Amy likes to squat. I know this, because when I texted her asking if we could discuss her squat for a JTS article, her exact response was “I like squats.” Specifically, Amy likes to squat heavy and often, and it shows. She’s back squatted 305 and 290×4 (high bar, no belt, ass-to-grass) and front squatted [...]

Sam Byrd is one of the greatest squatters of all time. With multiple World Records raw and in gear to his credit and a bodybuilder physique to match, Sam is a great addition to Team Juggernaut… Name: Sam Byrd Age: 31 City: Chattanooga, TN Height/Weight: 5’7″ 220 in competition, walk around at 230-235 PRs: Squat Raw 783 no wraps World [...]

Being focused on my raw training for the last year or better I have faced numerous challenges since taking off the gear. One of those major issues was lack of stopping power, and reversal power coming out of the hole on my squats. How can that be? You have squatted over 1000 lbs.? The gear [...]

Happy birthday to one of the strongest and most talented powerlifters in the World today! Team Juggernaut’s Eric Lilliebridge turns 23 years old today. Yes, you read that right, Eric Lilliebridge owner of the World Record raw w/ wraps squat in the 275s class (881 pounds) and a 2204 raw total, is only 23 years [...]

The hole will make or break you as a raw squatter. It is impossible to be a great squatter if you aren’t strong out of the hole. Being explosive in this portion of the lift will help carry you through any sticking points you may have. A combination of great strength in the legs, hips, [...]

If you have read, listened to, or watched anything I have said in the past you will know that I hate the definitions we give ourselves. “I’m a powerlifter, bodybuilder, strongman, etc.” We need to just get back to a point where we respect strength for strength, and stop badgering it, and disrespecting others because [...]

During Squat Week, I had some issues with my new video camera and couldn’t upload videos that I had made to help you all learn. Luckily, I got that issue ironed out and here are the videos that you missed… Dealing with Knee Pain What Squat is Best for Athletic Training? What Shoes are Best [...]

The most overlooked and misunderstood aspect of max effort lifting is nutrition. What you eat and when you eat it can impact your ability to express your strength more than any other variable. Subtle changes in your diet will allow you to pull, press, and push more than ever, and I’m gonna explain them. Many [...]

Since the press was eliminated from competition in 1972, weightlifting has become a completely lower body dominant sport.  Yet – not surprisingly – there is much debate over the best methods by which to develop leg strength for weightlifters. Sometimes – very surprisingly – there is even debate over the need for weightlifters to have [...]

The most common question I receive about The Juggernaut Method, is “how can I add in some heavier work?”. The Juggernaut Method is built around submaximal work done for a high volume with great attention to the quality of the lift from both a technique and speed standpoint. While I don’t think that it is [...]

Name: Corey Hayes Age: 22 Height/Weight: 5’10 / 235lbs Hometown: Prestonsburg, KY Current City: Richmond, KY Years Training: 7 Years Competing: 6 PRs: My current raw competition PR’s are Squat: 725 Bench: 425 Deadlift: 680 Total: 1825 @220 The deadlift was done about 7 months after herniating my L5 and S1, Im proud of the [...]

From being involved in various strength sports for this long one of the big mistakes I see is that guys never take time to have a real off season.  You also see guys who have no idea what the off season is for.  We all did it growing up with different sports.  There should be [...]

In part 3 of our Team Juggernaut Roundtable discussion, Team Juggernaut’s Chad Wesley Smith, Brandon Lilly, Brad Little and Ryan Brown, along with Mike Tuchscherer, Jim Laird and Corey Hayes, talk about what our favorite assistance movements are for the bench press, squat and deadlift…

By Team Juggernaut Bands and Chains are among the most trendy tools in the modern training toolbox. They are also in my opinion, among the most misunderstood and misused. I could cite numerous YouTube videos that show coaches (including MAJOR D-1 coaches) having their athlete bench or squat with chains, where the chains are setup [...]

Make sure you LIKE Juggernaut on Facebook and keep your eyes peeled for our weekly live Q&As where you can get your training questions answered by some of the strongest athletes and smartest coaches in the World!! Q: How can I build up my back strength for loading heavy atlas stones? A: Kalle Beck- All [...]

Simply put, Shane Hamman is the greatest American Olympic lifter ever. Hamman is the American Record holder in the 105+kg class in the Clean & Jerk (237.5kg), Snatch (197.5kg) and Total (430kg). In addition to his Olympic lifting prowess and two appearances on the Olympic team, Hamman is also the IPF World Record holder in [...]

Blaine Sumner is without a doubt one of the World’s best squatters. With a World Record 400kg (881 pound) squat in the IPF, wearing just a belt and knee sleeves, Sumner is certain to go down in history as one of the best to ever get under the bar. In addition to his powerlifting prowess, [...]

Each week on the Juggernaut Training Systems Facebook page, Chad Wesley Smith and other members of Team Juggernaut will answer your questions during a live Q&A. Like Juggernaut’s page and keep your eyes peeled for the weekly live Q&A, so you don’t miss an opportunity to get your questions answered by some of the strongest [...]

By Chad Wesley Smith Part 1-Maximal Effort Work I often get questions through email, Facebook or through JTSstrength.com that are something to the effect of, “Can I substitute closegrip reverse band presses with chains for military press?,” or “Do you think Close stance low foam box safety squat bar squats are a good accessory movement [...]

Check Out Dan’s Training Log Here Name: Dan Green  Age: 29 Height/Weight: 5’10″ 235-245 Hometown: Mountain View, CA Current City: Mountain View, CA Years Training: 14 Years Competing: 6 PRs in relevant lifts/events:  Squat: 760 Bench: 485 Sumo Dead: 835 Conv Dead: 765×2 Military Press: 315 Where you Train: Boss Barbell Club Day Job: Strength [...]