Tip Two Lifts for Real Athletic Strength Search Skip to content Menu Menu follow us Store Articles Community Loyal-T Club Loyal-T Points Rewards Subscribe to Save Search Search The World s Trusted Source & Community for Elite Fitness Training Tip Two Lifts for Real Athletic Strength Here' s are two functional strength exercises that are actually functional for athletes and everyone else who occasionally gets off the couch by TJ Kuster January 24, 2018August 18, 2019 Tags Powerlifting & Strength, Tips, Training People use the term "functional strength" a lot, and I'm not convinced they know what it means. Standing one legged on a BOSU ball while you do a banded press does not mean you're becoming functionally stronger. So, how do you develop real functional strength? By doing lifts that have both of these qualities: They help you function better when doing normal life activities. They actually make you strong. Athletes require functional strength just as much as the average lifter. So that's where these two movements come in. They can lead to some amazing gains in strength, power, and speed in a very short amount of time and are actually functional for both competitive athletes and everyday lifters. Trap Bar Deadlift This lift is as simple as it is brutal. It requires you to assume an athletic stance before beginning the movement. Developing strength in an athletic stance will transfer to any sport or life activity. Whether you need to prepare to tackle a running back who's running full steam at you or are just trying to lift your groceries off the floor, everyone will need to be strong in this position at some point. Rack Squat It'll train you to hit the right depth on a back squat without the risk of injury. Set some safety pins at approximately hip height so you're able to squat to parallel. Do this lift just like a regular back squat, except when you get to the bottom of the squat, rest the bar on the pins for about a second before driving the hips up and forward as you go back to standing. Get The T Nation Newsletters Don' t Miss Out Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level related posts Training Tip Do 4 Exercises for Forearms and Grip We bet you haven't tried these unique exercises. Add a few to the end of your workouts to cure PFS – Puny Forearm Syndrome. Arms, Tips, Training Darren Nuzzo April 12 Training Tip Choose Your Own HIIT A funny thing happens when dedicated gym-goers disregard what their workout plans say and choose their own intensity. Take a look. Metabolic Conditioning, Metcon, Tips, Training Shawn Wayland June 10 Training Tip Build Pecs & Core Strength With One Exercise The one-arm dumbbell bench press not only hits your chest, it helps you build core anti-rotation strength. Abs, Chest, Exercise Coaching, Tips Michael Warren May 2 Training Tip Do This Before Every Upper-Body Workout This simple drill will get your chest, back, and shoulders ready for the heavy stuff. Check it out. Mobility, Tips, Training Eirik Sandvik May 10