In Part I of this series I dissected a pig spine to demonstrate the risks of rotational movements like Russian Twists.  In Part II I talked more about crunches and why I think they’re a terrible exercise.

In light of all the controversy lately over Mike Boyle’s no squatting comment I thought it would be a shame if I didn’t include something on that subject as well.  Please watch and enjoy.

I should note that some people have commented previously that pigs do not stand upright so this doesn’t necessarily apply.  Unfortunately, when I asked my friends to use their spines them seemed unusually resistant to the idea.  The good news is that pig spines are a pretty decent model for human spines which is why many spine researchers actually use them in their research.

 As usual, please share your thoughts, comments, and questions below.

Recently there has been a lot of talk about the spine and the way it responds to different exercises.  I wanted to share my two cents, but I also wanted to make my points crystal clear.

This week I got my hands on a pig spine to illustrate exactly how the spine responds to different forces.  In this 3 part series I’m going to take a look at 3 different exercises and how they impact the spine.

Okay…so that was a bit serious.  And it is Monday after all so let’s have a little fun shall we.  I created this little video to have a little fun with the current discussions on whether or not we should squat.

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

A couple weeks back I celebrated my 33rd birthday.  This past weekend I spent a night with my family and friends to share in the joy of a new year of life.  In doing so it got me to thinking that everyone who reads this blog are part of my “online family” so to speak.

I spend so much time pouring my thoughts and ideas out there that I think people really don’t get to know me at all.  So…I thought it would be fun to share a few things about myself interspersed with plenty of my thoughts on topics to do with strength, flexibility, fat loss, and whatever else comes to mind.

1.  I was born with 6 fingers on my right hand.  Well, it was actually 4 fingers and two completely functional thumbs.  This is called polydactylism and apparently it is a dominant gene.

Had my parents not had it removed at 9 months of age I may have been the greatest concert pianist that ever lived.  However, I believe that by having it removed they spared me from being called “The Six Fingered Man” when the movie The Princess Bride was released.  Thanks Mom and Dad.

 2.  I haven’t done or had any of my clients do a single crunch in over 5 years.

3.  I do not believe that squatting is essential when fat loss and body composition is the goal.

4.  When I was a teenager I had the worst haircut on the planet.

5.  Frankly, I am getting fed up with strength coaches and trainer who are bashing other coaches and trainers.  I have to admit that I’m guilty myself of publicly attacking others like Jillian Michaels, but I have decided to stop.

If you have a problem with a specific element of my philosphy then I’d be happy to discuss the issue so we can all learn something.  Saying you’re going to put other coaches out of business is just plain arrogance.  Ah shit.  I did it again. 

6.  Chrisitian Thibaudeau’s Black Book of Training Secrets is one of my most referred to ebooks.  Hands down.  Actually sitting on the desk beside my computer right now.

7.  I met my wife when I was 15 years old at a local roller skating rink.  And no, she didn’t see the haircut.  Thank God!

8.  If you can’t assess a client you have no business training that client.  This is akin to a doctor writing a prescription without a diagnosis.

9.  Along the same lines, I have just purchased Assess and Correct.  Since it just came out today I’ve only had a few minutes to read over the manual that accompanies the DVDs, but the content looks awesome!

As soon as I’ve watched the DVDs I’ll do a full review, but if you’re thinking about it, the product is on sale this week and then the price will jump.  Given that Mike, Eric, and Bill put this together it was really a no brainer for me.

10.  My wife and I are having our first child in just under a month so we’re incredibly excited!  However, I can’t believe how much space newborn “accessories” take up.  The living room is more like an obstacle course.

11.  I worked in the fitness industry for almost 10 years before I sent my first article to a major online publication.  Thanks Tmuscle!

12.  I used to think stability ball training was completely useless.  Now I only think it is moderately useless.  There are some exercises that I might consider in the right circumstances.  But mostly I think that there are usually better options.

13. I hate brussel sprouts, turnip, and portobello mushrooms.

14.  When it comes to nutrition people are almost always too fixated on details.  You must consume less than you burn for fat loss.  This is THE most important factor.  Anyone who says anything else is selling something.

15.  I recently interviewed Brendan Fox, Jim Smith, John Paul Catanzaro, Leigh Peele, Lyle McDonald, Jimmy Smith, Martin Berkhan, Mike Robertson, Nick Tumminello, and Scott Abel for an upcoming audio series on core training and fat loss that you’ll be able to listen to for FREE.

Oh yeah, I also interviewed Dr Stuart McGill (author of Low Back Disorders & Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance) and Thomas Myers (author of Anatomy Trains).  More bonuses still to be added.

16.  Last weekend at Walmart I accidentally walked away with someone else’s cart and discovered this about 15 minutes later when all the stuff in the cart certainly wasn’t mine.

17.  I cannot be near Nutella, chocolate chip cookies, or carrot cake with icing.  These 3 items result in a terrible case of eat-way-too-many-calories-itis.  They are my “can’t have in the house” foods.

18.  My favourite television show right now is Criminal Minds.

19.  I believe that an emphasis on the nervous system is the next big area that needs to be explored in the fitness industry.

20.  Books I purchased last week: Fast Food Nation and Outliers

21.  I don’t think that need nearly as much protein as people think for muscle gain.  Fat loss, on the other hand, is a different story.

22.  Compressive injuries to the end plate on a vertebrae can and do occur even when spinal alignment is in neutral.  You’ll usually hear a popping sound.  Back squats impose a huge compressive load. 

23.  I think the “starvation response” to fasting may be overrated.  I’m not totally sold on this, but my reviews of the research in this area are leaning this way.  If this is the case, it has incredible implications for how we could design nutrition plans.

Maybe less than 6 meals per day?  Blasphemy!  Note that I said MAYBE so don’t get pissed off and start sending me research on protein pulse theories. 

24.  I think this video is funny.  The powerlifter guy kinda reminds me of a Dave Tate type character.  If swearing upsets you, then you won’t enjoy this video.

25.  I also think this video is hilarious although not as funny as the first.  If you are into Crossfit this video may upset you.  That’s what you get for being into Crossfit. 

26.  The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.

27.  If you’re sick don’t go to the damn gym and give it to everyone else!  Seriously, stay home and get well.  Train hard next week.

28.  There is no such thing as a time machine (except the one that I’m secretly building in my basement).  Don’t train stupidly in pursuit of a goal.  If it hurts back off and get it treated.  Training is a marathon and not a sprint.

29.  If you’re 20 or younger you probably don’t understand the last point.  If you’re 30 or older you’re probably wishing that you did when you were 20.

30.  Consistency with training and nutrition is more important than the plan you’re on.  It is better to go at 60% forever than it is to train at 100% for one week.

31.  I love to read, but generally hate fiction. 

32.  I detest coffee and drink tea often.  Green tea at least 2 times per day.

33.  I am so thankful for my friends, family, all of you for reading this blog.

Since I’ll be around the computer a bit in the next few days I figure I’m going to open this up.  Drop me any comments or questions you have below on any topic (training related or not) and I’ll try to respond.