

The Hammer Cast
Aleks Salkin
A show about strength, health, fitness, learning languages, and becoming a more interesting person.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2022 • 4min
Ep. 255: Unlock Your Upper Body Power with This Gymnastics Ring Move
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com When it comes to getting a stronger upper back, one of the finest moves of all is the face pull. All you need is a pair of rings and you're golden. In this episode I talk about why the face pull just might be the missing link your body has been craving, and how to mix it in with your training.

Oct 2, 2022 • 5min
Ep. 254: An Epic Kettlebell/Calisthenics Combo for Brute-Strong Legs
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Let's face it: no one wants stick legs: not you, not me, NO ONE. And for as useful as a heavy barbell and a big ol' pile of weights may be, it's not necessary. You can make dynamite gains with just some kettlebells and your own fair flesh. I'll show you how in this episode. Video references: Hamstring curls: https://youtu.be/r4SRfCqoVF4 Front squats: https://youtu.be/T8xRwxBsdy4

Oct 1, 2022 • 6min
Ep. 253: The #1 (Almost) Guaranteed Way to Get Stronger Faster
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Would you believe that a great deal of your strength training frustrations might very well be easily solved by simply making one head-slappingly simple tweak to your routine? No guarantees, of course, but I've seen it work more often than not. Listen in and find out what the tactic is.

Sep 30, 2022 • 6min
Ep. 252: 3 Moves for Brutishly Strong (and Resilient) Shoulders
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Wanna build some boulder shoulders that fill out your shirts, turn heads, and get respect? Look no further than the movements described in this episode. (Also, consider switching out the pike pushups for military presses if you lack the mobility/skill to get into position for the movement) Pike pushup: https://youtu.be/17ckzsrjBgM Wide grip ring rows: https://youtu.be/zQxSvcs2_rc Lateral raises: https://youtu.be/ANJH0JkzmfA

Sep 29, 2022 • 5min
Ep. 251: 2 Reasons Why Your Strength Might Be Stalled (and How to Fix It)
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Frustrated by how you always seem to make such great progress at the beginning of a new workout routine, yet struggle to keep your strength gains coming as the weeks and months go by? Let me assure you: you are not alone. Fortunately, you can often KEEP doing those same exercises you love and get even better results. All you have to do is follow a few simple pointers in this episode and watch your gain train start rolling along again.

Sep 28, 2022 • 5min
Ep. 250: Build 'Freakish Strength' (Without Looking Like a Freak)
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Scenario time: let's say you've spent a good deal of time working up to some mighty meaty strength gains in a particular movement, but the time has come for you to take the reigns of a new program that you really like, so you are now stuck with the dilemma: How do you maintain your gains while changing how you train?! Well, fear not, my little leibchen. This episode will provide some soothing answers to your burning questions.

Sep 27, 2022 • 5min
Ep. 249: Don't Believe the BS — You NEED High Reps for Heavy Strength
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Believe it or not, high reps just might be the key to reinvigorating your heavy strength training. If you haven't tried it - or even considered it - this mighty fine episode will show you the ropes.

Sep 26, 2022 • 5min
Ep. 248: Why (& How) to Build "Deep Strength"
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com If you want to get life-long strong, every inch of your body must be strong - NOT just those beach muscles of yours. This episode will show you how to build some much-needed 'deep strength'

Sep 25, 2022 • 6min
Ep. 247: A 'Sneaky' Kettlebell & Bodyweight Short Cut for a Heavier Military Press
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com While it's true that if you want to get better at military presses you'll need to do quite a few presses, it's equally true that if ALL you do is military presses, you'll probably stall out and get frustrated by plateaus more quickly than if you were to mix up your training now and again. This episode will show you one of my favorite "short cuts" to greater gains in overhead strength. You'll still have to do a lot of hard work, but you just might get to your PRs a little quicker this way.

Sep 24, 2022 • 7min
Ep. 246: #1 Kettlebell Move for Boulder Shoulders & Explosive Leg Power
Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: http://www.9MinuteChallenge.com Is there any better kettlebell exercise for strength, muscle, explosive power, and all-out athleticism than the double kettlebell clean and jerk? Don't even bother trying to give a response because the answer is NO. Listen in to why they are so great on this episode here. And for a video demo, you can't do much better than this one: https://youtu.be/ye8zPleqJpQ


