C.S. Sloan's Integral Strength

Some Advice for Choosing a Training Program      I have, over the years, occasionally received emails from readers who are confused over what training program to use (or how to design one of their own).  Most of them discover my blog, but then are confused due to, not just the overwhelming number of training programs that I write, but the seemingly disparate methods present.  I do, after all, write full-body programs, split training routines (of all kinds), low-rep programs, high-rep regimens, high-set programs, low-set routines, and everything in between.  Of course, if you were to really read over the whole of my material, you would find a “string” of training theory running throughout all of them.  But I also understand the confusion.  I received just such an email this morning from a reader who, with the New Year upon us, was looking for a workout program, but then wasn’t sure what to select after reading through a lot my material. ...

Build a Massive Grip, Tenacious Strength, and All-Around Muscle Mass with “Fat Grip” Workouts and Programs      One of the best ways to build tremendous strength and plenty of all-around mass is through thick bar or “fat grip” training.  I think it’s probably one of the most under-utilized methods of training.  Have you done a lot of thick bar training?  If not, then my point is made.  If you have then you understand well its power to transform your physique.      I first read about thick-bar training probably in ‘96 or ‘97, when I got a copy of Brooks Kubik’s "Dinosaur Training.”  I like that book for many reasons, but Kubik insisted that thick bar training was one of the best methods that you can use, and not just for building your grip strength but for simply building “all-around” strength.      At that time, however, there was an issue.  Where in the world do you get a thick b...