The Hammer Cast - podcast cover

The Hammer Cast

Aleks Salkinwww.alekssalkin.com
A show about strength, health, fitness, learning languages, and becoming a more interesting person.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Ep. 66: Why I don't do gratitude journalining

Gratitude journaling has been all the rage in the health and fitness world for the last few years, but - surprise of surprises - I just don't do it. In this episode I dish on why. Also, to get 99 of my BEST kettlebell + bodyweight workouts (and get my top-shelf tips, tactics, and techniques doled out to your inbox DAILY) click ye here now: http://alekssalkin.com/

Feb 15, 202110 min

Ep. 65: Senior SFG Alexey Senart on physical culture in Russia

In this fascinating interview, Senior SFG Alexey Senart offers a window into a forgotten world: the Soviet Union. We talked about his early life in the USSR, what their physical education programs were REALLY like, and his ingenious methods of creating his own kettlebell before becoming acquainted with Pavel Tsatsouline. Also, to get 99 of my BEST kettlebell + bodyweight workouts (and get my top-shelf tips, tactics, and techniques doled out to your inbox DAILY) click ye here now: http://alekssal...

Feb 12, 20211 hr 3 min

Ep. 63: Megan Kelly, on breaking the Guinness World Record for kettlebell swings

I'm joined in this fun-filled episode of ye olde Hammer Cast by Megan Kelly - an English lass who not only broke, but SMASHED the Guinness World Record for most kettlebell swings performed in a single hour. Find her online at https://www.instagram.com/megan.kelly.1/ Also, to get 99 of my BEST kettlebell + bodyweight workouts (and get my top-shelf tips, tactics, and techniques doled out to your inbox DAILY) click ye here now: http://alekssalkin.com/...

Feb 08, 202149 min

Ep. 62: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Josh Wang on creating strength + resilience

Joining me on this episode is Josh Wang: a Canadian engineer, devoted husband, and loving father to a kid with a super cool name, AND a die-hard Hammer Head. In this installment we talk about his 'origin story': how he got into fitness, the pitfalls and triumphs he experienced, and a few of my programs that turned out to be game changers for him. Follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/4d_strength/ And if you haven't already, climb aboard and get 99 of my most dastardly, bastardly w...

Jan 13, 20211 hr 4 min

BONUS EP. #2: The Badazz True Story of Hanukkah

Have you ever wondered "What the hell is Hanukkah, anyway?" Well, wonder no more, friend - in this episode I give you the low-down on the high-key badazz tale of how a rag-tag bunch of Jews with less training, crappy weaponry, and seemingly no chance managed to eject a massive empire from their midst, rededicate their temple, and re-establish independence. Also, as promised in the episode itself, here is that nice and shiny link to my 99 Bodyweight & Kettlebell Workouts! https://www.alekssal...

Dec 13, 202019 min

Ep. 61: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Mike Moran on going from 'weak' to 'freak'

On this lovely episode I had a chance to talk with personal trainer, martial artist, and guy-who-went-from-flabby-and-overweight to lean and powerful. Also, here's the link to my (soon to be not-free) 99 Bodyweight and Kettlebell Workouts. Get your own copy now or forever hold your peace. https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/

Nov 25, 202051 min

Ep. 60: The Case for Building Muscle

Progress stalled? Stuck on a training plateau for weeks, months, or longer? If you're into strength training but have hit a serious snag, the fix may NOT be more of the same strength training you've been doing, but rather steering in a slightly different direction - namely muscle building. In this podcast I cover 6 big reasons why you should consider building muscle to kick start your strength gains once more. And don't forget to snag your free copy of my 99 Bodyweight and Kettlebell Workouts! h...

Nov 18, 202019 min

Ep. 59: The 1 (and only ) LEGIT training shortcut

You'll get told by everyone and their mother "there are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going!" Is that REALLY true though? Well, mostly. There is *1* authentic shortcut to improve your strength, stamina, muscularity, and anything else your little heart desires - and I reveal it in this show. Oh, and while you're at it, you're probably gonna wanna take a look at the link I mentioned in the show: https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/

Nov 11, 20208 min

Ep. 58: Make America GAIT Again!

We're always told to "be ourselves". But what happens when our own training doesn't reflect that? You've gotta move the way you were made if you wanna get the gains, and the ultimate in human movement is the gait pattern. In this episode I go into not just why the gait pattern is the ultimate in strength and health, but give you some pretty epic examples of followers and colleagues of mine who have made some pretty huge strides thanks to training their gait pattern. BTW, get my epic ebook 99 Bod...

Nov 04, 202017 min

BONUS EP. #1: Edoardo Carlesi, bassist for Nanowar of Steel (NSFW)

My friend Edoardo - who could easily be Italy's candidate for the Most Interesting Man in the World - joins me in this episode to talk about playing bass for Italy's popular comedy metal band Nanowar of Steel, doing post-doctoral research in astrophysics, speaking many languages, and much, much more. If you're interested in strength, btw, you may want to check out my badazz (and free) ebook 99 Bodyweight & Kettlebell Workouts: https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/...

Nov 02, 20201 hr 9 min

Ep. 57: Why kettlebells + bodyweight beat the pants of everything else

Ever wondered why kettlebells and calisthenics are the perfect combination? Well, tune in, friend, adn you will wonder no more! And while you're at it, here's that super spicy link I promised you during the show: https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/

Oct 29, 202019 min

Ep. 56: The Best Bodyweight-Only Moves You've Never Done

Original Strength and Calisthenics go together like love and marriage; like peanut butter and jelly; like Sonny and Cher. And yet, very few people have ever plumbed the depths of the question... "What would happen if you made HYBRID moves of calisthenics + OS?" Until now, that is. That is *exactly* what I explore in this solo episode. And while you're at it, here's the link I mention in the show. Enjoy! https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/

Oct 25, 202025 min

Ep. 55: TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY! How Strong-Mom Anna Dajero makes time to crush weakness

If there's one excuse everyone makes for not training, it's a lack of time. But if you know how to leverage the little time you DO have, as Anna Dajero has, the sky is the limit. In this interview I talk about her fascinating rise to incredible heights - both thanks to my programs and others - and what her future goals are. And if you're not already, be sure to get on my email list already! https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/

Oct 21, 202044 min

Ep. 54: Top 10 lessons from 10 years as a certified kettlebell pro

It's official: I've been a kettlebell instructor for a whopping 10 years! In that time I've picked up more than my fair share of nuggets of wisdom. The following is the top 10 most prized revelations I've picked up along the way. While you're contemplating how to apply some of these lessons to your own life, be sure to pick up my 99 Best Kettlebell & Bodyweight Workouts while you still can - I'm retiring it very soon: https://alekssalkin.lpages.co/99bodyweightkettlebellworkouts/ (This will a...

Oct 19, 202030 min

Ep. 53: Solomon Roskin on the jolly ol' sport of kettlebell lifting

A debate has long raged in the kettlebell world: Sport-style or hardstyle? According to anyone with more than half a brain, the answer is, of course, "it depends". Competitive kettlebell lifter from Israel Solomon Roskin joins me to discuss his background, how he got into kettlebell sport, and what it has to offer you, the listener. Not on my daily email list? Remedy that right quick: https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/

Oct 16, 202032 min

Ep. 52: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Frances Moylan's 36 kg pullup journey

Today I'm excited to present to you the first EVER podcast with a very special (and super strong) young lady named Frances Moylan - or as I like to call her, the Iron Lady of Oz. In this episode we dive deep into her "origin story" - how she went from being afraid of strength training to conquering levels of strength that few humans in history have ever possessed. Listen and learn! And while you're at it, be sure to hop aboard my daily email list where all my best, brightest, most no BS tips go ...

Oct 14, 202043 min

Ep. 51: Israeli Spec-Ops vet Ran Bar-Yoshafat on training like a warrior

No matter where you look, there is no shortage of training programs purporting to show you how to train like a Navy SEAL, a Marine, etc. But how do spec-ops units ACTUALLY train? My friend and Israeli spec-ops vet Ran Bar-Yoshafat details all the training - both physical, mental, and psychological - he underwent to become one of Israel's top warriors. While you're enjoying this episode, be sure to never miss a single tasty nugget of wisdom by joining my daily email list (you'll also get my 8-wee...

Sep 17, 202053 min

Ep. 50: Gil Reves, "The Beast from the Middle East" on epic human performance

On this episode I am joined by my good friend and badass mofo Gil Reves, "The Beast from the Middle East" Hailing from Israel, Gil and I met at a StrongFirst event many moons ago and have spent countless hours hanging out and talking strength. Also, be sure to get your free copy of my most popular program of all time, The 8-Week Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge (and get on my daily email list to boot) -> https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/...

Sep 01, 20201 hr 3 min

Ep. 49: Dr. Mike Musselman on the science behind Original Strength

Dr. Mike Musselman joins the show today to talk about the hows and whys of Original Strength - why it makes you stronger, how it works, and what it can do for your strength and performance. And if you haven't already, be sure to climb aboard my daily email list - where all my Grade A, Top Shelf material goes out on the daily (and the only place to gain access to my programs, challenges, courses, and more) https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/...

Aug 29, 202058 min

Ep. 48: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Lyndsi Vaile's epic pistol squat victory

On this episode I got to interview the lovely and dedicated Lyndsi Vaile - former figure competitor, busy mom, and all-around badass. We talk about her journey to kettlebells & calisthenics, and how she ended up nailing a pistol squat WITHOUT training for it! Never miss a moment of my delicious, tasty nuggets of training wisdom - get on my daily email list and crush weakness! https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/...

Aug 26, 202041 min

Ep. 47: Adam Armstrong is BACK with a big reveal...

Adam Armstrong is back once again for a great, in-depth conversation on strength, power, and...a big revelation on his part. If you're not already on my email list, by the way, you are hamstringing your OWN strength and power gains. Climb aboard here (and get my world-famous 8-week kettlebell & bodyweight challenge to boot): https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/

Aug 22, 20201 hr 5 min

Ep. 46: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Karan Singh's massive Get Up PR

If your body has ever rebelled against your training, you know how frustrating it is. Karan Singh knows this better than most. Try as he might to build his Get Up, his back, neck, & shoulders would protest - putting him out of training for a week or more... Until he did my program Get Up Domination and went from 16 kg to 28 kg in just 6 weeks! Be sure to check him out at http://www.bigfootguitars.com/ Also, set your own new PRs with my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge! www.9Min...

Aug 18, 202035 min

Ep. 45: TESTIMONY TUESDAY! Lewis Toh's surprise 1-arm pushup

It's not every day you can surprise yourself with a one-arm pushup - unless, of course, you've been diligently following one of my programs. And in this case, the program in question was not even a pushup program, but one on a totally unrelated movement: The Dead Bug! I'm joined by Singaporean personal trainer Lewis Toh to discuss his recent success with my Dawn of the Deadbug program. Be sure to check him out on Facebook where he does great live videos daily. And if you're not already, get on m...

Aug 11, 202019 min

Ep. 44: Al Kavadlo on his 'Fit Pro Masterclass'

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Al's badazz Fit Pro Masterclass right here: http://al-kavadlos-fitness-pro-master-class.myshopify.com?aff=3 Before you race off to become a fit pro master, be sure to get my 8-Week Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge - https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/

Jul 25, 202032 min

Ep. 43: Tim Anderson on the origin of Original Strength

At long last I was able to sit down with the one and only Tim Anderson of Original Strength to talk about his origin story, how frustration led him to a physical renaissance, and how OS exploded onto the scene 9 years ago and hasn't slowed down since. Before you race off to practice your resets, be sure to get my 8-Week Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge - which includes Original Strength-style crawling, to boot! https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/...

Jul 13, 202043 min

Ep. 42: David Ben Moshe on moving better to get stronger

I'm joined again in this episode by the one and only David Ben Moshe of Jerusalem, Israel to talk about moving better to get stronger. David's the guy I entrusted all my former students to when I left Jerusalem, so his knowledge and expertise comes highly recommended by Yours Jewly. Be sure to check out his latest FREE ebook here https://www.magenfitness.com/hai-workouts.html Oh, and speaking of which, if you've not already snagged your copy of 8-week Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge, what ...

Jul 07, 20201 hr 1 min

Ep. 41: Adam Armstrong on 'Kettlebell & Bodyweight Super 6' (pt 2)

I'm joined once again by Adam Armstrong as we discuss the ins and outs of our new program, 'Kettlebell & Bodyweight Super 6' If you haven't already, be sure to check Adam out online at https://www.thenewalpha.com/ And if you're not yet on my email list, let me just assure you: you're messing up big time. My email list is where all my best, grade A content goes out daily - NOT on Facebook. Click here to hop aboard (and get my 8-week kettlebell & bodyweight program to boot!) https://alekss...

Jun 09, 202050 min

Ep. 40: Adam Armstrong on going from 'weak' to 'freak' (pt. 1)

The best stories about strength are from those folks who struggled every step of the way and triumphed nonetheless. And my friend Adam Armstrong is no exception. In this jam-packed episode, Adam details not only his rise from 'chump' to 'champ', but how an obscure form of programming from the world of Powerlifting is what helped him rise to new and exciting levels of strength. BTW, if you're not on my daily email list, you are missing out big time - be sure to climb aboard here! https://alekssal...

Jun 05, 20201 hr 15 min

Ep. 39: Manifesto Against Minimalism

Minimalism sure ain't what it used to be...but you can still bring back *old school* minimalism and reap the rewards! Also, be sure to hop on my daily email list and nab yourself a copy of my 8-week kettlebell and bodyweight challenge! https://alekssalkin.leadpages.co/8weekchallenge/

May 14, 202010 min
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android