C.S. Sloan's Integral Strength

The 6 Primary Reasons Why You’re Not Achieving Your Goals      I think it’s safe to say that a whole lot of gym-goers aren’t making the gains that they want, aren’t reaching their goals, or aren’t making the progress that they thought they would when they first started lifting.  Maybe they made progress at first, but after those initial “newbie gains,” it just stopped.  When you first pick up a barbell, pretty much anything that you do will work.  But after those first 8 weeks or so, the gains come grinding to a halt and many a lifter is left bewildered and confused as to what to do next or what to do to get those gains moving again.  In this essay, I’ll look at some of the most common culprits for why you’re not making gains.  This list isn’t extensive, perhaps, but if you heed my advice, the gains will start coming again.  So, without any further preamble, let’s get started.  Here are 6 reasons that you’re not making gains. ...

Tips and Advice for Tailoring Your Training Routine Part 1: Workload Basics       “In order to create a successful strength program, you must design it to fit your individual needs.  You must consider your weaker bodyparts, and build it around such factors as time limitations, old injuries, and your ability to recover from the workload.  A program that brings results for your training mates of the same age and bodyweight may not be right for you.  Some people thrive on lots and lots of work in the gym, whereas others become chronically fatigued and eventually injured if they attempt to carry a heavy workload for any period of time.” ~Bill Starr      I open with that quote from Bill Starr since those are the very things that I want to cover in this series of essays.  Lately, I have received the most questions from readers on this very subject.  With all of the programs that I write for the blog, I give workout “ex...