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The Hammer Cast

Aleks Salkinwww.alekssalkin.com
A show about strength, health, fitness, learning languages, and becoming a more interesting person.
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Episodes

Ep. 125: "Single-Arm Exercises Are Stupid"

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com A certain fitness guru has made the claim that "single-arm exercises are stupid". But is that really true? I dispell this myth while being rather witty in the process....

May 26, 202211 min

Ep. 124: #1 Kettlebell Press “They” Don’t Want You to Know About

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com There is arguably no piece of strength equipment more versatile than the kettlebell. So why are we encouraged to AVOID its versatility and stick with only a select few "approved" movements? There are some great moves that you'll see practiced quite often in the world of weightlifting, bodybuilding, etc. that also work super well with kettlebells. A great example of that is the incline press, which you can...

May 25, 20225 min

Ep. 123: Dr. Jim Madden on Losing 100 lbs & Getting Stronger Than Ever

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com I'm joined on this episode by Dr. Jim Madden - an online student of mine in his late 40s who set a mighty lofty goal for himself: to absolutely own a 40 kg (88 lb) one-arm military press on either arm. In this episode we chronicle his journey to losing 100 lbs, talk about how he discovered the kettlebell, and dive into how he got stronger and fitter at a lighter bodyweight and at age 48 than ever before....

May 24, 202253 min

Ep. 121: Kettlebells & Calisthenics at the Speed of Life

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com If you're a busy human (and I'm guessing you probably are) about the last thing you have time for is long, drawn-out workouts. Put to good use this simple (and highly effective) tactic to knock out more work in less time and spike your gains through the roof in the process....

May 22, 20226 min

Ep. 120: The Bond Girl Secret to Light Speed Kettlebell and Bodyweight Strength Gains

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com In the latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die , there is a great (almost hidden) gem about the value of training with the right people in order to maximize your strength and conditioning. Blink and you might miss it, but fear not: I've got the rundown right here for you....

May 21, 20227 min

Ep. 119: The Case for High Reps

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com I know you've been told that high reps are stupid and won't get you stronger. But verily I say unto thee: that is some BS. I explain why in this episode (which you should definitely share with your friends, WINK WINK, NUDGE NUDGE)...

May 20, 202210 min

Ep. 118: Why Women Can't Do Pullups

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com There's a claim in the fitness world - even backed up by the New York Times - that women simply can't do pullups. But is this REALLY true? I dive into this topic in detail - including my own experience training women - in this epic episode...

May 19, 202212 min

Ep. 117: Bruce Lee’s #1 Secret to Bulletproof Abs

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com Want a sleek set of Bruce Lee-style abs? Put down the silly ab machines and start putting your abs to the REAL test: defying gravity with no BS calisthenics!...

May 19, 20226 min

Ep. 116: An Old-School Secret to Crushing Weakness Like Conan Crushed His Enemies

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com Fact: physical weakness has swept across the land. But it doesn't have to be that way. You can make incredible strength gains by tackling one major problem - your grip strength - and start making radical changes to your full-body strength in the process. This episode will show you how....

May 17, 20228 min

Ep. 115: Why Swings Kinda Suck For Building the Glutes

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com I'm sure this episode will rustle some jimmies, but it's true: when it comes to using kettlebells to build your glutes, there are far better options than kettlebell swings. Check out this article for details: Why Kettlebell Swings Kinda Suck For Building the Glutes | by Aleks Salkin | In Fitness And In Health | Medium...

May 16, 20226 min

Ep. 114: Resurrect Resilient Shoulders With 1 Inventive Gymnastic Ring Drill

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com Ain't no two ways about it, friend: our shoulders can be pretty easily busted up. And while I can't promise you this will fix them up 100%, I CAN say that they've help me help both myself and others in making sure that everything works the way it's supposed to. Special thanks to former gymnast and Master SFG instructor Mark Reifkind for introducing me to these....

May 16, 20228 min

Ep. 113: There's More to Training than Swings & Get Ups

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com As much as you may have been told - and really REALLY want to believe - that swings and Get Ups are the best possible workout you can do, I can assure you: you will get a LOT stronger if you expand your horizons. On this episode I dive a bit deeper into the how and why....

May 15, 202210 min

Ep. 111: Fix your 'Fugged Up' Shoulders w/ These 2 Moves

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com Jacked-up shoulders: everyone's had 'em at some point, not everyone does something about it. Well, I'm bound and determined not to let your shoulders hold you back if at all possible. Let's see if these two moves can fix 'em up a bit, shall we? For more details, check out this-here article: ‘Fugged Up’ Shoulders? These 2 Moves Just Might Fix That | by Aleks Salkin | In Fitness And In Health | Medium...

May 12, 20226 min

Ep. 110: Strength Training *Safely* on a High-Mileage Body

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com Let's face it: you've racked up a little mileage on your body by now. But don't worry, unlike a car, high mileage doesn't necessarily mean less value - it just means you've gotta commandeer your Soft Machine a little differently. I give you a couple of majorly-helpful tips in this brief and bodacious episode. Like what you hear? Snag yourself a FREE copy of my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challeng...

May 12, 20228 min

Ep. 109: The #1 Kettlebell Drill You've NEVER Done

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com When it comes to kettlebell exercises, few get as overlooked and underappreciated as the deadlift. And what a shame, too, since even at relatively light weights you'll be amazed at just how much strength and muscle you can build with a few essential (and avante garde) kettlebell deadlifts. Check out this article for more details: The ‘athletic’ deadlift variation that builds raw lower body power | by Alek...

May 10, 20226 min

Ep. 108: One Move to Turn Your 'Question Mark' Posture into an Exclamation Point

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com If you're like 90% of the people living in the Western world, odds are you're a little (or a lot) more sedentary than you oughta be - and that can wreak havoc on your posture, which can in turn wreak havoc on your strength. Fix that ASAP with rocking (check out this quick video demo here: https://youtu.be/7pjffiqY_aI And if you haven't already, snag yourself a free copy of my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bod...

May 09, 202210 min

Ep. 107: Jeff Sokol on the Transformative Power of Kettlebells

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com On this episode of the Hammer Cast I'm joined by legendary kettlebell instructor Jeff Sokol. We talk about his origin story, how he discovered the kettlebell, and the moment he finally decided to take the giant leap into a full-time career as a kettlebell coach. Follow Jeff online at SokolStrong.com and on Instagram at @Sokol Strong And if you haven't already, be sure to snag a copy of my 9-Minute Kettleb...

Apr 29, 202253 min

Ep. 106: Ask Me Anything

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.AleksSalkin.com Got your own burning questions? Feel free to drop me a line and they just might get featured in the next Ask Me Anything! As a side note: If you like the full-body strength and conditioning this drill gives you, you just might like my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge. As the name implies, it's only 9 minutes a day, and it can be done in conjunction with your current workouts WITHOUT overload...

Apr 25, 202218 min

Ep. 105: Scott Stevens on Martial Arts, Kettlebells, and Becoming Life-Long Strong

I'm joined on this podcast by my very own kettlebell coach Scott Stevens! In this episode we reminisce about my early days in the kettlebell world, Scott's "origin story", his journey from Tae Kwon Do badass to kettlebell kung fu legend, and everything in between. Be sure to check him out online at www.OmahaEliteKettlebell.com Also, if you haven't already, be sure to snag yourself a copy of my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge at www.9minutechallenge.com...

Apr 15, 202248 min

Ep. 104: Levi Markwardt on becoming Harder to Kill

On this episode I am joined by my friend Levi Markwardt of www.levishardertokilltraining.com - We talk about how Levi grew up cutting corners, avoiding hard training, and ultimately opted for a sedentary life after college, only to come face-to-face with the reality of mortality at the tender age of 28, which led to a major shift in his approach to life, leading him to become one of the most dynamic kettlebell instructors of our age. Tune in - you won't wanna miss this one! and if you haven't al...

Apr 12, 202248 min

Ep. 103: Pat Flynn on becoming a lean, mean machine

On this episode I am joined by my pal Pat Flynn, where we dive deep into a topic that - on some level - interests dayum near everyone: how to become a lean, mean machine with rippling muscles, shredded physique, etc. Check him out online at www.101kettlebellworkouts.com And if you haven't already, be sure to snag my now-famous 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge at www.9minutechallenge.com...

Apr 10, 202243 min

Ep. 102: Rob Akers on wrestling, bare-knuckle boxing, and kettlebells

On this episode I'm joined by Rob Akers of www.akersofstrength.com - a guy who has wrestled (and coached wrestlers), learned bare-knuckle boxing from one of the scariest men around, and eventually went on to become a kettlebell instructor, powerlifter, and now bodybuilder. Tune in and enjoy hearing his fascinating journey. And if you haven't already, be sure to get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge and transform yourself from 'weak' to 'freak' in short order: www.9MinuteChallenge...

Apr 08, 202244 min

Ep. 101: Khalid Bou-Rabee on the Harambe System

I'm joined on this podcast by Khalid Bou-Rabee, founder and creater of the Harambe System - a bar-and-band strength training system that has breathed new life into one of the most ancient forms of training: rubber band training. In this episode we talk about how his mathematics degree helped him develop the system, and how it can help you get stronger than ever before. Check him out online at https://harambesystem.com And be sure to grab my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE rig...

Apr 05, 202232 min

Ep. 100: The 100-Rep StrongFirst Snatch Test

In this monumental 100th episode I dive into the hows and whys of preparing yourself for the 100-rep StrongFirst Snatch Test. There's more to it than just grabbing a bell and trying to snatch it 100 times - it takes time, precision, and planning. If you've got your sights set on snatch greatness, this episode has got you covered. Wanna prepare yourself for the rigors of snatch trainnig? Then you must get generally strong first - a great way to do that is with my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodywei...

Mar 31, 202214 min

Ep. 99: Dani Almeyda on the power of Original Strength

I'm joined on this episode by none other than one half of the dynamic duo of Original Strength: Dani Almeyda. On this episode we talk about her Origin Story, how she met Tim and began collaborating with him at "the Mother Ship" (i.e. the Original Strength Institute in Fuquay-Varina, NC) and how OS has changed her life. Check her out online at www.originalstrengthinstitute.com And if you haven't already, be sure to snag a FREE copy of my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge here: www.9M...

Mar 28, 202242 min

Ep. 98: Hammer The Hammer #1 (Q&A): Combining Kettlebells and calisthenics, power training, and improving your pullup

On this fine episode I'm doing the first of what I hope to make into a series called "Hammer The Hammer" on Q&A I get from fans and followers from around the globe. On this inaugural episode I'll be covering: * How to combine kettlebells and calisthenics effectively into a program * Using kettlebells to build explosive power * How to increase your pullups And to getcherself a free copy of my almost-famous 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge, be sure to go here www.9minutechallenge...

Mar 25, 202221 min

Ep. 96: Geoff Neupert on Minimalism

I had the pleasure of once again chatting with the great retired Master SFG Instructor Geoff Neupert - author of "Kettlebell Muscle" as well as a litany of other excellent books. In this jam-packed episode we go head to head on the topic of minimalism: is it cool, or for fools? I think you'll find that the answer will surprise you. Check Geoff out at www.chasingstrength.com And if you haven't already, grab yourself a free copy of my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge at www.AleksSalk...

Mar 15, 202253 min
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