the commitment and see how much I have left […]

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5 More Shoulder Saving Tips

My article last week on Elite got a lot of great reviews, and I sincerely hope that it’s going to help lifters of all ability levels to get stronger and stay healthier than ever before. And just in case you’re too lazy to follow the link, I’m going to include all the videos at the […]

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Random Training Thoughts via UGSS 2010

We haven’t had a Random Post in a while, and it shows. I think you’re really going to like this one.  This is a collection of quotes and random knowledge bombs I got while hanging around this weekend’s Underground Strength Session (UGSS) at Elite Fitness. Needless to say, these are some of the strongest guys […]

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Exercise of the Week: Crossover Step-ups

In this week’s edition of “Exercise of the Week,” we’re going to feature a new favorite at IFAST: The crossover step-up. Now before everyone begins spewing hate and calling me a “functional” guy, I like this exercise for a few reasons: –  It trains the hips to move into internal and external rotation.  Typically people […]

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Exercise of the Week: Glute-Ham Raises

In today’s “Exercise of the Week”, we have one of my favorite hamstring/posterior chain exercises of all time – the glute-ham raise. Strangely enough, I remember the first time I ever did these.  We were at Westside Barbell in Columbus, Ohio, and Dave Tate and Louie were taking us through a dynamic effort workout.  We […]

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Bench Press 101

Evidently, my new favorite lift is the bench press (or at least that’s what all the guys in the gym say!). Hey, everyone else has been doing it for years – maybe I’m just a little bit behind the times!  I’m definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed. In all seriousness, as someone who […]

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Defending the Bench Press

This article was originally publisehd at EliteFTS.com Defending the Bench Press By Mike Robertson For www.EliteFTS.com The bench press is a great lift. Whether your goal is to develop a powerful overall physique or a barrel chest or just get brutally strong, the bench press can help you get there. Before we go any further, […]

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Your First Meet: Part I Setting a Date and Developing Goals

Originally Posted on www.elitefitnesssystems.com Congratulations! You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and compete in a powerlifting meet. However, there are so many questions to be answered. What federation should you compete in? How do you prepare? What do you do on meet day? My goal with this series is to give you an idea […]

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Your First Meet: Part II Getting Diesel

Originally Posted on www.elitefitnesssystems.com In part one of this series, we covered how to develop goals and find a meet that will work for you. In part two, we’re going to cover the actual training program and other aspects of a successful training regimen. Developing a training program While I could easily write a series […]

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Your First Meet: Part III The Meet

Originally posted on www.elitefitnesssystems.com It’s here! You’ve set up clearly defined goals. You’ve busted your ass for the past eight, twelve, or sixteen weeks. And now, quite simply, it’s show time. Unfortunately, while this should be the best part of the entire process, it can very quickly become the worst. There’s no feeling worse than […]

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Body weight, Leverage, and Lifting For Strength

Originally Posted on www.elitefitnesssystems.com The word “leverage” appears widely in discussions of strength training. For example: · “Many things contribute to strength. Leverage is one factor…” —Frederick Hatfield · “Leverage plays a large role in lifting.” —Bob Youngs · “…the weights that I lifted had a lot to do with mental fortitude and leverage.” —Dave […]

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Gittin’ Diesel in Your Own Home Gym

originally posted on www.elitefitnesssystems.com I’m always telling my wife that there are two really smart things I’ve done so far in my life. They are in this order: 1. Marry her 2. Build a home gym Seriously, nothing outranks my wife but building a home gym was pretty damn close! (Ok, just kidding honey. Not […]

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Understanding the Supplemental Exercises: The Deadlift

Originally posted on www.elitefitnesssystems.com In our series, “Overcoming Lousy Leverages,” Eric Cressey and I covered all three power lifts and discussed how smart training can lead to bigger totals. In this series, we will discuss the biomechanics behind each lift as well as several strategies to destroy any sticking points you may have. We will […]

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Interview With Mike Robertson

Originally Posted On www.elitefitnesssystems.com EFS:  How about the Cliff Notes version of your evolution as a strength and conditioning coach? Mike Robertson:  Well, I got my Masters in Sports Biomechanics from the Human Performance Lab at Ball State University.  When I was at Ball State I began powerlifting and learned the basics.  I spent three […]

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