We are into the third week of the first test program on the VIP training forum on facebook. I am happy with the results thus far on part of the participants, and we recently did a fun little weekend challenge that I will be revealing this Friday. That being said, I had a question come […]
Let’s Hang Out: Hang Training for Pull-Up Power
Welcome to our hang out session 😉 Today, I will be discussing two styles of hang training that will not just help with stretching your back and shoulder stability, but will also help you master the right amounts of strength to facilitate your first pull up. The first hang drill I want to discuss is […]
Pulling Yourself Up
This past weekend I had a very moving conversations. I received a phone call from a former client, that had recently gone through a serious rough patch in her own life. She had told me she had recently filed for divorce after watching her own husband fall prey to alcoholism. Despite the severity of her […]
Pull Ups From the Ground Up: Training for Your First Rep
I took nearly 8 months off of serious pull up training due to a) focussing on my strong first level 2 kettlebell certification and b) going through some wacky and WILD situations back in Pittsburgh that had taken a stressful toll on me personally. Believing that I could just step up to my home pull […]
Welcome to the Twister: Hang Training, Grip Strength, and a Drill You Need for Upper Body Dominance
Since we are on the subject this week on obstacles, we are going to be looking at a specific obstacle that gave me a ton of heck at the Ohio Spartan Beast Race. Welcome to the Twister! Ok ok ok! For those of you in the calisthenics realm of things, practicing this kind of […]
Breathing Mechanics For Pull Up Training and Why that Matters
Breathing. Inhaling and exhaling. We take this daily habit of getting oxygen into our lungs for granted, as it is ingrained in our brains to breathe for the sake of keeping ourselves alive. :If you don’t breathe, you die.”, says Vladimir Vasiliev, author of “Let Every Breath” and head instructor of the school of Systema […]
WELCOME TO THE PULL UP PARTY! Get Your First, Your Reps, Your MAX Weighted Pull Up
Ohio Spartan Beast 2017: In the books! I am incredibly thankful for the good times, the scary times, and the victory we all experienced as we crossed over to the finish line. The entire experience had me thinking about training, taking my own training a HELL of a lot more serious, and realizing that the […]
A Pull-UP Epiphany: Switch Yo’ Grip Up!
Have you ever had one of those “DDDDUUUURRRRR!!!!!” moments when something completely obvious just hits you right upside your head? Having practiced and dialed in my own pull-up training for a number of years (yes. . .YEARS) you would think that I would have this lift down to a science. I am forever reminded and […]
Welcome to a New Era of Strength!
It’s been nearly 4 years since I have been blogging my way through the internet talking about all things related to healthy eating, strength training, and living life to the fullest in Pittsburgh, the city I love so much. What started as a quirky blog called “The Primal Burgher” quickly evolved into something much more refined, powerful, and for […]
Grip Variations for Pull Ups- Ryan Williams, PCC
Since September is pull up month here at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh, I’m going to take a look at grip position and the differences between the variations. First the basics-Overhand grip(Palms away from you) is a pull up. Underhand grip (Palms toward you) is a chin up. A neutral grip is with your palms facing each […]