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![Why Is The Trap Bar Deadlift Superior?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50d36117e4b02989725278f9/1712570230429-G7OVKWP8KJ4WPPXKU1JV/trap+bar+deadlift+%281%29.png)
Why Is The Trap Bar Deadlift Superior?
The trap bar deadlift is a deadlift making use of the specialty trap bar/hex bar. This lift has some unique benefits and disadvantages compared to the traditional deadlift. Interestingly, it’s probably more useful than the traditional deadlift for most people, but that won’t stop most people from continuing to use the straight bar deadlift anyway.
![Rest Periods Revisited](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50d36117e4b02989725278f9/1709566094089-PLCYHOW1DC2VXTZ2USYF/rest+periods+revisited+%281%29.png)
Rest Periods Revisited
This post continues on from an older post about rest periods, and clarifies some of the potential nuances involved. In particular, while longer rest periods may be better, this needs to be considered in the context of a lot of other variables, and being proactive about managing your workouts based on total volume of training (rather than individual variables like rest periods) may be more meaningful overall. This also helps to explain why some lifters can get away with not following strict programming, training by feel, while still seeing great results.
![What is the belt squat?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50d36117e4b02989725278f9/1707994248806-YPPWIV5ASS42PS6659O2/belt+squat+%281%29.png)
What is the belt squat?
The belt squat is a variation of the squat in which the weight is anchored to the waist via a belt, rather than a standard loading method. This may be beneficial for some lifters as it removes the spine from the equation, and may enable you to put more loading on the legs/quads directly. However, I believe that this also has some drawbacks, and may not be a universal benefit.
![Powerbuilding For Dummies - Strength And Size](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50d36117e4b02989725278f9/1705315132936-7K3BY8R18IC0W3ZXVRNU/powerbuilding+%281%29.png)
Powerbuilding For Dummies - Strength And Size
Powerbuilding is the act of combining powerlifting and bodybuilding training - both size and strength - in order to have a good mix of the two. While there’s some natural affinity between these pursuits, there are also ways that you can easily mess it up, resulting in loss of progress. In particular, diet is a point of weakness, and requires a lot of care in order to pull off properly, especially if you have competitive goals. If you do it right - you can certainly get the best of both worlds.
![How Widespread Is Steroid Use?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50d36117e4b02989725278f9/1704708706551-SN2FYEDASYWT68BIVMGS/steroid+use+%281%29.png)
How Widespread Is Steroid Use?
Steroids use is widespread, but certainly not total. Steroid use also carries significant health risks. Different pressures will lead to different levels of adoption - relevance to your sport, legality, and economic incentives all have an impact on how willing people are to use steroids, and how likely they are to be willing to discuss their usage. Still, this should not impact your personal decision-making too much - regardless of whether or not someone else is using, this doesn’t impact what you need to do to make progress in your own training.