Exercise

Barbell Back Squat - used extensively in Starting Strength

Starting Strength Dictionary

September 27, 2018 Tim Comments Off

FitAtMidlife’s Starting Strength Routine Dictionary It’s no secret – we love Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength routine. It’s the efficient, science and logic based training program that is made for beginners of any age to develop strength. Starting Strength utilizes the barbell. The barbell is the most efficient means to build strength – because it’s the device that can carry the most weight. That may sound intimidating, but it shouldn’t be. You start light and through the magic of linear progression you get strong – and build muscle mass at the same time. Starting Strengh places great emphasis on proper form, and it’s safe for the joints. Lastly, it’s targeted to novices – people who have never lifted before. And all [Read more …]

The deadlift is an important lift for strength development

The FitAtMidlife Workout Dictionary

August 21, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Here’s a comprehensive list of terms and lingo you’ll run across in the gym. We’ll provide definitions for all the terminology that is pervasive in modern fitness methods. But it’s more than a list of terms – you’ll also find out about some of the current popular programs and personalities. We cover CrossFit and just about everything else you may hear about. 1RM – 1 Repetition Max 1RM is your 1 Repetition Max – This is the absolute maximum weight you can lift for 1 complete repetition of an exercise (with correct form). Commonly used to gauge progress in the big compound or power movements – for example you likely know your 1RM for bench press, squat, deadlift, cleans, and [Read more …]

Snatch - an olympic weightlifting exercise performed with a barbell.

AMRAP – As Many Reps (or Rounds) As Possible

September 20, 2019 Tim Comments Off

What is the AMRAP technique? AMRAP can be dual meaning – As Many Reps As Possible or As Many Rounds As Possible. Choose an exercise. Anything that uses a barbell – Olympic or power bar, kettlebell, air bike or dumbbell would be an excellent choice. Start a stopwatch or timer for some time period, if specified. Perform repetitions of the exercise or multiple exercises, resting as needed The goal is to perform as many reps as possible in the time frame specified. The final count of reps would be considered your PR (Personal Record). It’s a strength and conditioning (muscular endurance) training technique. The goal is to perform as many repetitions (“reps”) of an exercise movement as possible, or “rounds” [Read more …]

One way to achieve muscular hypetrophy is to use Escalating Density Training, or EDT. The combination of high volume and moderate intensity is the perfect formula for big muscle size.

EDT – Escalating Density Training

September 27, 2018 Tim 1

What is the EDT technique? EDT is Escalating Density Training. It’s a hypertrophy training technique (think big muscles). The goal is to perform as many reps as possible in a given timeframe, using antagonistic exercises, which work opposing muscle groups. Choose two antagonistic exercises – such as a pull and a press movement. Front squat and hamstring curl are one example, or bicep curls and tricep press. Choose a weight that is your 10RM (10 Rep Max) for the exercises. Start a stopwatch or timer for 15 minutes. Perform 5 reps of each movement, in an alternating fashion Rest as long as needed and repeat, letting the number of reps drop as you fatigue (sets of 4, then 3, etc.) [Read more …]

Battle ropes are a great thing to do in Tabata or HIIT style training

How To Workout With Tabata Training

February 28, 2019 Tim Comments Off

What is Tabata Training? Tabata is a high intensity training method for conditioning and fat-burning. Let’s find out how we can do a tabata workout, and what some great tabata exercises are. Tabata in a nutshell Start the clock or timer Perform the chosen exercise with as much intensity as possible, and as fast as good form permits for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat for 8 work and rest cycles (a total of 4 minutes.) Optional: Collapse on the floor at the conclusion of what is likely the 4 hardest minutes of your week! The most recent research in 2018 about Tabata concluded that: “…variations of the Tabata Protocol seem to be indicated to provide increases in aerobic [Read more …]

Alarm Clock - used for interval workouts

EMOM Technique – Every Minute On the Minute

August 21, 2018 Tim Comments Off

What is the EMOM technique? EMOM, or Every Minute On the Minute is an intensity technique for conditioning training. This is an interval workout method closely tied to CrossFit and other popular training methods. Start the clock or timer On the start of the minute, perform the chosen exercise for the specified number of reps Rest for the remainder of the minute Repeat for as many intervals as required A simple example: Perform 10 deadlifts with 225 lbs, every minute on the minute for 10 minutes total. What sort of exercise should I use with EMOM? What sort of exercises work best with EMOM? Honestly – anything! There are some caveats to using exercises which are too risky to perform [Read more …]

The Best Free Workout Timer

August 28, 2019 Tim Comments Off

About the FitAtMidlife Free Workout Timer Are you in need of a workout timer or HIIT timer? We’ve got a great one, for free. It works with Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android (and tablets like the iPad too). It’s one of the most full featured fitness timers to be found for free, and it’s been used by thousands of people world-wide for many years. To access the free workout timer, simply click here now: https://fitatmidlife.com/timer Why use this timer over any of the other of dozens on the Internet? Well it’s got sound and it’s highly customizable – make the text size bigger and change colors. Don’t like the sounds? Change the sounds. It works on ANY size display – [Read more …]