Announcements

-         Nitrean 4.6 lbs chocolate is back in stock!  We apologize for the delay in getting this award winning top seller back live.  Greater than projected sales figures and the subsequent growing pains that accompany them are a mixed blessing.  Running out of stock is never a good thing, but when it is due to explosive growth it soothes the blow a bit .

-         MAXIMUS chocolate is also back live after an extended delay.  If you haven’t yet tried it, MAXIMUS is arguably the best tasting product in our protein lineup and that is saying a LOT considering the company.  In addition, MAXIMUS is a perennial favorite of athletes looking to put weight on, or keep it on, both on and off-season.  MAXIMUS is the only protein supplement which also contains an ergogen that both improves recovery and reduces minor joint pain.  There is truly nothing else like it on the market.

Training Tip

In my continued work with athletes of all types (from the NFL to CrossFit), the number one thing I see that needs to be changed is exercise form and or technique.  I cannot emphasize it enough.  Improper performance of resistance exercises is the number one factor in injury both acute and long term. 

I only wish someone had corrected me 20 years ago.  I wouldn’t be the patchwork of crap that I am today if I knew then what I know now.  In other words, learn from my mistakes. 

Proper form is the very first thing I teach anyone I work with regardless of their level of experience.  In order to learn a pattern of movement we must practice at a slow pace.  Many trainers do not adhere to this basic physiologic principle and allow their trainees to haphazardly throw around the weights, especially in the eccentric or lowering phase. 

Another problem when teaching proper form is that trainers allow their clients to let their form breakdown at the end of a set or during a maximum attempt.  This is another serious error.  All sets or attempts should be terminated when form must be broken in order to get the lift.  In other words, failure occurs not when we cannot possibly move the load no matter what we do, rather when form must be compromised in order to complete the lift.

So, what is proper form?  A comprehensive explanation is beyond the scope of this mini-article, but a recommendation as to where to learn is not.  Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell fame is one of the premier technique coaches in the world.  He knows how to lift with perfect form due to years of both trial and error and exhaustive research.  Louie’s team has set more all-time records than any other and they stay remarkably injury free doing so.  Perfect technique is a requisite to their continued success.  Go to www.westside-barbell.com and watch posted videos on the site and consider Louie’s books.  In addition, Google Laura Phelps, a Westsider, and the strongest woman in the world.  Laura uses impeccable form in all movements and is the ideal person to model when training.

Learn proper from and be sure to teach it to others.  If you do, everyone wins!

Chris Mason