My Favorite Exercises For EXPLOSIVENESS & How to Program Them In! 

Yo Brian! Have you ever thought about making an MMA program?! It would be super helpful for a lot of us.

Ate taco bell before Deadlifts, got the wrong kind of explosiveness.

I can honestly say personally, that both doing box jumps before squats and lifting light things like they're heavy tends to make squatting anything under 100kg has my feet about to leave the ground. Thanks heaps for all this awesome info, with your help, tonight I squatted 180kg for 3 reps. Looking forward to updates from the Arnold, hope you all have an amazing time!

3:30 almost pissed myself laughing *Gym Staff* "sir, your deadlifts are too loud" Me-...

3:30 great gonna do this at my commercial gym for more explosiveness thanks!

WTF you just pound the hell out of the tire

As someone with a shitty college gym with very limited equipment (even compared to a regular gym), your videos are a god send for strongman training.

Watching you hulk smash that tire put a smile on my face. I can't wait to cancel my La Fitness membership and join a real gym!

Thanks,Brian!!This man is doing Gods work,yall!I just stumbled on to you and your video,grateful that i did.Inspired!

I've started implementing more hip thrusts into my routine, going both heavy and lighter but more explosive. Have definitely helped with my explosivity in the gym and on the field.

damn, took so many inspiration from your videos when it comes to not just being strong in the gym but more important being strong in everyday situations. can't thank you enough.

I explosively hit the like button👍

Ughhh my god, I love you!! I have to get to the gym after my 13 hour work shift this morning. I am BLASTING this video in my car on loop on my way. I really have to write these down too.

Thanks Brian!! I was one of the ones who commented on explosiveness! Thanks again!

I like Brian's videos before I even watch them. Why? Because he's an already proven trusted strength training source. Love your stuff mate!

The "lift everything as explosively as possible" mindset is what Josh Bryant calls "Compensatory Acceleration" training (CAT). It's the concept he falls back on in "bench press: the science" and the "built to the hilt" books. It really works great!

Not that this would come as a surprise to any of us who follow Brian's channel. I was fortunate enough to catch Brian as he was heading somewhere at the Arnold this weekend. And believe me he was in a hurry. This guy was awesome enough to not only stop and shake my hand. He also asked me my name and said thanks. Goes to show this guy is just as legit in person as he is on video.

moving the warm up sets as fast as possible gives me confidence, in that just a few months ago these were the same weights I was struggling with and here I am now completely dominating the weight and moving as fast as if I was doing bodyweight reps

wow! throwing that barbell up in the air looks like fun. i used to play slow pitch softball back in the day, i bet you would knock the cover off the ball given the way you train.

Burpees Broad Jumps are so awesome. Classic vid. Thank you brother. Blessings. Right before the Apocalypse, I was doing Viper Presses. It is the most awesome thing ever.

13:12 definitely. Even if you're always conscious of how you look doing certain exercises, I always think you're admirable because you know what you're doing even if it may seem to make you look dumb.

Can you imagine fighting Brian? Probably not since you would likely be knocked out or choked out before the thought could be fully formed. All jokes aside, your explosiveness is freakish.

Damn Brian! Them tire smashes was HAMM!😂😭

I truly appreciate how concentrated and informative all your content is

I've checked out all of your programming video's, and they're all awesome, but I was curious if you could put out some information on a Peaking Program (Peaking for a meet or competition). Something to that effect. Keep the information and videos coming, They rock!

This video is money man. Thanks for putting this kind of thing out. Have a blast this weekend with the crew!

Thank you Mr Alsruhe

Hi Brian, can you please make a video for "most bang for your buck exercises". and thank you for all the information you are posting :)

That barbell ab drop is awesome, can’t wait to try it.

0:10 I love how one of the dogs just stops and goes "Uhh... what did I miss?". Thanks for the great tips Brian. I've realized that I've really let my aerobic capacity go over the years so these kinds of explosives exercise are perfect to throw into my regular lifting sets.

I stumbled into this on my own recently and started doing box jumps first on my lower body days or before explosive overhead movements. Glad I’m not crazy to think it makes moving my squats or circus press move better. Having a baby and will be training at home with minimal equipment for few weeks so planning on really focusing in on explosiveness and work capacity.

Man Brian, Just enjoyed the vid bout the explosion episode u did. Put a different way of thinking in for me to process. A Big THANKS!!! Great information that u share. Please keep up the work. 👍👍👍👍

Why isn't your channel bigger?! You're such a cool dude and you always have super good info in your videos

Staying envious indeed, but I'm planning on going to the Shop gym in Manassas (VA) soon! I cant wait to drop by one day and learn as much as I can.

Helpful video, man. Strongman has been a big interest of mine for years. I live in good ole Tennessee, so for some reason there isn't any strongman gyms around me. I've been trying to do as much as I can with what I have, so I can do my first competition. I was going to compete with you all in April, but dont think I am ready yet. Maybe you can make a video on how to train better with a non-strongman gym.

I recently stumbled upon your channel Brian and I am so glad I did. I really enjoy your content and outlook on life. I'm always looking for different ways to train/workout and i've drawn a lot of inspiration from your workout videos. I just wanted to say thank you for all the content that you upload.

0:00~0:10 Thought my play speed was 1.5x, but was "normal"

I almost thought the video was on 2x

Thanks again!

3:30 was MAD nice brian.

Awesome video! I do something like the dimel deadlift with a sandbag. I bearhug the sandbag high on my chest and then push my hips back and down into a quarter squat. Next, I push my hips up and forward into full extension as fast as I can like I'm trying to jump off my heels. I do 3 sets of 15 -20 reps. Gives you a good burn in your glutes and quads and is an explosive movement, but it does feel a little weird and look like I'm trying to hump the sandbag.

Trying to be move faster definitely helped my squats, trying a heavier weight for the first time always feels weird though. Have fun at the Arnold, can't wait for the recap video!

Brian you the man.

Hey Brian, I want to suggest you doing a video series where you do the CrossFit open workouts. The CrossFit open 2019 started a couple weeks ago. It would be awesome to see you and the rest of the Neversate team compete against each other in a friendly in-house competition. I think this would be some awesome and fun content to see. Thanks as always for the great content, best wishes always.

0:11 when you confuse the gym-dog, you're doing it right!

Haha, the sledgehammer swings are the only exercise where Kona doesn't try and battle you for dominance. your explosiveness is your trademark. You move, and i say this with sincerity, like Batman. Expect myself to be coming back to see this one. And everyone else following should as well.

Thank you for using the proper word (explosiveness). If I hear "explosivity" used one more time, my head may explode.

Needed this video last week when trying to create my own program based of your Dark Horse. Looks like I'll be changing up a few exercises cause a lot of these look a lot more fun than what I originally wrote down lol. Thank you sir!

I love your videos, man. Love the message and support you give to the community as well. Much respect. ✌️

Hey Brian, just wanted to say I love your videos

Love these Brian. Absolute boss.

Great video for everyone to learn from. Thanks ❤️💪❤️

One variation I like is the banded kettlebell swing. works "great" on squat days. Have fun at the Arnold!

Thanks. Your stuff is always awesome

I just started to watch your videos and I am a BIG FAN already......I have been trainiing since 95 and starting five years ago I naturally started to just train in a giant set mode and never looked back......Hate doing straight sets most of the times. I do them here and there. I see you like to do giant sets also, angonist and antagonist with ab variations and conditioning all in, one really cool to see. My Question is: Sometimes I am pretty gassed from my last set to failure (or fatigue or whatever lol) and before moving to the next exercise in my giant set i need to well catch my breath a little before starting the next exercise in my giant set. Example after my last set of rows I take my lifting straps off and then put my wrist wraps on and then set up on my bench for a sec and need to think for a sec (collect myself). so in between the row to the bench it may take me 45 secs later by the time I start benching. By the time I'm done benching I need to take a few secs to rest before I go to the third exercise. because I'm breathing a lot harder....Is it the same kinda thing for you too? It's more on my last sets when I go to failure. I just don't run to the next exercise gased. there is a little break but more of me setting up mentally to perform that next one. Again it's in a matter of 20 to 40 secs. Shit sorry for the long message. The best I can do with trying to bring out the question.

I'm probably a bit jaded. It's hard to impress me but you have managed too with your channel. However this video put it over the top and I could only think that a video/conversation with another guy who continues to impress me would be amazing for everyone. Please consider speaking with Ross Enamait . I have learned more from his books and video than anyone else. His advice comes from the right place as does yours. There is an interesting overlap of ideas and approaches between the two of you. Thanks for considering it!

Hi Brian am a big fan of you wold please make a video describing the difference between power speed explosiveness and agility and one more thing and describing what determines and asked because in today’s day and age everybody consider them themselves and athlete thanks a lot lots of love from the Middle East Israel

That sledge hammer routine is terrifying!!

Best exercises for fighting/MMA would be great and since there is little info about strength for athletes out there

Hi Brian, what do u think of spine decompression after heavy deadlifts or squats, do u think it's Worth it or not ?

Hey Brian, I really enjoyed this video a lot. Great informative content, as always. Have fun at the Arnold.

did you ever write a book or ever plan on writing one or recording an audio book with all of your life experience etc? your view on life and everything is so unique and comparible to some famous philosophers.

This is a great video. I am a disc golfer (we throw 175 gram discs) whom has a back ground in martial arts and was a gym rat 20 years ago. I lost a lot of my core strength due to a couple of accidents and have been using kettle bells, clubs and Swiss balls to rebuild myself. Watching this, I grabbed my 20 pound slam ball off the ground and did a jump with it. I can see how this is going to be very helpful for building explosive force back into my core. Thanks! I did a search and did not see that you had did a video on jumps with weights; this would be something I would love to see. How do you feel about using a kettlebell and going from a goblet squat to a jump? FYI, I train barefoot to increase my stabilizers.

Hey Brian. I really love your videos they give so much motivation. I've just started getting into weight lifting things and seeing the program videos and find myself very ignorant to all the names and stuff. Could you make a video explaining the difference between the programs and what each one means? And maybe also the order in which you would recommend doing the programs depending on your level?

Hey Brian your videos are awesome man I’ve learned a lot from them I need some help how would you balance working all day manual labor job and weightlifting and mma ?

The clickbait title of this video should be "How to become a Badass"

here is an idea : a video about the different type of belts and waist support systems , types , uses , specialitis etc...

I think you should just make a video of explosive moves. No talk just a montage of you doing your craziness. Hiit stuff. The hammer at the beginning is impressive

Great vid as usual brian!

Your voice is sounding really good in this video!

also you are the funniest guy on youtube right now

Hey Brian really enjoy your videos! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I have always had incredible pumps in my chest and shoulders and triceps’s. It doesn’t matter what reps or sets I do they all blow up and grow. However my legs are a different story. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a pump in my legs. I’m not into bodybuilding more into strength and athleticism, but I wonder if maybe my form is off on my squats.

ballistic movements are the best. there is no de-acceleration. ball slams, box jumps, sledge hammer, throws, etc

great video ! strengthening the core can not be over emphasized , Brian's Breathe&Brace video changed everything for me . what do you think about using farmer's walks and yoke carry with intermediate weights for cardio and conditioning ? what would that look like ?

"Burning, burning, burning..." you're a funny guy Brian!

You’re AWESOME!

Hey Brian big fan of the channel sir! Have you done a video on how to press a keg? If not a video of how to do that would be awesome. Ha ha sorry if I missed it if you've done it already. Big fan sir! Mike

3:33 that plate bend though

Thoughts on your natural stone to shoulder vs atlas stone to shoulder?

Great video, so pumped about Arnold good luck to all of you! How much that Sledge hammer weighs?

Very cool. Appreciate it. Thanks :)

Hi Brian great video. Wanted to say thank you for all the posts. Your channel introduced me to strongman and I just signed up for my second comp. Have you tried banded kettle bell swings? Great for explosive movement and for training throwing events when the weather is bad.

Damn I didn't realize these videos were so infomercial this is the Vintage Brian that I knew

This was amazing!

Hello Brian A video, or you just talking a bit at some point, about the small muscles in your palms, feet, ankles and wrists.I'm curious if you think there's any correlation between tightness in in the small muscles of these areas, and the overlooked quirks in technique that people develop when lifting. Thank you kindly, you are a real inspiration and make the world a better place by exposing it to yourself.

Hi Brian, question for you about how you adjust or balance long term programming/goals schedules (like your 4x 12 week blocks) vs contest prep and peaking? It's great to peak for a contest so you can do your best, but that peak will not always align with the end of a 12 week block, so something has to give, right? How do you make that call, and what do you recommend for competitors of different skill/experience levels (novice, amateur/local, regional, national, etc)? And have you ever or could you talk about how you program a peak or taper? Thanks!

Is there any way you could make a video on addressing left-to-right imbalances? I’ve developed them, and I would love to hear what your recommendations are.

Hi Brian, to say to you have changed my outlook on fitness is an understatement. I've went from wanting to do nothing but heavy lifts to wanting to incorporate sprints, strongman and explosivness so for that I thank you. I have two questions: The first is I have a real issue with squats, everytime I do any form of squat I get severe pain hours later in either my abductors or my hamstrings depending on if my feet are closer or further apart. I have been to a few form checks and apparently I'm doing everything correct but this pain isnt just doms, it feels like a tear with a constant spasm. Any ideas how to squat or even build those muscles so im able to squat as I don't want to forgo squats but at the moment I do as I still want to run/hike and get in and out of my car.Question 2: any ideas how i can incorporate some of the strongman stuff when I workout at home in an apartment. Could i hoist a sandbag on my shoulder and run up the stairs or something like that?Cheers dude and hope you have fun at the Arnold. Al

What's your take on push pull legs and could you place explosive exercises into that type of program

Wassup, Brian. Pound that s**t up!

👍💪😀 priceless info thanx 👍

Power!

That that was time lapse. If you wonder what the world record is for sledge speed now you know!

I’ll be doing core work for sure, I’ve not done it because frankly I hate doing it. The question I’ve got though, how can I re-strengthen my left shoulder again. I’ve dislocated it twice and the second time I did it was fairly bad, I’m not pushing super far or hard just yet as I’m wanting the stability first however there’s a noticeable different when doing things like bench or overheads. I love your face, no homo.

You really should write this down! And not only this but everything else too!!

On the intro tire/sledge action, the dog is in the background as if "what the hell is dad doing?"

Awesome vids bro👍any tips 2 increase vert for a 42yo

You should do video how to clean more weight. Just try my first clean (non weightlifter) I only can do 70 kg. Felt so week on clean

Thank you as always for the great content. Have a great time at the Arnold !

Hey man, would like to see something about hopping back into training after an injury. Specifically how best to gauge when to 'train thru' vs taking time off. Been out now with sciatica for about 3-4 weeks and it's the first time I've had it. Initially tried carrying on regardless as the training itself wasn't causing me much if any discomfort but walking around or sitting the following day was a different story, bad pain right down the left leg. Without going into too much detail would some light training be of any use recovery wise while potentially facing considerable pain the next day? My training is strength based and doesn't deviate too much from the main lifts and variations there of. Thanks!