By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF We conducted a 3.5-week Mini-Study using remote lab rats to test the effectiveness of a hybrid Big 24/Density progression to increase 3RM (3 Repetition Max) Trap Bar Deadlift Strength. Study participants saw an average 9.58% gain in 3RM Trap Bar Dead Lift strength over the course of the study period. […]
Research
Mini Study Results: Rat 6 Narrowly Beats Big 24 and Grizzly Pyramid in Bench Press Progression Mini-Study
By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF We conducted a 3.5-week Mini-Study using remote lab rats to compare the effectiveness of three MTI strength progressions to increase 1RM (1 Repetition Max) Bench Press Strength. Specifically, we compared MTI’s Rat 6, Big 24 and Grizzly Pyramid strength progressions. RESULTS All three groups saw an average increase in Bench […]
Mini Study Results: 2/3 the Volume Programming Achieves the Same Fitness Improvements as a High Volume Programming for a Multi-Modal Training Cycle
By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF We conducted a 4-week Mini-Study using remote lab rats to test the effect of training volume across three training measurables: Strength (barbell and bodyweight), Sprint-Based Work Capacity, and Endurance (3-Mile run Performance). Specifically, we were interested to see if we could reach the same strength and conditioning results by training […]
Mini-Study: Density Strength Beats Super Squat Strength, Hinge Lift Beats Swings, Loaded vs. Unloaded Running Inconclusive
By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF We conducted a 3.5-week Mini-Study using remote lab rats to test: (1) Density Strength Progression vs. Super Squat Progression for 1RM Increase in the Back Squat and Bench Press (2) Kettlebell/Dumbbell Swings vs a Hinge Lift Progression to improve Hinge Lift 1RM Strength (3) Loaded vs. Unloaded Running to Improve […]
Mini Study: Disappointing Results from Explosive Power “Geek Cycle”
By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF A 3-Week training cycle designed specifically to train explosive power significantly improved assessed performance in just one of the four events assessed. The well-trained subjects in the study improved in the Backwards Medicine Ball toss an average of 10%, but improvement in the other three events, Broad Jump, 10-yard […]
Lab Rat “Geek Cycle” Explores Training “Explosive Power”
By Rob Shaul This week MTI Lab Rats began a 4-week “geek cycle” designed to test both “explosive power” assessments and training progressions. By “Explosive Power” we mean explosive power demonstrated in a single explosive movement or short-duration series of the same movements. In the strength and conditioning world, another way to consider power is […]
Mini Study: Stress Decreases Archery Accuracy 23%
By Rob Shaul BLUF This mini-study investigated the effect of stress on archery accuracy and found that a simple stress event which applied a small fitness demand and shot time limit decreased archery accuracy by an overall average of 23% for two subjects. BACKGROUND & STUDY DESIGN Previously, MTI has done extensive work on […]
Mini Study: 4 Weeks of the Barbell Complex Leads to Overall Strength Gains in Well Trained Athletes
By Rob Shaul BLUF This 4-week Mini-Study investigated the total-body strength-building capacity of the MTI Barbell Complex. The Barbell Complex is a complex of six exercises, six reps each, completed in succession, without putting the barbell down. The Barbell Complex is choreographed in a way such the barbell begins in front of the body […]
Using Time Under Tension as a Basis for Rock and Ice Climb Program Design
By Rob Shaul A decade ago when I began programming for climbers I bought every book on climbing training in print, read like crazy, and tried to apply the programming other coaches described. It was a disaster. Vague terms like “power,” “power endurance,” “strength,” and “endurance” were defined around a hard to quantify measurement tool […]
Mini Study: Leg Blasters vs. Quadzilla Complex for Strength Gains
By Rob Shaul BLUF This 3-week mini-study compared the strength-building abilities of two well-known MTI leg strength complexes: Leg Blasters and Quadzilla Complexes. Six veteran MTI athletes were split into two groups – the Leg Blaster Group and the Quadzilla Group. Pre and post-cycle, both groups complete a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) Front Squat […]