The BEST Way to Warm Up for Lifting (Do NOT Do This!)

Want to warm up efficiently for lifting? Make sure you're not making this mistake. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers explains in this short video.

(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 06/17/23)

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

3 Tactics to Triage Your Squat FAST | Get a Bigger and Better Squat TODAY

If you don’t have a coach, then – by default – you are your own coach. With this in mind, let’s cover a few major technical points to look for when you watch your squats on video. These are not the only things to look for, of course, but they certainly are large “bang-for-your-buck” items.

Improve these, and you’ll see your squat improve significantly as well.

#1 Balance and Depth
Granted, this covers two concepts, but balance and depth are interrelated, so we’re counting them as one item for today.

On camera, you’ll see balance when you watch your feet. Watch for your heels to flutter off the floor when your balance shifts forward or watch your toes start to wiggle slightly if you get backward. Your feet are not the only thing to watch, but they are an excellent starting point.

squatting 405 lb to proper depth — as ted does here — is much easier when you are balanced over the middle of your foot.

Balance and depth are interrelated because it’s extremely difficult to hit depth on the squat (i.e., get the crease of your hip below the top of your kneecap) if you are out of balance, and this is especially true if your balance has shifted forward.

With this in mind, make sure you are balanced over the middle of your foot, and be sure that you are hitting depth so that your squats actually count.

Remember – it’s a squat. Not a curtsey. Don’t lie to yourself about your depth.

#2 Back Angle
There are two parts to this – are you leaning over on your descent, and are you staying leaned over long enough in the ascent?

Cue yourself to point your chest down right away as you start your descent and remind yourself to “stay in your lean” on the ascent. This will help greatly with correctly driving your hips as you ascend.

#3 Knees
Are you setting your knees correctly during the descent? Are you shoving them forward and out – in line with your toes (which are pointed out about 30°) – and are they stopping roughly above your toes about one-third to one-half of the way into your descent?

If not – if your knees are traveling inside your toes or if they continue to slide forward throughout your entire descent - learn how to set them properly using a TUBOW in the video below.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.

-Phil

PS: Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

• Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

• Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

• Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

• Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

• Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

(Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Testify earns from qualifying purchases.)

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

How to Deadlift 600 POUNDS in 10 Minutes | Save Time at the Gym

You can save some serious time during your training sessions, and it's not complicated. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers explains and demonstrates how to do it.

(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 06/10/23)

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

• Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

• Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

• Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

• Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

• Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

EASY Fix for a Slanted Lifting Platform (Cheap & Fast!)

Got a barbell that rolls due to your slanted lifting platform? A solution might be easier than you think. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers explains.

(A Blast from the Past video originally published on 06/03/23)

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

• Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

• Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

• Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

• Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

• Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

The Real Reason You're Ruining Your Squat - Until You Do This

If your squat feels weak, inconsistent, or uncomfortable, there’s a good chance you’re making the same mistakes as most lifters. Starting Strength Coach Phil Meggers covers what to change and why it matters.

Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

• Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

• Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

• Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

• Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

• Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?

How to Do the Starting Strength Squat (How to Squat in 60 Seconds)

Step 1: Bar Position & Grip
Take a grip on the bar that’s as wide as it needs to be so that you can get the bar into the correct position on your back – just below your traps and sitting on your delts – but also a grip that is as narrow as it can be so that your delts are nice and bunched up and you've got a tight upper back.

Step 1: bar position & Grip

Step 2: Stance
Stand the bar up and take one step back with each foot. Assume a roughly shoulder-width stance with your toes pointed out about 30 degrees.

Step 3: Focal Point
Stare at a point on the floor approximately 4 to 6 feet in front of you.

steps 2 & 3: Shoulder-width stance & focal point

Step 4: Breathing & Bracing
Take in a big breath and hold that breath with every single muscle in your midsection tightly clamped down and contracted as if you're going to take a punch. Hold that breath all the way down and all the way back up again.

Step 5: Hips Back, Chest Down, Knees Out
As you start to descend, reach back with your hips, point your chest directly at the floor, and shove your knees apart so that they travel in the same direction as your toes.

Step 5: Hips back, chest down, & knees out

Step 6: Hip Drive
When you reach the bottom of the squat – that is, when your hip crease passes below the top of your knees – drive your hips straight back up. In other words, stay leaned over on the way up longer than you think. Drive your hips upward.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.

-Phil

PS: Whenever you want even more Testify in your life, here are some free resources:

• Book a free intro and strategy session with us HERE.

• Pick up a free copy of Testify’s Squat Guide: 12 Tips to Improve Your Squat Now HERE.

• Get our free weekly email - containing useful videos, articles, and training tips - HERE.

• Follow Testify on Instagram HERE.

• Subscribe to Testify’s YouTube channel HERE.

(Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Testify earns from qualifying purchases.)

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?