Okay…it has been a while since I posted one of these, but I figured I’d drop a couple things I think are worthy of reading.

1.  Optimal Rest Intervals for Strength and Hypertrophy

 So you’ve probably been told that long rest intervals during training are important for strength and shorter rest intervals are for hypertrophy.  Well, I just found this site this week and Bryan Chung (who writes the blog) takes a solid look at a study that is examining these very things.  He’s not a coach or trainer, but he is a medical science researcher and sits on the board for the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine so he knows his stuff.  Check out the excellent research review HERE.

2.  Movement

As my readers probably know, I can be a little bit of a doubting Thomas when it comes to training and nutrition related information.  At the same time, I can appreciate when someone has contribued a lot of great stuff to this industry and I’m interested to see what Gray Cook will present in his new book Movement.  Recently Laree Draper posted the following three posts by Gray Cook on her blog and I think they made for some great reading.  Check out parts 1, 2, and 3.

3.  Webinar Notice

My friend (and PhD Candidate) Mike T Nelson has just posted a sale on three webinars this week and time is ticking as this is a limited time offer.  Although I have yet to review them, I’m excited to hear what Mike is going to say so I thought I’d share this with my readers as well.  Apparently there is a sport supplement review, a discussion on metabolic flexibility, and another on the neurology of movement.  If you’re interested you can check out his site HERE.   (Note this is not an affiliate link)

That’s it for me.  What are you reading?

.

For me, many great things (and sometimes bad things) come in 3′s.  Today I figured I’d share some of these with you.

3 Things I’m Reading

Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation – Dr Stuart McGill

I originally read this a long time ago, but after a recent discussion with Dr McGill I decided to pull it out and give it another read.  I’m blowing through it this time and am enjoying the refresher.  It is also helping to reaffirm some of my thoughts on training and challenge others.

I guess the take home message is that if you have a great book you haven’t referred to in a while, don’t be afraid to give it a read through again.  You’ll be surprized at what you may have missed the first time.  It is kinda like watching Fight Club the second time around.

So You’re Going to be a Dad – Peter Downey

Since I’ll becoming a proud father for the first time in about 8 weeks I figured I should brush up a little more on what to expect.  This book is a little basic and we’ve covered almost everything in there in our prenatal classes already.  I guess I know everything I’ll ever need to know about child rearing.  Whew…that was easy. 

The Myth of Core Stability – Eyal Lederman

This article was recommended to me by Aaron Schwenzfeier so I plan to give it a good read this week and report back.  I’m not sure I’m totally buying what Lederman is selling after my first read through, but it certainly provides an opportunity to challenge our current interpretation of core stability.

If you want to dig it out for yourself here’s the reference:

Lederman, E. The myth of core stability. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2009).
doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.08.001.

3 People That Should Not Be Giving Weight Loss & Fitness Advice

Oprah - I’m going to go on the record and say that I really love Oprah.  I even enjoy her show sometimes despite the fact that it sucks all of the testosterone right out of my body.  But how is it that the queen of yo-yo dieting is responsible for identifying the next mass market nutrition gurus?

Jillian Michaels – I know that she has come under a lot of fire so I’m probably just echoing the sentiment of many of those in the fitness industry, but obviously this message isn’t reaching the masses.  The ratings for this show remain strong and people are still watching it.  I can’t for the life of me figure out why.

Tracy Anderson - Any “fitness expert” who states that women should not lift more than 3 pound weights deserves a dropkick.  Thanks for helping to propagate myths Tracy.  You’re doing health and wellness a real service.

3 Web Things from This Week

- DaveDraper.com

I’ve actually spent a fair amount of time here this past week and really enjoyed the content.  I especially enjoy the blog which appears to be maintained by Laree Draper so props to her for putting together the great stuff.

- Six Things You Need to Know About Protein

Chris Shugart interviews Dr Lonnie Lowery about protein.  This is some pretty good stuff.  From cooking protein to the amount of protein per meal he covers a lot of cool material.

- Bodyworlds.com

I went to see this a couple years ago and I’ll be doing so again this month.  I am so pumped!  If you’ve never had the opportunity to do cadaver work, this is a great way to see the human body.  Heck, even if you’ve done it I’d still recommend this exhibit.

- Honorable mention goes to Twitter.com/shitmydadsays

This is NOT for those who can’t handle several inappropriately placed curse words.  However, it is otherwise quite amusing and possibly innapropriate for me to post on this blog.  Still, it makes me laugh and it is my blog so I can do pretty much whatever I want.

3 Words That Will Make You Strong

- Combat Core Strength

Remember those words, because this book by Jim Smith is SICK!  Sorry Jim, but I’ve already punked a bunch of your exercises and am using them in my programs.  Get this ebook!

3 Things That Are Just Plain Funny

- Mentos

- Diet Coke

- My Brother in Law

What are 3 things that are on your mind this week?  Leave a comment and let me know.