The Hammer Cast

[0:04–0:07] Why Kettlebell Conditioning, Especially in Summer [0:07–0:11] Aleks' 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge (9minutechallenge.com) [0:11–0:15] Zach's Kettlebell Journey and Coaching Timeline [0:18–0:21] Audience Poll Results and the Case for Returning to Conditioning [0:21–0:24] Long-View Programming: Training in 2–4 Year Blocks and Filling Gaps [0:24–0:26] How Zach Programs Condit...

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: https://www. AleksSalkin.com In this episode of The Hammer Cast I do a deep dive into old-time strongman training with none other than Master SFG Pavel Macek. We talk about its integration into StrongFirst's methodology, how kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, and bodyweight work together, and the necessity of building all‑round strength t...

High Pull Noon – The Outlaw Kettlebell Lift That Saved My Shoulder and Skyrocketed My Strength [0:00–3:30] Origin Story & Shoulder Injury Aleks shares how a deadlifting mishap led to a frayed shoulder labrum and persistent morning pain. [3:30–7:30] The RKC Prep Program & High Pull Breakthrough [7:30–12:00] High Pole Noon & the Old West / Fitness History Analogy [12:00–15:55] Why the High Pull Was...

Get your own copy of the 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge FREE here:    https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com In this episode of The Hammer Cast , Yours Jewly, Aleks "The Hebrew Hammer" Salkin, sits down with Colin Lake  of  Great Lakes Girya Pro to dish on what actually makes a great kettlebell. Colin shares his journey from competitive soccer in Canada to top-level personal trainer, how a...

Get your own copy of the 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge FREE here:    https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com   In this episode of  The Hammer Cast , Aleks "The Hebrew Hammer" Salkin explores why you must be  careful what you let influence you —in training and in life. Drawing on a tense encounter at the post office and the principles of  Psycho-Cybernetics  and the  "theater of the mind,"...

Get your own copy of the 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge FREE here:   https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com  In this episode of The Hammer Cast , Aleks "The Hebrew Hammer" Salkin answers a common question:  Do you need to be perfectly recovered before you train again? Drawing on principles from Pavel and real-world examples, Aleks explains why chasing "perfect recovery" can actually hold y...

Only got 6 weeks to get Swole by Summer? This episode will show you EXACTLY what to do:  [0:00:03] Six-Week "Get Jacked and Lean" Question Framing the core question: what to do in six weeks to look impressive at the beach/pool Brief expectation-setting: six weeks is enough for noticeable change, not total transformation [0:01:00] Introduction to Aleks ("Hebrew Hammer") & Training Background Aleks'...

Get my 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge HERE =>   https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com   On this most glorious of episodes, Dave Whitley returns so we can talk about: Light banter about SNL host jackets and writing our cats in for president (note: in 2028, please write in Ozzy PAWSbourne, I insist) Why the Bent Press Matters Dave's role in the  modern revival of the bent press Being called...

Get my 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge HERE =>   https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com   On this splendiferous episode with the great Clif Harski we dig deep into:  Limitations of Only Training the Fundamentals Critique of the " inch wide, mile deep " philosophy when it becomes a narrow trench Analogy of digging a foundation but never building the house Indiana Jones / Holy Grail analogy f...

Sometimes, despite your ambitions, your body simply pushes back against your attempts to get stronger.  For some exercises finding an alternative is easy. For instance, if your shoulders can't yet handle military presses, you can always knock a home run out of the ballpark with pushups and lay the foundation for military pressing strength later on down the line.  But what do you do when you can't...

Got a labor-intensive job?  Good news: you can still train and make gains. You just have to approach your training correctly.  This episode will tell you how.  On that note:  If you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might li...

Today we bid farewell to a legend in the kettlebell world, without whom the entire movement almost certainly would've petered out and faded into fitness obscurity more than two decades ago.  I give my thoughts about it on this episode.  On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every n...

In this episode I dish on: [0:02:00] Seppuku & Why Machines Can't Make Poetry [0:03:00] Is AI Going to Replace Coaches? [0:04:30] Why Programming Is More Than an Algorithm [0:05:40] Real-World Coaching Example [0:06:20] Psychology & the "Rationalizing Animal" [0:07:10] AI Coaching Fails: Pistol Squats & Kettlebell Swings [0:08:30] Content "Inbreeding" & Soulless AI Output [0:09:40] Human Connectio...

Wanna get freakishly strong like the Cirque du Soleil acrobats or old time strongmen? I dish on how to do exactly that in this episode.  If you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweig...

"Eliminate frustration and speed ahead." Who doesn't want this?  When it comes to strength training - and calisthenics in particular - many ambitious and well-meaning enthusiasts jump right into a laundry list of progressions... And fall flat on their tushes.  If you want to feel like you're positively speeding through the various and sundry progressions that lay at the heart of each and every adv...

If you want to radically speed up your mastery of the ballistic kettlebell lifts - no matter WHERE you are in your training journey - you need to throw conventional training tactics out the window and use a sleek set of little-known drills to amp up your mind-muscle connection almost instantly.  My best-selling book, Tamers of the Lost Arc , can show you how.  Check it out here => https://a.co/d/a...

If you're looking to trim up, get lean, and drop some unsightly flab, here are some first steps that will help you toward that end.  On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your Soft Machine Then you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell an...

There seem to be two sides of the proverbial coin in the fitness world when it comes to stretching:  Side 1: it is mission critical that you do it.  Side 2: you damn well better not even think about it - especially before you lift! The truth - as you might imagine - is somewhere in the middle.  I dish on this in this mighty fine episode. Tune in, chill out, and enjoy.  On that note, if you like tr...

There are a great many systems out there promising to deliver movement quality - and probably a lot of them can make good on that promise.  Even still, this is why I choose Original Strength... On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your So...

Get your own free copy of my 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge here => http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com   I'm joined on this episode once again by none other than kettlebell superstar Zack Henderson to talk about his annual Lift-A-Palooza event held each year during the last week of January.  Here's a list of all the fun stuff we talked about (according to the super genius AI cyborg type...

It's easy to blame your environment for your circumstances. But is it really so hard to act positively in spite of them?  I dish on exactly this in this episode: Introduction  The Importance of Environment and Personal Habits – [0:02:00]  The Influence of Social Circles & Success Sayings – [0:03:30]  Torah Talk: Noah's Righteousness and Decision-Making – [0:05:00] Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for...

Over the past few years (more, really) there has been a discussion over the seemingly outsized importance of grip strength for not just your overall strength, but also your longevity.  But is it really true?  What impact DOES grip strength have on your overall strength, health, and longevity?  I give you the must-know info in this short podcast.  On that note, if you like training that: · Gives yo...

Let's face it: even though strength, youthful athleticism, and pain-free movement may be your top priorities, EVERYBODY wants to look good as well. Fortunately, it ain't an either/or proposition. You CAN have it all.  I dish on how in this episode.  On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powe...

On this episode I dish on the power of CARRYOVER to make your training more effective, time efficient, and frankly fun (who DOESN'T like getting more gains for their efforts?)  Tune in and enjoy.  On that note, if you like training that: · Gives you more strength than it takes from you · Improves your stamina and resilience simultaneously · Powers-up every nook, cranny, crevice, and corner of your...

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com I'm joined on this episode by Marc Miller: founder of Happiness Quarterly Magazine and The Gunnar Project - dedicated to helping children and young adults learn to find happiness outside of the constant dopamine drip of their cell phones, social media, and other modern-day pursuits.  In this episode we di...