LUNGES & STRIDES ARTICLES
- DR. JOEL SEEDMAN -
Lunges & Split Squats: You're Doing them Wrong
The lunge or split squat has been one of the most popular lower body exercises for decades. The problem? Most people, including many "expert trainers," do them improperly, negating the benefits. Here are 22 cues you’ll need to master your lunge. (Read More →)
Combining the trap bar with accommodating resistance in the form of band assistance, band resistance, and chains produces some incredibly potent movements particularly when it comes to deadlifts, squats, hinges, lunges, and more.
PurMotion offers some of the most unique and versatile pieces of strength training equipment in the industry. In fact, many of the exercises can’t be replicated with any other training tools. Here’s a review of some of my favorite PurMotion products.
Eccentric accentuated training can be a bit tricky when applying it to lower body strength training. Here’s how to apply the bilateral assisted negative accentuated (BANA) 2:1 method to squats, split squats, and lunges for strong and massive legs.
Zercher squats often feel natural and comfortable on the body particularly with lighter loads. However, once you start moving heavier weights they can be quite uncomfortable. Here's how to aleviate this problem while also crushing your legs.
If you're looking for a method that literally forces you to master your squat mechanics and perfect your form, look no further than this no-hands barbell squat protocol. It can also be used on lunges and good mornings to dial in lower body mechanics.
By placing the trap bar on your shoulders you can turn the trap bar into a cambered squat bar. This particular squat variation provides 10 benefits that are difficult to replicate with any other training tool including traditional cambered squat bars.
Zercher Squats, Zercher good mornings, and Zercher lunges are some of the best exercises for crushing the musculature of the legs. However, many individuals suffer with poor mechanics on these. Here's how to use the trap bar to resolve this.
Bulgarian split squats are one of the best exercise for crushing your lower body and improving function throughout your entire body. Unfortunately most lifters perform them improperly. Here's a quick fix for improving your mechanics and technique.
Zercher squats are one of the best lower body variations not only for ingraining proper squat mechanics but also for crushing the legs, upper body, and core. By adding accommodating resistance you can make the stimulus even more effective. Here's how.
Applying overcoming isometrics to the lunge or split squat position can produce incredibly high levels of post activation potentiation ultimately resulting in increased speed, power, and torque production. Here's how to do it with free weights.
The barbell squat can be one of the most frustrating exercises to master with perfect execution. Use this makeshift safety squat bar protocol combined with bands to maximize your form and crush your lower body with brutal intensity.
Want to crush your legs and save your spine while performing squats, deadlifts, and lunges? Try this unique modification by employing direct resistance to your legs in conjunction with barbell loading. It looks a bit crazy but it's highly effective.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one exercise that crushes the posterior chain including glutes, hamstrings, and upper back yet simultaneously addresses mobility, stability, and symmetry, look no further than this stride-position bent over row.
Here are two unique lunges using the foam roller that are sure to help clean up your lunge mechanics and help eliminate a number of common mistakes. As an added bonus you'll get amazing lower body growth and strength gains.
Many lifters find traditional Bulgarian squats awkward and uncomfortable. Oftentimes that’s because the back foot rests against the top of the bench, which can feel quite uncomfortable. Performing them like this alleviates this issue.
Although the trap bar can be can be used for squats, deadlifts, chest presses, overhead presses, bent over rows, pullups, squat jumps, and even lunges, Bulgarian Squats are one of the most brutal variations that crush the entire lower body.
New Articles
Here are 21 New Year’s resolution goals that all advanced lifters, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and general populations should apply to their training in the new year. These will take your performance, physique, strength, size, and health to the next level.
Proper lifting technique and body mechanics are essential for long-term joint health, performance, and physique improvements. With that said, here are 20 tell-tale indications you can use to determine whether or not your form is due for an overhaul.
Everyone squats the same regardless of individual differences and joint anthropometrics. A proper squat involves 90 degree joint angles and is most easily obtained by using eccentric isometrics with perfect posture and body alignment. Here are 101 truths everyone should know.
The fitness industry has lied to us one too many times. This article highlights the truth about yoga, flexibility training, mobility drills, & “range of motion” topics, supported by deep scientific research, observational data, & experiential findings.
When it comes to maximizing your strength, size, and performance, a low to moderate level of exercise variety is critical for maintaining progress and avoiding training stagnation. Here’s everything you need to know about exercise variety.
Can you sprint without warming up?? This is something humans have been able to do for centuries up until the last few decades. Unfortunately the fitness industry has ruined people’s bodies and contributed to us losing this practical human skill. Full Experiment here!!
The sissy squat has recently gained quite a bit of popularity in mainstream fitness and bodybuilding. Unfortunately it’s not only an inferior quad and thigh builder that lacks proper muscle stimulation, it destroys the knees. Here are 12 superior alternatives to sissy squats.
When it comes to utilizing functional presses for athletes and bodybuilders, sometimes we need to look past the traditional barbell and dumbbell chest press. Here are 25 of the best functional presses for athletic performance that also build functional strength & size.
Although mastering the big 7 with eccentric isometrics is paramount when it comes to mastering movement and muscle function, periodically including rotational training can be very effective particularly for athletes. Here are my 25 go-to rotational exercises.
The abductor and adductor muscles are incredibly important for hip function and joint health. Unfortunately they’re commonly neglected. Here’s how to properly train them for maximal performance, muscle function, and joint health.
Research has shown that overcoming isometrics are one of the most effective techniques for increasing motor unit recruitment & post activation potentiation. Combining eccentric isometrics with overcoming isometrics produces even greater gains in strength, size, & performance.
Eyes-closed training is something I frequently incorporate with all of my clients and athletes. That’s because it improves movement mechanics and muscle function due to enhanced proprioceptive feedback from the muscles. Here’s how.
Loaded carries are some of the most simple yet effective strength training movements you can perform for building functional strength and size throughout the body. Here are my top 30 favorite variations along with 10 tips to help master any loaded carry or farmer’s walk.
Bodyweight training is the new rage. Unfortunately most folks end up going about their quarantine and home bodyweight workouts in a very ineffective way thereby sacrificing their gym gains. Here are 25 key tips you should implement immediately.
Pullups are one of the most effective staples in any training program. Unfortunately most lifters including advanced bodybuilders and “expert” strength coaches perform them incorrectly thereby negating the benefits. Here’s how to do them.
Bodyweight exercises are some of the most natural feeling movements we can perform. Here’s how to apply eccentric overload to your favorite bodyweight movements such as pushups, dips, pullups, & rows, to maximize strength, size, & performance.
Stretching and flexibility training has been a controversial topic for decades in the strength and conditioning industry. Here’s everything you need to know to safely optimize your flexibility, mobility, and ROM using eccentric isometric protocols.
Are you looking for a unique yet potent mass builder for your entire back (upper, middle, and low back musculature)? If the answer is yes then you’ll want to try this modified drop set on the seated row station.
When it comes to building massive pectorals it’s tough to beat the basics such as barbell presses, dumbbell presses, weighted pushups, dips and chest flyes. Unfortunately none of these variations fully maximize the functions of the pectoral muscle fibers.
Fitting upper body isolation exercises into your training routine can be tricky particularly when you’re looking to emphasize larger compound movements in your lifting program. Here are my favorite ways to crush your arms while saving time and improving functional performance.
Want to maximize your athletic performance, strength, muscularity, stability, and joint health? Time to start taking advantage of functional training methods that utilize the anterior and posterior oblique slings via contralateral hip activation and unilateral movement patterns.
Offset loading training is one of my favorite strength training techniques not only for eliminating imbalances, asymmetries, and muscle dysfunction, but also for building ridiculous levels of functional strength, hypertrophy, motor control, and core stability. Read more here.
The barbell Zercher squat is an incredibly effective lower body exercise. However it also has its share of downfalls. Here's how to use kettlebells and landmine stations to improve the effectiveness of this classic strength exercise.
The good morning exercise is one of the best posterior chain movements that crushes the glutes and hamstrings while also blasting the postural muscles of the upper body. Unfortunately it gets a bad rap. Here’s how to perform it correctly plus 20 unique variations.
The Trap bar is one of my favorite training tools and specialty bars. Here's how to use it for pullups and chinups. As an added bonus each variation will help spark new growth, strength, posture improvements, and enhanced muscle function.
Excessive low back/lumbar arch on bench press movements is a common mistake even amongst advanced lifters. Not only does it set the individual up for potential injuries but also minimizes the effectiveness of the chest press itself. Let’s fix it!
The barbell Zercher squat is an incredibly effective lower body exercise. However it also has its share of downfalls. Here's how to use kettlebells and landmine stations to improve the effectiveness of this classic strength exercise.