Barbell Logic

Struggling to stay consistent with strength training? Feel like you're always starting over? In this episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson deliver a realistic guide to long-term strength—not hype, not hacks—just what actually works for lasting progress, muscle, and freedom.

Life's messy—but your strength doesn't have to be. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson dive into how to stay strong when life throws curveballs. From missed workouts to surprise illnesses, chaotic travel, or just busy seasons, they reveal how to adapt your training, stay consistent, and keep building strength—without falling into the all-or-nothing trap.

In this episode of Beast Over Burden, Andrew Jackson and Niki Sims break down the four pillars of building strength and muscle, giving lifters a principle-based framework to guide their training decisions. Whether you're trying to gain size, improve performance, or stay consistent as life gets busier, these pillars—simplicity, specificity, appropriate stress, and minimum effective dose—help you filter the noise and focus on what actually works. With practical examples, coaching wisdom, and real-world insight, this episode equips you to stop program-hopping and start progressing with confidence. 1. Simple, Hard, Effective: The Core Filter for Every Lifters' Program The first pillar of building strength and muscle focuses on the triad of simple, hard, and effective training. Rather than overwhelming yourself with complex programming or unnecessary movements, choose exercises that train multiple muscle groups efficiently—like squats, deadlifts, and presses. Niki and Andrew emphasize that training should challenge your current capacity (hard), remain within reach (doable), and be directed toward clear outcomes (effective). Complexity has a place, but only when simplicity stops working. This pillar helps lifters and coaches cut through the noise and focus on doing what works—consistently. 2. The SAID Principle: Train Specifically for What You Want The second pillar is the Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID) principle. Simply put: your body adapts to what you repeatedly ask it to do. If you want bigger glutes, you need to train your glutes. If you want to throw a baseball harder, you need to train in a way that supports that exact skill or adaptation. Andrew highlights the danger of false specificity—like balancing on a BOSU ball while lifting weights—as a distraction from actual progress. Niki reminds us that trying to chase too many goals at once leads to ineffective outcomes. The SAID principle reinforces that clarity in goals should drive clarity in your training choices. 3. Minimum Effective Dose (MED): The Key to Sustainable Progress The third pillar, minimum effective dose, is about finding the least amount of stress needed to cause a positive adaptation—then riding that wave as long as it lasts. It's the opposite of “go hard or go home,” and it's a powerful strategy for lifters who want to keep progressing over months and years. Andrew reflects on how MED revolutionized his coaching by removing the pressure to overhaul programs with every stall. Niki shares how MED helps lifters avoid burnout and build confidence with small, measurable wins. This approach gives you control over your training trajectory and allows for smarter adjustments. 4. Informed Trade-Offs: Training Within Life's Constraints The fourth pillar of building strength and muscle is about making informed trade-offs within the constraints of your real life—your time, energy, equipment, money, and motivation. This is where the concept of physical freedom shines: the ability to pursue the goals that matter most to you without being enslaved by a rigid program. Andrew and Niki highlight how strength training can (and should) evolve to fit different seasons of life. Sometimes your choices are between good and better, like skiing vs. a competition; other times it's about doing what you can with limited bandwidth. When you understand your constraints and make strategic decisions, you gain the freedom to keep training and making progress—on your terms. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

On this episode of Beast Over Burden, Niki and Andrew break down what it means to ditch the PR obsession and rethink your entire approach to lifting. If you've ever felt burned out chasing endless personal records, this is your permission slip to step off the hamster wheel and build a system that actually works. You'll learn how to structure your training week, hit every major muscle group with efficiency, and understand the role recovery plays in long-term growth. Whether you're a seasoned lifter or still finding your groove, this episode delivers the practical mindset shift you need to stay strong for life. Ditch the PR Obsession: Why SMART Goals Alone Don't Work The central theme of this episode — ditch the PR obsession — starts with a mindset shift. Chasing PRs feels great until they slow down, or stop altogether. Then what? Andrew shares how major goal accomplishments often left him feeling empty, while Nikki reflects on the outdated advice she used to give: "just add weight to the bar." The truth is, progress isn't linear, and it's not always measurable by a new number on the bar. This is where systems thinking comes in — the shift from an all-or-nothing focus on outcomes to valuing consistency, execution, and adaptability in training. Lifters who make this shift find joy and freedom in the process itself. Build a Week That Works: Training 3–4 Days for Full-Body Strength Nikki and Andrew lay out a sustainable weekly training template that any lifter can follow. Rather than rigid programming, they present a flexible "menu" of slots — squats, presses, pulls — you can mix and match across 3–4 days per week. The focus is on efficiency and simplicity: train your knees, hips, and shoulders; hit your arms and back with smart accessories; keep sessions manageable so they can be repeated and adapted. By using this approach, lifters can ditch the PR obsession and stay in the game long-term. Progress comes not from perfect programs, but from consistent effort over time. Smart Volume, Real Intensity: How Much Work Is Enough? Volume isn't just about doing more — it's about doing enough of the right kind of work. Andrew explains how 9–20 hard sets per muscle group per week, at 1–3 reps from failure, forms the foundation of meaningful progress. They also highlight ideal rep ranges for hypertrophy (4–12), the value of variety in set structure (like EMOMs), and why effort matters more than chasing “optimal.” This perspective helps you create a training plan that isn't just science-based — it's sustainable. When you know how to push hard and when to hold back, it becomes easier to keep going — and keep growing. Accessory Work Isn't Optional (Especially for Your Arms) Ever feel like your upper body is lagging behind? You're not alone. Compound lifts are powerful, but they often fail to fully stimulate smaller muscle groups — especially biceps and triceps. The solution: don't neglect accessories. Chin-ups, rows, curls, and triceps work can accelerate progress in your pressing movements and round out your physique. If your gains have stalled or you feel unbalanced, accessory work might be the piece you're missing. It's not fluff — it's fuel for long-term development. Recovery: The Most Underrated Lifting Skill Recovery isn't sexy, but it's absolutely essential. Nikki and Andrew talk about what it really looks like to manage stress, adapt, and train consistently without burning out. Too many lifters equate doing more with doing better — but real growth comes from doing enough, and then recovering. Sleep, food, and rest days are the foundation. You don't need ice baths or gadgets (unless you want them). You need time, patience, and permission to ditch the PR obsession once and for all. This isn't about training less — it's about training smarter so you can do more, for longer, and with fewer setbacks. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Training Principles for Lifters 30+: Build Strength, Save Time, Stay Consistent Training can feel overwhelming, especially with so many conflicting voices in the fitness world. In this episode, we break down the key principles of effective, time-efficient strength training to help you build physical freedom, longevity, and resilience—without wasting hours in the gym. Many lifters struggle to balance fitness with the demands of real life. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, training smart is essential to staying strong, capable, and injury-free. This episode lays out the fundamental principles of resistance training, how to maximize results with minimal time, and why strength is about more than just muscle—it's about building a body that supports your long-term health and daily life. If you're looking to train efficiently while maintaining consistency, this episode is for you. The Key to Sustainable Strength Training One of the biggest factors in a successful fitness routine is sustainability. Many people create unrealistic training schedules that don't fit their lifestyle, leading to burnout or inconsistency. Instead of aiming for an unsustainable six-day-per-week program, consider what is truly realistic for your life. For most middle-aged lifters, two to three resistance training sessions per week—totaling around 90 minutes—can be incredibly effective. Aiming for 8,000-10,000 daily steps further supports overall fitness without adding excessive strain. Remember, consistency over time matters more than short bursts of intense training. By focusing on a realistic, sustainable plan, you set yourself up for long-term success rather than short-lived motivation that fades away. The Most Efficient Exercises for Strength & Longevity Not all exercises are created equal. To get the biggest bang for your buck in the gym, prioritize movements that work multiple muscle groups and joints simultaneously. These include: Squats (engage legs, core, and balance) Deadlifts (train posterior chain, grip strength, and overall power) Pressing Motions (like bench press or overhead press for upper body strength) These compound movements build muscle, strengthen connective tissues, and reinforce natural movement patterns essential for daily activities. If time is limited, focusing on these fundamental lifts ensures you're making the most of your gym sessions. Additionally, barbells are a powerful tool due to their scalability, availability, and ability to progressively overload—allowing you to steadily build strength over time. While machines have their place, free-weight movements generally offer more functional benefits for long-term fitness. Making Strength Training a Lifestyle, Not a Burden One of the biggest barriers to consistent training is the feeling that it's a burden. Instead of treating workouts as a chore, approach them as an investment in your future self. Think of training like cooking—just as a good meal balances salt, fat, acid, and heat, an effective program balances strength, mobility, and endurance. It's also important to trust the process. Results don't happen overnight, and progress requires faith in the system. Strength training is about more than aesthetics—it's about preserving function, preventing injuries, and feeling like a beast well into your later years. By establishing core training principles and sticking to them, you can cut through the noise of the fitness world and focus on what truly works for long-term health and physical freedom. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Master nutrition psychology for lifters, building a strong mindset for muscle and meals, and achieving peak performance. Unlock the mental game of nutrition and transform your lifting journey. This episode delves into the critical role of Nutrition Psychology for Lifters, going beyond basic dietary recommendations. We welcome Marcus Kain of Strong Not Starving to explore the mindset shift needed to navigate emotional eating, build resilience, and achieve lasting peace with food. Discover practical strategies to master your mindset, enhance distress tolerance, and cultivate a healthy relationship with nutrition. The Foundation of Nutrition Psychology for Lifters: Beyond the Plate Nutrition Psychology for Lifters goes beyond the simple mechanics of calories and macronutrients; it delves into the complex interplay between the mind, emotions, and food choices. Marcus Caine of Strong Not Starving joins us to shed light on how this field addresses the deeper challenges individuals face with food, moving beyond basic dietary recommendations. A key concept is the "Horse & Rider" metaphor, which illustrates the dynamic between the subconscious and conscious mind. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for lifters, as nutrition decisions are often driven by emotional factors more so than training decisions, leading to lower compliance rates. A critical aspect of Nutrition Psychology for Lifters is recognizing and eliminating unlikely solutions. This involves moving away from unsustainable dietary restrictions and focusing on building essential skills and long-term habits. It's about acknowledging that lasting change isn't about quick fixes but about cultivating a healthy relationship with food. This approach emphasizes that true mastery in nutrition isn't about the absence of difficult feelings but rather about developing the ability to navigate those feelings effectively. Numbing or distracting from emotions, such as through unhealthy food choices, is not a viable long-term strategy. Navigating Emotional Eating and Building Resilience Through Nutrition Psychology for Lifters Advanced emotional regulation is a cornerstone of Nutrition Psychology for Lifters. It involves moving beyond simply numbing or distracting oneself from difficult feelings and instead learning to navigate discomfort without resorting to unhealthy eating patterns. Understanding your "Window of Tolerance" for discomfort is crucial in this process. This awareness helps lifters recognize when food is being used as an emotional escape. Celebratory situations present unique challenges, and Nutrition Psychology for Lifters encourages individuals to be mindful of the diminishing returns of enjoyable food experiences. It's about learning to enjoy moments without losing sight of long-term goals and avoiding the trap of getting swept up in the moment to the point of discomfort. Building distress tolerance is essential for developing resilience in Nutrition Psychology for Lifters. This involves consistent practice and repetition to build the ability to handle discomfort and emotional triggers effectively. It's about finding that balance of letting go and enjoying things while also being aware of when it's time to call it a day. The ability to navigate that point of "I've had enough" without feeling deprived is a skill that takes time to develop, but it's crucial for achieving lasting freedom and trust in your nutritional choices. Practical Strategies and Habit Formation in Nutrition Psychology for Lifters Building trust in oneself through practice is fundamental in Nutrition Psychology for Lifters. This trust comes from consistent action and self-observation, demonstrating the ability to follow through on commitments. Developing novice skills for mindful eating is a vital first step, which includes practicing non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and feelings and removing "good" and "bad" labels from food. Learning to notice and name feelings is also a crucial skill. This involves identifying and acknowledging emotions in real-time and recognizing when distress begins to arise. Nutrition Psychology for Lifters provides practical tools to help individuals learn to tolerate discomfort, avoid emotional spirals, and practice separating emotions from identity. It's about avoiding catastrophizing, urgent decision-making, and cultivating self-compassion. By focusing on these practical strategies and habit formation, lifters can develop a sustainable and healthy relationship with food, ultimately supporting their fitness goals and overall well-being. PS - Save 50% on Your First Month of Online Coaching with code"50off3": https://bit.ly/3DxESOu Connect with our guest Strong Not Starving website Podcast Instagram Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Building a strong nutritional baseline is the key to long-term results. In this episode of Beast Over Burden, we break down the daily habits lifters need to create structure, eliminate setbacks, and stay consistent. Forging Daily Nutritional Habits: Actionable Steps Build a Routine: Establish fixed meal times, eliminate caloric drinks, and cut out mindless snacking. Prioritize Whole Foods: Create a repeatable meal plan that minimizes decision fatigue. Use Habit Stacking: Drink water before meals, prep your gym bag the night before, and link new habits to existing routines. Understand Your Triggers: Identify what leads to unhealthy choices and develop strategies to overcome them. Eliminating Detrimental Habits: Behavioral Shifts Say Goodbye To: Excessive alcohol, added fats, and hidden sugars. Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to hunger cues, savor meals, and eliminate distractions while eating. Embrace Cooking & Meal Prep: Control ingredients and develop a deeper connection with your food. Identify Root Causes: Recognize stress eating and social pressures, then create solutions to stay on track. Cultivating Long-Term Habits: Consistency & Tools Fuel Your Enjoyment: Find healthy meals you love and experiment with new recipes. Leverage Accountability: Track your meals, work with a coach, or join a support group. Practice Self-Compassion: Learn from mistakes and get back on track without guilt. Utilize Helpful Tools: Simplify meal prep with an Instant Pot, griddle, immersion blender, and smoker or gas grill. Build a solid nutrition foundation and fuel your performance. #NutritionForLifters #HealthyHabits #BeastOverBurden #FitnessFuel PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

  Embarking on a nutritional change is a journey of dedication and effort. But what happens when you're putting in the work and the results seem to lag? This episode dives into the frustrating reality of the nutrition plateau, exploring the gap between expectations and reality, and providing strategies to stay the course. We'll cover how to navigate social challenges, maintain motivation, and ultimately achieve your health goals, even when the immediate rewards are elusive. The Expectation Gap and the Frustration Factor When you decide to make nutritional changes, you often have a vision of rapid transformation. Social media, past experiences, and observing others can create unrealistic expectations. The reality is that change takes time, and the body doesn't always reflect your efforts immediately. This "expectation gap" can lead to significant frustration and disappointment. You might find yourself comparing your results to past attempts or to others' perceived success, leading to feelings of inadequacy. It's crucial to remember that everyone's journey is unique, and progress is not always linear. You may be making the right choices directionally, but visible changes can lag behind the internal work. The frustration can escalate when you're making significant sacrifices, such as giving up favorite foods or navigating social situations, without seeing the desired outcomes. This can lead to thoughts like, "Why even bother?" or "Are these trade-offs worth it?" It's important to recognize that these feelings are normal and to develop strategies for staying motivated. It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have lost a week of progress if you have one bad meal. Instead of this mindset, try to think of shorter more controlled stints of time, such as one meal at a time, or one day at a time. Navigating Social Challenges and Maintaining Consistency Social events can be a major hurdle when trying to stick to a nutrition plan. Dining out often involves larger portions, less control over ingredients, and the temptation of indulgent foods. It can feel like you're constantly having to skip meals or endure feelings of hunger. Social anxiety can also arise, both before and during events. Anticipating questions about your dietary choices or feeling guilty after indulging can detract from the enjoyment of social gatherings. Having a plan in place, such as bringing sparkling water with lemon or lime, and knowing how to respond to questions about your choices, can help alleviate this anxiety. Telling a person that you respect what your plan is, such as your coach, can help to solidify your resolve. Also, being well fed and hydrated before a social event can help tremendously. It is extremely easy to tinker with your approach, doubt yourself, and change or give up entirely. This is why having a coach is a great way to stay on track. Building Sustainable Habits and Finding Your Support System The key to long-term success is building and reinforcing healthy habits. Focus on small, achievable wins and play with time domains. Instead of focusing on distant goals, celebrate daily or weekly victories. Remember that consistency, not perfection, is the goal. Having a supportive voice of reason can make a world of difference. This could be a coach, a friend, or a family member who understands your goals and provides encouragement. They can help you stay grounded, navigate setbacks, and maintain perspective. Remember that many professionals, even other coaches, have coaches. This is because having someone to hold you accountable is vital. It is important to remember that for women, the monthly cycle can add another layer of difficulty. Be patient with yourself, and adjust your plan as needed. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn practical strategies for building baseline nutrition habits that go beyond macro counting, focusing on consistent daily behaviors for sustainable health and lasting results. We dive deep into the behaviors that form the foundation of your nutritional success. Forget the complicated macro calculations for a moment; we're focusing on the daily, repeatable habits that truly make a difference. These are the routines that will empower you to build a reliable nutrition baseline, ensuring you consistently nourish your body and achieve your health goals. It's not about quick fixes or fad diets, but about establishing a sustainable lifestyle. We understand that the initial excitement of starting a new nutrition plan can fade. That's why we're focusing on behaviors that reduce decision fatigue. By creating consistent routines, you'll minimize the mental energy required to make healthy choices. This approach is crucial for long-term success, as it helps you navigate those inevitable moments when willpower is low and hunger strikes. We'll explore practical strategies to help you build these essential habits. Building Consistent, Decision-Free Routines Many people get overwhelmed by the details of weighing and measuring food. While these practices can be helpful, they're not always necessary for building a solid nutrition baseline. What's more important is establishing consistent routines that reduce the number of daily decisions you need to make. This means identifying repeatable behaviors that simplify your approach to food. Think about creating a set meal schedule or preparing a few staple dishes in advance. By having go-to options, you'll eliminate the need to constantly decide what to eat. This consistency is essential for building a reliable nutrition baseline. We'll also discuss how to develop a sense of portion control without obsessively weighing every ingredient. Learning to recognize ballpark amounts can be just as effective and far less stressful. When facing situations with less control, like social gatherings or travel, having a strong foundation of consistent behaviors is key. We'll explore strategies for maintaining your nutrition baseline in these scenarios, ensuring you can confidently make healthy choices even when your routine is disrupted. The goal is to reach a point where you feel confident in your ability to navigate any situation while staying true to your nutritional goals. Practical Food Strategies and Tradeoffs Building a healthy nutrition baseline involves understanding the foods that support your goals. We'll discuss essential food groups, focusing on prioritizing protein and carbohydrates while adjusting fats to suit your needs. Learn how to identify single-ingredient foods that offer flexibility and versatility in your meal planning. For example, a big batch of chicken breasts or ground beef can be used in a variety of ways. We'll also explore the concept of tradeoffs. Understanding that you can enjoy a fattier cut of meat if you reduce fats elsewhere in your diet is crucial for creating a sustainable plan. This flexibility allows you to enjoy your favorite foods while still maintaining a healthy balance. Discover how to incorporate spices, powdered peanut butter, cinnamon, and walnuts into your meals to add flavor and nutritional value. Having a repertoire of repeated, flexible recipes is essential for long-term success. These recipes should be easy to prepare and adaptable to your preferences and nutritional needs. Consider batch cooking or meal prepping to save time and ensure you always have healthy options available. By focusing on simple, single-ingredient foods and mastering a few key recipes, you'll be well on your way to building a strong nutrition baseline. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Ever feel lost in the sea of nutrition advice? Tired of starting and stopping diets? Ditch the diet! Learn why you need a nutrition baseline and how to build one.  Your nutritional baseline is you secret to sustainable nutrition success. The key to sustainable progress isn't a quick fix, but a solid foundation. In this episode, we're diving into the concept of a nutrition baseline – your personal safe haven of healthy eating habits. The Importance of Your Nutritional Baseline This isn't about restrictive dieting; it's about establishing a consistent, enjoyable way of eating that supports your overall health and well-being. Think of it as your nutritional home base, a place you can always return to when life throws you off track. This episode will equip you with the tools to create your own personalized baseline, so you can finally achieve lasting results. Your nutrition baseline is more than just a meal plan; it's a collection of consistent habits that make healthy eating second nature. It's the set of actions you can always fall back on, providing a sense of stability and direction. This "safe zone" helps you maintain a healthy weight and body composition, not necessarily "shredded" but comfortable and thriving. It's the point where you feel good, energized, and in control of your food choices. This baseline isn't about white-knuckle restriction, but rather about making consistently good choices. It minimizes processed foods, prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense options, and helps you avoid the common pitfalls that derail so many people. Think of it as your personal nutritional reset button. Building Your Nutrition Baseline A well-defined baseline includes a rough meal plan with similar foods for each meal. For example, you might have a go-to breakfast of 4 eggs with healthy carbs. Lunch could be 6-8 ounces of lean meat with veggies and carbs, and dinner might be 10 ounces of lean protein with carbs, fats, and veggies. A typical day might also include snacks like Greek yogurt with blueberries. Flexibility is key – you can add small additions like walnuts to your yogurt or swap out chicken for fish. The core principle is consistency with a foundation of whole, minimally processed foods. The building blocks of your baseline include reliable protein sources like meat, eggs, and yogurt. Healthy carbohydrates like rice, oats, bread (whole grain when possible), and fruit are also essential. Dialing In Your Nutrition Baseline Don't forget plenty of fiber from veggies, legumes, chia seeds, and nuts. Start by focusing on protein intake, aiming for roughly 1 gram per pound of body weight as a general guideline. For individuals who are older or female, a starting point of 12-15 calories per pound of body weight, with approximately 90 grams of protein (+/- 10 grams), can be a good starting point. The remaining calories can be allocated to carbohydrates. Experiment to find whole foods you enjoy, focusing on 3-4 meals per day. A great strategy is to start with protein at each meal and build around it. Visualize your plate: protein in the form of chicken breast, carbs from rice or sweet potatoes, and fiber/veggies from broccoli. Nuts can be added to bump up calories if needed. This approach allows for easy mixing and matching. For example, chicken can be used in various dishes – Mexican, Asian, sandwiches, with rice or in a tortilla. The goal isn't to follow the exact same recipes every day, but rather to have a flexible framework of nutritious foods that you enjoy and can easily adapt to your preferences and schedule. Visualizing your macros can be helpful, but don't get too caught up in precise tracking – consistency with whole foods is the most important factor. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term pleasures is the key to achieving your goals. Fitness can feel good, just adjust your time scale. Feel Good Fitness: Prioritizing Long-Term Fitness over Short-Term Pleasures Are you tired of starting over every Monday? Do you find yourself constantly battling between instant gratification and your long-term fitness goals? You're not alone! In this episode, we're diving deep into the psychology of prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term pleasures, and how to escape the gummy bear trap. We've all been there: the siren call of the donut, the allure of skipping a workout, the "I deserve this" mentality that derails our progress. It's easy to fall into the trap of doing what we want right now, but what happens when those "right now" choices add up? Six months down the line, are you closer to or further from the body and health you truly desire? This episode explores the crucial concept of the time domain in fitness. We often think about our goals in terms of what we want immediately, neglecting the bigger picture. We'll help you dissect your true desires, peeling back the layers of "I want a 6-pack" or "I want to weigh X" to uncover the deeper "I don't wants" – the feelings of bloat, guilt, low energy, and lack of capability that drive your long-term vision. How to Prioritize Long-Term Fitness over Short-Term Pleasures The Gummy Bear Trap: What it is and how it sabotages your fitness goals. We'll explain how focusing on short-term pleasures can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. Identifying Your True "I Wants": It's more than just aesthetics. We'll guide you through a process of discovering the deeper motivations behind your fitness goals – the feelings of health, strength, confidence, and well-being you're truly seeking. Mastering the Time Domain: Learn how to shift your mindset from immediate gratification to long-term vision. We'll explore practical strategies for aligning your actions with your goals. The Power of "Peeling Back": Discover how to analyze your goals and understand the underlying "I don't wants" that are driving them. The MED (Minimum Effective Dose) for Long-Term Success: We'll discuss how you don't need to go to extremes to see results. Identify the key changes that will have the biggest impact on your fitness journey. Honing Your "Feel Good" Skills: Learn to recognize and appreciate the positive feelings associated with healthy behaviors. It's not just about white-knuckle discipline; it's about enjoying the process. The Importance of Self-Awareness: Pay attention to how your body feels after certain actions. Develop a deeper understanding of how your choices impact your well-being. Playing with the Time Domain: Experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you. Fitness is a journey, not a race. Key Takeaways: Prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term pleasures requires a shift in mindset and a deep understanding of your true goals. It's not about deprivation; it's about making conscious choices that align with your vision. Small, consistent changes can lead to significant results over time. Self-awareness and the ability to recognize how you feel are crucial for long-term success. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Gain physical freedom through nutrition. Sustainable nutrition builds a foundation for health and physical freedom. What is Physical Freedom? Let's first consider financial freedom, a term often discussed. We define financial freedom as the ability to do what you want with your time. You achieve this because you have earned enough time (in the form of money) to be able to do what you want with your time. Physical freedom is the ability to be able to do what you want with your body. You earn this through the discipline of healthy training and nutrition habits over time. You can gain physical freedom through nutrition and exercise habits. You build habits that support your goals. These habits become joyful. You have agency and the ability to influence your life. Things do not just happen to you. Sometimes things are outside your control (injuries and illnesses). Either way, you roll with the punches and control what you can. Physical Freedom Through Nutrition: Body Image & Bad Goals Many of us spend all or most of our lives walking around comparing ourselves to some image or celebrity. For many, that is Bradd Pitt in Fight Club. Andrew actually experience 6-pack abs and extreme leanness in an environment he would never want to recreate, where he was training like crazy, had little freedom and was undereating. Later, Andrew learned how to build sustainable habits that did not require extreme diets. He actually was able to enjoy the process and sustain that level of leanness. He had built habits that supported his goals. The Brad Pitt goal was a false idol. Physical Freedom Through Nutrition: Love the Process Learning to love the process really matters. Both Andrew and Niki have found themselves able to enjoy periods such as the holidays, where they kick back a bit, enjoy more alcohol, more desserts, but do not eat to physical discomfort. Ironically, when Andrew had less healthy habits, he was more anxious about holiday periods, felt he could not enjoy them, but regularly ate until he was physically sick. Approaching these periods with the long-term in mind, no anxiety, and knowing you can enjoy them but that includes enjoying yourself after the meal (not feeling sick) is sustainable and healthy. Achieve physical freedom through nutrition. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

The Beast over Burden podcast is beginning to come out in series as opposed to weekly. The first series will cover attaining physical freedom through nutrition. Frustrated with extreme diets, yo-yo-dieting, or nothing seeming to work? We'll help you find practical, sustainable nutrition strategies that help you reach your fitness & health goals. Stay tuned! PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Do a diet reboot if you've slipped up and need to get back on track. These tips & tricks help you stop diet derails and help you stay on track. Diet Reboot to Get Back on Track It's January 2nd (or maybe later). You pull the belt across you on the plane, you get into your pants, you look in the mirror…what the fluff!? You may have eaten normally for most of the holiday period. For many people who find themselves gaining weight, it doesn't come from the decisions they're making for lunch on Wednesday, it's the “abnormal” days. Many who fail to lose fat do well on the week days but then overeat far too much on the weekends, negating any caloric deficit they may have created during the week. During the holiday periods or similar times like vacations, “abnormal” days increase, further increasing the caloric surplus. What can you do? Snap back to health by resetting your baseline. Diet Reboot: Snap Back to Health Before you begin addressing the problem, consider your approach. Don't catastrophize. This may be a long habit of unhealthy decisions that you've decided to stop, or you may generally feel pretty good about your nutrition habits and just need a quick course correction. Either way, don't expect to fix this in a couple days. For big changes, you need to think about 6 to 12 months. When it comes to metrics, know yourself. For some, recording your weight each day will drive you crazy. For others, it's useful information that helps inform their decisions without causing overreactions. In terms of approaches, starving yourself is not a good approach. It may be useful, however, to have a short period where you're strict with no alcohol, no added sugar, and focus on having as many single-ingredient foods as possible. This resets your baseline and will, actually, have you feeling better after a couple days. You'll find that the bloat is gone and you come to begin appreciating healthier foods. Weighing and measuring for a period of time may also help. Why? Because it helps prevent a slide into hidden calories (“that's close enough”). It also, if you have not done it, helps inform you of just how many calories peanut butter, whiskey, and cooking oils have. Filling your plate with more veggies really helps too. If your diet has derailed, don't freak out, snap back to health with these strategies. Do a diet reboot! PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

If you travel regularly, you will have to continue to strength train as you travel. Learn fitness travel hacks in this ultimate guide to strength training while traveling. Strength Training While Traveling: Why It Matters Why train while traveling? While, in part, it depends on how often you travel, your goals, the length of travel, and how consistent you are outside of travel. For those who are extremely consistent and rarely travel, it might make sense to take the week off. If you travel for business, you need to train. You will feel better if you train. The workout might not feel good, especially to start, but you will feel better afterwards. You might even feel better during the workout (e.g. initial warm ups feel terrible, then the heavier warm ups and work sets move well and feel good). It also helps provide structure to your days, which on vacation can often lack structure. Additionally, it gives you some short amount of you time, and, importantly, healthy you time. Strength Training While Traveling: Fitness Travel Hacks Incorporate your gym seeking into your travel planning. Checkout the hotel gym and nearby gyms. You can often find a serviceable gym that has a guest policy. You might need to call the gym to check the visitor policy. Pack and prioritize some equipment. Belts and other bulky items are not needed. Having a pair of shoes that you can both lift and do cardio with makes sense. You might pack some small things like liquid chalk, straps, or knee sleeves. Plan your workout ahead of time. Intend to do at least something hard – get into that “worth it” zone. Depending on the number of times you will train and decide whether you will do full body and a split. Fewer times means full body makes more sense. Besides that, Niki and Andrew have some general tips and approaches they take: Mentally let go of the weight on the bar AMRAPs supersets (antagonistic or similar) burn out sets drop sets hard exercises that don't require tons of weight (e.g. bulgarian split squats) bend these joints: knees, shoulders, elbows, hips Try out these tips for training while traveling. A couple links for helping you train while traveling can be found here & here. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn about helpful home gym equipment. This gear solves common problems or makes your lifting more fun, varied, or effective.  Helpful Strength Equipment for Your Home Gym You need a few items to begin strength training properly, though you can also start exercising today. As you progress and build the habit of strength training (and simultaneously get older) some equipment can help solve common problems you will likely encounter. Some of these items help add variety and make training more fun. Other gear helps deal with common injuries or pain points. Regardless, this list of items can help you build compliance and improve your training. If you use it, it is ultimately an investment in yourself and your health. Accessories for Accessory Work Accessory work can get repetitive if all you have is a barbell. A few pieces of equipment can multiply the potential hypertrophy and accessory work you can program. Adjustable dumbbells allow you to add dumbbell variations and accessory lifts without taking up a ton of space (and saving money compared to a full set of dumbbells). Not only can you perform dumbbell variations of the main lifts, you can also perform more accessory work that you simply cannot perform with barbells (e.g. dumbbell flies or lateral raises). A similar example of helpful strength equipment is a pulley system. This enables lat pull downs as well as using the pulley system for hypertrophy work (triceps, biceps, etc.). The last helpful items that focuses primarily on the upper body is getting a dip attachment to your power rack or an adjustable bench. They allow variation for pressing movements, and you can also perform accessory lifts on the bench. Enabling lower body accessory work comes in handy as you become more advanced, as deadlifts and squats don't only get repetitive but if you face a big injury, you might not be able to perform one or both of these lifts for awhile. Some helpful strength equipment for this area are a reverse hyper, glute ham raise, or leg extension/leg curl attachment. Some of these take up a lot of space, but getting just one of them can provide additional leg stress and make a big difference in your lower body training. Supplying Supplemental Lifts This might be the widest area, as we're talking about different types of barbells and other items that can modify the main lifts. A deadlift bar can really help your deadlift 1RM, as it has a smaller diameter and more whip (which reduces the range of motion). An axle bar for the press or bench press reduces your ability to grip the bar but enables good pressing variants. It is also necessary if you're considering Strong Man training. Getting a slingshot or board attachment can help overload the bench and work on the top portion of your bench. The slingshot can also help if you have shoulder pain. Bands and chains are helpful strength equipment that enables accommodating resistance. The safety squat bar and football bar (and variations of both) not only add supplemental variations to the lifts but can also prevent pain for the shoulders and wrists specifically. Convenience & Climate The last area of helpful strength equipment includes items that add convenience to your lifting or improve the atmosphere of the gym. The monolift attachment allows you to not have to take a step bar or move the bar from the pins to the shoulders on the bench. It provides the most benefit to the most people for the bench press, as many find it reduces or eliminates shoulder pain. Niki also uses it for the RDL. A deadlift jack makes loading and unloading plates easier for any lift that has the barbell on the ground, especially the deadlift. A 1-arm deadlift jack is smaller and more mobile – you can put it in your gym bag. A 2-arm deadlift jack makes more sense if you have a decent amount of space in your home gym or for public gyms. Wrist wraps & lifting straps help with wrist support or grip support for compression or tension grips. Ammonia or smelling salts help bring focus and intensity to big attempts. Clothes help you feel and perform better. Clothes really are helpful strength equipment. A timer or watch can ensure that you don't waste time in the gym between sets and make the rest time consistent. This is especially important at a public gym or if you're a coach, because the lifter isn't paying you to tell them stories. Last but probably not least for most people is something to help with climate control, specifically heating or cooling your gym. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

The holiday season is coming up, and for many of us this is a time where we gain weight: whether we justify an unexpectedly large bulk or simply seem unable to avoid our weight inching up despite our best intentions. Learn some practical methods to achieving your goals and preventing or limiting holiday weight gain (or even enabling holiday weight loss). The holidays present unique challenges: huge meals, home-baked desserts, calorically-dense food items, peer & family pressure, fond memories. We can enjoy the holidays while still moving toward our goals. First, leave room in your food & training journal to assess why you deviated from your plan. This isn't to judge yourself, but to build awareness. Were you hungry? Did you eat because you always eat at a certain time? Did you not want to disappoint someone? Did you mindlessly eat? Or, did you just really want that food item? Approaching holiday meals and time periods with realistic plans. Fasting prior to a meal is likely unrealistic. Eating a protein-rich meal the day of a big meal that will have plenty of fat and carbohydrates, however, makes sense. For the big meals themselves, have a plan to help you prevent or at least limit overeating. For example, fill your first plate with a normal amount of food. This may mean limiting the items you put on your plate. This may mean putting sample-size amounts on your plate. Then, when you're done, wait 15 minutes before getting seconds. For dessert, assess whether you're hungry or not. Take a dessert home if you really want it--you don't have to try every type of pie that meal or that day! Finally, Niki & Gillian discuss the idea of “volume eaters” and “intensity eaters.” Though people may be some combination thereof, volume eaters tend to overeat through large quantities of food, whereas intensity eaters tend to overeat through calorically dense items (eggnog, anyone?). Arm yourselves with the knowledge and tips to better battle the holidays! PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Unleash your physical freedom. Reclaim your body and mind from bad habits, restrictive and narrow goals, and unrealistic expectations. Thank You, Listeners (aka Beasts & Future Beasts) Andrew and Niki are thankful for all that has happened in 2024. Thank you to Stephan, the editor and podcast producer, who is a true expert and professional. You have no idea how much work he does! Thank you to Dan, Paige, Daisy, Nick, Noah, and the whole team at Barbell Logic. We thank Ryan Matt Reynolds as well. But most especially, thank you, listeners. You are beasts (or future beasts) and we could not do this without you. We've got exciting podcasts coming in 2025. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Unleash your physical freedom. Reclaim your body and mind from bad habits, restrictive and narrow goals, and unrealistic expectations. Physical Freedom: Financial Freedom as an Analogy The concept of financial freedom - no longer stressing about finances and not having to trade your time for things you do not wish to do - helps derive useful lessons for health and fitness. Attaining financial freedom requires discipline. One must define and follow through with hard decisions over a long period of time. This, though, is the path to freedom. Don't look for shortcuts. And, even if you somehow find yourself with a sudden pile of money, you will only use that money well if you have developed the habits ahead of time. Physical Freedom: Bash Bad Habits The first and most obvious steps you must take is to remove bad habits. You have trouble saying no to highly processed sugary foods. You overeat. Do you feel free when you make these decisions that do not align with your stated goals? Of course not! Freedom requires some discipline to build virtues (e.g. the virtue of temperance so you can willingly say no to the donuts). Physical Freedom: Remove Restrictive Goals Many of our coaches and clients have followed overly restrictive goals that they bought into. For example, you follow the dictum that physical strength is the most important thing in life. When you follow this, you will sacrifice your health and get fat to pursue this goal. You will avoid activities you enjoy, such as skiing, swimming, hiking, because this will remove weight on the bar in your next session. Unless you have a hyper-specific goal or truly believe such a restrictive goal is true, ditch this counterproductive dogma. Physical Freedom: Own Your Choices Here is another example. You are so concerned with leanness, that your plan (even if you have not said this explicitly) requires you to never eat your grandma's pie again. Is this really sustainable? Can you avoid every holiday food for every meal forever? Are you really going to eat chicken breast and broccoli every meal. When you have physical freedom, you can choose in indulge when appropriate, knowing you will not go off the rails and that you can make another choice to get leaner after a vacation or holiday period. PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.  Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Don't delay your fitness goals - do it now! Complete that rep or set, go for a walk, take your first step. Become the person you want to be. Don't Delay Your Fitness Goals: Start Now! Taking your first steps and the subsequent steps moves you closer to your goal. Too many people will "start tomorrow" or, once they begin, quit when it gets hard or when the initial motivation wears off. This is not about a 4, 6, or 12-week diet or workout routine, it is about taking steps that become habits. Lean, strong people do certain things (and avoid certain things) regularly. You will experience pain and anguish, but if you do not make the change you will still be stuck without your goals (and likely having slid further away from them) and experience pain. Think about people who seek comfort and avoid pain all their lives - does pain not creep up to them eventually? Don't Delay Your Fitness Goals: Every Workout & Meal Matters! Andrew shares a story of a workout he did not want to do and almost quit. He ended up turning on the camera, getting over his negative feelings, and the workout actually went pretty well. Visualize the person you want to be and what that person would do. Alternatively, you may envision what your future looks like if you fail to make the changes you desire. Don't delay your fitness goals! Start (or continue) today. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Building a strong nutritional baseline is the key to sustainable, healthy holiday eating. Don't derail for your health & fitness goals due to the holidays! How to Build a Nutrition Baseline Building a nutritional baseline is the ultimate holiday eating hack that let's you truly enjoy special holidays meals and days without totally derailing from your health and fitness goals. What is a nutritional baseline and how do you build yours? A nutritional baseline is a normal, habitual way of eating that you do seven days a week that brings you toward your goals. You know how it feels and looks, you know which foods and in what quantities it consists of. Essentially, you can mindlessly return to this baseline because it is your nutritional normal or your nutritional north. Building a Nutritional Baseline: Fearless Feasting How does this apply to holiday eating, though? Those truly special days that you want to enjoy and not track, you should do so. The surrounding days and really the vast majority of the days during the holiday period, however, you need to eat at your baseline. For some, the holiday season can go from before Halloween through the Super Bowl. That's getting close to half the year. You cannot eat sloppily for half the year. At the same time, however, you should be able to enjoy meals such as Thanksgiving or Christmas with family and friends. Andrew and Niki recommend not tracking on these days (unless you have super strict nutritional goals) but rather focusing on enjoying the food. Walking after the meals can help. Remember, additionally, that eating so much that you are sick is not enjoyable. Enjoy the whole process: family, friends, cooking, eating, drinking, and afterwards. Those in-between days should be at baseline. Building a strong nutritional baseline can help you reach your health and fitness goals, even during the holiday season. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Lift your way to a leaner you. Strength training is your secret weapon to leanness, despite the lingering weight loss myth that you should simply diet and do cardio. Debunking the Weight Loss Myth of Cardio & Caloric Restriction You go to the doctor and the doctor tells you that you need to lose a certain amount of weight for your health. He questions why you lift and recommends you perform regular cardiovascular exercise. What do you do? Lift your way to a leaner you (while ensuring you are in a slight caloric deficit). You acknowledge that you could be a bit leaner, but you've been lifting for awhile. You look better with more muscle on your frame and you enjoy strength training. More muscle increases your daily caloric expenditure, as it gives some of your incoming calories an additional place to go beyond fat gain. Lift Your Way to a Leaner You: Slow & Steady Wins the Race Slow and steady weight loss, with consistent lifting and a healthy, high protein diet help minimize muscle loss during your weight loss. Ultimately, you want to be leaner, you do not really care about the number on a scale. The doctor in the above scenario is a bit hyperfocused on BMI. Metrics, however, are supposed to measure progress. In this case, we are concerned about health and longevity. You want more muscle but you also want to be leaner. Abandoning strength training, reducing calories, and adding cardio is likely not going to produce the body you envision. It is certainly not going to help produce a muscular body. Lift Your Way to a Leaner You: Cardio for Cardiovascular Health Conditioning or "cardio" is not really the best way to help increase the calories out part of the calorie equation. A better method would be to increase your daily low-level activity, such as increasing your steps. Regardless, conditioning is really about improving your performance for certain tasks and improving cardiovascular health. Lift your way to a leaner you. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Buy back your time with a professional coach. Coaching yourself means less progress in the gym and more time learning to become a coach. Buy Back Your Time: Grocery Delivery Example You probably need to value your time more. Too often, people avoid certain purchases because they deem them as too expensive. Sometimes this is true, but often buying back your time - a non-renewable resource - is the best thing you can do. Grocery delivery for most people is a no-brainer. You spend little money to avoid the headaches and time needed to go to the grocery store. Mowing services for grass are another great example. If you do not enjoy doing these tasks and need more time, pay money to someone who will do it for you to earn back your time. Buy Back Your Time: Home Gym Having a home gym is another great way to save time working out. In this case, you will probably also save money over a long-enough period of time. Don't wait for equipment, don't worry about the broccoli hair Zoomers, lift when you want at your house. Buy Back Your Time: Professional Coach This is really the benefit of hiring a professional coach. An expert takes something off your plate, allowing you to not worry about it. That expert will move you to more progress than you otherwise would have gotten. Additionally, you do not have to learn some level of the expertise. Any time you decide to "do it yourself," you are taking on the burden of learning a certain skill that someone else is an expert or professional at. Sometimes, the task is quick, so it's fine. You should consider buying back your time, however, by hiring a professional online coach. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Pain and setbacks can derail progress. Overcoming pain and setbacks requires addressing your why and acknowledging how you feel when you perform healthy habits. Overcoming Pain and Setbacks: Oh Snap! A client finds himself making progress in all areas of fitness, at the lightest bodyweight in years and working toward specific barbell numbers. He has a week of stressful work, where sleep was out-of-whack, he sat more than normal, and his schedule was off. He returns to the gym and during his warm ups feels a tweak and hears a pop. Training has to change now. Right before he crested the mountain top, he was cutoff at the knees. Suddenly, he found himself letting nutrition, alcohol, and sleep slip too. After all, why was he training now that the clear goals were unachievable? Overcoming Pain and Setbacks: What is Your Why!? This client's why had really become the weight on the bar. It is easy to get emotionally tied to seeing the numbers go up. The numbers cannot (and will not) always go up. It is critical to touch on your deeper whys for training. Even if you signed up for coaching or began training with specific numbers in mind - even if you are an elite lifter chasing numbers - you certainly actually have a deeper reason than seeing a larger amount of iron go up. Overcoming Pain and Setbacks: What Feels Good!? Remembering how you feel when things are going well matters. Yes, the numbers were going up. That was fun. Did you feel good when you were eating healthy, drinking less, and ensuring you got sufficient high-quality sleep? How did it feel to check off your nutrition, fitness, and health tasks every day? When considering how you feel and how you felt, think about over a long period of time. Yes, staying up late with alcohol and processed food feels good in the moment. How do you feel that next morning? How does it feel to check your bodyweight on the scale? What do things look like after a couple weeks of these behaviors? Overcoming Pain and Setbacks: Think of February & March! Think about the future. You may think about running this process through your head - what will things look like if the sloppiness continues for weeks and months? You might also think about a specific time or place in your future. How do you feel in February after months of excess calories? How do you feel in March (or insert your time here) at that beach vacation? What feelings arise when someone who has not seen you in awhile sees you and you've gained weight? Overcoming Pain and Setbacks: Love the Process Loving the results without loving the process will cause problems. Enjoy exposing yourself to discomfort through training. Maybe the weight on the bar is not challenging, but you get to feel a pump. Maybe you don't get a pump, but you have to complete high-repetition exercises you hate - this is voluntary hardship too! Overcoming pain and setbacks is challenging, but you can do it. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Mastering fitness habits is the key to crushing your goals and gaining lasting results to boost your health and quality of life. Mastering Fitness Habits: Actions You Do No Matter What Habits are things you do without making new decisions. For Andrew, his four healthy habits are walking, food choices, sleep, and training. He can go on auto-pilot in these areas, which automatically bring him toward his health and fitness goals. Niki's dog died recently. No one would have blamed her for not training. For Niki, however, it was not only important to maintain the habit but it actually provided an emotional outlet, where she could get out of the house and get out of her mind and do something healthy for herself. Mastering Fitness Habits: Applied Principles Not Rigid Rules This does not mean black-and-white rigid programs. It does not mean if you do not do your 3x5 low bar squats, 3x5 bench press, and 1x5 deadlift with at least 5 minutes of rest you are not doing the program and have failed and are a bad person. Rather, you incorporate walking regularly as part of your day. Most of the time that means at least 10,000 steps for Andrew, but sometimes that is unrealistic. On vacation, for example, he continues to train, but workouts will tend to be shorter with less volume and less weight. Sleep may become a lower priority on vacations, but it is not completely ignored and certain actions that help Andrew sleep better will be maintained. Mastering Fitness Habits: Find Freedom Habits do not restrict freedom they create it. Do you feel free when you cannot say no to the office donuts or that second or third drink or have to go through the drive through on your way home from work? Is this freedom? No, freedom is not choice. Freedom is the ability to do what you want, in line with your values. If you want to be healthier and more capable, and be able to do more, you have to regularly train, sleep, and eat well. Mastering fitness habits is not complicated, but it's not easy. Learn some tips to crush your health and fitness goals. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn why you should walk more, how it improves your health, mindfulness, and quality of life. Don't eschew this pedestrian but effective fitness tool. Physical Fitness Benefits of Walking More A good reason why you should walk more is because it provides many health & fitness benefits. Andrew mentions a study that shows that the benefits of walking 10,000 steps a day equates to, essentially, a "change in effective years" of 8 years. To simplify, it equates to making you 8 years younger than you otherwise would be. Now, it is easy to draw too much from studies, but what is clear is that walking was correlated with positive health outcomes. Walking is accessible to almost all people, usually exposes you to the sun and gets you out from behind screens, and gives you time to think about things. Mental Health Benefits of Walking More Another reason why you should walk more is the benefits to your mental health. Walking gets you away from screens and your everyday problems. Creating this time and space to do something else let's you think or do other important activities such as think, talk, or listen to a podcast or audiobook. Walking is a great activity to do with deep work. You can decide to take a break from the urgent and focus on the important, while doing something physical. Why you should walk more!? Because it's all-around good for you. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/   Connect with the hosts Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn about how Jack Armstrong, BLOC client, completed the Three Peaks Challenge for charity. You can donate to the cause here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/daniel-surphlis-1718352507474 Three Peaks Challenge for Charity Jack Armstrong, BLOC client, competed the Three Peaks Challenge. The challenge involves climbing the 3 highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales, along with driving to the peaks, within 24 hours. Jack's training had to change, with much higher volume at low intensity and ensuring that his back (which can act up with heavy deadlifts and squats) was healthy. He also hiked regularly. The event itself was one long, hard day, and the team only failed to complete the challenge under time because they got stuck in traffic (but they ascended and descended the hills under their planned time). Despite the rain, wind, cold, hail, and physical pain, this - being stuck in traffic - was the most painful moment of the day. If you want to help donate to the hospital where Margot, who has cancer, is being treated, you can give here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/daniel-surphlis-1718352507474 PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Subscribe to the Build Your Business podcast hosted by Matt & Chris Reynolds, who help you overcome the fears, unknowns, and challenges of business ownership. Learn more about Ryan Matt Reynolds. Learn more about Chris Reynolds, CEO & Founder of Surton. Subscribe to the Build Your Business Podcast If you have a skill or passion you're good at, you may have been told, or you may have considered, turning it into a business. Many coaches began as fitness enthusiasts who wanted to help others get stronger and healthier. That's great. If you sell you services, however, you are a business owner. If you are a business owner, you have to work as the owner, manager, and technician in the business. The technician is the role you're probably thinking about. You're the coach, power washer, baker, etc. You have to run and oversee the business. This is the management and ownership. Many businesses fail because they fail to do this. Don't be saddled with the anxiety that comes from being a new business owner. Learn advice from Matt & Chris, who have nearly 40 years of business ownership between them. Subscribe to the Build Your Business podcast at turnkey.coach/build

Struggling to get back into the gym after a long break? Learn how to overcome mental and physical challenges and restart your fitness journey with our beginner's guide. Returning to the Gym After a Long Break: Shift Your Mental Mindset You went on a vacation, got sick, had a baby, were injured, or had your gym closed down. How do you get back to working out regularly? Niki and Andrew first, of course, recommend that you probably want to avoid this situation if you can. Even if it's just some light bodyweight exercises, this is significantly better than no exercise. The hardest aspect of this is in your head. Once you take a break longer than about 3-5 days, you will find a significant decrease in performance. Because of this, you will have to deal address your expectations for what your body can do based on its past performance versus its current performance. Focus on the habit of training and identify yourself as a lifter - you are someone who strength trains. Lastly, remember that you are moving toward your goal, but that it will likely take longer than you would like (but in the grand scheme of things it will not take that long). Returning to the Gym After a Long Break: Soreness & Other Physical Challenges As you have to adjust your mindset, you also need to adjust the weight and volume. Begin with lower volume and lower weight. It is much better to err on the side of too light than too heavy. It will help you ease back into the program, build confidence, and enjoy the quick gains from the lower weight as opposed to quickly missing reps because you tried to begin as close to your limit as possible. Expect that your second workout or second day at the gym will be harder than the first. Especially with the squat, you will experience soreness. Remember that movement will help with soreness. Enjoy the shock to your system. Beginning your strength training routine after a break should not be scary. Take it easy, adjust your mindset, and get back in the gym! Share your experience with returning to the gym after a long break. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

You need to choose hard things to crush your goals, become a better person, and live a more fulfilling life. Cody McBroom joins us to discuss the importance of choosing hard things. Check out the Tailored Coaching Method. Choose Hard Things: The Transforming Power of Fitness Cody had been an overweight youth but decided to begin to take his health and fitness seriously. When he wedded his nascent health and fitness journey with a passion for learning as he changed his major in college, he never looked back and pursued a career as a strength and nutrition coach. Cody found that by simply doing hard things regularly and improving his health and fitness, he improved all other aspects of his life. Truly, embracing voluntary hardship can alter the course of your life for the better. The decision to do the hard things matters. Choosing Hard Things in Business & Life Cody, like Matt, saw the downsides of the in-person coaching model. He started an online coaching business in 2017, the year after Matt began Barbell Logic Online Coaching. He has focused on tailored nutrition and fitness coaching, prioritizing normal every day people looking to avoid the tragically-too-normal slide to obesity and disease. He has had to learn about business (again, embracing hard things) to help his business grow, which ultimately helps more people transform their lives. Choose hard things every day. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Should I lift if I'm tired? It depends, on your tendencies, goals, experience, normal state, and more. We help you answer for yourself if you should lift today. Should I Train if I'm Tired? Experience & Tendencies You're going to feel tired sometimes. What do you do if you feel tired? Should you train? It depends. Niki recently felt tired and ended up taking a nap instead of training. She has learned, over years and decades of training, that this occurs regularly, she knows she will train the next day. Niki loves training and knows she will train the next day. You may begin to find similar patterns. Remember, though, most people seek to avoid training, so know your tendencies. Andrew shares a different experience, where for a long period of time he was sleep-deprived and always tired. He has had to learn, over time, that he would feel better after training, but he also had to reduce the expectations. If he never trained when he was tired, he would never exercise. Expecting the weight to go up every workout, however, is creates a loop of disappointment, guilt, and can lead to missed training. Should I Train if I'm Tired? Take Ownership of Your Training Regardless of your decision, you have to own your decision and your training. If you skip today, own it, know why you did it, and do not let it break your training habit. If you train, own that as well. Expecting PRs or the prescribed weight and volume may be counterproductive. Rather, aim to maintain the habit. This is about behaviors and patterns that contribute to your quality of life and long-term goals. This is not about hacks, short cuts, or other snake oil. You have to put in the work over the long haul. Should I train if I am tired? Find out! PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn about moving your personal training clients online - how to do it and how it improves your online coaching business model & life. Matt Reynolds interviews Matt Fever, a coach at Barbell Logic, who discusses how we transitioned from personal trainer to professional coach to professional online coach, and how he have moved his in-person clients from in-person to online. Moving Your Personal Training Clients Online: Online Coaching Business Model Successfully transitioning your clients from in-person to online makes a ton of sense for your quality of life and business model as a strength coach. The biggest value of in-person training comes primarily during those initial sessions, when often drastic technique changes need to be made and you develop a relationship grounded in trust, expertise, and benevolence. As the relationship progresses, however, the value of in-person coaching decreases. Form correction becomes less frequent and less drastic, whereas programming changes become more complicated and necessary. Asynchronous online coaching allows the client to lift wherever and whenever is convenient, and then the coach to respond within 24-48 hours wherever or whenever works for the coach. It increases the dollar-per-hour pay to the coach while decreasing the cost to the client. How to Move Your Personal Training Clients Online: Make More Money & Improve Your Quality of Life Matt Fever has made the transition from personal trainer and leader of group classes to professional coach. Attending an in-person lifting seminar with Barbell Logic was a turning point, as Matt Fever signed up for the Academy, started receiving online coaching from Matt Reynolds, and really honed his knowledge and expertise and learned about the online coaching business model. He has been transitioning his clients from in-person to online. This has allowed him to spend more time with his family. It has also led to his clients having higher compliance, as he can coach when he is on vacation (whereas previously he could not coach and did not get paid). His clients can also lift and receiving coaching if they travel. Moving your personal training clients online dramatically improves your quality of life and helps you develop a successful online coaching business model. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn how to get your back back after a chronic injury. It takes patience, focus on recovery, and a focus on what is truly important. How to Get Your Back Back: What Is Your Goal? You have to remember what your goal is. What matters most to you? Niki had an emotional attachment, built over years with baked-in assumptions she had to reevaluate, about the need for the weight on the bar to go up on a few lifts in a limited rep range. She had to ditch this as the metric that mattered. What she REALLY wanted was to build muscle mass, enjoy the gym, and limit or eliminate pain. Dreading the gym and waking up in pain every morning was not working. Do you HAVE to deadlift to build muscle mass? No you do not. We love the deadlift, but if the deadlift is causing you to hate your workouts and be in pain all the time, then it is not moving you closer to your goals and you should ditch the deadlift. Niki also decided to stop BJJ. While she enjoyed it, she was underrecovered and it was not bringing her closer to her most important goals. How to Get Your Back Back: Patience Instead of lifting heavy, Niki had to reduce stress and prioritize recovery. This first looked like lighter bodyweight and light implement movements. Then it moved onto machines. For Niki, the jump to machines was huge, because she was able to train hard without making her back worse. Ironically, the crooked path toward her goal has brought her closer to PRs than the path of beating her head (or maybe her back) against the wall of pain, frustration, and trying to do the program. She had to train curious and see if the exercise hurt, be ready to modify the weight or range of motion. She had to emotionally detach from weight on the bar. She had to rather focus on other things - did she wake up in pain. Did her back hurt during the workout? Waking up without pain was a win aligned with her goals that was worth celebrating. Learn how to get your back back. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Use a time audit to know where your time is going, enhance your efficiency & effectiveness, and boost your productivity. This simple tool may transform your life. Time Audit: Why It Matters - Know Where Your Time is Going You are your biggest time waster. You may feel that others (e.g. your boss, kids, etc.) waste most of your time, but a couple things in response to this notion of your. One, you cannot fully control these things. Two, insofar as you can control them, it often comes with how you react to them, approach them, or major life overhauls (e.g. changing jobs). C. Northcote Parkinson describe in a 1955 essay in the Economist what has called Parkinson's Law - works expands to fill the available time. If you give yourself a month to complete a task, it will take a month. That same work could have taken you a week or day if you had assigned that amount of time. Ultimately, this has limits (you cannot assign a nanosecond to something and assume it will get done), but this law has value. Instead of considering it a negative reality, give yourself less time and hold yourself accountable. Work to develop better habits of time management. Just like nutrition or budgeting, worst knowing what you are consuming or how you are spending helps you begin to modify your actions. Time Audit: What It Is & How To Do It A time audit is a method to track how you spend your time over a given period. It helps you identify non-urgent, non-important tasks you can eliminate and urgent tasks you can delegate. Additionally, you will likely fine that the simple act of completing the time audit will improve your time management actions. Track blocks of time down to the 15 or 30-minute increment for one week. If something takes less than that time, you can write that down. Matt has a 15-minute timer that he uses. When it goes off, he quickly jots down what he did. Matt uses Clockify, but you could use a spreadsheet or pen and paper. You can read an article Matt recently wrote about the time audit here. You may also be interested in reading Dan Martell's book Buy Back Your Time. Matt recommends, even if you have done pretty well with time management, doing this annually or bi-annually to check-in and continue to improve your time management. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Prioritizing your health helps boost all other priorities in your life. Respect yourself and your boundaries and learn how to prioritize your health, no matter what. How to Prioritize Your Health: Set & Protect Boundaries Do not allow work travel or other obligations cause you to abandon your priorities. If you lose your health your work and those other responsibilities will suffer. Prioritizing your health means understanding this is important to you and putting time and effort into it, even when time and effort is severely limited. When you fail to prioritize your health, not only does your work suffer, but you will likely feel growing resentment, as you have failed to defend your goals and have your actions reflect your core values. Prioritizing Your Health During Travel & Difficult Times For Andrew and Niki, investing in health during travel looks like consistently getting to the gym, maintaining a habit of walking, and picking better food choices. This does not mean two hour workouts or the same diet one might eat during a strenuous cut. It means, however, ensuring you maintaining the habit of exercise and working toward your goals. It means attempting to get 10,000 steps. It means looking for healthier food options, prioritizing protein and fiber insofar as you can. You cannot completely let your guard down. You cannot relax your standards with reckless abandon. This is not how you accomplish your goals long-term. This is especially important and true if you travel regularly. Prioritizing your health means respecting yourself, your goals, and your boundaries. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Don't be lazy because of the freedom that comes from being a business owner or your own boss. Don't Be Lazy: You Can Do More Most people do not do enough. The evidence for this is all the time people waste performing non-important, unurgent tasks such as watching TikTok, doom-scrolling through Twitter, or binge-watching Netflix. Do not build walls around your time that should not exist. "It's unhealthy to work on the weekend" or "I deserve to not work on the weekend" can be the difference between your business succeeding and growing or failing. You have more time than you think. You can do more than you think. This does not mean that you do not enjoy time with your family or in leisure activities. People, however, by and large, are too lazy. People generally do less than they can. Don't Be Lazy Because of Your Freedom Business owners and the self-employed enjoy the freedom to set their own schedules and choose how to spend their time. This may be the single greatest aspect of starting a business or being your own boss. If you give in to your worst tendencies, however, you will not do enough. You will choose laziness. Matt, for example, gets up early to complete urgent tasks when no one else is awake. He does this on the weekend as well, which leaves him ready to perform on Monday as the CEO. He does not begin work Monday morning having to catch up on email. Don't let freedom lead to laziness. Don't be lazy, but rather do the work. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

A powerlifting meet gives lifters and coaches an opportunity for performance under pressure. Learn the whys, hows, and whats of powerlifting meets. Learn about this and the exciting new International Barbell Federation (IBF). Powerlifting Meets for Everyday Lifters You don't have to be a 700 lb deadlifter to benefit from a strengthlifting meet. People of all ages and backgrounds have found the purpose-organizing power of signing up for and preparing for a meet. Putting the meet on the calendar gives a time and place where you need to perform. It helps you organize your training, eating, even vacations and such around this. Sometimes, this is not appropriate. You might not want to schedule this when life is throwing you severe involuntary hardship. Still, novices and experienced lifters, young and elderly, the painfully average or elite can benefit from adding this to their training. As a coach, the best way to get better at helping lifters at meets is to have your lifters go through meets. Second best way is going through a meet yourself. Powerlifting Meet: The Power of the Platform Beyond the training-organizing function, the environment of a meet - especially an in-person meet - is powerful. People regularly experience PRs as they get cheered on. On the other hand, the unique elements of a meet can throw people curve balls. You have judges and an open platform (as opposed to staring at a wall). You have less control over when you lift and have weird equipment and clothing. Judges may give you commands. You have to handle emotions. With all this, it is certainly an experience worth having under your belt as a lifter and coach. Try a powerlifting meet or strengthlifting meet, so you can perform under pressure. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Pick your battles for tranquility, happiness, peace, & prosperity. Assume the best in others, and work toward goal accomplishment. Pick Your Battles: Cool, Calm, Collected Someone in the All In conference Matt, Niki, Andrew, & Josh recently attended said "that's below my line." What does this mean? It means certain things should be below "your line" that stirs up your anger. Of course, anger is an emotion, and emotions arise sometimes whether you want them to or not. That being said, you should avoid outrage culture, and if you find yourself dominated by your passions, you should step back and deal with it. Matt has identified that addressing a situation in anger almost never works out well. This does not just mean yelling or punishment, but even talking in anger - it usually does not come off well. If accomplishing the goal is the goal, and anger does not help, then don't lean into the anger. Acknowledge, overcome, and try to make peace. Pick Your Battles: Assume the Best One component of picking your battles is assuming the best in others, especially others who have built up a level of trust with you. You cannot be in a healthy relationship with your spouse or really any other important person in your life if you assume the worst possible motives for their actions. Reach out to the other person and listen. Winning an argument or seeking to dominate conversation is not a good way to reach understanding or peace. Pick your battles, seek peace, and overcome anger and other passions. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Why participate in barbell competition, and if you decide to compete how do you approach it. Learn about this and the exciting new International Barbell Federation (IBF). Barbell Competition Benefits Andrew interviews Jordan Stanton, owner of Next Level Barbell and the Strength Union, both in or around Portland, OR, as well as former owner of the United States Strengthlifting Federation (USSF). As a gym owner, in-person coach, online coach, lifting federation owner, and competitive lifter, he has experienced barbell competition in all its aspects. Why compete? Competition focuses lifters' training, organizing it around a purpose connected to time. It also provides some motivation, not only mentally because the meet is on the calendar, but also to train hard and take recovery seriously. Consider participating in an online or in-person meet, regardless of your training level. Barbell Competition Tips & General Approach Generally, you want to taper before a meet and practice heavy singles. You definitely need to be familiar with the rules of the meet. Having a coach can really help here. For many, though, the most important thing is not stressing about the meet or how you do but simply experiencing the meet. Lift heavy as people cheer you on. See how all the different rules and aspects of a meet change your lifting and your training leading up to your programming. Barbell Competition Online The USSF went online during Covid. Now, the USSF has been reflagged and is the International Barbell Federation (IBF). If you're seeing this before or in October 2024, sign up for the online meet from October 9-20, 2024. You can do a powerlifting version (squat, bench press, deadlift) or strengthlifting version (squat, overhead press, deadlift). Make sure you read the rules and ensure you execute accordingly the day you lift. An online meet is a great lower stress way to compete in your normal environment, not having to take a day out to go somewhere and spend most of the day competing. Consider participating in barbell competition as part of your overall training approach, even if just one time. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn how many go from client to coach, crushing the client life cycle. This is Micaela Bickel's story. Client to Coach: Fitness to Strength Barbell Logic has identified a somewhat typical progression among a cohort of its clientele. These folks go from fan to strength client to Academy client to coach using TurnKey Coach. Micaela Bickel followed this path. She began more in the fitness space, programming circuits and endurance. Barbells were sprinkled in. Despite her skepticism and fears, training with barbells produced the results she wanted and not only did not hurt her back but actually helped her back. She attended a seminar and left humbled but ready to pivot to strength-based training for both herself and her clients. Client to Coach: The Business of Coaching She soon found the Academy and learned many of the practical and academic things it teaches. Despite having an exercise science degree, she derived a huge value from the academy. She opened a gym in February 2023. That was a steeper learning curve. She learned as she went, though the Academy also not spends more time addressing the business of coaching. Her first important transition was from charging per session to charging monthly. Soon thereafter, she moved to a hybrid model of coaching, where clients receive usually 2-3 months of in-person coaching from her and then are moved to online through TurnKey Coach. This has increased her ability to coach more clients and decreased her time at work. The way TKC measures progress and PRs has encouraged compliance, and clients are able to train while away from the gym (and Micaela can coach away from the gym). Learn about Micaela's story from client to coach and how she crushed the client life cycle. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

When you know you have a good product, service, or solution, you have unshakeable confidence. How do you develop this? Learn what this is and how you develop it! Unshakeable Confidence: Is It Possible & What Is It? Andrew saw a video of someone handing out bags of money and reacting to people accepting or not accepting it. Seems pretty crazy, to turn a bag of money, right!? Now, in a big city, we can acknowledge that people might not fully understand what is going on, might be skeptical, and other reasons may exist. But in a situation this obvious - do you want free money? - the person handing it out is not insulted if you turn it down. Why? Well, because this person is delivering such obvious value. Andrew realized that when you know you have a good product, good service, good solution, this is how you react to rejection. You don't get incredibly defensive or emotional. You might take it as a learning opportunity. While you want to spread the word about the good thing you have, your emotions are not so wrapped up in defending the value because you know, deep down, this thing has value. Unshakeable Confidence: How to Develop It Be honest with yourself and invest in ability, integrity, and benevolence. If the product needs work, be honest with yourself. That might be part of your pitch and you should charge accordingly. For example, if you are trying to become a coach, you might initially charge nothing or very little and pitch it as something that will likely provide them value while allowing you to improve your coaching. If they receive value, request a testimonial. Pick something that keeps you curious, and grow and expand your limits within that thing. Improve your craft. Improvement requires honesty, because you have to acknowledge your deficiencies and work to improve those areas. When it comes to sales, this will look like not being obsessed with closing the sale, but rather offering a service where you help the other make a decision. Occasionally, it will not be a good fit. That's okay. Do not force something bad when it does not make sense. Develop unshakeable confidence and then deliver. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn how to avoid, identify, and get out of occupational burnout. Like overtraining, this is better to avoid then dig yourself out of. Burnout: Definition & Identification This is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. It comes from doing too much for too long, especially too many urgent things. Some people have performed some great feats of endurance in their lives, but they often focus on the important, not the urgent. You will experience a lack of desire to work, even with things that used to motivated and excited you. It will affect all areas of your life. There is a clear parallel with overtraining. Overtraining is actually less common than most people think, but if you become overtrained it is debilitating. Overtraining and becoming burned out are better to avoid than dig yourself out of. Burnout: Avoidance versus Digging Yourself Out This is one of those instances when important things become urgent. You drown in an overwhelming amount of urgency for too long, and you will have to confront it. It is better to get out in front of it. Ensure that you are making time for the important. You are taking days off and there are things you do unrelated to the urgent every day. Take care of your health always: physical, medical, spiritual, psychological, social. Do not medicate with activities that can exacerbate the problem, such as alcohol or other drugs, unhealthy foods, empty pleasures, risky behaviors, or excessive spending or gambling. To dig yourself out will require more work and greater effort than if you had never found yourself burned out in the first place. And, of course, some people never dig themselves out. Avoid burnout, but reach out for help if you find yourself burned out. PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Stronger means harder to kill, more able to fulfill your work and domestic obligations, and more useful overall. Listen to Matt's talk to the Tactical Response alumni. This group of people cares about being prepared, protecting themselves and their loved ones, and more capable overall. If they are weak, however, they have a gap, and they need to be stronger. This applies to you too. Stronger Means Harder to Kill Would you like to be harder to kill, more resilient, healthier, and more useful overall or softer, easier to kill, more susceptible to death and sickness, and a burden on others? If you're weak, you have a gap that needs to be addressed. You need to get stronger. Getting stronger is brutally simple. Eschew complication, follow the simple, hard, effective way. Receive the greatest return investment for your time and effort by following basic barbell movements such as the squat, bench press, deadlift, and press. Strength is about overcoming cancer, staying out of a nursing home, becoming a better father or mother. It is about building the confidence to regularly do hard things, and to be more prepared when involuntary hardship comes. Act now! Exercise today and work toward training to get stronger and harder to kill. PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn when to break the rules and when to follow them. Generally, you follow the rules, but not always. When to Break the Rules: Increase Speed & Decrease Costs In many industries and organizations, there are general guidelines, rules, or ways of doing things. You may learn, early on, that generally, for example, employees should have one manager only or that you should never divide your forces in the face of a larger force. Great victories and advantages, however, lie in consciously not following these rules. For start up companies, your advantages over larger companies come from nimbleness and low costs. When you start your business, you are the technician, the manager, and the owner. You wear all the hats. You will hire employees, and they will begin to take some of those hats. Do not, however, force your people and processes under principles that slow you down or increase your costs. As you scale, you will reach higher level nodes where payroll will increase. As you do this, profitability may decrease as you take on more people, but then it will improve as you improve and grow at that node. Move fast and move cheap. Know when to break the rules and knowingly break them for the good of your business (when it makes sense). PS - This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

We cover the good, the bad, and the ugly in the recent games in this 2024 Olympics Wrap-Up. 2024 Olympics Wrap-Up: the Impressive & the Controversial You have to admit it, Olympians' performances are impressive. The amount of work over years and decades is immense. Genetic gifts abound, but so do mindset and work ethic abilities. Olympians' RPE 10 is not the same as our RPE 10. We value voluntary hardship and appreciate what the human body can do. We stand in awe of the excellence on display in the Olympics, but rather than demotivate us it inspires us. In some small way, we get to participate in the same pursuit to not accept mediocrity and burdening others, but improving ourselves. Enjoy this 2024 Olympics Wrap-Up! PS - If you're interested in taking online coaching with Barbell Logic for a test run, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Learn about the ultimate time efficiency hack - the pomodoro. This ultimate productivity is a game changer those those urgent & important tasks you don't really want to do. Get them done faster, so you have more time for those important tasks you want to do. Time Efficiency Hack: The Pomodoro You have tasks you need to do but you do not want to do. It might be something on the computer for work. It might be a manual labor task, such as fixing the lawn mower. We can find ways to sabotage our own intentions unconsciously with distractions. A pomodoro is a set period of time (you might start with 25 minutes) where you focus on only one task with no distractions or context switches. When you are done with the pomodoro, you take a break. The break is important. Go to the bathroom, stretch your legs, get some sun, quickly chat with someone. The goal is to be able to do more back-to-back pomodoros and have the pomodoros be longer. Matt will often have a notepad next to him with a pen. If some random idea comes in his mind that he does not want to forget, such as "I need to buy cilantro at the grocery store," he just quickly writes down "cilantro" and then continues on his task. Chris recommends for those distracted by noises to get foam ear plugs and white noise headphones. It might seem not fun to buckle down and get the work done, but see how much faster you get the work done and how much more time you have to do other things. Try this time efficiency hack, this ultimate productivity tool, this effectiveness game changer - the pomodoro. This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Back pain for lifters can be scary & frustrating & varies in severity. Learn the causes, treatments, approaches, & red flags as a lifter and coach. Rebekah Krieg, Exclusive Coach & former long-time physical therapist, discusses back pain, how to approach it as a lifter and coach, and red flags contraindicate training. Back Pain for Lifters: Part of the Human Experience Back pain happens. Whether an MRI of your back would look "normal" or "bad," back pain seems to be part of the human experience for those who exercise and train and those who do not. It is better, all things being equal, to train and strengthen your low back. A strong back is a resilient low back. Back pain comes in many intensities and durations, from the short-term tweaks, to the multi-month or year variety, to chronic back pain. As lifters and coaches, we have to approach back pain with some flexibility but basic principles, an openness to refer out, active listening to our clients. Back Pain for Lifters: Treatments & Approaches The general approach is to focus on what you can do. If a lifter experiences a tweak during the workout, a general approach is to do the following: reduce load first next, reduce range of motion next, vary the exercise selection be prepared to end the workout As a coach, do not encourage or support client catastrophizing. Training curious, see what works. Even if the workout has to be ended, most likely the client will feel better after a day or two and with something easy movements like bending over at the waist to get blood flowing into the back. Motion is lotion. For someone with new back that comes in, encourage them to see how the back feels after a warm up (and likely a slower, longer warm up). If they are still not feeling good, than follow the steps above. Often times, though, they will feel better after a warm up. If someone comes in with chronic back pain, they are used to back pain. Focus on excellent technique and be more conservative with them. Ensure that the back pain does not get worse, and see if it gets better. Communication will be critical, and you may include a back pain metric that helps you and the client ensure pain monitoring is a regular part of the coaching process. If the back pain is bad and normal enough, they might never do the conventional deadlift. Focus on what they can do. If the conventional deadlift or low bar squat causes significant pain or things to get worse, it does not make sense to force them into these movement patterns. Back Pain for Lifters: Red Flags that Contraindicate Training Sometimes, clients should not even warm up. If the client reports any sudden loss of function since the back pain, this contraindicates training. Below is a longer list: lack of bowel control sexual dysfunction bilateral pain loss of motor function (e.g. foot drop) Do NOT let them warm up. They need to go to the doctor. Bekah even has said that she has had to fire a client who would not follow her recommendations and guidelines for lifting and would not see a doctor. This may be the kindest thing you can do to them. What type of glaring signal might it send to someone that a coach will no longer take their money unless they change their behaviors? Back pain for lifters and coaches can be frustrating and scary. Do not catastrophize, follow some basic steps and principles, and do not be afraid to refer out to another healthcare professional. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Leverage education to identify your constraints. Put things you learn into action, and build trust as a business owner with content that leads to conversions. Leverage Education: Put Insights Into Action As a Content Consumer You almost certainly consume content in some form. Free or cheap content abounds: podcasts, social media, YouTube, reels, articles, books, audiobooks. You should be consuming and encountering meaningful, challenging, useful content. You should constantly be learning. That being said, too many people do not put lessons learn into action. Don't be one of these people. Then, your education is really just infotainment. You do not improve yourself or your business by knowing more but by improving yourself and your business by changing your habits and applying the insights you learn from these educational resources. Leverage Education: Build Trust to Create Leads & Conversions as a Content Creator Some businesses focus on monetizing content and making money through content. That is not Barbell Logic, and that is not most businesses. Content is a means to build trust and demonstrate value and expertise. Potential clients (leads) consume your content, they become warm leads, and eventually some of these people will purchase your products or services. For example, Matt has purchased Alex Hormozi's books (which are cheap) and watched some of his free online content. Because of the value he has gleaned from this, he was willing to pay more to attend an intensive in-person seminar. Why? Because the free and cheap content, and Matt and Barbell Logic's application of the lessons contained in that content, have provided value. Matt was willing to invest more deeply in a higher level of service with a higher price point because of this trust from previous experiences with the content. How are you building trust with your potential customers? Leverage education and build trust. Leverage Education to Identify Your Constraints Barbell Logic used the seminar, and has used free and cheap content from Hormozi and acquisition.com to identify constraints within the business and levers to pull that will provide the most return for the least effort, time, and money. Sounds a lot like MED (not on accident)! MED does not mean do the least you can. It means valuing your time, money, and effort to get the biggest return on investment you can. It applies the law of diminishing returns. It asks, if you can add 5 pounds to your squat every 2-3 days with 1 set of 5 repetitions of the deadlift, why would you do a program that involves 3x5 or 5x5? Leverage education to identify constraints and improve yourself and your business. This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Take action and train because time & strength wait for no one. Get the most out of your training, & don't spend any more time without barbell training. Take Action and Train: Time & Strength Waits for No One Time is our most valuable asset because we can never earn more of it. We can make changes to make more money. We cannot make changes to earn more time (though we can make changes to spend our time in more valuable ways). You do not want to spend another year, month, week, or even day without moving toward your health and fitness goals. You do not want to be ten years older having not trained. Not only will you be no closer to your goals, you may be further away. Furthermore, you will have lost ten years' time to train and reap those benefits. But there is no better time to begin training than now. Make the change now. If you're short on time, that is no problem: spend time with simple, hard, effective training that delivers the minimum effective dose for maximum return on investment. Take Action and Train: MED Strength Training for Maximum Value You get no better return on your investment of time and effort than using compound barbell movements, such as the squat, press, deadlift, and bench press. Too many people - especially template peddlers - know because all they are selling is a program, they need to show off by including complexity and many exercise. Because of this, these programs often take 2-3 hours and have needless complexity, as it looks like you received more value with the longer, more complex workouts. Simple, hard, effective is the way. If you're extremely limited on time, you may even simply perform one exercise a day. You don't know how much benefit you can get from how little time. It is not easy, but it is simple. It is brutally simple and brutally effective. Take action and train today. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Matt talks to Greg Hess, who is implementing simple, hard, effective strength training at West Point. Strength Training at West Point: Simple, Hard, Effective Greg Hess is an instructor and athletic trainer at West Point. In this role, he has a host of responsibilities, including immediate treatment of injuries, overseeing mandatory physical training of all cadets during their cadet basic training, and leading an elective course on compound barbell lifts. Really, what he is doing, in his roles, is trying to spread the benefits of simple, hard, effective training. During basic training, he exposes cades to the deadlift and bench press, despite the limited time. In his elective, however, he has more time to instruct technique on the four main lifts, along with the power clean and power snatch. Cadets also learn how to coach other cadets. This is a good thing. Cadets at the United States Military Academy (West Point) are being exposed to simple, hard, effective strength training. Learn about something exciting that is going on at West Point. This podcast is brought to you by TurnKey Coach. Enhance your coaching effectiveness and efficiency with TurnKey Coach. You can learn more by going HERE. Check out Coaching 101 - the new Academy course designed to cover the basics of coaching. It's leaner and tighter than our other offerings (and cheaper). Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com

Tackling tweaks can be terrifying. You're lifting and suddenly - OUCH - pain. We discuss how to handle these tweaks. Tackling Tweaks: Don't Catastrophize You're lifting, all is going well, then suddenly you feel pain. What do you do? How do you handle this? Why me, why now!? It can be easy to catastrophize, to immediately assume the worst. The reality is, your workout may be over, it may not be, you may be able to do something. You want to do what you can do, and most tweaks may affect one or two workouts but will have a quick return to normal. Tackling Tweaks: Step-by-Step Andrew & Niki break down how Niki dealt with a recent adductor tweak and how this can apply to similar situations for you. Evaluate for red flags Calm down Check for range of motion Incrementally start loading it The first two steps may be interchangeable, but first check in with your body. Do you feel tingling? Is there bruising or swelling? Is it unilateral or bilateral? If you feel tingling or see bruising or swelling, it is more than a tweak. Depending on how you are feeling, you may need to calm down. This may involve sitting or walking around. Check for range of motion. Move into a position of discomfort and see if it gets better or worse. Stop if it gets worse. Then, assuming you encounter no red flags, begin to load incrementally. It is probably a good idea to do the movement slow and controlled - maybe a tempo variation with a pause. You may adjust the movement to limit the involvement of the muscle that hurts. Winning may look like getting some movement done - it will likely not look like getting the programmed workout done. Tackling tweaks does not have to be terrifying. Learn how. Check out the Barbell Logic podcast landing page. Get Matched with a Professional Strength Coach today for FREE! No contract with us, just commitment to yourself: Start experiencing strength now: https://store.barbell-logic.com/match/ Connect with the hosts Matt on Instagram Niki on Instagram Andrew on Instagram Connect with the show Barbell Logic on Instagram Podcast Webpage Barbell Logic on Facebook Or email podcast@barbell-logic.com