Fractional plates, or micro plates, enable lifters to make small, precise weight increments, crucial for progressing in strength training. They are typically used in conjunction with calibrated plates to ensure accuracy on the barbell. Related Reading: What Is A Calibrated Plate Making small weight increments is called micro loading which can result in the difference …
The hack squat can be a great gym machine for developing your lower body muscles, particularly your quads, with very little engagement from your lower back. This makes it a popular alternative to traditional squats using a barbell, which can put a lot of stress on your lumbar spine – especially if you’re not doing them with proper …
Discover all you need to know about calibrated plates and their importance in powerlifting and weightlifting, especially when lifting heavy!
Commercial gyms seem to be popping up everywhere (a bit like coffee shops!). They’re known as ‘big box gyms’ and whether it’s LA Gym or Planet Fitness, you can pretty much find one on every street corner. But how do commercial chain gyms compare to independent and private gyms? In this article, I’m going to …
I’m a big fan of free weights, they give me plenty of freedom of movement when training my glutes. Whether I’m doing dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts or barbell squats, these exercises are a surefire way of lifting and shaping my glute muscles. But we’re not here to talk about free weight exercises. Instead, I’m going to be …
Strength training and weightlifting may seem like a modern concept but in fact, it dates back centuries. Back in the early days, it was necessary for men to be strong and fast for the purpose of hunting. Nowadays though strength training has evolved and is much less about survival and much more about keeping fit …
Spanish squats are one of the more unusual quad focused exercises that you probably don’t see being performed that often. That’s usually because it’s carried out in a rehab environment under the supervision of a physical therapist to help with knee injuries like patella tendinopathy. But, when the Spanish squat exercise is executed with proper form, it can be a great way …
The goblet squat is an efficient alternative to the traditional barbell squat. Needing only a kettlebell, it’s a great exercise you can perform pretty much anywhere. It’s a squat variation that’s widely accessible, offering many benefits such as improving your back squat technique and increasing both your mobility and strength. But it’s not …
Some of the best exercises for the gluteus minimus include fire hydrants and the hip thrust which really fire up this small muscle. But why does it matter? Located either side of the hip joint, the gluteus minimus is the smallest of the three glute muscles and plays a key role in hip stability and hip internal rotation. It’s a deep set muscle, so while …
Neglecting your posterior chain muscles when you workout can be a common oversight, leading to muscle and strength imbalances and even puts you at a greater risk of injury. A weak posterior chain typically affects those who lead a more sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of their day sitting. When you do this for …