Simple Strength

Easy ideas for Extraordinary Results

Back in 2012, Chris created this online seminar to show you how to gain strength, stay injury free, and break PR’s. To mark the 3rd year since his passing, we dug this seminar out of the archives with the help of the original Barbell Shrugged team and are happy to share it with you again here now.

Buy the Simple Strength online seminar here

In Chris’s own words, “One of my favorite quotes is by the eccentric 15th-century Japanese poet Ikkyu. So it goes, “Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain, but at the peak we all gaze at the single bright moon.”

One of the biggest challenges anyone will face in this life is the search for their “way” or path. We burn up many years in search of our passions, experience, and knowledge. We forge detailed plans. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t. In any event, your unique path show’s itself in time, after you really do put in the time and ripen up.

Strength is one of the best illustrations of the mountain climb. Have you ever felt frustrated by the fact that, if you ask 100 people how to get strong, you will very likely receive 100 answers? Yeah, it’s a strange thing…But only if you’re supposing that there is a best path to lifting super heavy barbells. By now you might be figuring it all out on your won. Ikkyu would laugh. I can imagine his response to the question…

“Of course, your path to strength will be unique and a challenge to find. Would you really want it any other way?”

My definition of coaching is very simple. I think the role is just a matter of sharing your experience so that other folks can leverage it for better results. It’s teaching. Nothing can be more rewarding then seeing student’s graduate and kick as in life. So maybe my advice might help you quicken your ripening time a bit. Maybe you’l find a better path more quickly, and avoid some wear, tear and frustration that is otherwise guaranteed.”

What others say about “Simple Strength”

“I’ve competed in all sports growing up, was fortunate enough to win a national championship in college football, have competed for a national championship in Weightlifting and competed several times in Jiu Jitsu. I consider myself more athletic than the average joe, but nothing of particular note. However, i am surprisingly weak, considering my athletic accomplishments. Chris’s knowledge of absolute strength is second to none, refreshing, and truly inspiring. I can not recommend Chris’s training philosophies enough. True beauty in simplicity and focus of his methods. I was so happy with this seminar I asked Chris to speak to my graduate students in my “Advanced Periodization and Program Design” course. Not only is the message outstanding, his delivery and personality are a knock out! Thanks Chris!” -Andy G.

“Before Simple Strength I was a competitive Crossfit athlete. I was and still am athletic, and had a strength and conditioning program that was created by a coach. Also before Crossfit, I was a recreational soccer player and long distance runner. After watching the seminar I believe my level of understanding of strength work has increased. I am more accepting of my training program, which at times may put a damper on metcon times/abilities, but I understand the necessity. My snatch 1RM went from 110# to 120# with a couple of weeks! My back squat 1RM is now 225#, which is 20# shy of the weight I wanted to achieve by the end of the year! My front 2RM went from 165# to 185#! I was also able to a 4RM at 185# 3 months later. It only took about 2-3 weeks before I noticed some immense strength gains. Chris’s “spinning plates” analogy really helped the information click.” -Shereen M.

You’ll Learn How To:

1. Choose how many sets and reps to do during your strength work and how to know if you chose correctly

2. Focus and prioritize your training methods to lift more weight on the big lifts like front, back and overhead squats as well as very hard to learn movements like cleans, jerks and snatches

3. Break your training down into small attainable and honest goals that you can use to sneak up on your long term, big picture goals

4. Think about training so that you don’t over do it to the point of overtraining, where you burn out, get hurt and lose any strength you had because you were stupid and did more than you knew you should have

5. Know how to choose when to stop a session early before you get hurt

6. “Ramp” your training for planned training peaks as well as planned rest

7. Figure out how much weight to start with if you’re doing a new exercise

8. Tweak your training to work around achy and injured joints so you still make some progress while you’re healing up

9. …and much, much more!

Why Chris created this course

Chris Moore was a writer, recovering meathead, fledgling raconteur and rabid imbiber. He was the host of The Barbell Buddha Podcast, and was a cohost and resident potty mouth on Barbell Shrugged, a weekly podcast devoted to strength, health and fitness, and all things brash. His experience was drawn from over twenty-years spent training for and competing in American Football, Powerlifting, a bit of strongman and a dash of mixed martial arts. Chris had over 15 years of experience in the sport of Powerlifting. As a drug-free lifter, his best competitive lifts included a 975-lb. squat, a 675-lb. bench press, and 675-lb. deadlift. Prior to his lifting career, Chris played Division 1 football at the University of Memphis. During this time, he began his research in the field of muscle physiology, obtaining a master’s degree in Health and Human Performance in 2005.