Eric Cressey, Author at T NATION

Tip: Deadlift – Tripods vs. Elf Slippers

Eric Cressey — Mon, 07 May 2018 11:00:00 +0000

Toes Down! When deadlifting, think about putting force into the ground – keep your toes down. This works better than just thinking about lifting the weight or leaning back. Lifters need to learn the "tripod" foot, which means the foot has three points of contact with the ground. That larger base of support is essential

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Tip: Bench Thoracic Spine Mobilization

Eric Cressey — Tue, 01 May 2018 17:15:00 +0000

There are countless drills you can try to build some length in the long head of the triceps (really anything with overhead reaching). That said, the bench t-spine mobilization is definitely my favorite because it gives a great triceps and lat stretch while building some thoracic spine extension mobility, anterior core stability, and deep neck

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Tip: Back to Wall Shoulder Flexion

Eric Cressey — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:15:00 +0000

We spend a lot of time trying to teach athletes how to shut lats off when they shouldn't be on. However, I know we aren't going to talk you out of trying to develop that V-shaped torso with lat work, so what are some guidelines? First, you aren't allowed to do pull-ups or pulldowns until

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Tip: Single-Arm Bottoms-Up Kettlebell Waiter's Walk

Eric Cressey — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 17:15:00 +0000

Make sure elbow stays right underneath your neutral wrist, then go for a walk. Keep your core tight. Use your opposite hand to keep the correct torso position.

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Tip: Half-Kneeling Single-Arm Landmine Press

Eric Cressey — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 17:15:00 +0000

Landmine presses are an effective "middle of the road" exercise between overhead work and true horizontal pressing exercises. Set the working side knee down. Keep your glutes tight and your core engaged. Shrug up a little at the top of each rep. Don't let your elbow get behind your body at the bottom of the

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Tip: Dumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat from Deficit

Eric Cressey — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:15:00 +0000

Increasing the range of motion is a simple, yet effective technique when used appropriately. However, if it's implemented incorrectly, you can wind up injured. I love utilizing this strategy with single-leg exercises like reverse lunges, Bulgarian split squats, and step-ups. It's an outstanding way to not only change the general training stimulus, but also to

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Tip: Why You Need a Cheap Stopwatch

Eric Cressey — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Most people are very distracted in not only their daily lives, but also their training sessions. We try to convince ourselves that we're really good at multi-tasking and that the texts, tweets, and emails we send between sets doesn't impact our performance. Unfortunately, even if the quality of work is high, a lot of people

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Tip: Why You Need Sled Work

Eric Cressey — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Sled work is actually a great form of single-leg or unilateral training. I know what you're thinking: sled pushing isn't a lunge, split-squat, pistol squat, 1-leg RDL, or step-up – so it can't be a single-leg exercise, can it? Well, watch someone push a sled and – as is the case with sprinting – there

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Tip: No Pain, All Gain

Eric Cressey — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:00:00 +0000

"No Pain, No Gain" This line was invented by guys who couldn't tell the difference between pain and discomfort. High-rep squats are uncomfortable. Dragging the sled is, too. That awful, burning, wet-towel-tearing, searing sensation in your Achilles each time you land on a box jump? That's pain. And it's telling you about a massive Achilles

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Tip: The Key to Strong and Healthy Shoulders

Eric Cressey — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 17:00:00 +0000

Most lifters will, at some point, have shoulder issues, and even those who don't have symptoms normally have something that's structurally out of whack. Most people over the age of 50 have some sort of rotator cuff pathology, so you could make the argument that everyone is kicking the can down the road with respect

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