How does this look? I want to make sure I am not doing it and sending any misinformation 
I decided to try cable crunches for the first time last week. Of course any new movement is going to suck at first but I found doing cable crunches a bit clumsy, put more tension on my aggravated tennis elbow and the ends of the cable were uncomfortable against my neck. Are cable crunches worth going through the newbie stage?
Great post. Really enjoyed it. Any tips on progressing on pull ups. I can knock out 3-4 full range over hand grip pull ups but feel really stuck. A few people have suggested doing weighted pull ups to progress on body weight pull ups. This actually makes sense but I just feel like I would like to get to ten solid reps before adding weight. The way it feels now, I don’t think I will ever get there.
There’s 1000 ways to crunch. I don’t think it’s got anything to do with being new or seasoned, it’s just not worth sticking with a crunch that doesn’t feel good.
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Glad you’re here, and thanks for dropping a comment!
Overhand grip pull-ups are tough! They stress my elbows out a little too much, so I mainly stick with neutral or underhand grip, which are also a little easier… I suspect because the biceps can get more involved in the movement.
The advice you received is great, so is “greasing the groove” where you have a pull-up bar available somewhere in your house and do a few reps randomly every time you pass though it during the day. This just helps accumulate volume, so that you eventually exceed your max reps more easily.
Now for the advice you don’t hear very often:
My unconventional way of increasing the reps on pull-ups or chin-ups is just to get my back strong (for high reps) on a favorite back-focused lift. For me, this is any type of chest-supported row.
When I get strong using a chest-supported row machine (like a T-bar row, or a seated hammer strength machine), I can crack out a lot more chins and even regular pull-ups.
This is true even though rows are a horizontal pull motion and pull-ups are a vertical pull motion. My back doesn’t give a crap. When it’s strong at pulling, it can pull a weight from any direction.
I can also do a lot more chin-ups and neutral grip pull-ups when my body is lighter. That’s the “no-duh” tip that everyone’s heard, but it’s surprising how even just 5 pounds less (or 5 pounds more) will make a big difference.
Gareth Sapstead has a fantastic article coming out soon on pull-up variations that’ll help you increase strength without using bands or extra weight. If I can find the video, I’ll post it!
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I agree with TFP… as usual.
If you ever get to a point where you have a ton of time to just train abs, it might be worth the time investment, but otherwise your comments on it are exactly why I skip it.
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My body feels completely wrecked from painting the en suite yesterday. I still have some touch-ups to do, but my upper back is aching like crazy. I have so much respect for people who do this for a living. Apparently they’re in better shape than I am!
Wish you guys could come over and try these cookies! I baked no sugar added oatmeal pumpkin cookies with cream cheese protein frosting this morning. There are 5 scoops of Metabolic Drive in this: 3 in the cookies, and 2 in the frosting.
Oatmeal cookies get a lot of crap because they’re not chocolate chip. But (pro-tip) if you put frosting on them, they’re a lot more exciting.
Chris and I are planning on shopping around for more dresses. Mainly just for me, not him.
The one I posted above shows a LOT of skin, and my mom doesn’t think that’s appropriate for my step daughter’s wedding. She recommended a pant suit. I’m like, “Mom, I’m sure my husband would love to show up to a wedding with his ex-wife looking lovely, and his current wife in a Hilary Clinton-style pant suit. Perfect idea.”
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@DTX here are some killer pull-up variations from Gareth Sapstead that would strengthen your ability to rep out more overhand strict pull-ups…
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Thanks for the advice, all great tips. I figured as much but it helps to hear it and talk it through. I’m usually so wiped on my pull days that I skip the t-bar row. I will start adding it in more regularly. And yes, I’ve also gained 10 pounds since the holidays so….hopefully those will come off while I work on the t-bar. Love your content and this community.
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TFP - gotta say you always come through with really common sense advice. I always appreciate hearing back from you.
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LOL!!
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Thanks sweet friend. 
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So I fell in love with some shorter dresses (even bought one that’s non-returnable) for the wedding… and then discovered that long dresses are what the bride is wanting.
Also this happened:
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Dress A. Dress B looks nice, but gives off strong Amish vibes. You’ve built impressive shoulders, it’s okay to showcase them
Source: my wife is the oldest of 6 sisters and I’ve been playing this game since I was 16 lol.
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A
I like the shoe game where they have to stand on one foot
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HA!! Thank you so much!
I agree, but worried that A isn’t appropriate for a wedding. This is tough because we have to wear a very specific color palate (mauves, blushes, pinks) and they all blend in with my skin or look like grandma dresses.
Everything is either too slutty or too matronly.
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That’s a skill when you’re wearing heels!
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I once showed up to a fancy date night with my wife wearing a very nice blazer over some slacks, with an absurdly large Fanny pack. My wife was mortified, and told me to take it off. I refused, and also refused to tell her what was inside.
Skip ahead to 4 hours later when we are walking and she is complaining about how much her feet hurt, I whip open my handy dandy Fanny pack and pull out a pair of her vans that I had stolen earlier. Checkmate.
Edit: I also find it mildly concerning that there has been tons of great lifting convo on this thread and the first time I comment is in regards to dresses….
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Well you give excellent advice so I’m glad you’re here. And that fanny pack thing? Genius.
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