Stronglifts can't squat

This article outlines the main reasons why you can't squat and how to fix them. From there you will learn about the personal experiences I had when I started with Stronglifts 5x5. In the end, you will find useful resources to help your thought process to become a better lifter. If you have any questions leave them in the comments or write directly to pascal@marathon-crossfit.com.

Are deadlift slippers good?

This is an article which discusses whether deadlift slippers are good. In total, they are a good value for money option if you do not want to lift in your street shoes. Conventional lifters will benefit. Sumo lifters might want to look into more rigid options for more support. If you want to have deadlift shoes and weightlifting shoes in your gym bag at the same time slippers are the best option.

Why deadlift from a deficit

Deadlifting from a deficit makes you stronger in the beginning of a pull. This is most relevant for powerlifters and weightlifters. This way of training is most suited to advanced lifters. Beginners should stick with the basic movements until proficiency is reached. Always consult with your trainer or doctor for specifics for your individual case. 

Why deadlift with a belt? 

Deadlifting with a belt will likely increase the weight you can use by 10% - 15%. Using a belt can make you progress faster on the deadlift at the expense of long-term mastery of the movement. Overuse of a belt can lead to lesser mental toughness and dependence on the tool for performance. The impacts of a belt on injury prevention are little. You will find further details and studies on the matter in this article.

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Tips on How to Get a Killer Body With Dancing

This is an article provided by Wendy Dessler from Blogfrog.com. BlogFrog identifies the top blogs for you so that you know what is good. As Wendy is a bit more into dancing than I am she contributed this well-written article for us. I did dancing lessons with my wife to prepare for our wedding in July 2017. We had a lot of fun doing it and it was worth the while to do something together. Enjoy the read and get fit.

Deadlift: Where to look?

This question is one of the more debated among strength coaches and athletes. Generally speaking, you should look up to optimize performance at the cost of a higher injury risk. Head position is more important than eye positioning for this discussion. If you want to minimize injury risk look down. Keep your chin down to make it easier for your spine to be neutral. This article will outline the thought process behind this and provide further details by linking to other articles at the end.

Deadlift: How to keep your back straight

This is an article to address how to achieve to keep your back straight during the deadlift. I personally find that it is the most given, yet useless tip on the deadlift. The three actions mentioned in this article are more likely to get you in the correct position. Be prepared that form will break down the heavier you get. These tips will also help if you have challenges with your grip. If you have any kind of back pain from lifting, please consult a doctor.

Focusing on Achievement: How a CrossFit Regimen Helps in Addiction Recovery

For this article I teamed up with the crew from The Recovery Village. This piece discussing how CrossFit can help in addiction recovery was written by Devin Golden. I never had a serious drug or alcohol addiction, but my parents were both heavy smokers. They did not exercise regularly after their teenage years. My mother took care that I learned the concept of discipline and delayed reward introducing me to Judo.I think this lead to me not taking up smoking in my teenage years. This article sets the context for exercise on a topic that matters. Thanks to Carlos team for contributing and I leave the rest to the professionals. 

Deadlift: How much weight to start?

This article is part of a series to explain the deadlift in simple terms. I will outline how you can start, which program to use and how you will progress. You will also learn from my mistakes to avoid them. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me at pascal@marathon-crossfit.com. Gentlemen start with 60kg, while women tend to start with 40kg for a barbell deadlift. 

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Mentally Preparing For The Big Race

You’ve done all the training, and you know that you’re physically ready. So why do the pre-race nerves kick in? And more importantly, what can you do to control them? Mentally preparing for the big race can really help you remain calm and focused. You will be able to get over your fear and anxiety, making sure that you’re performing to the absolute best of your ability.