Whether you’re chasing your first pull-up, trying to add weight to your deadlift, or press a heavy kettlebell over your head, this simple technique can instantly increase your strength (for reals).

And I know what you’re thinking,

“Here comes the latest gimmick in the training world…,”

but you must have forgotten who we are—no gimmicks here!  In fact, this technique has been used, well, forever, but seems to be often forgotten in the gym.

 

And the secret is…

Tension.

Which I guess, since we’re putting this blog out to the interwebs, can no longer be called a secret.

And I know, I know, sounds simple.  And it is—but there’s still some skill to it.

 

Let’s imagine you’re in the gym getting set up for your next set of single arm kettlebell overhead press.

In approach one you simply bring the bell to the start position and try to push it overhead.  Depending on the weight, it might go up.

In our second approach you bring the bell to the start position, crush the handle as hard as you can, make a white knuckle fist with your off-hand, brace your entire body as if though you’re about to take a punch to the gut, lock your legs, and drive your feet through the floor as hard as you can (careful not punch a hole in the ceiling).

 

Try this (no equipment required)

Make a white knuckle fist with one hand.  Seriously, make that fist as tight as you possibly can…

Now take your opposite hand and feel your arm and shoulder on the fist side. 

It’s tense, right? 

Now maintain the fist, but relax everything else.  Wait—what’s that?  You couldn’t do it, could you? 

Tension feeds tension.  Tension instantly increases strength.

 

Not just for the upper body

Tension is of full body benefit. and can even bring more strength and stability to your lower body lifts. 

 

So, regardless of what strength exercise you’re doing, get as tight as possible to immediately get stronger.