True Muscle: 9 Weeks to Elite Fitness
True Muscle is the hybrid fitness program you've been waiting for. It delivers muscle, but also strength, conditioning, and overall badass athleticism. February 07, 2022 • 2 min read
The History of the Squat
The so-called king of exercises has a long and fascinating history reaching back into the 1800s, and encompassing some of the biggest names in iron history. Get informed and then get strong! March 24, 2020 • 6 min read
Your Biggest Squat Complaints (and Excuses) Solved
Pain during squats making you hate life? Believe it or not, you have options beyond giving up or grinding through. Give these solutions from bodybuilding and strength coach Paul Carter a go, so you can get back under the bar! January 07, 2020 • 7 min read
6 Reasons to Train with a Safety Squat Bar
If you've never worked with specialty barbells, you're in for a whole new world of pain and gain. Here are the reasons you need a safety squat bar in your routine, starting now. April 29, 2019 • 4 min read
Ask the Muscle Doc: Are Squats the Key to Maximizing Hamstring Development?
You've probably heard for years that compound lower-body exercises are all you need to build thick hamstrings. The science says otherwise. February 18, 2019 • 3 min read
Are Pistol Squats Dangerous?
Is the classic single-leg bodyweight squat worth having in your wheelhouse? Calisthenics expert Al Kavadlo breaks down the pros and cons. July 05, 2018 • 3 min read
Ask The Ageless Lifter: How Should I Train The Squat?
Is your approach to leg training fending off Father Time, or hastening the end of your lifting life? Here's what every older lifter needs to know about the back squat, and squats in general. May 16, 2018 • 4 min read
Skyrocket Your Squat PR With Conjugate Training
Squat more than you thought possible, protect your joints, and keep squat day fresh and new with Louis Simmons' time-tested approach to training. The trick is to take many paths to get to the same destination. April 26, 2018 • 5 min read
Ask The Super Strong Guy: What's The Right Way To Squat?
Are you squatting correctly? Does your walkout have too many steps? Are you squatting to the right depth and holding the bar correctly? Find the answers to these and other squat technique questions from someone who's done a million of them. February 12, 2018 • 3 min read
4 Truths Your Feet Can Tell You About Your Squat Form
You may not be a big fan of seeing someone padding around the gym in bare feet. Yet lifting without shoes may be your key to attaining the perfect squatâjust probably not in the way you think. January 12, 2018 • 3 min read
4 Most Common Signs Of Compensation During A Back Squat
To the untrained eye, your back squat might look perfect. But subtle problems may be limiting your gains and increasing your injury risk. This troubleshooting guide can help! January 08, 2018 • 4 min read
Podcast Episode 34: Hard-won Life and Lifting Lessons from KC Mitchell
Strength icon KC Mitchell, aka "That 1-Leg Monster," shares his incredible story of struggle and redemption in this wide-ranging discussion. He lost a leg and nearly lost his life to an IED in Afghanistan, then battled back to become a competitive powerlifter with help from legends like Ed Coan, Mark Bell, Rich Piana and many others. Now he may be eyeballing⦠bodybuilding? December 27, 2017 • 65 min read
8 Ways To Squat More At Your Next Workout
Whether you're out to add muscle or gain pure strength, IFBB Pro Santi Aragon has some good advice on how to get, and grow, the perfect squat. November 03, 2017 • 4 min read
The Easiest Way To Improve Your Squat And Save Your Back
Whether your goals are athletic or aesthetic, squatting big weight is a common goal. Unfortunately, squat-related injuries are also common. Learn which two exercises can significantly improve your squat and decrease your risk of injury. October 13, 2017 • 3 min read
Podcast Episode 19: How to Earn Your Best-Ever Back Squat
In this info-packed episode, strength coach and doctor of physical therapy John Rusin, Ph.D., gives his step-by-step guide to earning your right to kneel before the throne of the so-called King of Lifts. Do these squat variations in this order, and do your back squat this way, and you'll never regret it! May 30, 2017 • 33 min read
Ask The Super Strong Guy: Are Partials The Key For Strength Gains?
Some people think partials are the key to massive growth. Others believe that you need full range of motion for full development. Both points of view are "partially" right. May 25, 2017
Skyrocket Your Bottom-End Squat Power
If you're like many lifters doing squats, you've faced a tough sticking point every time you come up out of the hole. But, what may be your weakness now can soon become your strength. May 14, 2017
The More Gain, Less Pain Guide To Squats
If you wince at the mere mention of the back squat, you're not necessarily banished to the machines forever. Do these intelligent squat variations instead for pain-free progress in your lower-body training! May 11, 2017
3 Small Tweaks To Improve Classic Movements
Sometimes a few small tweaks are all you need to see serious gains. Try these out, and prepare to be amazed! May 04, 2017
Better Strength Training Is Just One Step Away
Make this simple change to movements you're probably already doing, and you'll feel a difference instantly. If you're looking to make your stale training more dynamic, read this! May 01, 2017
Stop Maxing Out! Lift This Way Instead
Would you put your 1RM squat or bench on your driver's license if you could? Then this wake-up call is for you. Here's a better way to get stronger than grinding through nose-bleed singles every week or month! February 05, 2017 • 4 min read
The Popular Squat Tip You Need To Ditch Now!
One of the most popular squat cues could be exactly the thing that's getting you hurt! Here's the real story about how to squat safely. January 12, 2017 • 3 min read
3 Single-Leg Squats You Need To Know
Think endless air squats and lunges or brutally difficult pistols are your only choices to train your lower body without weight? Think again! Here are 3 movements that should be in every woman's toolbox! October 09, 2016 • 3 min read
Your Guide To Pain-Free Squats!
Learn why your squat hurts and how you can fix it! August 22, 2016 • 5 min read
How To Keep The Big Three Lifts From Jacking You Up
If you don't balance out the big barbell lifts with enough strategic accessory work, you'll end up looking strong but feeling broken. Balance strength and health with this approach! August 22, 2016 • 4 min read
6 Great Alternatives To The Standard Barbell Squat
Avoiding squats because of lower-back pain? Do one of these worthy substitutes instead for comparable gains in strength and size. July 23, 2016 • 5 min read
The 6 Best Leg Exercises You're Not Doing
Bored by the same ol' leg-day routine? Here are 6 new exercise variations that will make it difficult to walk all over again. July 19, 2016 • 6 min read
The Overhead Squat: What Is It Good For?
The overhead squat is a great exercise—but maybe not for the reasons you think. Find out how it can promote the mobility, stability, and strength of your entire body. November 24, 2014 • 5 min read
3 Ways To Improve Your Squat
Progressive overload can only help you for so long on its own. Eventually, you need to battle the weak points in your squat head-on by spending a few weeks with some more difficult variations of the "king of lifts." Enjoy the pain! August 24, 2014 • 4 min read
Meet The Squats: 7 Squat Variations You Should Be Doing
In the old days, there were two kinds of squats: 'good' and 'bad.' Today, you can shop around between multiple versions of the movement. No more excuses. Get off the machines and give the squat a shot! July 09, 2013 • 7 min read
10 Reasons Squats Are A Terrible Exercise
Don't be an April fool. Step back from the rack and save your knees and spine from the dreaded squat! March 31, 2013 • 3 min read