CrossFit is changing.  Recent competitions show strength matters less than pure conditioning.  Training Think Tank’s latest YouTube analysis breaks down this shift. Should you be changing your training, too?  If you want to excel in modern CrossFit, discover how the best athletes are adapting their workouts.  Get the strategies you need to stay competitive, whether you’re a seasoned pro or striving to climb the ranks. The Evolution of Competition Historically, CrossFit competitions such as the Open and the Quarterfinals have featured a mix of strength tests, like one-repeti ..read more

You might think building muscle requires heavy weights and intense workouts. But what if there was a simpler way? A new study suggests stretching, often seen as just a warm-up, could be a hidden weapon for muscle growth. This article explores the science behind stretching and its surprising muscle-building potential. Could stretching be the key to unlocking your next fitness breakthrough? Background and Purpose of the Study Increasing or restoring strength capacity is crucial in many sports and rehabilitation settings, typically achieved through resistance training.  However, the challeng ..read more

Forget rigorous exercise routines.  Discover how simple, everyday movements could be the key to better health.  NEAT, or Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, refers to all the calories you burn doing regular tasks – walking, cooking, even fidgeting!  Research shows that boosting NEAT can help you manage weight, reduce disease risk, and even improve your mood.  Dr. James Levine, a pioneer in NEAT research, underscores its significant impact on our metabolic health, making it a crucial element for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Ready to unlock the power of NEAT? Discover ea ..read more

The muscles in your lower back don’t get enough love. Here are some of the exercises you might be missing. It’s easy to overlook the muscles in our lower back. While the biceps and abs are visible and palpable, lower back muscles remain out of sight and out of mind, until discomfort arises, mistakenly attributed to spinal issues.  In reality, these robust muscles play a pivotal role in our daily activities and deserve focused attention. Our lower back muscles can often be weak for several reasons, many of which stem from our modern lifestyles and daily habits: Why do many people experienc ..read more

Dr. Peter Attia, a respected expert in longevity and health optimization, offers a fresh perspective on exercise for strength and muscle growth. He emphasizes the importance of workout quality over duration, suggesting that you can achieve impressive results in less time than you think.  If you want a more effective and time-efficient approach to fitness, Dr. Attia’s insights are essential. Debunking Common Exercise Myths Dr. Attia often encounters the widespread belief that more than 30 minutes of exercise, three to five times a week, yields no additional benefits.  He questions thi ..read more

Short rest periods or long breaks – which strategy is right for your workout goals?  The duration of your rest between sets has a surprising impact on your fitness results. Learn the pros and cons of both long and short rest times, so you can customize your workouts for maximum strength gains or muscle growth.  We’ll also bust some common myths around rest periods and give you insider tips on how to supercharge your routine. Why Rest Times Matter Resting between sets allows muscles to recover and rebuild energy stores, primarily ATP, which is vital for high-intensity training.  ..read more

Muscle soreness holding you back after intense workouts? Discover the truth about Cold Water Immersion (CWI) and how it could accelerate your recovery. Recent scientific studies are turning heads, suggesting CWI may offer distinct advantages over other popular recovery methods. Could this be the key to feeling stronger, faster? This article uncovers the latest research, leaving you eager to find out if CWI truly reigns supreme. Objective and Scope of the Studies Reviewed The primary aim of the new systematic reviews was to evaluate the effectiveness of CWI compared to other recovery modalities ..read more

Emerging research underscores the significance of meal timing alongside meal content in weight management.  A groundbreaking study from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, reveals a crucial factor that might be sabotaging your weight loss efforts: eating late at night.  This study focuses on “circadian misalignment,” a condition exacerbated by modern lifestyles, highlighting how critical proper meal timing is to maintaining a healthy weight. Key Findings of the Study The study, involving 9,474 adults, found that those who consumed food after 9 p.m. had a 20% higher chance of beco ..read more

Imagine a gym membership that promises not only fitness, but a longer, healthier life. Equinox, the luxury fitness brand, has launched a $40,000 annual program that does just that. “Optimize by Equinox” goes far beyond workouts, offering advanced medical testing, personalized nutrition, and expert guidance on sleep and recovery. But is extending your lifespan worth such a staggering price tag? And what does Equinox’s bold move say about where the wellness industry is heading? Overview of the Program Situated in select affluent locales including New York City and Highland Park, Texas, “Optimize ..read more

The call to overhaul the CrossFit Quarterfinals has gained significant traction, particularly among influential voices in the community, such as the Youtubers from Coffee Pods And Wods.  Their critique and subsequent solutions focus on resolving persistent issues that surfaced during the 2024 Quarterfinals.  From unclear movement standards to communication breakdowns, the 2024 competition exposed flaws within the system.  This article dissects the problems and offers solutions to elevate the Quarterfinals for future competitors.   Discover how a standardized movement p ..read more