Squat vs. Deadlift: Which Lift is the Toughest?
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Squat vs. Deadlift: Which Lift is the Toughest?

The squat and deadlift are two of the most challenging lifts in strength training, but which one is truly the toughest? The squat is a two-phased movement requiring both control and power, while the deadlift demands raw strength to lift a motionless weight from the floor. The squat is riskier due to its technical demands, but the deadlift engages more muscles and places greater strain on the nervous system. Ultimately, both are incredibly tough, but if danger defines toughness, the squat wins. If sheer force and total-body effort define it, the deadlift reigns supreme. Which do you find tougher?

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Ready for More Muscle? FOCUS ON YOUR COMPOUND LIFTS!
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Ready for More Muscle? FOCUS ON YOUR COMPOUND LIFTS!

If you want to build muscle mass efficiently, prioritizing compound movements is the way to go. These multi-joint exercises recruit multiple muscle groups, increasing metabolic demand and imposing fatigue that drives hypertrophy. While isolation exercises have their place, they simply don't create the same systemic stress needed for rapid muscle growth. A big deadlift leads to a big back, but having a big back doesn’t necessarily mean you have a strong deadlift. By focusing on compound lifts as the catalyst for your workouts, you’ll maximize muscle recruitment, build overall strength, and hit your goals much faster.

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Why Strongman and Powerlifting Competitions Are the Best Ways to Get Stronger
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Why Strongman and Powerlifting Competitions Are the Best Ways to Get Stronger

Strength isn’t optional—it’s essential. Without it, daily life becomes harder, injuries become more frequent, and longevity suffers. Strongman and powerlifting competitions provide the best path to true strength by pushing people beyond their limits, developing raw power, and reinforcing mental toughness. These sports build full-body strength, improve resilience, and foster a supportive community. Training for competition ensures structured progress, making it easier to measure gains and stay motivated. Whether lifting heavy loads in powerlifting or carrying odd objects in strongman, structured strength training is the key to a healthier, more capable life. Strength isn’t a choice—it’s a necessity.

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Creatine vs. Caffeine: What Will Actually Make You Stronger?
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Creatine vs. Caffeine: What Will Actually Make You Stronger?

Creatine is often hailed as a strength-boosting supplement, but in reality, it enhances muscular endurance rather than providing immediate strength gains. By replenishing ATP stores, creatine helps sustain high-intensity efforts, leading to long-term muscle growth. However, if you're looking for an instant strength boost, caffeine is the real game-changer. As a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine increases neural drive, enhances muscle contractions, and improves power output within minutes. While creatine supports endurance and recovery over time, caffeine delivers immediate strength benefits. For optimal performance, use creatine daily for long-term gains and caffeine pre-workout for a powerful strength surge.

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Does Creatine Make You Stronger?
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Does Creatine Make You Stronger?

Creatine doesn’t make you instantly stronger, but it plays a crucial role in muscle growth and energy production, leading to long-term strength improvements. By replenishing ATP stores, creatine helps muscles perform better during high-intensity training, allowing for more reps and heavier lifts. This increased training volume leads to progressive overload, a key factor in strength gains. Additionally, creatine enhances muscle hydration and protein synthesis, promoting growth and recovery. While some worry about side effects like water retention or digestive issues, research consistently shows creatine is safe and effective. If you’re serious about getting stronger, creatine can be a game-changer.

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When is the Best Time to Train? Science has an ANSWER!
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

When is the Best Time to Train? Science has an ANSWER!

Listen here, bozo! Get off your lazy ass and get to the gym! But wait—before you chug that pre-workout, have you ever wondered when you should actually train? Does it matter what time you hit the weights?

Science says yes. Your body performs best in the late afternoon, but let’s be real—not everyone has time for a 3 p.m. squat session. Whether you're an early bird, night owl, or just squeezing in a lift between life’s chaos, the best time to work out is whenever you can be consistent. Now quit making excuses and go lift something heavy!

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Why Athletes Can't Get Stronger – And How to Fix It.
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Why Athletes Can't Get Stronger – And How to Fix It.

One of the most overlooked methods for increasing strength is to completely shift the way you train. If you’re a powerlifter, consider dabbling in strongman. If you’re a strongman, why not give Olympic weightlifting a try? Each discipline challenges your body in unique ways, forcing new adaptations. Click to learn more about how to get stronger today!

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Gains in the Shadows: Why the Offseason is Your Secret Weapon
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

Gains in the Shadows: Why the Offseason is Your Secret Weapon

The offseason is where strength athletes make their biggest gains. It’s the time to step away from competition lifts, focus on hypertrophy, and build the muscle needed for bigger numbers down the road. Through high-volume training, increased time under tension, and strategic variations of main lifts, lifters can develop a stronger foundation before transitioning back to maximal strength work. Ignoring the offseason means missing out on key opportunities for growth, leading to stagnation and potential injury. A well-structured offseason isn’t just a break—it’s the blueprint for long-term success in powerlifting, strongman, and other strength sports.

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The Secret to Bigger Biceps: Train Them on Leg Day
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

The Secret to Bigger Biceps: Train Them on Leg Day

Leg day is known for its grueling intensity, pushing your largest muscle groups to their limits. But what if you could harness that exhaustion to supercharge your biceps? Training biceps on leg day taps into a unique physiological advantage. The intense effort of squats and deadlifts floods your body with growth hormone and testosterone, creating an ideal environment for hypertrophy. Adding bicep curls to your leg day routine allows you to capitalize on this hormonal surge, driving greater muscle growth. It’s a simple but effective strategy to maximize your training efficiency and build those impressive “meat mountains” you’ve always wanted.

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How to Make 2025 Your Strongest Year Yet
Joseph Lucero Joseph Lucero

How to Make 2025 Your Strongest Year Yet

"Strength is not just about lifting heavier weights; it’s about resilience, strategy, and consistency. To reach your 2025 goals, you need to stop simply working out and start training. Training is intentional, structured, and built on principles like progressive overload and specificity, ensuring sustainable growth. This blog dives into the mindset and strategies required to build strength, emphasizing the importance of balancing heavy lifting with muscle-building phases. Whether you’re chasing a PR or beginning your strength journey, this guide provides actionable steps to help you succeed. Let’s make 2025 the year you achieve your strongest self through smart, purposeful training."

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