When you first started lifting with barbells, you trained with the idea of becoming both big and strong, as if the two words were synonymous. And for those first few months, they were! You saw significant increases in both your size and strength, regardless of what rep range you worked in. Continue reading at BodyBuilding.com...Read More

Progress requires process. A three-word, semi-alliterative sentence that describes most of life; it’s something I conceptualize when I consult with CrossFitters. Unfortunately, their philosophy hinges on process’ antithesis—constant variation. The randomness that they champion is ironically their downfall—the body requires consistent inputs to make lasting adaptations, a fact detrimentally ignored. But if process is applied...Read More

I can’t recall how many times I’ve heard Ronnie Coleman’s classic line echo around the weight room: “Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weight.” I’d say the over/under is around a thousand. And the reason is because he’s pretty much right. Ronnie shouted out the quote when he...Read More

I abhor writing my own programs–so I farm them out to people I respect. Over the past few years I’ve completed programs written by Mike Ranfone, Charlie Weingroff and Chris “I may be married, but I’m still not cool” Merritt. Charlie and Chris conditioned me–Mike was the catalyst that helped me pull my sword from...Read More

Here’s something you didn’t know about me–I get obsessed with things. In elementary school my obsessions were Native Americans and Barry Sanders.  The chronology continues from middle school to now in such a way: football, boobs, Metallica, guitar, powerlifting, football, vaginas, Kurt Vonnegut, football, Marcus Aurelius, vagina-boobs, deadlifting 600 pounds, corrective exercise, manual therapy, Functional Range Conditioning, power cleans…vaginas....Read More

It’s too often in the fitness industry that people are enamored with a bunch of inconsequential happy horseshit. If you thought that sentence was bright and shiny, wait, it gets better. The unfortunate reality is most of our industry exists on a superficial level and thrives on subtle manipulation. Sure, that’s marketing for the most...Read More

Dr. Spina, thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule to answer a few questions. Before we get into the good stuff–your mobility and manual therapy systems–can you give us a little of your background? Sure thing (although I always hate this question). I studied Kinesiology  at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. ...Read More

Hey guys and gals, Chris here… it’s going to be a crazy few weeks for me.  I’ve got the “Modern Therapeutic Techniques” seminar this weekend with Todd and Dr. Rabinowitz at New York Chiropractic College.  A few days after that I fly out to Winnipeg to help Dustin Pague with his final weight cut for UFC...Read More

A few weeks ago I had a high school junior message me through Facebook to ask if I would take some time to answer a few questions on going to college for exercise science.  OF COURSE I said yes…  And my answers were some things I wish that I had heard before starting college as...Read More