Community Gyms Coalition Launches “Fitness Is Essential” Campaign
Following the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, some reports showed that gym memberships fell by nearly 40 percent, leading to an estimated $15.6 billion loss in revenue by October 2020.
In November 2020, the Community Gyms Coalition (CGC) — a collective of fitness outlets, including Anytime Fitness, CrossFit, Orangetheory Fitness, and Planet Fitness, which represent “more than 15,000 community gyms and fitness facilities across the US that serve over 25 million members” — was founded in an attempt to lobby Congress for financial relief in an unprecedented time.
It’s time for all Americans to recognize that Fitness is Essential.
On Feb. 21, 2023, the CGC announced the launch of the “Fitness is Essential” campaign as part of its commitments to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.
Proud to collaborate with the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health! #WHConfHungerHealth #fitnessisessential pic.twitter.com/SsSIx1pFNZ
— Community Gyms Coalition (@GymsCoalition) September 28, 2022
[Related: CrossFit Announces Partnership With Chipotle for 2023 Open]
Per their press release, the components of the campaign include education about the “positive effects of physical activity and fitness on mental health and well-being” and increased access to resources that include the following:
Free day passes at CGC members’ fitness facilities
Fitness goal and body intelligence consultations
The “Fitness is Essential” campaign intends to “reinforce the Department of Health and Human Services’ Move Your Way® campaign,” which aims to use the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans as a way to increase people’s physical activity levels and thereby lead healthier lifestyles.
“CGC members will raise awareness with community leaders and policymakers about steps they can take to encourage physical activity and fitness in communities across the country,” according to the CGC press release.
Since its founding, the CGC has been effective at a legislative level in helping gyms recover from the financial losses sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic. The congressional Gym Mitigation and Survival (GYMS) Act of 2021 was introduced on Feb. 5, 2021, by U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05, Democrat) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01, Republican) and garnered 164 co-sponsors.
The GYMS Act was subsequently sponsored by senator Tammy Duckworth (IL, Democrat) and introduced to the Senate on May 13, 2021, when it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. It has 29 co-sponsors in the Senate at the time of this article’s publication.
Don’t take your health for granted. Get healthy by getting fit! #fitnessisessential https://t.co/k5Dm0SygRd
— Community Gyms Coalition (@GymsCoalition) February 21, 2023
The GYMS Act of 2021 “authorizes the Small Business Administration to make initial and supplemental grants to privately owned fitness facilities that primarily provide health or fitness services,” without exceeding $25 million to any recipient to help pay for business expenses.
FitnessisEssential.org serves as the campaign’s “central hub for public outreach,’ which aims to “raise awareness about why fitness is essential for overall physical and mental health.”
Featured image: @GymsCoalition on Twitter
2023 CrossFit Open — Workout 23.2 Released
The second week of the 2023 CrossFit Open has arrived, and with it, the release of workout 23.2. The live announcement occurred in Midland Park, NJ, at CrossFit Bison. It featured 2022 CrossFit Games runner-up Roman Khrennikov‘s head-to-head battle against 2021 CrossFit Games runner-up Patrick Vellner.
Workout 23.2 is comprised of two parts. Part A combines burpee pull-ups and shuttle runs, and Part B is a one-rep max thruster. Find each division’s variation of the workout via the links below:
23.2 CrossFit Open Workouts
Check out the live announcement in the video below, courtesy of the CrossFit Games Youtube channel, followed by a breakdown of each division’s variation of workout 23.2:
[Related: CrossFit Announces Partnership With Chipotle for 2023 Open]
Rx’d
23.2A:
Complete as many reps as possible in 15 minutes of:
Five burpees
10 shuttle runs (One rep = 25 feet out/25 feet back)
Add five burpees after each round.
23.2B:
Immediately following 23.2A, athletes will have five minutes to establish the following:
One-rep-max thruster (from the floor)
Each athlete’s score will be their max thruster in pounds.
[Related: How To Train Your Back For Maximum Hypertrophy]
Scaled
23.2A:
Complete as many reps as possible in 15 minutes of:
Five burpees
10 shuttle runs (One rep = 25 feet out/25 feet back)
Add five burpees after each round.
23.2B:
Immediately following 23.2A, athletes will have five minutes to establish the following:
One-rep-max thruster (from the floor)
Each athlete’s score will be their max thruster in pounds.
Foundations
23.2A:
Complete as many reps as possible in 15 minutes of:
Five burpees
10 shuttle runs or walks (one rep = 50 feet)
Add five burpees after each round.
23.2B:
Immediately following 23.2A, athletes will have five minutes to establish the following:
One-rep-max thruster for best technique and load.
Time begins immediately following the completion of 23.2A. Start with the stick and only add load if the technique is sound. If performing this workout without a coach, err on the side of safety and don’t worry about adding load as you go.
[Related: How to Do the Dumbbell Split Squat for Bigger Legs and Better Balance]
Adaptive Divisions
There are eight Adaptive Divisions in the CrossFit Open, which all have their own variations and movement standards.
These divisions are: Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Multi-Extremity, Vision, Short Stature, Seated Athletes (With Hip Function), Seated Athletes (Without Hip Function), and Intellectual. As with Individual and Age Groups, each division has a women’s and men’s division.
For division-specific details about the expectations for each division, check out the division workout descriptions and scorecards on the CrossFit Games website.
More CrossFit Content
Featured image: @pvellner on Instagram
Semaglutide Side Effects
Obesity is one of the biggest health concerns, killing more than 2.8 million people every single year [1]. A horrifying statistic, and to make matters worse, those numbers are increasing daily. Doctors have been working on clinical trials to try and find a solution – one of which seems to be Semaglutide. But are there…
Breon Ansley Maximizes His Leg Sessions by Attacking Them With High Energy
As the 2022 Olympia weekend on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV, approaches, two-time former Classic Physique Olympia champion Breon Ansley anticipates bringing the best package of his career to the stage for his final appearance in the division. Following the Olympia, the 43-year-old Ansley plans to move into the 212 division.
To present his best physique to date — meaning more muscle mass and tighter conditioning — Ansley’s strategy for workouts during his prep has been to attack them with high energy from the jump. Diving into his training aggressively rather than passively enables Ansley to squeeze more potential out of each workout. Check out Ansley’s leg session from Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA, in the video below, published on his YouTube channel on Nov. 28, 2022:
[Related: Four-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Crushes an 11-Exercise Shoulder and Triceps Workout at 49 Years Old]
Ansley’s leg session in the video above occurred four weeks and one day out from the 2022 Olympia. He opened the workout with a warm-up consisting of single-leg extensions.
Set the tone right off the bat and don’t look back.
Although he didn’t specify the number of sets he performed on the leg extension machine, Ansley appeared to take each set to failure with a progressive overload methodology. He continued his unilateral training on the leg press. Ansley spotted his working leg with his resting leg to achieve maximum flexion and a clean lockout to keep the load heavy. Based on his foot placement towards the middle-lower section of the platform, Ansley biased his quads with each rep.
[Related: Brett Wilkin Wins 2022 Big Man Weekend Pro Bodybuilding Show]
Ansley’s third movement was weighted Bulgarian split squats. He posted one leg on a weight bench and held one 35-pound dumbbell in his hand adjacent to his working leg. The pacing of Ansley’s reps was highly measured. If you turn the video to two-time-speed, it still appears his movement is slow and controlled.
Each rep involves Ansley reaching maximum knee flexion with a forward tilt of his torso to train his glute in the fully lengthened position. If he kept his torso upright, he would bias the quads more than the glutes.
Stiff-leg Romanian dumbbell deadlifts were up next with a five-three tempo per rep — five-second eccentric and three-second concentric. The dumbells moved at a slight angle along Ansley’s legs rather than directly in front. This relieves pressure off Ansley’s lower back and falls more naturally in line with his structure. His flexibility was on display as each rep saw the dumbbell handles nearly touch the tops of his feet.
To remove his grip as a limiting factor, Ansley used lifting straps to increase the load with each set progressively. His final set was with a pair of 85-pound dumbbells.
Moving on to hamstrings, lying leg curls followed the deadlifts. He braced tightly to the pad to prevent his hips from rising, which would relieve tension from his hamstrings. He closed the workout with seated calf raises.
Ansley mentioned that he recognizes how much more developed his legs appear this season than last season. We’ll see if that added mass can convert a record-tying third Classic Physique Olympia title for him before the holidays.
Featured image: @breonma_ on Instagram
The Best Battle Ropes for Taking Your Conditioning To the Next Level
Battle ropes are awesome. They’re dynamic in nature and can be a godsend for improving conditioning, general strength, and overall work economy. If you’ve never trained with battle ropes, then you’re seriously missing out on some killer benefits. Outside of being a great tool to achieve nearly every training adaptation, they’re a breeze to set up just about anywhere and are a space-saving addition to any home gym.
Being avid fitness and battle rope enthusiasts, we’ve been capping, shaking, and slamming some of the best battle ropes on the market to provide you with an in-depth battle ropes round-up. The ropes below have been broken into multiple sections to match a variety of needs, so whether you’re a battle rope newbie or a weathered vet, we’ve got you covered.
Best Battle Ropes
Best Battle Rope Overall
Training is a repetitive process. Many of the smaller details that separate the best equipment from the rest come down to attention to detail, and removing small annoyances that add up over time. This is why we think the Living.Fit Battle Rope — which offers six different options based on size and material— is the best choice for most people.
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Living.Fit Battle Rope
Living.Fit offers a variety of options to choose from for their battle ropes, including different thicknesses from 1.5 inches, two inches, and three inches. Once you figure out the diameter you’re interested in, then you can decide between a braided rope or a canvas-covered one. At their base, these battle ropes are made from 100-percent braided dacron — the same material they use to catch sharks — so you know these ropes are tough. All of the ropes are also 50 feet long, which makes them great for indoor use.
The different diameters correspond to different weights of rope — these weights range from 28 pounds to 88 pounds for the smallest to largest diameter, respectively. For this high-quality rope though, you will end up paying more than some other battle ropes with the cheapest option costing around $70 and the most expensive rope coming in at about $115 before taxes and possible shipping charges.
Living.Fit Battle Ropes
These battle ropes are 50 feet long, and feature two different builds. The canvas-covered rope is ideal for outdoor usage, while the braided rope is best suited for indoors.
Who Should Buy the Living.Fit Battle Rope
Lifters who want battle ropes that will last them for years even with heavy use. These are built to last thanks to the high-quality braided dacron used to manufacture them.
Trainees looking for options with different diameters, weights, and sheathing. You can select between six choices here.
Customers who want to add variety to their workouts. The 50 feet of length allows you to move up and down the rope to moderate the level of difficulty.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Living.Fit Battle Rope
Anyone with limited space to train as this rope is 50 feet long.
Buyers with a tighter budget. These aren’t the cheapest battle ropes available, but they’re top-notch in terms of quality.
Those who are newer to battle rope training may want to start even lighter than the lightest (28-pound) option.
The durable build of these Living.Fit Battle Ropes ensures they can stand up to daily, heavy use. With 50 feet of length, you’ll have more variety for your workouts than shorter ropes can provide. These aren’t the cheapest option out there, but they’re built to last you many years.
Stroops 77lb Son of the Beast Pro Kit
While most ropes limit you to movements where you simply hold the ends, the Son of the Beast comes with a kit that enables you to really broaden your training horizons. Sprints, jumps, resisted lateral movements and more are all well within the realms of possibility for this versatile elasticated rope.
Stroops 77lb Son of the Beast Pro Kit
This set features two ropes, anchor points, a pulling belt, and more. The unique elastic design makes it easy to use these ropes as traditional battle ropes or to connect them to the belt for resisted sprints and other plyometric work.
Who Should Buy the Stroops 77lb Son of the Beast Pro Kit
Athletes who need a heavier rope to increase the intensity of their training.
Consumers who want a rope that comes fully stacked with a kit for indoor or outdoor use.
Gymgoers looking for a rope that has attachments allowing for more versatility.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Stroops 77lb Son of the Beast Pro Kit
Trainees with a tighter budget.
Those looking for a thicker rope to work grip more intensively.
Buyers who prefer a simple, traditional rope without elasticity.
More expensive than some other options, but with a lot more bang for your buck, the versatility that the Stroops Son of the Best Pro Kit can bring to a person’s workout is the best battle rope we’ve seen for elasticity and all-around training.
Best Battle Rope with Exercise Guides
If you’re looking for a high-quality battle rope but don’t know where to start, then these Living.Fit Battle Ropes are the way to go because they offer in-depth exercise guides that can help you use them effectively.
Living.Fit Battle Rope
Living.Fit has made two great battle ropes out of poly dacron braided fiber, which is a super-durable and tough material that they offer by itself or covered in a tough canvas. Both types are available in 1.5-inch, two-inch, and three-inch diameters, which correspond to how heavy the rope itself is (ranging from 28 pounds to 88 pounds). The prices of these range from around $70 at the cheapest to about $115 at the highest before tax and shipping.
In addition to making some top-notch battle ropes, Living.Fit has 10 exercise guides available for purchase with in-depth instructions, costing around $19.99 each. The instructor-led guides are also available with the Living.Fit Full Access Membership, which costs around $7.99 per month. These programs are pretty awesome too featuring different focuses, like Building Bigger Arms, Burning Fat, Six-Pack + Muscle Pump, and the Basics Course. You can use these courses to make sure you’re not standing there with your battle rope in your hand without any guidance on what to do with it.
Living.Fit Battle Ropes
These battle ropes are 50 feet long, and feature two different builds. The canvas-covered rope is ideal for outdoor usage, while the braided rope is best suited for indoors.
Who Should Buy the Living.Fit Battle Rope
Those who are new to battle rope training, but still have a decent strength base and want some extra guidance with performing battle rope workouts. These folks will appreciate the exercise guides that Living.Fit offers.
Athletes who are in the market for a high-quality battle rope that can stand up to heavy, daily use and last for many years.
People who like options when it comes to purchasing equipment. There are six different choices here compared to many battle rope brands that only offer one or two.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Living.Fit Battle Rope
Those who are looking for a lightweight battle rope. These are generally pretty heavy with the lightest one starting at 28 pounds.
People on a tight budget. These aren’t the cheapest battle ropes on the market and you may be able to find more cost-effective options on this list.
If you’re only beginning to dabble in battle rope training and are unsure if you’ll like it, then starting off with a cheaper rope may be a good idea to make sure you like this particular style of training first.
Not only does Living.Fit make a high-quality and durable battle rope with a variety of diameters and two materials to choose from, but they have some helpful programming available too. With 10 different workouts of varying difficulty and focus available in their exercise guides, you can likely make some solid progress with these.
Best Manila Battle Rope
The choice of sailors for generations, Manila ropes have been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. If you want a product that has truly stood the test of time, look no further. Aside from general durability, the other appeal of a manila rope is the grip. Even when you’re sweating, sol long as your grip doesn’t give out, you should find the fibrous texture of the rope to offer plenty of grip to hold onto.
Manila Conditioning Rope
We love this Manila rope by Rogue. Strong, and very durable as we already noted, it is also great value for money. At 50 foot long and with a standard 1.5 inch diameter, it is the ideal option for those who need a cost effective, tried and true option.
Manila Conditioning Rope
A traditional manila rope with the weight, feel, and resistance users expect. This classic design features rubberized handles to improve grip and durability.
Who Should Buy a Manila Conditioning Rope
Lifters looking for a tried and tested battle rope.
Trainees who want a great value for money rope.
Customers looking for a rope made from natural fibers.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Manila Conditioning Rope
Buyers who need a rope that comes with more attachments to enable training indoors or outdoors
Gymgoers with a smaller space to train in.
Anyone who needs a rope that won’t shed fibers.
Cost-effective and well-tested, this Manila rope may not be the fanciest option but it gets the job done just as well.
Best Battle Rope for Small Spaces
Contrary to dumbbells and kettlebells, which require little space to use, battle ropes can require a lot of space to be able to train, since you’re moving the length of the rope to workout. As more people have started to use battle ropes in their training, designs have been produced that could be used in much smaller areas. Our favorite option for this is the Hyper Rope.
Hyper Rope Battle Rope
A flexible metal core surrounded by a braided polyester exterior that keeps quiet when in use, the Hyper Rope is able to compact a normal 40 to 50 foot rope into a product half the size. When you consider that you’re typically using it holding both ends, this means you only need 10 foot to get in a great workout.
Hyper Rope Battle Rope
Available in two size options, this patent-pending design from Hyperwear can actually be used without an anchor, meaning users can get a traditional battle rope workout in far smaller spaces.
Who Should Buy the Hyper Rope Battle Rope
Athletes who have a limited, compact space to train in.
Lifters looking for a rope that doesn’t shed fibers when used.
Consumers looking for a rope with multiple weight options to select from.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Hyper Rope Battle Rope
Gymgoers who want a rope that can also be used for climbing.
Athletes who prefer a rope with a thicker diameter.
Buyers with a tighter budget.
High tech, small space requirements. This rope is awesome for anyone who wants to hit their conditioning hard at home.
Best Value Battle Rope
For the home gym user where equipment is unlikely to see the usage volume that occurs in large scale facilities, a simple option that is well priced is the often best choice. Yes, it may not come with all the bells and whistles you see on the mid to upper range products, but it does allow for quality training sessions, so long as you’re willing to break a sweat.
Amazon Basics Battle Exercise Training Rope
Amazon’s Basics hits the bullseye with this rope. You can choose different lengths and diameters, it’s made from a polyester blend with high tensile strength that should alleviate issues with fraying and has rubberized handles for excellent grip. At this price you can’t go wrong.
Amazon Basics Battle Exercise Training Rope
Amazon’s rope features a 3-strand design with a polyester blend, which will resist fraying and breaking over time. This rope is easy to roll for storage and features a one-year limited warranty.
Who Should Buy the Amazon Basics Battle Exercise Training Rope
People with a limited budget who want a simple, cost-effective rope.
Trainees who want an affordable, but durable battle rope.
Customers looking for a rope with different diameters, lengths and more.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Amazon Basics Battle Exercise Training Rope
Athletes who have limited space in which to train and need a smaller option.
Buyers looking for a rope with a protective sheath for extra longevity.
Lifters who prefer other forms of conditioning.
Not as fancy as many of the other options on the list, this rope is nonetheless a solid performer and shouldn’t be written off as a cheap pretender.
How We Chose Our Picks
Battle ropes are just ropes, right? Yes and no. Sure, they are just ropes by definition, but these ropes have unique characteristics to them that make them great for certain training goals. We selected all of the ropes in this article based on performance, durability, and price.
Performance
Ropes should perform similarly during workout, however, tiny details can go a long way when it comes to achieving killer workouts. For example, a lot of a rope’s performance has to do with its construction. What the rope is made out of, the size of the rope, if it has an anchor, and the handles should all be considered when assessing a rope’s performance.
Quality Materials
When it comes to material, generally, ropes will be made out of 100% Dacron, or a poly-Dacron blend. Both of these options are durable, but the 100% Dacron will be heavier in nature. This makes this type of rope great for advanced fitness enthusiasts who might want to add more weight to their battle rope workouts.
Rope Size
Generally, ropes will come in different sizes and this should be a big consideration when shopping around. Thicker ropes will air on the side of 2″, while slimmer ropes will be around 1.5″. The rope’s dimensions should reflect your hand size and grip strength, so choose based on what you’re comfortable with.
Anchors
An anchor is a great component to consider for battle ropes because it can help dictate how workouts will be performed. If you don’t have a squat rack, or implement to anchor your rope down with, then it might be worth ranking this performance characteristic slightly higher when considering a battle rope.
Handles
Handles can be another huge performance characteristic because they can dictate how well and long you can grip a rope. If you’re worried about calluses or losing grip, then consider a rope with rubber handle finishes.
Durability
A battle rope’s durability is huge for home gym owners because the last thing you want is a rope breaking down, fraying, and causing a major mess. This is why it’s always a good idea to ensure you’re buying a rope made out of a 100% Dacron finish or poly-Dacron finish. Dacron is a thermoplastic polymer that is known for its durability.
Handle construction is another important durability trait to consider because unfinished handles can fray slightly easier than handles with finishes. If you’re concerned about handle breakdown, then look for battle ropes with rubber finishes that are closed at the end.
Of Course, Price
When it comes to price, this review characteristic are pretty straight forward: How much are you willing to spend on a solid battle rope? There are great ropes out there around $50.00 USD, then there are higher-quality, more performance focused ropes around $90.00+ USD. Price will always come down to what you want to spend and how much you’ll use the battle rope.
What to Consider Before Buying a Battle Rope
With the plethora of new designs available, there are a few things worth thinking about before you make your battle rope purchase. From your training space to fitness goals, consider some of these factors and then make your decision.
How Much Space Do You Have?
If you want to purchase a traditional rope, you’re going to need some decent space or access to the outdoors in order to train properly. If you do, you have a variety of great value options available. On the flipside, those with minimal space are going to have to choose a more innovative option that could cost more.
What Materials Are Used?
The big choice here is natural or man made fibers. Polyester is your main man made choice and is hard wearing, but less grip friendly. Manila is the usual natural choice and is easier to hold, but can shed fibers, so if you’re training in the house or in a garage gym, be prepared to whip out the broom from time to time.
Don’t forget about elastic options as well. With some ropes now made of elastic materials, you may find that you get more benefit — both in training and space saving — from an elastic option.
How Durable Do You Need?
None of these ropes should have issues with durability under normal usage. As we mentioned in the previous passage on materials, you may see shedding depending on your choice, but this isn’t going to lead to a breakage unless you’re really abusing the equipment.
Indoor or Outdoor Training
Those of you lucky enough to live in climates that allow for training outdoors may want to factor that in with your rope choice. Whilst all the ropes on our list are more than durable enough to handle outdoor training, some of them are going to be easier to clean than others.
If you can train outdoors, you’ll certainly have more space for a larger rope. Don’t let that be the end of your thinking though. You’ll still have to store the rope post-workout. So make sure you’ve got a space to put it away when you’re through with your session.
Design Preferences
Usually not a huge priority with battle ropes, there are nonetheless certain ropes that have really put some thought into their designs. From sheaths to rubber handles, the details can make some products more appealing than others. As per usual, more details tend to mean higher price tags, so if the bells and whistles are important to you, expect to pay more.
Tips
New to battle ropes or are you trying to up your battle rope game? We have a few suggestions below to help you make your best decision.
Do you have a home gym or piece of equipment that could be used as an anchor? If not, then it might be worth considering battle rope options with anchors included.
Do you lack general grip strength? If you do, then you might want to go for a smaller rope and option with rubber handles to support grip.
Do you want a heavier rope? Look for options made out of 100% Dacron, typically, these options will be much heavier in nature.
Want your rope to last? Try to avoid using battle ropes, even those with sleeves, on unfinished concrete. They’re okay to use on smooth garage floors, but rough surfaces can tear ropes up quicker.
What’s a fair price? That comes down to how often you plan on using your rope. If you’re an avid enthusiast, then it might be worth paying a little more for a high-quality durable rope.
Battle Ropes are not only an effective training option, they can also be really good fun. They offer up a great way to channel any excess aggression whilst simultaneously being awesome for full body conditioning. It’s true that in the past the length of the rope ruled them out as a choice for many people, but with the development of shorter ropes that have the same functionality, most people can now enjoy the benefits. If you struggle to motivate yourself to train, they are well worth investigating as an unusual and invigorating modality.
FAQs
What’s the best battle rope to buy?We think the best battle rope on the market right now is the Rogue 45′ sheathed conditioning rope. It’s a quality battle rope that has a protective sheath around it to keep the rope lasting a long time to come.
What are battle ropes useful for?Surprisingly versatile, you can train core, rotational movements, coordination, balance and more. Of course the primary utility of battle ropes is for conditioning, but we wanted to emphasize that you can broaden your view of this tool. Battle ropes aren’t just a one trick pony.
Do battle ropes require high intensity?Like any training modality, all the advertisements you see marketed demonstrate the coolest, most intense version of the product. That doesn’t mean you have to use it that way. Battle ropes are great for high intensity training, but they can be used just as productively at lower intensities that are more accessible.
Breon Ansley “Embraces the Pain” of Training On Fewer Calories During Olympia Prep
The Speakeasy Gym in Pasadena, CA, was the training outlet for former two-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Breon Ansley on Nov. 10, 2022, for a shoulder and arm workout with six weeks to go before the 2022 Olympia. The grandest competition in the sport is scheduled for Dec. 16-18, 2022, and Ansley will compete as a Classic Physique competitor for the final time before moving up in weight to compete in the 212 division.
The workout at the Speakeasy was unique to Ansley’s prep as it was early in his caloric cut to lean out for the Olympia. Ansley says training on fewer calories (read: less energy) involves “embracing the pain.” Check out his training session in the video below:
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[Related: Men’s Open Olympia Competitor James Hollingshead Cosplays as Kratos from “God of War” Video Game at Comic Con]
Six is nothing to go through some pain, struggle, and exert some grit. That’s what’s going to make us the best in the world.
Pause sets and an emphasis on muscular endurance were the focal points of this session. While running on fewer calories, adaptations in the gym need to be made to prevent injury. Ansley opted not to increase the weight of each set too significantly as his strength is naturally lower while consuming less food.
The first movement was hammer grip dumbbell front raises. Ansley wore his lifting belt to support his bracing. Once he pre-exhausted his delts, he continued the set by switching to lateral raises. He continued his triset by leaning forward while sitting on the weight bench to perform dumbbell rear delt flyes.
The rear delt flyes could be performed by bending over while standing, but performing them seated offers better stability. That additional stability enables Ansley to move more weight without going too heavy, as the energy he would spend to brace himself while standing is removed as a limiting factor. These seem like small changes but can make a significant difference when detailing his physique.
[Related: The 10 Best Neck Stretches to Improve Your Pulls and Overhead Lifts]
Moving away from the dumbbell rack, Ansley hit sets of shirtless dips. He performed them in a more upright position to bias the front delts rather than the pecs and triceps. The trade-off was significantly less range of motion so as to not impinge his shoulders.
Once all the dips were done, Ansley ventured to the cable rack to perform upright rows. Noticeably, his form involved maintaining a decent distance between him and the cable. Typically, this movement is done by rowing the cable near the collarbone. However, Ansley hoisted the cable in front of him, mimicking the movement patterns of front raises.
Once his shoulder training was complete, Ansley continued by training his biceps via EZ-bar curls. He superset them with reverse grip curls to add density to his arms. Hammer curls and triceps pushdowns closed out the session.
Ansley ranked third at the Classic Physique Olympia in 2020 and 2021, behind runner-up Terrence Ruffin and three-time reigning champion Chris Bumstead. If Ansley recaptures the throne in December 2022, he would tie Bumstead for the most Classic Physique Olympia titles of all time.
Featured image: @breonma_ on Instagram
Mat Fraser’s HWPO Will Launch “Lift” Weightlifting Program on Nov. 7, 2022
Mat Fraser is building a coalition. On Nov. 7, 2022, his organization Hard Work Pays Off (HWPO) Training will launch a new branch of its coaching service called “HWPO Lift.”
Lift, a 12-week Olympic lifting-based strength training cycle, is supervised by Team USA Senior International weightlifting coach Aimee Anaya Everett of Catalyst Athletics.
Everett has stated that a primary goal of Lift is to “take the guesswork out of programming” so participants can sharpen their Olympic lifting skills while still keeping up with the varied challenges presented in CrossFit.
Credit: @hwpotraining
HWPO Chief Executive Officer Matt O’Keefe noted in an internal release that Lift is designed to “meet people where they’re at,” stating that the organization recruited Everett to spearhead Lift’s programming due to her vision and expertise as a weightlifting coach.
What Is HWPO Lift?
The pre-registration period for Lift will open on Oct. 30 and close a week later on Nov. 6, 2022. HWPO notes that participants who pre-register will unlock extra perks such as weekly calls with Everett and detailed program review.
Five-time Fittest Man on Earth® Fraser says that, under Everett, Lift will improve your Olympic lifting positional strength, technique, and movement quality; without having to give up your engine along the way.
Here’s what comes with Lift:
12 weeks of weightlifting-specific programming for the snatch, clean & jerk, and their accessories.
Optional conditioning circuits and metcons attached to the end of every training day.
Access to the HWPO Training App and its movement library.
Entry into the members-and-staff only HWPO community forum on the Circle app.
Building two separate athletic qualities in tandem takes both expertise and experience. Lift coach Everett has an extensive resume supervising athletes at the highest levels of both sports.
Who Is Aimee Anaya Everett?
Everett made history at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics as the first female weightlifting coach to attend a Games with Team USA. However, she began her coaching resume long before 2021. Everett coached the first-ever women’s CrossFit Games champion, Jolie Gentry, at the inaugural event in 2007.
Credit: @hwpotraining
[Related: IWF President Speaks on Diversity in Weightlifting and Successes of Tokyo Olympics]
Since then, Everett has stewarded athletes at Regionals and the Games themselves five times each. In recent years, she’s focused more exclusively on working with the best Olympic lifters in America.
Her achievements in competitive weightlifting as a coach include:
15 American Records
2 Pan-American Records
Along with multiple appearances at the World Weightlifting Championships (WWC). Everett personally coaches weightlifter Mattie Rogers, the United States’ most decorated Olympic lifter of the past decade. Rogers and Everett won a silver medal at the 2021 Worlds and are set to compete at the upcoming WWC in Colombia this December.
Hard Work Works
Fraser’s HWPO is rapidly becoming one of the most robust operations in functional fitness. Everett is but the latest pickup in a string of high-profile recruitments.
As the head of Lift, Everett boards HWPO alongside athletes like Amanda Barnhart, Mal O’Brien, and Sam Kwant, as well as strongman Rob Kearney. Kearney, a record-holding competitor in the log lift, oversees HWPO Strong.
Giving Everett the reins to Lift indicates that Fraser knows who the right people are for his people. HWPO Lift takes flight on Nov. 7, 2022.
Featured Image: @hwpotraining
2022 Prague Pro Bodybuilding Show Preview: Michal Križo Makes His Pro Debut
The 2022 Prague Pro bodybuilding event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Prague, Czech Republic, and it’s one of the final shows before the Olympia.
There will be six IFBB Pro League contests held at this event, but none have more hype around them than the Men’s Open bodybuilding showdown. And most — if not all — of that has to do with the fact that this is the IFBB Pro League debut of Michal Križo Križánek, a competitor who former Mr. Olympia winners like Jay Cutler and Samir Bannout believe can make some real noise at this year’s Mr. O if he qualifies.
Here’s the full lineup for Men’s Open as of Oct. 28:
2022 Prague Pro Men’s Open Bodybuilding Roster
Kokeny Bela
Pavel Beran
Lewis Breed
Adolf Burghardt
Pavel Cervinka
Chams-Eddine El-Bey
Enrico Hoffmann
Vladimir Iacovlev
Michal Križo Križánek
Ahmad Mahmoud
Milan Sadek
Marian Sramko
Jan Turek
Favorites to Watch
If you’re looking for a cheat sheet of competitors to keep an eye on, here are three with big-time potential to walk away with a win.
Michal Križo Križánek
After being recognized as the number one bodybuilder for the IFBB Elite Pro for several years, Križánek will make his pro debut less than one month after earning his new pro card. If he wins this contest, he will earn a trip to the 2022 Mr. Olympia, scheduled to take place Dec. 16-18, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV.
Since Krizanek is starting his road to the Olympia so late in the season, he wouldn’t be able to earn enough points to qualify through the Olympia Qualification System. In other words, he must win one of the pro shows between the Prague Pro and the end of the season on November 20 to earn a spot at the O.
Milan Sadek
Milan Sadek is one of the veterans of this lineup, having competed as a pro since 2015. He appeared on the Olympia stage as a 212 competitor in 2017, when he placed sixth. And while he hasn’t won a pro show as an Open competitor, this contest could be an opportunity for him to change that. He will just have to counter Križánek’s size with razor-sharp definition and conditioning.
Marian Sramko
This is also Marian Sramko’s pro debut, and he could easily be the dark horse of the bunch. He won the 2021 NPC Worldwide British champion, thanks to his jaw-dropping legs. And his upper body isn’t too bad, either.
Sramko likes to use classic poses in his individual routine, which could impress the judges and push him up the scorecard. The only question for him will be if he can withstand the intensity and pressure that comes with being on a pro stage with an Olympia qualification on the line.
Olympia Qualification System
The second- through fifth-place finishers in all six divisions will earn Tier 4 points in the Olympia Qualification System, and those points can be valuable. The top three in the standings as of November 20 will also move on to the Olympia. The points per position are below.
2nd – 4 points
3rd – 3 points
4th – 2 points
5th – 1 point
[Related: Kings, Chemists, and Oaks — The 10 Best Bodybuilding Nicknames of All Time]
Other Divisions
The lineups for the other five contests (212, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness) are below. In total, more than 70 pros across all six divisions will represent 20 countries. No Americans are in the lineup for this contest.
212 Bodybuilding
Abdulrahman Alkhashti
Steve Benthin
Jamal Changezi
Dawid Cnota
Pasquale D’Angelo
Peter Molnar
Daniel Sticco
Tomas Tabaciar
Jorge Zamorano
Mihoubi Zohir
Classic Physique
George Acheampong
Thomas Baier
Luca Corrado
Petar Duper
Djallel Feidi
Sebastian Guncik
Patrik Herczik
Kelvin Hinde
Jakub Kolinek
Fatih Terzioglu
Andrej Varga
Men’s Physique
Hashem Alfotewi
Omer Bahmed
Tamas Csernoch
Dimitri Desheraud
Furkan Er
Miroslav Juricek
Daniel Leone
Mohamed Magdy
Davide Mazzolari
Andrea Mosti
Abisai Pietersz
Miroslav Priban
Manuel Santalucia
Filip Steflovic
Oskar Tchorzewski
Daniel Tulok
Rafal Zabawa
Bikini
Anastazja Biedka
Andreea Cazaceanu
Martyna Derlat
Valerya Fedorenko
Klaudia Ignasiak
Tatiana Lanovenko
Ottavia Mazza
Zsofia Reka Molnar
Eszter Oczella
Mie Kirstine Rommelhoff
Henrieta Skupekova
Aneta Szoltysek
Allison Testu
Wellness
Aysegul Besli
Mari Carvalho
Leonida Ciobu
Aline Machado Galvao Freitas
Lidia Melero
Anna Mroczkovska
Lexy Oliver
Maria Paulette
Figen Sahin
Clara Sella
Lara Tasharofi
Danai Theodoropoulou
Sabrina Diaz Urdaneta
Michelle Vogelsgesang
Featured Image: KRIZO on YouTube
CrossFitter Chandler Smith Log Pressed 285 Pounds Ahead of 2022 Rogue Invitational
On Oct. 22, 2022, strongman Zach Hadge shared a post on his Instagram page wherein he coaches elite CrossFit athlete Chandler Smith in the log press. While it was curious at the time of the post why Smith was training a maximal lift in a different strength sport, it became clear when seven of the 10 events for the 2022 Rogue Invitational were announced a few days later.
The 2022 Rogue Invitational will feature a one-rep max log lift event titled “Texas Oak” on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Check out Hadge’s post below:
Note: scroll to the left to see Smith’s lifts.
[Related: WWE’s Liv Morgan Takes Fans Through Her Grueling Glute Workout]
Elite CrossFit contests such as the CrossFit Games and the Rogue Invitational have incorporated a lot of strongman-inspired events into their program over the past few seasons. The 2022 Games event titled “Capitol” included a farmer’s carry and Husafell sandbag carry in its final stretch.
The 2022 Rogue Invitational follows that trend, and Smith seems to be preparing to press a potential event-winning weight overhead. Hadge’s caption in his post expressed how impressed he was with how Smith took to the new overhead variation:
This kid is something else. I haven’t been around focus like his in a very long time.
Smith also posted a video of himself from the training session on his Instagram, offering another angle. He wore a lifting belt but eschewed elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, and knee sleeves. Check it out below:
[Related: Strongman Hafþór Björnsson to Compete in Powerlifting Meet In December 2022]
I was fortunate enough to get the chance to work with two world-class strongmen in Rob Kearney and Zach Hadge ahead of the 2022 Rogue Invitational.
Hadge commented on Smith’s post that Smith’s max lift was 285 pounds.
Smith finished eighth overall at the 2021 Rogue Invitational, won by two-time reigning Fittest Man on Earth®, Justin Medeiros. As of this article’s publication, three of the 10 events have yet to be announced.
We’ll see if Smith’s strongman training in the lead-up to the competition kicking off on Oct. 27, 2022, in Round Rock, TX. He will compete against 19 other elite CrossFitters in the Individual Men’s division for six figures in prize money.
Featured image: @hadge_brothers on Instagram
Generation Iron Fitness & Bodybuilding Network
The Only Training Tool You Need To Build StrengthThe barbell is the ultimate strength training tool. There is a good reason why the strongest men on earth predominantly use barbells in their workouts.
Barbells are highly versatile yet simple pieces of equipment that allow you to perform a vast number of upper and lower body resistance exercises.
Furthermore, when it comes to free weights, there is no other piece of kit that allows you to lift as heavy as the barbell. This makes them an ideal piece of equipment for building serious strength at home.
This article will provide an at-home barbell only training program and guidelines to help you to make the most optimal progress possible.
The Barbell Only Workout
As the name suggests, the following training program utilizes the barbell only. You will not need any other piece of training equipment other than the barbell and weight plates.
The following section firstly provides information on training structure before moving on to detail the individual barbell workouts.
Training Structure
The barbell training plan is a three-day plan with the option of an additional accessory session.It follows a traditional split with a leg workout, chest and triceps workout, and a back and biceps workout to complete.The purpose of the accessory session is to increase total weekly training volume and is more speed focused.
This session is non-compulsory. If you are feeling fatigued from the other sessions, you may wish to skip the accessory session.
While the training structure can be adjusted to suit your lifestyle and preferences, the following table maps out the ideal weekly structure:
Day
Training
Monday
Legs
Tuesday
Off
Wednesday
Chest, Triceps, and Abs
Thursday
Off
Friday
Back and Biceps
Saturday
Accessory Day
Sunday
Off
Session One – Legs
Exercise
Training Volume (Sets x Reps)
Back Squat
4 x 8
Walking Lunge
3 x 20
Stiff Leg Deadlift
2 x 15
Standing Calf Raise
3 x 12
Front Squat
3 x 10
Farmers Walk
3 x 30 seconds
The primary exercise in this workout is the back squat. There are few exercises that compare to the squat for leg development.However, although the exercise does place a great demand on the quads and glutes, it also requires a great amount of work from the core muscles.
Walking lunges are an excellent unilateral (single-limbed) strengthening exercise. Although both feet are in contact with the ground during this exercise, the front leg does the majority of the work.
During the walking lunge, it is imperative that you keep the chest up and core engaged to enhance balance and stability.
While the squat and lunge place a great emphasis on anterior (front) muscles, the stiff leg deadlift highly activates the posterior muscles such as the hamstrings, glutes, and low back.
The standing calf raise which is an isolation exercise that specifically targets the calf muscles. To maximize range of motion, place the front of the feet on an elevated surface.
In terms of total weight lifted, front squats will not allow you to lift as heavy as back squats, however, they do place a greater demand on the quadriceps, core strength, and mobility.Finally, to perform the farmers walk, simply pinch two weight plates in each hand and walk. This exercise specifically develops core and grip strength.
Session Two – Chest, Triceps, and Abs
Exercise
Training Volume (Sets x Reps)
Bench Press
3 x 15
Incline Bench Press
3 x 8
Close Grip Bench Press
2 x 20
Seated Military Press
4 x 12
Tricep Skullcrushers
3 x 10
Barbell Rollout
2 x 20
The bench press is the ultimate chest developer which explains why this session begins with three bench press variations.Out of all of the variations, the conventional bench press will allow you to lift the most weight and maximize strength progress.Moving on to the incline press which particularly targets the upper portion of the pectorals (chest) and the anterior deltoids (shoulder).
Shifting your grip influences muscle activation. Typically, a wider grip places more stress on the pecs while a narrower grip hits the triceps (arms) more.
Therefore, the purpose of the narrow bench press is to develop tricep strength and size.
The military press is a challenging exercise that will continue to work the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Performing it from a seated position negates the involvement of the lower body muscles.
Skullcrushers are an isolation exercise that targets the triceps and can lead to significant improvements in arm strength and size.
This session finishes with the barbell rollout which is undoubtedly one of the most challenging but highly effective core exercises that can be performed.
Session Three – Back and Biceps
Exercise
Training Volume
Deadlift
4 x 8
Bent Over Row
3 x 12
Pendlay Row
3 x 8
Shrugs
4 x 15
Bicep Curl
3 x 15
Reverse Grip Bicep Curl
3 x 15
As with squats, the deadlift is a supreme exercise that works the entire posterior chain and the core. It is a particularly effective developer of the back which explains it’s inclusion in this session.Moving on to bent over rows which target the latissimus dorsi which are the powerful, wing-like muscles found in the back.Next, you are to complete the Pendlay row. This is similar to the bent row, however, instead of holding the bar in a suspended position, the bar is pulled from and returns to the floor with each rep.
The Pendlay row requires a greater level of mobility but will allow you to work on explosive power more so than the bent over row.Shrugs are a heavy accessory exercise that particularly works the trapezius muscles. These are the distinctive muscles that are located either side of the neck.You’ll finish this session by completing two bicep-focused exercises – the conventional bicep curl and a reverse grip curl.
Because curls are a single-joint movement, both of these exercises highly activate the biceps. The reverse grip also places a great demand on forearm extensors and grip strength.
Session Four – Accessory Day
Exercise
Training Volume
Sit-ups
2 x 20
Plank
2 x 45 seconds
Upright Row
3 x 12
Front Raise
3 x 15
Snatch Grip Deadlift
2 x 15
As highlighted, this accessory day is non-compulsory, however, performing it regularly will facilitate a faster improvement in strength.The session begins with some core work – sit-ups and planks. While these are perhaps not the most exciting exercises, they are undoubtedly effective developers of the core muscles, specifically the abdominals.
Moving on next to the upright row which is an efficient developer of the shoulders and the upper back. With this one, ensure you keep the barbell tight to the body as you vertically row.Another highly effective isolation exercise is the front raise. This particularly targets the shoulders while also demanding a great deal of core strength and stability.The session concludes with a deadlift variation known as snatch grip deadlift. This refers to the extremely wide grip assumed during the Olympic lift, the snatch.Having an extremely wide grip on the bar places more demand on the upper back musculature and grip.
Optimizing Your Progress
There are a number of areas that you should prioritize in order to make the best progress with your training. This section will highlight four key aspects to focus on.
Technique
One of the most common mistakes that you’re likely to see with barbell-based training is either rushing the movement or overloading the bar.
Both of these mistakes tend to cause exercise technique to break down. Not only does this reduce the effectiveness of the exercise, it may also increase the chance of sustaining an injury.
Therefore, take your time with each exercise and prioritize technique first as this will ensure that you are performing the exercise safely and effectively.
If any of the aforementioned exercises are new to you, avoid the temptation to immediately lift heavy. Instead, spend the first couple of weeks with light weight to allow the nervous system to get to grips with the movement patterns and gradually add weight from there.
Progressive Overload
Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced lifter, progressive overload is a principle that must be applied to your training if you want to improve.
Progressive overload involves gradually increasing the training intensity of your workouts over time. The simplest way to do this is to gradually add weight to the barbell.Strength training places a stimulus on the body that forces it to adapt and improve. However, as the body becomes more familiar with this stimulus, adaptations will slow and cease.
By consistently applying progressive overload to your training, the training stimulus changes which continually forces the body to adapt (1).
Nutrition
While physical training is of great importance and can have an array of benefits, eating well is of equal importance.
Firstly, ensure that you are consuming the right number of calories per day for your training goal. If you are looking to increase muscular strength and size, you may need to up your calorie intake.
Ensure you are consuming enough protein every day. Protein plays a key role in post-workout recovery and consequently influences improvements in muscle growth and strength (2).It is also important that you eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables to optimize health and function.
Tracking
If you want to ensure that you are progressing at the correct rate, it’s vital to track each training session and your nutrition.
Studies have consistently shown that those who track make better progress than those who don’t (3).Although you have the workouts already scheduled, the weights that you use for each exercise are not prescribed.Therefore, you will need to keep a log of the weight that you use for each exercise. As the weeks progress, gradually add weight to each lift and log your progressions.
In terms of nutrition, if you are upping your calorie intake to maximize muscle growth, tracking your daily calorie intake will ensure you are consuming the right amount.
Final Word
There are many different strength training methods to choose from, however, few can compare to barbell training.By following the barbell only training program and guidelines outlined in this article, it is possible to make significant advancements in both strength and physique.
References:
1 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3438871/ Lorenz, Daniel S.; Reiman, Michael P.; Walker, John C. (2010-11). “Periodization”. Sports Health. 2 (6): 509–518. doi:10.1177/1941738110375910. ISSN 1941-7381. PMC 3438871. PMID 23015982.
2 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566799/ Carbone, John W.; Pasiakos, Stefan M. (2019-05-22). “Dietary Protein and Muscle Mass: Translating Science to Application and Health Benefit”. Nutrients. 11 (5). doi:10.3390/nu11051136. ISSN 2072-6643. PMC 6566799. PMID 31121843.
3 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5568610/ Ingels, John Spencer; Misra, Ranjita; Stewart, Jonathan; Lucke-Wold, Brandon; Shawley-Brzoska, Samantha (2017). “The Effect of Adherence to Dietary Tracking on Weight Loss: Using HLM to Model Weight Loss over Time”. Journal of Diabetes Research. 2017. doi:10.1155/2017/6951495. ISSN 2314-6745. PMC 5568610. PMID 28852651.
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