Banded Overhead Press: Benefits, How-To, Common Mistakes

Banded overhead presses might be on your radar if you’re working out at home with limited equipment or if you’re trying to bust through sticking points caused by a weak lockout.  Whatever the reaso...

How To Do Push Ups With Bands (The Proper Way)

One of my favorite ways to shake up clients’ workouts is to make push-ups more challenging with a resistance band. Banded push-ups are an advanced variation where trainees wrap a band over their ha...

Do Lifting Straps Prevent Calluses? Yes, Here's How

Calluses are a common side effect of lifting weights, so being a strength coach, I'm often asked if gear that improves your grip, like lifting straps, will help to prevent calluses. Lifting straps ...

Leather vs Cotton vs Nylon Lifting Straps: Which Are Better?

As a personal trainer, part of my job is to help my clients pick the best training equipment, so I’m often asked which material would be best for lifting straps: leather, nylon, or cotton. Cotton l...

Should You Use Wrist Wraps For Squats? Coach Answers

If you’ve ever squatted heavy, you’ll know that there can be an incredible amount of stress placed on your wrists.   Even more so for those squatting in a “low bar” position, which requires the wri...

3 Types of Wrist Wraps Explained (Which Are The Best?)

Wrist wraps can provide stability and support to help you lift heavier weights more safely, but over the years working as a strength coach I've noticed that lifters are often confused about which t...

Do Wrist Wraps Weaken Your Wrist & Forearm? A Coach Answers

Wrist wraps support the wrist joint by limiting excessive bending when lifting heavy, so you may be wondering if the assistance they provide will weaken your wrist and forearms over time. As a stre...

Can You Use Knee Wraps On Elbows? No, Here Are Alternatives

Lifters are always looking for an edge that can help them push their limits.  So it's not uncommon, as a strength coach, for me to hear things like: Can you wear knee wraps on your elbows for bench...

How to Use Knee Wraps The Proper Way (Strength Coach Explains)

​​If you’re like many of my athletes, you may be wondering how to properly put on knee wraps.  After all, failing to wear them properly will just cause your skin to hurt and negate any performance...

Wearing Knee Sleeves For Squats: Tips + How Much Do They Help?

As a powerlifting coach, I’m often asked if it’s worth wearing knee sleeves for squats, how they help, and how much additional weight one can expect to lift when wearing them. Here’s my response: ...

Knee Sleeves For Deadlifts: Should You Wear Them? (Pros & Cons)

We've all been there: you're at the gym, prepping for your deadlifts, and you wonder whether you should pull on some knee sleeves. Maybe it’s because you saw someone else doing it, or maybe you ha...

How Much Are Knee Sleeves & Are Expensive Brands Worth It?

With a wide range of brands and prices available, it's natural to wonder whether more expensive knee sleeves are worth the investment or if cheaper ones work just as well. In general, high-quality ...

Knee Braces vs Knee Sleeves: 4 Differences + Which Do You Need?

If your knees are feeling beat up, you may be wondering about the differences between knee braces and knee sleeves, and which is a better option. The primary difference between a knee sleeve and a ...

How Long Should Wrist Wraps Be? 12 vs 18 vs 20 vs 24 Explained

If you’re ready to invest in a pair of wrist wraps to keep your wrists strong and stable under heavy loads, you may have noticed that they come in multiple lengths. Here’s what I tell my clients: A...