Strength is Never a Weakness: March 2015

In this article I may cause some opinions to clash but I am not here to please people I am here to help those who want access to the information for their questions.

I get asked a lot who's work do I follow and learn from. I have made a list of people whom I follow (they are in no particular order) but cover weightlifting, powerlifting, nutrition, hypertrophy, bodybuilding, general strength training and passion for fitness/health.

I do read a lot of journals but I will do a separate article along with selected reading materials I use.

I hope you find the first list useful below are other lists of people whom I think you should check for a laugh and those you should most definitely avoid.

To make a point this isn't the be all and end all of people to listen to. These are the people whom I have been exposed to ,would be interested to hear everyone's learning background.

Mine is currently Applied Sport Science degree looking to do a Masters in Strength and Conditioning at Teesside Uni. I coach the Powerlifting club at the uni, coach Coleraine Academical Institution rugby and rowing teams. My coaching idea is based upon backing experiences through scientific work.

Enjoy!!!

Chris Duffin is probably my favourite coach to follow on the internet. He has a coaching style which combines science with applied practice through trial and tested methods. He discuss alot on getting improvements without getting pain. Mad Scientist is a term which suits this freak of a man.

I use a lot my coaching cues especially on the squat from him. He has just squatted 4x bodyweight in the last 6 months (cant remember the date). He is also writes for Elite FTS.

Website: http://www.kabukiwarrior.com

YouTube: http://youtu.be/e8JaC9SVQZs

Joe De Franco is a great personality on YouTube. Very good resource for sports teams and general health/fitness. He became known to me through his limber 11 video which I still use today. Very simple flexibility routine to keep me healthy and mobile.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/FSSDLDhbacc

Stuart McGill, this man needs no introduction. Those who are serious about their training have heard about Mr McGill. I came across him through Brian Carroll (later on the list), as he was working with him on rehab/posture/pre-hab all around improving powerlifting performance.

Stuart's most famous work is his book Ultimate Back Health, Fitness and Performance. Which I have referenced in many pieces of work at uni and on my blog.

He discusses a lot on the anatomy and Biomechanical differences for squatting which is what interests me the most.

YouTube: http://youtu.be/-X1GkG2YgXw

Book:http://www.uksca.org.uk/uksca/ProductFiles/BackFitness.htm

Brad Schoenfeld

The man you go to regarding anything on muscle hypertrophy. Period. One of my favourite papers he ever written on was the 3x10 V 10x3 routine on size adaptions (bodybuilding v powerlifting routine).

Website: http://www.lookgreatnaked.com/blog/

Video: see below

Brett Contreas

Aka the glute man. Done so many emg studies I have lost track. Big focus is on glute development either for a physique/bodybuilding point of view or for sports performance.

Brad and Brett are best buddies and do a lot of videos together

Video: http://youtu.be/Uq7k4anmqc4

Website: http://bretcontreras.com

Dave Tate & Elite FTS

Dave Tate lives and breathes powerlifting. His passion for this sport has led to the creation of one of the most successful businesses within the fitness industry. Elite FTS eduction comes first here.

I look up to Dave as a coach and a guide

1/ to be as good a coach as him

2/ learn form his mistakes and make sure my athletes don't get hurt too. Dave has been through hell and back and wants to pass on his experiences to others

Best book: Under the Bar

Website: http://www.elitefts.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/_rIRwaXFXTA

Jim Wendler

Author of 5/3/1 and has squatted 1000 pounds. One of the most honest and passionate people I have ever listened to regarding training and life. Very funny, crude and rude love him!

Interview: https://youtu.be/fbGgw_L4-Zc

Website: http://www.jimwendler.com

Chad Smith & Juggernaught Training Systems

The baby version of Elite FTS whom branch out towards weightlifting not just powerlifting. Chad Smith Powerlifter, strongman and thrower, covers a lot of strength training needs.

http://jtsstrength.com

Brandon Lilly

Author of the Cube Method and a very good Powerlifter. I attend one of his seminars alongside Chad summer 2014 and was a very humbling/educational experience. He also writes for JTS

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/TeamJTS/brandon-lilly/

Dan Green

Owner of Boss barbell club and one of the strongest men alive. Just had a seminar in Belfast at Hench Gym this month. Dan coaches well in his short videos on YouTube.

http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=626

Johnny Candito

Aka Eyebrows and Das it Mane

A Powerlifter who became famous through the use of YouTube. Very informative and helpful on all the lifts. Is a big voice for the IPF.

Has free strength programmes for anyone to download!!

http://www.canditotraininghq.com/free-strength-programs/

Mike Tuscher

RPE and Autoregulation man. Owner of Reactive Strength Training systems. Quite like his view and style of training not using percentage based training.

Also a very accomplished lifter for USA

http://www.reactivetrainingsystems.com

Mike Isratel

Judo Traps (guy is jacked) First heard of him on Facebook through a few threads. Quite like his coaching methods and scientific delivery.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1058350980848758

Greg Nucklos

Gives out free training manuals what's not to like!!

http://gregnuckols.com

Mark Bell & Supertraining

The information these guys put out is amazing but needs the following after the video 18+ M for Mature and Not for the sensitive.

http://supertraining.tv

Phil Learney

One of my favourite people to listen to. I attend his hypertrophy seminar in September of 2014 in Belfast. Was fantastic better than my sports science notes at university on Muscle hypertrophy

http://www.phillearney.com

Stan Efferding

Powerlifter and bodybuilder trains many athletes and teams.

http://www.stanefferding.com

Ben Coomber

Nutritional expert and has a fantastic YouTube channel and podcast.

http://bencoomber.com

John Meadows

Author of the Mountain Dog Diet and works out of Elite FTS. Worth reading his work on the site.

http://mountaindogdiet.com

Alan Aragon

Works with Brad and Brett a lot on nutritional topics and loves to call out on bullshit on the industry!!

http://www.alanaragon.com

Brian Carroll

Works with Stuart McGill has some very interesting topics. Author of 10/20 life.

http://www.powerrackstrength.com/1020life?redir=true

Louie Simmonds & Westside Barbell

Louie is the godfather of powerlifting and uses a lot of his training methods based on the soviet sports science.

Love it

http://www.westside-barbell.com

Barbell Shrugged

Based on strength and conditioning podcasts for all sports really good!! Some interesting debates.

http://daily.barbellshrugged.com

Klokov

YouTube sensation and world class athlete. Has been doing coaching sessions around the world!! Some good coaches cues when translated.

https://m.youtube.com/user/44252005

Nick Mitchell

Works with a lot of athletes and body transformations. Talks the talk and walks the walks.

http://nickmitchellblog.com

Julia Lawdeski

Female strength coach and physique competitor/bodybuilder for elite fts. Puts out a lot of good info for male and female athletes

http://julialadewski.com

I think you can agree the above list covers a range of fitness topics and are all well respected in their fields. I share passion amongest the above to help others and I hope these individuals can influence your career's/education

Now for the laughs

These two figures help me deal with all the garbage that exists in the fitness industry

Bro science

Is a channel which is dedicated to taking the piss out of the fitness and being "all bro" about everything. Dom (the guy in the photo) is quite the comedian and makes a lot of witty points and crude humour.

Well worth watching

YouTube link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IhI0dkcZNes

Exercises in Futility

Ran my Elgin, a lawyer with a cut throat style of humour. Will bring anyone down to their knees using sarcasm backed up with journal references and scientific facts. Had his YouTube channel shut down twice as he was destroying crossfit and strength camp

Daily Motion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gojjq_chest-training-for-idiots-by-an-idiot_fun

The Idiots.....

These next channels are those whom I believe provide more of a humorous contribution to industry as they are laughing stocks with some of the claims they come out with (again in no particular order)

Mike Chang

Six pack short cut the guy who dosent have abs but uses other peoples bodies to market ab routines. Every video is shirtless....

Vanity at the highest and the ego runs high with this one. Most subscribed on YouTube as he markets and targets his audience well. Like a virus keeps coming back on my newsfeed. I want to rid him from the world.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x20yknu_ripping-apart-a-preworkout-supplement-ad_fun gets roasted here

Greg Glassman and Dave Castro two names very familiar with crossfit whom don't represent crossfit as they are idiots amongest their own sport hahaha

Greg preaches Paelo but looks like a Middle Ages diabetes riddled fatso. Talk the talk walk the walk.

Dave Castro can't lift to save his life and he is one if the main faces of crossfit which is funny as he is a mong. I have many friends who do crossfit and they can't stand these guys.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x20s29v_how-not-to-lift-weights-part-2_fun

Dave trying to do deads

Free-lee the Banana Girl

This Australian bimbo believes that by making ridiculous claims that she will get large amounts of views in the hope some will buy into in insanity. Raw Food diet....Eating just bananas.

She Gets roasted here haha https://youtu.be/7mYjABvd6fc

Durian Rider

Dude needs to eat, when I see him I want want to throw him a sandwich. He looks like he should belong in a third world refugee camp.

He is likes to drown people with the reasons to why vegans are right and everyone is wrong. Firstly if you are. A vegan that's cool with me second I don't care if you are but if you try and sell the style of veganism he does then you have lost your mind.

Kali Muscle

Hahahahah sorry just laughed thinking of this twat. Tuna and Raman makes him look like what he does. All Natural

If he is natural I can coach someone to win the Olympic gold in ping pong whilst being blindfold.

Mike O'Hearn

To clarify he is strong, jacked and tanned.

But not natural and keeps saying he is. I can't abide a bullshitter.

End of

Jeff Seid

God listening to this idiot will make you stupid. Jeff says there are too many carbs in egg yolk...... Another bullshitter too.

So I have Elgin talk over Jeff speaking ripping him to shreads hahah

https://youtu.be/x1-UDBnRnS4

Zyzzz

A Prick

End of

CT Fletcher

CAPS LOCK guy. Any Facebook post he writes in caps. Yells at everyone whom he meets. I bet his family are all deaf. Famous for his oversized biceps and constantly shouting.

Yea...

Very motivating lol

Just looks like an idiot

Elliot Hulse (the now Elliot)

We have all watched a few Elliot videos. Don't lie we all have. This was a well respected guy whom trained hard tried his best and gave back to help those who asked questions.

But he lost his marbles literally

One of the signs included a statement which he said "breathe into your balls".....

Last time I checked in anatomy there is no alveoli in the ball sack.

I hope you have found the above list helpful any others you feel that should be on please comment below.

Andrew Richardson, Founder of Strength is Never a Weakness Blog

I have a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sport Science and a Merit in my MSc in Sport and Exercise Science and I passed my PGCE at Teesside University.

Now I will be commencing my PhD into "Investigating Sedentary Lifestyles of the Tees Valley" this October 2019.

I am employed by Teesside University Sport and WellBeing Department as a PT/Fitness Instructor.

My long term goal is to become a Sport Science and/or Sport and Exercise Lecturer. I am also keen to contribute to academia via continued research in a quest for new knowledge.

My most recent publications:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1752928X19300216

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X19301076

My passion is for Sport Science which has led to additional interests incorporating Sports Psychology, Body Dysmorphia, AAS, Doping and Strength and Conditioning.

Within these respective fields, I have a passion for Strength Training, Fitness Testing, Periodisation and Tapering.

I write for numerous websites across the UK and Ireland including my own blog Strength is Never a Weakness.

I had my own business for providing training plans for teams and athletes.

I was one of the Irish National Coaches for Powerlifting, and have attained two 3rd places at the first World University Championships,

in Belarus in July 2016.Feel free to email me or call me as I am always looking for the next challenge.

Contact details below;

Facebook: Andrew Richardson (search for)

Facebook Page: @StrengthisNeveraWeakness

Twitter: @arichie17

Instagram: @arichiepowerlifting

Snapchat: @andypowerlifter

Email: a.s.richardson@tees.ac.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-richardson-b0039278

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew_Richardson7

The 4 Nations

What is the 4 Nations?

The 4 Nations is when Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales come together to battle out on the Powerlifting Platform. It is held in August on the 1st of the month which so happens to be my birthday (even more reason for me to go and come away with a memorable birthday present).

To me the 4 Nations is Powerlifting's answer to the 6 Nations (minus the French and Italian teams). It would be nice in the future if there was a Powerlifting 6 Nations, it would be a great event no doubt. This event brings a squad from each nation to not lift as individuals but to lift as a team, as a nation for your countries colours, heritage and beliefs.

2014 saw England win the event with Scotland coming second, Ireland in third and Wales fourth. The event is not dominated by weight class but by coefficient score i.e. whatever you lift what is that in relation to your power to weight ratio e.g. 6 times your bodyweight, 7,8 or more. The higher the score the better obviously. The 4 Nations was the first time for the IDFPA to send a team of lifters to compete as a team not as individuals (which most internationals you do compete for yourself).

I was fortunate enough to be part of last years team and it was a very humbling experience to be lifting alongside so many top class lifters. It was a strange feeling listening to all the national anthems and feeling a sense of pride for being part of my country. Myself having to retire at a young age playing rugby due a shoulder injury, dashed my dreams of playing for my country. As a schoolboy I have always wanted to play rugby for Ulster and for Ireland.

This experience easily made up for this. In one sense being injured was the best thing that has happened to me. I will however never forget the feeling of losing. It was a sour taste for which I never want to taste again.

I now compete on a regular basis with many friends in a sport with an awesome community. I coach a club with people whom are as passionate as me. My hobby for the sport has branched out into writing articles for everyone to help their powerlifting journey.

My own personal target was to make this team again (which I have done). I am relishing this opportunity again to compete against the other home nations. I see the 4 Nations as the premier event for all the home nation athletes. Competing as a team in an individual sport is something special, brings us closer together as a nation.

Ireland will win the 2015 4 Nations just as the Ireland's men and women rugby teams have won this year, beating England at the final hurdle.

Only difference is we don't need a French team to help us out.

Best of luck to all the nations in their preparation and training

I will see you in Glasgow on August 1st.

Original article linked below of my 4 Nations experience last year

http://courtsideteesside.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/teesside-university-student-represents-ireland-in-powerlifting-competition/