Ben Bruno, Author at T NATION

Tip: Constant Tension RDL

Ben Bruno — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 17:15:00 +0000

It's hard to argue against RDLs when it comes to hamstring and overall posterior chain strength and development. The biggest drawback of RDLs is that they can be tough on the lower back. If that's the case, try doing them with a trap bar, or if that's not possible, from a dead stop in the

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Tip: Hip Thrusts in a Rack

Ben Bruno — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 18:15:00 +0000

Place the bench on the inside of the power rack with the safety pins set about a foot or so off the ground. The plates should hover just a few inches off the floor. Those extra few inches are small enough that it still allows for a full range of motion, but it really makes

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Tip: Batwing Sled Drags

Ben Bruno — Wed, 10 May 2017 17:15:00 +0000

Reverse sled drags are a great bang-for-your-buck exercise that serves as both a rehabilitative tool and a muscle/strength builder. They burn like crazy while you're doing them, but since there's no eccentric component, they don't leave you crippled with soreness so you can do them frequently, several times per week. In this variation, row the

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Tip: Build Quads Without Knee Pain

Ben Bruno — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 18:00:00 +0000

Bands can be extremely useful to facilitate a solid posterior weight shift and safely strengthen the quads. Here are some different ways you can use them to serve your needs. For true single leg work like one-leg squats and skater squats, attach one end of a band to a sturdy post and loop the other

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The Best Squat You're Not Doing

Ben Bruno — Fri, 27 May 2016 12:00:00 +0000

The Problem With Squats Squats are hyped-up as the king of leg exercises, but that only applies to a very small percentage of lifters: ones who actually squat well and ones who aren't injured. Most lifters actually suck at back squats, at least initially. Mobility restrictions or their own anthropometry makes it tough to squat

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Torch Fat with Free-Weight Finishers

Ben Bruno — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Here's what you need to know... Finishers are a simple way to strip off fat while you're trying to build muscle. But most are impractical or hard on the joints. Do strength-based finishers. They're comprised of an upper body push, an upper body pull, and a lower body movement. No walking from one piece of

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6 Mistakes Experienced Lifters Make

Ben Bruno — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Beyond Basics You're not a beginner anymore. You've made training a priority, you fill up on protein, and you use progressive overload to make progress. Those are lessons learned by newbs. You're not a newb. But there are still areas for improvement. Here are the mistakes experienced lifters make and the solutions for overcoming them.

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Better Than Thrusters

Ben Bruno — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Lead Photo Credit: Again Faster Equipment (Judah Boulet at CrossFit Providence) Here's what you need to know... Barbell thrusters are great for those who can do them with excellent form, but not for most lifters. The rack position of a front squat and the overhead press grip make a difficult combo for one exercise. If

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The Pros and Cons of Powerlifting Training

Ben Bruno — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 13:00:00 +0000

Here's what you need to know... Powerlifters know their stuff. But sometimes non-powerlifters follow their advice to their detriment. Powerlifters teach us to focus first on strength, emphasize good form, and narrow our focus. All good. Good technique for powerlifting is not always good technique for physique or performance training purposes. The powerlifting emphasis on

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The 100-Rep Trap Bar Workout

Ben Bruno — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:00:00 +0000

One Exercise To Rule Them All If I were forced to choose only one exercise to do for the rest of my life that would provide the greatest strength and muscle-building benefits, my answer would be the trap bar deadlift. It's a perfect squat/deadlift hybrid that's easier on the knees than squatting and easier on

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