Why do dumbbells smell? (and how to GET RID of it!)

Why do dumbbells smell? (+how to GET RID of it!)

After a string of dumbbell purchases in recent months I’ve become accustom to receiving NEW rubber weights! Some of them have a faint smell when unboxed that clears very quickly – but just why do my shiny new dumbbells smell?! At a glance… Rubber dumbbells can smell due to the volatile organic compounds released as they ‘degass’ shortly after manufacture Recycled rubber is more likely to smell than virgin rubber due to the source rubber coming from the likes of car tyres, and the glue involved in congealing the crumbs together The smell from rubber weights will usually fade if […]

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Is gymming a hobby? YES, but describe it like THIS instead...

Is gymming a hobby? Yes, but describe it like THIS instead

I spend a lot of time in my home gym and trying to stay fit – BUT is gymming a hobby or not?! Personally I think it IS a hobby, but that’s not how I like to describe it to others or on my resume. Here’s what I do instead: At a glance… If you enjoy working out and going to the gym then gymming is a hobby It can add more character to be more specific – ‘Amateur CrossFit competitor’ or ‘Marathon runner’ both stand out more to me than ‘Gymming’ or ’Enjoys going to the gym’ These tips

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How high should a pull up bar be? (200 - 250cm)

How HIGH should a pull up bar be? (200 – 250cm)

I am in the process of dismantling my home gym to relocate. One of the chores on the ‘list’ is to dismantle the power rack – pull up bar and all. I’m taking the opportunity to change up my set up, including the mounting height of the bar. But just how high should a pull up bar be?! Here’s what I’ve found out… At a glance… Your pull up bar should be mounted 200cm – 250cm high Headroom is more important than bar height – leave around 50cm of clearance ABOVE the bar You must be able to dead-hang from

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HyGYM Squat Rack review: UK's best BUDGET rack

HyGYM Squat Rack Review: UK’s best BUDGET rack

If you’re looking for a BUDGET home gym set up in the UK then this could be the centrepiece – a competitively priced squat rack! HyGYM sell their rack complete with various attachments at a well-below-£500 price point making it a compelling offering for those of us looking to maximise the bang for our buck in a garage gym. BUT is it any good? At a glance… HyGYM squat rack is the best budget rack in the UK offering a rack + all attachments for a competitive price Spec includes a high/low pulley, ladder pull up bar, 2x pairs of

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Concrete weights vs iron weights (Winner: IRON!)

Concrete weights vs iron weights (Winner: IRON!)

My first lifting experience was with a cheap EverLast bench and set of concrete weights which I received as a birthday present. Fast forward around 15 years and here I am writing about gym equipment every day, lifting several times a week! What I can tell you though is that – if you can afford it – iron plates are almost always better than concrete. Here’s why… At a glance… Iron weights are better than concrete in almost every circumstance The exception is if you are BUDGET constrained, receive them as a gift or find them cheap second hand Iron

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How far apart should dip bars be? (THIS far!)

How far apart should dip bars be? (THIS far)

I’ve been incorporating dips in to my workouts consistently for around 6 months as an assistance movement for bench press, and for a little extra tricep hypertrophy! In that time I’ve experimented with various dip stations and dip widths – here’s what I’ve learned so far. At a glance… Dip bars should be approximately shoulder width apart (45cm – 60cm on average) You can measure this on the fly by using the distance from your elbow to the tip of your fingers to set the bars Tapering your dip bars lets you experiment with different grip widths easily during a

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Why do bumper plates FEEL lighter? (HINT HINT!)

Why do bumper plates FEEL lighter? (Hint: WHIP)

I lift with both bumper AND steel plates and the difference in feel between the two types of plate is quite pronounced. Many people experience the same – and question whether bumper plates are actually LIGHTER than their steel equivalents… Spoiler alert: No they are not – but here’s why you might THINK they are: At a glance… Bumper plates are not lighter than metal plates Some weight plates are more accurate than others which may be a small factor in how they feel (typically 0% – 1% tolerances in good quality plates depending on manufacturer spec) Barbell whip contributes

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9 EPIC L-sit pull up benefits (and 1 big NEGATIVE!)

9 EPIC L-sit pull up benefits (and 1 big NEGATIVE!)

As with any exercise there are a ton of benefits to incorporating L-sit pull ups in to your workout routines – BUT also a few drawbacks. I love the improved body awareness and control they build which benefits other bodyweight movements, but HATE how difficult they are to begin with! Here’s what you need to know… At a glance… There are 6 benefits to L-sit pull ups listed below… As well as a big negative! Improved body control is the number one benefit … closely followed by their sneaky way of adding extra ab work in to my workouts! Incorporate

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9 AWESOME L-sit alternatives!

9 AWESOME L-Sit alternatives!

I find the L-sit a super intense exercise and, from time to time, I find myself wanting to skip it – particularly at the end of a gruelling session! Having a few L-sit alternatives up my sleeve for those workout days is an excellent way to ensure I still get the ab-work I need, even if I can’t face another L-sit… At a glance… The PLANK is the best L-sit alternative as it replicates the isometric hold component of an L-sit and heavily targets the abdominals Ab wheel rollouts are my second favourite substitute – they have lower time under

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ULTIMATE guide to L-sits for beginners

ULTIMATE guide to L-sits for beginners

Are you bored of planks? They why not give the L-sit a whirl! Similar to planking, the L-sit is an isometric move that focuses on building your core. Here’s everything you need to know as an L-sit beginner! At a glance… L-sits are NOT easy and should not be underestimated They are so hard because they rely not only on STRENGTH, but also FLEXIBILITY! There are 6 steps to the perfect L-sit listed out below You should be able to hold an L-sit for 5-10 second initially, gradually increasing to 30-45 seconds per hold Use tucks (with feel on the

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