Is Joel Seedman RIGHT About Range of Motion?
Let's Talk About Mobility & the Dangers of Excessive ROM
by Alec Enkiri | 12/8/23
Let's talk about joint range of motion! Should we avoid extreme joint angles at all costs, or is it more of a matter of "use it or lose it?" Dr. Joel Seedman, aka Joel the Troll, would have you believe that moving even one millimeter past what he calls a "90 degree joint angle" is deleterious to the health of your joints, builds less strength and less muscle, encourages dysfunctional movement patterns muscle firing sequences, and ironically, DISCOURAGES joint mobility rather than encourages it. But is any of this true?
MAJOR FITNESS Power Rack Review!
Squat Rack & All-in-One Home Gym (Is It BETTER Than Rogue Fitness!?)
by Alec Enkiri | 12/1/23
I recently received a pretty sweet swag package from a company called MAJOR FITNESS! They sent me a basic barbell, some low bounce bumper plates, and their brand new all-in-one home gym the Raptor F22 Power Rack! So today I'm going to review this equipment and let you guys know what I think of it!
Why I Want to be DUMMY STRONG!
(How To Build Real World Strength)
by Alec Enkiri | 10/13/23
Today is National DUMMY STRENGTH Day, and I'm setting out to prove that I'm the dumbest MF'er of all! In this article I discuss my theories about what dummy strength is, the benefits of it, and how to best build it for yourself.
Why I Stopped Wearing Knee Sleeves
(And Then STARTED Again!)
by Alec Enkiri | 9/22/23
Your lifting equipment is a crutch, bro. There are no weightlifting belts or knee sleeves in the jungle.
Why The "Optimal" Bros Are WRONG About Training
Their MAJOR Methodological Flaw!
by Alec Enkiri | 9/15/23
Here's why you should take the advice of "biomechanics gurus" with a big, giant grain of salt.
Exercise Selection is Meaningless
SO STOP OBSESSING!
by Alec Enkiri | 3/16/23
Today I'm here to tell you that the specific lifts you choose to do in the gym are irrelevant to your long term progress.
Why Barbells are the OPTIMAL Training Tool
(Ignore the Biomechanics Nerds!)
by Alec Enkiri | 3/9/23
Barbells are the optimal training tool to emphasize if you want to reach your true genetic potential.
3 HIDDEN Benefits of Hatfield Squats
Super UNDERRATED For Leg Size!
by Alec Enkiri | 6/24/22
The Hatfield Squat gets its name from the world record holding squatter who created it: Dr. Fred Hatfield, aka "Dr. Squat." It is a simple and underrated variation that adds a little twist to the squatting movement, and that little twist yields some pretty awesome and unique benefits.
Tib Bar Review! (The Tib Bar Guy)
A Review & Comparison of the Tib Bar and Solo Tib Bar
by Alec Enkiri | 6/8/22
I recently received a nice little swag bag from The Tib Bar Guy! He sent me a tib bar and a solo tib bar and he was hoping I would provide you guys with an honest review of the products. I was very excited to test them out and give you guys my thoughts!
Injuries are a Blessing in Disguise
2 BIG Reasons Why!
by Alec Enkiri | 5/18/22
Getting hurt is a good thing! Yes, you read that right. Now, am I saying you should drop a 45 on your toe the next time you're in the gym? Or load 300 pounds more than your max bench onto the bar and take it for a spin? No, not at all. But these injuries are experiences. And what you are ultimately able to glean from these experiences makes all the difference in the world..
You Should Be ABLE To Jump Off a Roof
(But You Shouldn't Actually DO IT)
by Alec Enkiri | 1/20/22
It's not about DOING the thing. It's about possessing the physical capacities required to do it if you ABSOLUTELY HAD TO. And that's not even under the expectation that you'll ever actually have to do it. That's under the expectation that possessing those requisite capacities as a matter of course - by default - creates a long term healthy and highly functional individual. There's a difference between studying to pass the test and just being TEST READY at all times. Where health, and fitness, and longevity, and feeling good, and all that other kind of stuff is concerned, you want to be test ready. But you never have to actually take the test!
FREE Hybrid Athlete Training Program!
The Best Dang Free Program on the Internet
by Alec Enkiri | 11/30/21
Learn how to train like a hybrid athlete with the FREE Hybrid Athlete training program from Enkiri Elite Fitness!
Why Most People NEVER Make Progress In the Gym
Are You Guilty of This Fatal Error?
by Alec Enkiri | 11/18/21
Ever wonder why some people never seem to make any real progress whatsoever? They show up every day, they're regulars at the gym, but somehow, in spite of all their consistency, they don't have any gains. How can this be!? Most people are going to tell you that it's their GENETICS that are holding them back. They were just born unlucky and are destined to be forever void of gains. But it's not genetics that's holding them back. It's something much more insidious than that, and fortunately, it's actually something they are in complete control of...
The Absolute Biggest MISTAKE You Can Make In the Gym
The #1 Way People Stifle Their Progress & Condemn Themselves to ZERO Gains
by Alec Enkiri | 11/15/21
Did you know there are complete non-responders to weight training? They exist! It's true, man. Some people just don't respond to the training stimulus. Their body decides there's nothing to bother adapting to and so no appreciable adaptation ever takes place. And I'll tell ya, if you're hoping to make solid progress in the gym being one of these people is literally the WORST mistake you can make...
Why YOU Should Workout Like An Instagram BOOTY MODEL! (Train Your Glutes, Bro)
by Alec Enkiri | 11/2/21
YOU should workout like an Instagram model! You know exactly what I'm talking about here! Those insta-famous girls with the big booty's that do nothing in the gym EXCEPT for train their glutes...and it shows! Most of you sorry saps are walking around with a pancake ass, yet these chicks have round, meaty, and strong gluteal muscles, and they do it purely for aesthetics. They just want to look good and get their daily dose of likes on the internet. However, there's a better reason to do it that extends beyond mere vanity, and that is what I want to talk about today!
Why You Should AVOID Specialization: A Case For The HYBRID Athlete!
by Alec Enkiri | 10/18/21
The legendary Kenny Powers once said "I play real sports. I'm not trying to be the best at exercising." But today, contrary to what Kenny Powers thinks, I'm going to tell you exactly why you should strive to be the best at exercising! Today we're going talk about becoming the hybrid athlete and why it is the most badass form of fitness of all. Time to become the best exerciser out there!
How to CURE Tendonitis: The Definitive Guide to Fix ANY Tendinopathy
by Alec Enkiri | 7/24/21
Struggling with tendonitis? Check out the definitive guide to fix those annoying tendinopathies once and for all!
4 UNDERRATED TIPS To DESTROY Your Overhead Press Plateau! (MUST READ!)
by Alec Enkiri | 6/25/21
Struggling with your overhead press? Stuck in a plateau you can't seem to break through?
This article is for you!
Check out these 4 must see tips to smash through that stubborn plateau in no time!
by Alec Enkiri | 3/19/21
Today we're going to go over 3 YouTube Fitness channels that I recommend that produce top quality, highly informative content. With all the junk content out there I think it's important that every now and then we separate the wheat from the chaff.
So today I'm going to highlight 3 guys who are top tier in their own respective realms. We're going to check out a strength guy, a hypertrophy guy, and a performance guy. So, let's dive in!
by Alec Enkiri | 3/5/21
Today we're going to review a recent video by Coach Greg Doucette where he discusses his list of the top 10 exercises to AVOID FOREVER!
"10 exercises that you should never do again. They're overrated, they're dangerous, they're stupid, they don't build muscle. They're kind of useless. Just forget about them."
But are these bold assertions really true? Find out here!
by Alec Enkiri | 2/26/21
Aside from being a knee fixer, the KneesOverToesGuy also advertises himself as a guy who can help you take your overall athleticism: your speed, explosiveness, jumping ability, etc., to the next level. So in Part 2 today we're going to analyze his advice from the perspective of building power and explosiveness - developing the raw horsepower of the athlete. Is his advice actually any good for taking a good athlete and making them great? Does he actually provide you with the tools to develop your raw physical capacities and enhance your overall raw athleticism? Let's find out!
by Alec Enkiri | 2/19/21
The "Knees Over Toes Guy" advertises himself as an athlete, a basketball player, who once had chronic and debilitating knee pain that severely limited his playing ability in his early 20's, and now in his early 30's he's much faster, much more explosive, a much better athlete, and can jump way higher than he could a decade ago. And most importantly of all, he now has bulletproof, pain free knees, AND he has the secret sauce that can give anyone the same results as him for the low price of 49.50 a month! But should you listen to him and is his advice legit?
by Alec Enkiri | 12/21/20
Natural vs. Enhanced. Social media fitness is RIFE with "influencers" who have relied on their genetics and steroids to build their brand, and as such many of these people don't know proper training methodologies from a hole in their head. For an average natural lifters to heed advice from a steroid using genetic freak is akin to picking a random person off the street and sticking them in the 100m dash finals at the Olympics - the result is not going to be very pretty. Thus, today I present 3 major RED FLAGS to help you discern the advice from PED (performance enhancing drug) using fitness influencers who have a clue vs. from those PED using influencers who are simply clueless.
by Alec Enkiri | 12/14/20
There is simply something special about pushing or dragging a heavy sled - something that cannot be replicated with a barbell or dumbbell or any other traditional weight room exercise. It's difficult to articulate just exactly what that something is, and I think that is because the reality of it is that there are multiple unique aspects converging into this one single modality that make it perhaps one of the most effective exercises we can possibly do. In the end, spending an earnest amount of time and effort pushing or dragging heavy sleds is going to make you stronger, more powerful, more muscular, and overall much fitter than you otherwise would have been able to become simply through traditional weight room and cardio modalities alone. Today I'm going to present the top 5 reasons why you should make this exercise a staple part of your training routine.
by Alec Enkiri | 10/20/20
I first discovered the glory of owning my own personal home gym over a decade ago. I had been working out for about a year at the time and I knew I wanted to keep getting stronger, keep building muscle, and eventually reach my own potential and I decided it didn't make too much sense to keep paying gym dues - that would in short order exceed the cost of outfitting my own gym - and keep wasting time commuting to and from the gym every day for the next rest of my life when I had a perfectly viable garage available that could house whatever equipment I wanted or needed.
by Alec Enkiri | 9/8/20
The true secret to building HUGE legs fast is the 20 rep squat protocol, also known as "breathing squats" or "widow-makers." In hardcore training circles there is an almost mythical aura surrounding this training method. Simultaneously, it is both feared and revered. The idea itself is about as old school and gritty as can be: take a weight that you can do 10 reps with on the squat and then once you have reached 10 reps....do 10 more! Part way through this set you'll learn why some people call these "breathing squats." If you don't survive the ordeal then your friends will learn why others call them "widow-makers."
by Alec Enkiri | 1/17/20
It's pretty widely regarded at this point that lifting weights and getting stronger is highly beneficial for athletic performance enhancement when implemented properly. The myth of the inevitably "muscle bound" athlete who can't move correctly has been pretty well dispelled in recent years as there has been a clear cut distinction drawn between bodybuilding style training and generalized strength training, with many of the ideologies of the former now considered a no no for athletes who are looking to enhance movement capacity. However, even though the question of efficacy has been resolved, there is still often great confusion amongst athletes and trainees about how to implement this strength training properly in order to reap the greatest possible performance enhancing benefits on the playing field.
by Alec Enkiri | 1/10/20
The push press gets no love. The bench press is still everybody's favorite upper body exercise (for whatever reason), and the incline press, and weighted dip, and seated overhead press, and strict standing press all seem to take priority over the lowly push press in most people's training. This is a shame because in one fell swoop the push press accomplishes more than pretty much all of these exercises could ever hope to accomplish. Not only does it make you look like a badass, but it actually turns you into one as well. Today I'm going to explain to you exactly how it does this and why the exercise is so damn awesome and should be utilized as an integral part of your training.
by Alec Enkiri | 12/20/19
The Supertotal is the term for the unofficial combined total of an individual's powerlifting total and Olympic weightlifting total. So the 1RM for the squat, bench press, deadlift, snatch, and clean & jerk all added together comprise the Supertotal. There is no official Supertotal event that I'm aware of, but a big Supertotal is a surefire way to let the world know you are a badass strength athlete. Here is a program to help you maximize yours.
by Alec Enkiri | 12/13/19
We've all got really weak hamstrings - and that's bad. Unfortunately, however, it's easy as an avid strength & performance trainee to kid yourself into thinking you don't have this problem. You might say:
But I can deadlift 500lbs for reps!
Or
My RDL, and my good morning, and my kettlebell swing, and my weighted hyperextension are all leaps and bounds stronger than anyone else's that I've ever seen in person, so how on Earth could I possibly have weak hamstrings???
But I bet you do.
by Alec Enkiri | 11/22/19
The kettlebell swing is an amazing yet misunderstood and overall very poorly utilized exercise whose full potential for bringing on the sweet, sweet gains is seldom ever reached. It's a rare sight these days to see someone perform a kettlebell swing for a purpose other than as part of some sort of "metabolic conditioning" circuit or Crossfit style workout. This is a shame because it leads to a very myopic view of the exercise. Yes, it can be beneficial in this regard and we can all thank Crossfit for pulling it out from total obscurity and into the more mainstream fitness culture, but the real benefits of the exercise do not pertain to fat loss, or conditioning, or anything of that ilk. No, the real benefits of the exercise...
by Alec Enkiri | 11/15/19
Let me tell you a story that is 100% true. I had these two clients last year who came to me with roughly equal strength levels on the squat. Both guys had PR's in the mid 300's and both shared the same goal of breaking the 400lbs barrier. Client A is happily continuing to make progress under my tutelage to this day and has, to date, squatted 440lbs. That represents a gain of roughly 90lbs in about a year and a half now. I'll take that any day. Client B, who is no longer with me, came to me frustrated due to being stuck in a long plateau where he had been unable to make progress for quite some time. Continuing that narrative, he left me after 12 weeks with the same PR that he came to me with. So why did these two trainees experience such vastly different results?
by Alec Enkiri | 11/1/19
One of the primary methods of training practiced by bodybuilders that has bled into pretty much all other forms of general weight training and fitness culture amongst the casual fitness crowd is lifting weights with a prescribed tempo in order to maximize time under tension (TUT) within each set and therefore, hypothetically, maximize muscle hypertrophy. However, if your objective in the weight room is to build as much muscle and strength as possible then tempo lifting as a training modality is not going to be congruent with your goal. The primary reason for this is due to a lack of adequate training intensity and, consequently, chronically insufficient levels of muscle tension.
by Alec Enkiri | 10/25/19
How much can you squat? A lot? Okay.
But how much can you power clean? A lot? Cool.
How much do you weigh though? Also a lot?
Okay, then let's try this...How high can you jump?
If you answered "a lot, alot, and a lot" to questions 1-3, then the answer to question 4 will be "not very" because the power to weight ratio is everything.
by Alec Enkiri | 10/11/19
With the advent of social media and the re-introduction of raw powerlifting federations, powerlifting and powerlifting style training have exploded in popularity in recent years and become somewhat of a niche phenomenon. This has had many positive effects on the fitness community as a whole. However, this rapid explosion in popularity has also brought with it a great deal of confusion in regards to what the aims of strength training actually are vs. how they relate to the SPORT of powerlifting. Today I want to address one of these points of confusion and that is the widespread total conflation of generalized strength training with powerlifting training.
by Alec Enkiri | 9/27/19
"We're going to go war with the weights and every training session is the next battle. It's you against the barbell and the gym is the Colosseum. You're fighting for your life, and the kicker is you won't win every battle! That's simply not feasible. However, your effort, your energy, your intensity dictates the ultimate outcome. You can lose the battle and walk out of the arena bloodied and bruised and beaten, but still living and ready to fight another day..." The mindset that you choose to approach your training with is going to have a profound effect on its long term outcome - how much muscle and strength you're able to build when it's all said and done. Tricking yourself into believing this little white lie can help to propel you past the masses and closer to your ultimate goals.
by Alec Enkiri | 9/10/19
Jump squats, also known as weighted jumps, are a fantastic way to build power and explosiveness in the legs and hips. They work the explosive triple extension of the lower body joints in a similar fashion as the Olympic lifts, however, due to their ballistic nature they provide the body with a slightly different training effect that makes for a great complement to this style of training for any athlete looking to maximize power development. With a very short learning curve and plenty of freedom to tinker with loading protocols, the exercise is also both versatile and highly accessible, making it a great addition to any training program that's focused on explosiveness.
by Alec Enkiri | 8/29/19
The Olympic lifts are the ultimate paradox when it comes to performance training. They are considered a magical tool that can skyrocket any athlete's strength & power to new heights - making them faster, sharper, and more explosive. Yet, at the same time they are considered to be fairly high risk, outright dangerous, and nearly impossible to master to a sufficient enough degree to actually garner any of these benefits without, at a minimum, severely detracting from training in some other area. But what if I told you there was an alternative? What if there was a way to get ALL of the benefits of these lifts, and even more, without ANY of the drawbacks that make them so controversial in the first place...
by Alec Enkiri | 8/4/19
Ever wondered what really separates the wheat from the chaff? "Genetics" may be the cop out du jour, but the mind is what truly either propels you to new physical heights or leaves you frustrated and stagnant. If you can train uninhibited by the mind then you can reach highs you never thought were possible. The trick is learning how to tap into this state at will for the times when you really need it most.