Mike Sheridan, Author at T NATION

Tip: Dumbbell Pull-Across Plank

Mike Sheridan — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 17:15:00 +0000

Other than actually activating your core (and shooting for intensity over duration), the key to making planks not suck is to keep your mind busy, whether that's lifting limbs, walking around, or moving weights. This exercise will hammer the trunk when you maintain a rigid plank. And once you've got that down, you can raise

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Tip: Lawnmower Back Extension

Mike Sheridan — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:15:00 +0000

Chronic sitting keeps you from using your glutes or firing your core muscles. It also means your hip flexors and hamstrings are getting tight. All of this contributes to strain on other areas of the body. One of the muscles getting overworked is the quadratus lumborum (QL), which originates at the hip bone and attaches

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Tip: Landmine Sumo Deadlift

Mike Sheridan — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:15:00 +0000

It's odd that this exercise isn't more popular. There's less restriction on weight compared to dumbbells or kettlebells, and it's easier to do than the barbell sumo deadlift, where many struggle to maintain proper form and end up training low back harder than glutes. This version allows you to lean forward, keep your weight on

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Tip: Heel-Elevated Step-Up

Mike Sheridan — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 17:15:00 +0000

The vastus medialis or VMO is the tear-drop shaped muscle on the inside of the knee. Unless specifically targeted in training, it commonly falls behind in strength compared to the well-developed lateral (outside) muscles. This exercise will keep the VMO from lagging behind. It's something all athletes should be doing at some point during their

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Tip: The Worst Protein for Fit People

Mike Sheridan — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 12:00:00 +0000

Since protein can be scarce for those avoiding meat, soy is the vegetarian answer to a diet lacking muscle-building amino acids. It's also peddled as the cholesterol lowering replacement for "evil" red meat. We've not only been told that animal protein and saturated fat are bad, but we've been creatively convinced that plant proteins, like

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Tip: The Top 10 Herbs For Health Fanatics

Mike Sheridan — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:00:00 +0000

1 – Sage The oil in sage appears to inhibit the breakdown of an important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which supports memory and is often reduced in those with Alzheimer's and dementia. In a 2003 study from the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, researchers saw significant improvements in brain function after giving sage extract to

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Tip: 10 Spices That Help You Live Longer

Mike Sheridan — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 15:00:00 +0000

1. Turmeric Curcumin is the main health-boosting compound found in turmeric, and turmeric forms the foundation of curry. It's an anti-inflammatory so it helps reduce the risk of pretty much every degenerative condition, especially those of the brain, heart, and nervous system. There's evidence to suggest that lower rates of Alzheimer's disease in India (compared

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Top 20 Herbs & Spices for Super Health

Mike Sheridan — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:00:00 +0000

Herbs and spices don't just make your food taste better, they also make it far more nutritious. They definitely fall into the "super foods" category. But many people don't even know the difference between an herb and a spice. Herbs: Typically come from leaves and stems. Spices: Typically come from seeds, fruit, and bark. Most

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Tip: The Double-Duty Chin-Up

Mike Sheridan — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 17:15:00 +0000

This is truly a double-duty exercise. It serves two purposes. It builds explosiveness on the concentric (pulling) portion of a chin-up because each rep is re-set at the bottom of the movement. It also takes you from single-chinner to multiple-chinner. This could be the result of increased grip strength and scapular retraction, which becomes a

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Tip: The Rolling Dip

Mike Sheridan — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 12:00:00 +0000

Often referred to as a Russian dip, this exercise is great for anyone with aspirations of progressing to a muscle-up. It takes you through that awkward transition of being parallel with the bar to being over top of it. The Rolling Dip First timers will want to do a serious shoulder warm-up before attempting this

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