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Everybody who’s anybody in the world of strength has seen the 5×5 rep scheme before — 5 sets of 5 reps. It’s often touted as the classic — even ULTIMATE — set and rep scheme for building strength and muscle.

And yet, as you can see by the title of my podcast, I say it ain’t all that.

Tune in and find out some potentially better options for your gains.

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Back in the days before bench pressing was the apple of every gym rat’s eye, the military press was the measure of a truly strong man or woman. I’d like to think it still is.

Having said that, I’d also like to point out that improving your military press — and especially working toward heavier presses — is a noble path filled with just as many dangers as rewards.

And it’s NOT because military pressing is inherently bad for you. Quite the opposite.

Military pressing is great for the developing shoulders’ strength AND muscle. But anything done mindlessly will hurt your body. Call it the ‘mindless-body connection’ if you will.

So how do you mold a mighty military press without destroying your shoulders in the process? I’m glad you asked, chum. There are a few ways, which (as you have probably surmised) I cover in this fine episode of Ye Olde Hammere Caste.

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

As much as most people love to pump up their chest or their shoulders or what have you, for my money the mark of a strong man or woman is — without any doubt — a big, powerful back.

So, how can YOU get one?

Well, listen in, friend, and I will reveal that momentarily.

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

Here’s a question I once got:

Are complexes bad for your strength?

The answer is — as always — “it depends”.

Depends on your goals, depends on whom you ask, etc.

First of all, what is a complex?

According to Retired Master SFG Geoff Neupert in his book Kettlebell Muscle, a complex is:

“…a series of exercises performed in a sequence with the same weight and without rest. All the reps for a given exercise are performed first, before moving on to the next exercise.”

Sounds like fun. But is it the RIGHT answer for YOUR needs?

We dive into this on this jam-packed episode of The Hammer Cast.

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

As you no doubt know by now, I’m a big fan of bodyweight and kettlebell training — specifically when they’re combined. I know you are as well. The two go together like peanut butter and jelly; love and marriage; alcohol and bad decisions. It’s a hard combo to beat.

The problem?

All too often, people make one of two mistakes:

1) Too LITTLE exercise variety

2) Too MUCH exercise variety

The truth is you need a healthy balance between the two for the best results. Too little variety and you work your way toward boredom and injuries. Too much and you get frustration and zero progress.

I dish on that in this episode

And for your reference, here are video demos of the moves in question:

* Elevated Rolls: https://youtu.be/HUsokoVZxQA

* Lizard Crawls: https://youtu.be/bO2hJKU1vMQ

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

I’m a big believer in the old axiom “There’s no school like the old school” when it comes to strength training. And when it comes to old school, it doesn’t get much older than the move I’m gonna reveal on this episode.

For a video demo, click here: https://youtu.be/UgfQhnK0-GY

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

When it comes to building crazy levels of strength on a time budget, I love unconventional exercises. Who wants to be “conventionally strong” anyway? Being freakishly strong is way more fun.

And when freakish strength is what you’re after, this episode can show you how best to attain it. Listen in and find out how:

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

There is one axiom that strength coaches and personal trainers alike tend to crow about often:

“In order to get strong, you’ve gotta pump up the volume!”

(Volume, in this case, means the number of reps you perform)

But is that always true?

I say nay – and I’ll explain what I mean in this fine episode.

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

I remember years ago having a conversation with a friend of mine about full-body training — that is, training the body as a single unit with a skeleton crew of major head-to-toe strength moves. She could not wrap her mind around the concept.

Fortunately, you’re not in that position, since you follow me.

However, you may still benefit from some deeper full-body training insights – insights which I intend to dish out to you right here and right now. Strap in, chow down on some popcorn, and tune in.

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com

Strength is a great and noble pursuit — one that is both an art and a science.

Now, in most cases when you want to get stronger, you’re going to look at 1 of 2 things:

1) Starting a proven “cookie cutter” program to reach your specific strength goals

2) Getting a personalized program for your strength goals

(I mean, I guess there is technically a 3rd option, which is stalling until you feel so out of shape that guilt consumes you and thrusts you into action, but we’ll assume that’s not you)

And when most of us think of strength, we think of equipment, exercises, sets, reps, workouts, and what have you.

Make no mistake: these are all obviously incredibly important. But they’re not the only way to help you get stronger. There are other qualities that can help you to develop more strength as well – I dive into them on this mighty fine podcast episode.