Renaissance Periodization

185 Articles

From Unfit to CrossFit: Being an Athlete in My 50’s

After stepping away from intensive fitness training to raise a family, Shelly Edington found her way back to the gym and competitive athletics by discovering CrossFit in her late 40s. Read her inspirational story of perseverance, training smarter in her 50s, overcoming self-doubt, and ultimately becoming a champion CrossFit athlete after age 50. Shelly's motivating comeback story proves it's never too late to rediscover your passion for fitness!

by Shellie Edington
on Aug 23, 2023

Stay Fit, Have Fun: A Guide to Guilt-Free Eating Over the Holidays

Navigate the holidays without compromising your fitness goals! Learn strategies and tips for guilt-free indulgence in holiday meals. Discover how to balance enjoying delicious fare and festivities with keeping your physique and training on track. Fully embrace the holiday spirit without significant weight gain or guilt!

by Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on Aug 21, 2023

Expand Your Fitness Knowledge: The Power of Two Types of Learning

Ready to elevate your learning? Discover the duality of learning that deepens your understanding. This article explores the two types of learning that synergistically enhance your knowledge base. Gain insights into the significance of acquiring new information and engaging in introspection to unlock practical applications. Connect the dots between concepts and gain a competitive edge.

by Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on Aug 14, 2023

Fitness Scientization: More Harm than Good?

A critical examination of the issue of 'Scientization' in the fitness industry. It delves deep, analyzing how the overuse of complex jargon and excessive data can distort and complicate the fundamental essence of fitness concepts. The discussion further explores how this trend not only hinders the understanding of these concepts but also creates barriers for those seeking to improve their fitness knowledge

by Dr. Mike Israetel
on Aug 08, 2023

The 5 Diet Traps: How They Can Sabotage Your Weight Loss

Can't seem to stay on track with your diet? You could be falling into diet traps without realizing it. This article unveils these pitfalls and shows you how to avoid them for long-term weight loss success.

by Danny Wirt
on Jul 01, 2023

Unpacking the Science in Bodybuilding: A Study on Coaching Strategies

Go behind the scenes with accomplished bodybuilding coaches and explore the methodologies they use to sculpt winning physiques. Packed with insights from a recent study, this article covers topics from protein intake to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

by Tiago Vasconcelos, RP Research Editor
on Jun 24, 2023

Achieving the Impossible: Building Muscle and Losing Fat Simultaneously

Unpack the science and circumstances of muscle gain and fat loss at the same time! Understanding the reality of this complex fitness aspiration paves the way for informed decisions and strategies in one's fitness journey

by Danny Wirt
on Jun 16, 2023

Carbs Aren't the Enemy: Debunking Popular Myths About Carbohydrates

Does the thought of carbs frighten you? Our latest article uncovers the truth about carbohydrates and weight loss. Discover how carbs can be your ally, not your enemy, in your weight loss journey!

by Danny Wirt
on Jun 07, 2023

Preparing for a CrossFit Competition with Nutritional Science

Aspiring to excel in your upcoming CrossFit competition? Learn to leverage diet for optimal performance. Discover the power of strategic carbohydrate intake, understand the interplay of hydration, salt, and electrolytes, and the implications for performance. Not to mention the crucial role of sleep and stress management in recovery. You will have everything you need to maximize your athletic potential in CrossFit!

by Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on May 26, 2023

Peaking Tradeoffs: You Can’t Be Your Best All the Time

Discover the art of peaking in sports, where athletes showcase their best abilities at specific moments—learning how to balance intense training and recovery for optimal results strategically. Explore the common pitfalls and gain insights into structured peaking.

by Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on May 25, 2023

Growing Strong: Safety and Structure for Children's Strength Training

Debunking common misconceptions about children and weightlifting, highlighting its safety when done correctly. Covering the importance of proper form, supervision, and age-appropriate guidelines for introducing children to strength training!

by Tiago Vasconcelos, RP Research Editor, and Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on May 15, 2023

How to Choose the Best Protein Supplement

Covering the major types of protein supplements available and discussing the differences between whey concentrate, whey isolate, whey hydrolysate, casein, vegan protein options, collagen protein, and egg white protein. They all have different benefits, drawbacks, and suitability for various dietary needs.

by Tiago Vasconcelos, RP Research Editor, & Dr. Mike Godard, Sport Nutrition Coach
on Apr 18, 2023

Top 10 Tips To Meal Prep On A Budget

These 10 tips will help you stick to your RP diet and budget this year. Includes charts with a breakdown of the most affordable sources for your protein, carbs, fats, and veggies on a per-dollar basis!

by Richmond Howard
on Apr 14, 2023

Coaching Success: Dilemmas and Considerations

Coaching success is a complex and multifaceted issue, with numerous factors at play, including the coach's experience, the client's background, and the specific coaching context. There is no one-size-fits-all benchmark for client success rates, as it is highly dependent on the unique circumstances surrounding each coaching relationship. As a coach, striking a balance between taking responsibility for your client's progress and understanding the limitations of your influence is crucial.

by Tiago Vasconcelos, RP Research Editor
on Apr 13, 2023

How Endurance Training Affects Muscle Retention and Growth

It’s common sense in our field that endurance causes muscle loss, right? That was precisely my view during my PhD program in Sport Physiology five years ago. But it’s not so simple… Many other factors are involved and muscle growth and muscle retention are impacted differently.

by Dr. Alex Harrison
on Apr 10, 2023

Why Aren't Your Results Good Enough - Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy

Perhaps your diet and training are on point, but you still feel like you are making little progress or maybe none! But what are you comparing that to? Most often, this comes from looking at what other people have accomplished. However, comparing yourself to random people online is a bad idea - they are not you! Let's look into why comparing yourself with others is so problematic.

by Tiago Vasconcelos, RP Research Editor
on Mar 30, 2023

New Study Tells Us What Makes Us Overeat

Most know they need to eat less to lose weight, but doing so consistently in practice is difficult! The true challenge is not knowing what causes weight loss but how to create a plan that enables people to adhere to a diet that produces it. In this article, we dive into a new study that explains why we overeat.

by Tiago Vasconcelos, RP Research Editor
on Mar 06, 2023

How to Balance Weights And Endurance Training

When done correctly, weight training can greatly enhance endurance performance. If done incorrectly, it can be suboptimal at best and catastrophic to performance at worst! Here are some tips on balancing endurance and weight training that benefit your health and performance!

by Dr. Alex Harrison
on Feb 23, 2023

How And When To Believe The “Latest Research”

New research is being done, and discoveries are made all the time. Learning and adapting to further information can help you achieve your goals faster and more efficiently. But how do you know which studies are helpful for you and which are too good to be true? In the search for new information on training and diet, follow our top three strategies to separate fitness facts from fiction.

by Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on Feb 19, 2023

7 Ways to Fight Late-Night Cravings

Lots of people cheat on their diets. Even those with strong willpower can sometimes succumb to the extreme hunger pangs of very low-calorie diets. And while hunger can strike at any time, most people experience their worst hunger in the evening, often when relaxing at home. Evening hunger is unavoidable for most people, but the good news is we can drastically reduce the likelihood of the midnight munchies striking by following the science of diet design!

by Dr. Mike Israetel, Co-founder and Chief Sport Scientist
on Jan 23, 2023

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