I started this site back in August of 2008. Since then, hundreds of posts have been published here. Naturally, there’s a good bit of info in the archives, and many times, good posts get buried – never to be seen again.
So, on this page, I wanted to provide a directory of the best content on this site in case you’re new here or if you missed some of the good ones in the past. You’ll find it broken down into categories below.
The Top 10 Most Popular Posts
These are some of the highest-traffic, most shared, and otherwise most engaging posts in the history of this website.
Note: a couple of them may appear elsewhere on this list. Let’s just say that they were that big of a hit!
How to Rapidly Increase Your Pullup Numbers in 3 Months or Less (over 1 million views!)
The 2 Pounds Per Week Rule and How to Burn Fat Faster
The 5 Minute Plank For Core Strength, Stability, and Rock-Hard Abs
15 Ways to Prevent and Heal Muscle Soreness
The Right Way to do the Plank Exercise
Kipping Pullups VS Deadhang Pullups (Part 1)
The Right Way to do Pullups and Chinups
Be careful who you talk to about CROSSFIT…
The Definitive Guide For Going Barefoot
10 Must-Read Articles on Physical Living
Traffic stats aside, these are some of the all-around best posts on this website that really embody the spirit of PhysicalLiving.com. If you want to know what this site is really all about, then take some time working through these.
Epic 500th Blogpost: 100 Fitness Lessons I’ve Learned About What’s Really Important
Are you missing any of these 15 critical fitness secrets?
5 Easy Ways to Accelerate Aging and Reduce Your Expected Lifespan – GUARANTEED!
Nature Deficit Disorder: The Top 10 Reasons To Go Outside
Too Much Sitting = Too Bad For Your Health
Natural Movement Doesn’t Come Naturally: You Weren’t Born Perfect
How to Love What You Do – Plus 100 Ways to Disguise Exercise
How Sitting is Killing You and What to do About it
How to Win The War on Health in the Workplace
John’s Top 10 Favorite Posts
Just some personal favorites here. A handful of these were very popular, too.
10 Things Your Genetics Won’t Do For You
No More Sugar-Coating The Truth
The “Beg For Mercy” Extreme Fitness Workout, and why I dare you NOT to do it
That Glorious Day When My Gym Kicked Me Out For Working Too Hard
The 7 Crucial Elements Of A Balanced Physical Training Regime
5 Things That Helped me do the Impossible: Lessons From Banging a Drum
5 Fitness Hacks to Help You Get Fit While Brushing Your Teeth
The Top 10 Most Controversial Posts
I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve covered some pretty controversial topics over the years. And to this day, I still get the occasional message from someone commenting on a post that is years old – just because they feel the need to put me in my place. Naturally, three of the most controversial posts deal with CrossFit. Speaking of which…
What about CrossFit? Tuesday Q+A with John Sifferman
Be careful who you talk to about CROSSFIT…
CrossFit at its Worst – Don’t Try This At Home!
Kipping Pullups VS Deadhang Pullups (Part 1)
The Kipping Pullups VS Deadhang Pullups Debate Finally Put To Sleep (Part 2)
Strength Training For Women: Why Women Don’t Bulk Up From Strength Training
Don’t Buy Russian Kettlebells Until After You’ve Seen This
A Creationist’s Response to the Primal Lifestyle and Evolutionary Fitness
The Top 10 Most Under-Viewed Posts
Here is a small collection of posts that did not go viral, but that I think deserve a looksee. Maybe they got buried in the archives too quickly when I was posting quite frequently, or they just didn’t get the exposure I expected. Either way, I think these posts deserve another look.
3 Things That The Health and Fitness Gurus Don’t Want You To Know
How An Often-Ignored Training Strategy Can Improve Your Fitness Results Overnight
How to Prevent Overtraining, Avoid Injuries, and Still Crush Your Workouts
The Massive Public Health Problem That Nobody Is Talking About
25 Reasons Why You’re STILL Not Losing Weight And What To Do About It
The Top 10 Exercises to Get a Strong and Shapely Butt
10 of the Best Posts on Strength Training
This blog originally started on the topic of “Real World Strength Training.” And over the years, the Strength Training Category has grown faster than any other. And these posts are among the best ones.
The Right Way to do Pullups and Chinups
The Right Way to do the Plank Exercise
5 Beginner Level Burpee Exercises
The Top 10 Exercises You Should NEVER Do
Bodyweight Training for Functional Leg Strength
Single Leg Squat Practice: How to Master Any Exercise or Movement Quickly (using the Pistol Method)
Why Doing 3 Sets of 10 is DEAD
The Ballistic Plank Exercise For Rock-Hard Abs
Women can’t do Pull-ups? Watch them.
The Best-of-the-Best Posts for Runners
I was originally reluctant to post content on running-specific topics on this site, but over the years, it turns out that these have consistently been some of the most popular posts I’ve written. In fact, I nearly gave myself a hernia trying to narrow this category down to just 10 posts. So, I’ve included a few more.
100 Lessons I’ve Learned From 10 Years of Running
3 Exercises In 5 Minutes: No More Knee Pain When Running
How to Run Better for the Perfect Run: 5 Things That I Do Differently Now That I Know Better
Persistence Hunting and Endurance Running: 5 Ways to Run Effortlessly
How to Run Every Single Day For One Year
Learn the Skill of Barefoot Running
An Unconventional Guide On Strength Training For Runners
The Definitive Guide For Transitioning To Barefoot Running
The Holy Grail of High Intensity Interval Training
How To Supercharge Your Long Distance Runs With The NEW Anti-Comfort Zone Paradigm
Running For Dummies, Idiots, Nitwits, And Other Normal People Like You And I
What I Love Most About Running
Inspirational Stories, Motivation Tips, and Mindset Hacks
If you need a little “pick-me-up” or a friendly nudge to just GET THINGS DONE, then check out these posts.
16-Year Old Girl Totally Shatters The Plank World Record
Why New Year’s Resolutions = Fail
Another Plank World Record That We Can All Learn From
1 Weird Trick To Help You Muster Up The Motivation To Workout – Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
Why Certain People Are Hard-Wired to Hate Exercise (and what to do about it)
One Simple Mindset Hack That Keeps Me Going When I Feel Like Quitting
How Fitness Professionals Stay Motivated To Train (Hint: We Don’t!)
How to Model Physical Success in Other Areas of Your Life
Advice to Those Who Are Waiting For The Time to be Just Right
The Top 10 Most Popular Product Reviews
I’ve published dozens of product reviews on this site over the years, and below, you’ll find the ones that were the most popular.
The Complete Clubbell Review: Everything you ever wanted to know about clubbells – the world’s best club swinging tool for strength training.
The Clubbell Mass Evolution – Complete Review – The Clubbell Mass Evolution is the premier clubbell-based, muscle building program. There are other clubbell training programs out there, but this is the first one that is exclusively for building lean muscle mass.
The Clubbell Flow Evolution – Complete Review – The Clubbell Flow Evolution is a health-first clubbell training program that is meant to help people enact positive lifestyle change through the conduit of physical transformation. It is a user-friendly, plug and play fitness training program that caters to an individual’s skill and conditioning level to help them burn fat, build muscle, and improve strength and conditioning while also developing the character qualities they desire to embody on an every day basis.
TACFIT 26 Review: First Impressions – Scott Sonnon’s new-and-improved TACFIT 26 program is a comprehensive, plug-and-play tactical fitness program that will help you develop a high standard of fitness by burning stubborn fat, building functional muscle, injury-proofing your body, and improving your conditioning level using a variety of movement-based exercise and conditioning skills via several unique training protocols that were specifically created to address the tactical needs of various service personnel and military operators.
Primal Stress Review: First Impressions – Scott Sonnon’s new Primal Stress program is a comprehensive, plug-and-play bodyweight training program that will help you develop a high standard of fitness by burning stubborn fat, building functional muscle, injury-proofing your body, and improving your conditioning level using a variety of movement skills and training protocols that were specifically created to build resiliency and toughness while fostering a sense of strength and empowerment.
TACFIT Warrior Review: Reinvent Yourself One Workout at a Time
The Shapeshifter Body Redesign Program – Complete Review: The Shapeshifter Body Redesign Program is a plug-and-play, follow-along bodyweight training program that integrates a broad range of workout, diet, and lifestyle training methods into one comprehensive system to help you transform your body in six weeks.
Review of the Xero Shoes Huarache-Style Minimalist Sandals (aka Invisible Shoes) – A Comprehensive Product Review of the Xero Shoes Minimalist Footwear for (Almost) Barefoot Running, Walking, Hiking, Yoga, and More!
The Most Comprehensive Joint Mobility Training Program Is Now FREE!
The Complete Shake Weight Review
The Top 10 Guest Interviews
This was a very difficult list to narrow down because I’ve been able to interview so many bright and interesting people over the years. But of all my interviews, these were the ones that made the cut for the Top 10. In no particular order…
Interview with Ross Enamait about Achieving a High Standard of Fitness
Interview with Scott Sonnon about TACFIT – The Premier “Tactical Fitness” System
Interview With The Legendary Strength Coach Dan John – Build World Class Strength With These Expert Tips From Dan John
Interview with Coaches Steer & Murdock About Bodyweight Burn – Learn How To Leverage Bodyweight Training To Burn Fat And Get Lean At Home In This Insightful Interview With The Bodyweight Coaches, Adam Steer And Ryan Murdock
Interview with Scott Sonnon: the Creator of the Circular Strength Training System
Interview with Shane Heins about Clubbell Training for Building Muscle
Interview with Jeff Kuhland about MovNat and Natural Movement Training
Interview with Chris Highcock about Fitness, Strength, and Becoming HillFit – A Candid Discussion About Fitness for Hiking, Backpacking, and Hillwalking With One of the Most Down-to-Earth Fitness Authors on the Net
Interview with Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton about Running Barefoot
The Top 10 Best Workouts and Programs
This is a fitness site, and workouts and programs have been in the mix since the very beginning. Here are some of the best ones in the archive.
How to Rapidly Increase Your Pullup Numbers in 3 Months or Less
The 5 Minute Plank For Core Strength, Stability, and Rock-Hard Abs
Replace 10 lbs of Fat with 10 lbs of Lean Muscle in 4 Weeks using this Simple Workout Program
My Top 5 Favorite Pullup and Chinup Workouts
Natural Movement Outdoor Strength Training Session: Outdoor workout video tutorial
Beyond Burpees – 3 Ground-Engagement Bodyweight Workouts
This Workout is not CRAZY, INSANE, or EXTREME… but it works.
Burn Fat, Build Willpower, and Get Healthier With This EASY Walking Program
Honorable Mentions
These posts have been included on this page for one reason or another, but didn’t necessarily fit into any of the categories above. Don’t miss ’em!
How to Relieve ANY Type of Stress and Relax Yourself Instantly With This Simple Breathing Trick
Heal Your Aches and Pains and Prevent Injuries with this Joint Mobility Super-Package
Figure Out Exactly How Much Sleep You Need With This Simple Self-Test
Body Hacks For A Longer, Better, and Stronger Life
Learn the Squat Creep Exercise For Stronger Knees and Ankles
How to Hot-Wire Your Nervous System For Instantly Better Strength and Conditioning Performance
Training Tips From The 3-Hour Plank World Record Holder
A Direct Message To Those Who Proclaim That Exercise Makes You Fatter
Sequential Recruitment of Muscle Fibers For Maximal Muscle Gain
Disciplined Training VS Creative Expression
Archive
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
- 5 Ways to Lose 5-10 Pounds This Week (and 1-3 Lbs Every Week After)
- 4 Exercises To Fix Duck Feet By Improving Hip Internal Rotation
- Introducing The “Hit Rock Bottom” Fitness Program: 12 Easy Steps to a Fit Body & Lasting Changes
- Interview with Greg Mihovich – The Scariest Fitness Pro I Know
- 50 Ways To Make Your Fitness & Training Health-First
- How Much Should I Be Able To Deadlift?
- 7 Exercises to Fix Anterior Pelvic Tilt
- Wrist Exercises For More Strength & Less Pain
- How To Improve Your Flat-Foot Squat, Hip Flexibility, and Bathroom Experiences With The Squatty Potty
- Pushups VS Dips
2016
- How Strategic, Positive Self-Talk Can Help You Lose Weight
- 25 Fitness Truth-Bombs (The Truth About Fitness)
- How I Finally Succeeded After Years of Failure (Case Study)
- How To Leverage Specialized Variety For Better Fitness Results
- 5 Ways To Build Physical & Mental Toughness With Hormetic Training
- Interview with Mark Wildman about Fitness, Movement, and Fighting
- 10 Ways to Make Planks Harder: Plank Progressions
- Deep Squats: How To Squat Deep in 30 Days or Less
- How Much Should I Be Able To Squat? (Squat Standards)
- How to Equip an Awesome Home Gym on a Tight Budget
2015
- 5 Simple Exercises to Reverse the Damage from Sitting in Only 5 Minutes a Day
- How to Manage Stress Like a Champ
- The 7 Key Components of a Successful Diet: Seven Days to Build a Better Body (Day 2)
- Introducing 7 Days to Build a Better Body – Day 1: Your New Morning Fitness Routine
- 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Yoga
- How to Actually Get a Cover-Model Body (in 15 Easy Steps!)
- “Oh, I could never do that…”
- The Definitive Guide to Sleeping Like a Baby Every Night
- Interview with Marc Lebert about the Lebert Equalizer
- The Lebert Equalizer – Complete Review
2014
- How Long Should I Hold The Plank Exercise For?
- 30 Days to a 5 Minute Plank and Rock-Hard Abs
- The Future of Getting Six Pack Abs: The Next Evolution in Serious Core Training – Announcing My NEW Upcoming Program!
- Lifting weights is dangerous. And so is Crossfit.
- Train Like an Athlete to LOOK Like an Athlete
- To Listen to Music or Not While Exercising? That is the WRONG Question.
- 6 Reasons Why You Never Have Time to Exercise
- Interview with Navy SEAL, Stew Smith, about Pull-up Training
- Epic 500th Blogpost: 100 Fitness Lessons I’ve Learned About What’s Really Important (Do This Stuff to Succeed)
- How to Hike as a Family for over 2000 Miles (Do It Like This)
2013
- The Scariest Thing I Ever Saw in a Gym
- Interview with Steven Proto about his Guinness World Record for the Heaviest Weighted Pull-up
- Interview with Hugo Rivera about Pull-up Training for Hypertrophy
- How to Get Unstuck in Your Fitness Pursuits
- Make Things Happen
- Scott Sonnon’s 5 Classics Review – First Impressions
- The Ballistic Plank Exercise For Rock-Hard Abs
- Interesting Things I Learned While Comparing Kettlebell Prices Online
- 40 Real Life Ways To Lose 2 Pounds Per Day
- One Simple Mindset Hack That Keeps Me Going When I Feel Like Quitting
2012
- Interview with Ryan Hurst – Founder of Gold Medal Bodies
- Body Hacks For A Longer, Better, and Stronger Life
- Q+A about Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle
- The One Thing That 10 Completely Different People From All Walks Of Life Are In Agreement On About Your Potential
- A Creationist’s Response to the Primal Lifestyle and Evolutionary Fitness
- Interview with Ross Enamait about Achieving a High Standard of Fitness
- Sequential Recruitment of Muscle Fibers For Maximal Muscle Gain
- Inspiration from Ross Enamait
- Interview with Shane Heins about the Clubbell Flow Evolution
- Top 5 Strategies to Avoid Being Scammed By Clever Fitness Marketers
2011
- The Kipping Pullups VS Deadhang Pullups Debate Finally Put To Sleep (Part 2)
- Heal Your Aches and Pains and Prevent Injuries with this Joint Mobility Super-Package (3 Days Only)
- Clubbells: Not Just For Grip Strength and Shoulder Mobility
- Beyond Burpees – 3 Ground-Engagement Bodyweight Workouts
- Meet Nate Damm: the Man Who Walked Across America
- Give me 4 minutes and I’ll give you 4+ hours of Fat Burning
- How to Burn More Calories Than a Triathlete on Adrenaline
- How to do the Side Plank Exercise for the Best Results
- The Circular Strength Training Seminar Review
- How to Stabilize Your Shoulders During the Pullup Exercise
2010
- The Complete Clubbell Review
- Playing With Prasara Yoga – Part 2
- The Pushup Board: Review of the Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
- Q+A: Can You Get Injured From Gentle Exercise?
- Learn the Squat Creep Exercise For Stronger Knees and Ankles
- DOMS And Why Health-First Fitness Matters
- The “Beg For Mercy” Extreme Fitness Workout, and why I dare you NOT to do it
- The Barefoot Runner Turned Hopeless Romantic and the Four Pillars of Successful Running
- Change Your Body, Change The World – Reviewed
- Kiss The Need For Motivation Goodbye
2009
- Happy Thanksgiving From John
- What’s Better Than The P90X Home Fitness Workout
- What’s Better Than TRX Workouts
- Mt. Katahdin Climbing Trip Report
- What Does "Get In Shape" Mean To You?
- My Beef With Primal Fitness
- Be careful who you talk to about CROSSFIT…
- Playing with Parallel Bars for Strength Training
- Review of Erwan Le Corre’s MovNat Course at Summersville Lake, WV
- The Butterfly Circus: a film about hope
2008
- Joint Mobility – Head to toe in 5 minutes or less, with John Sifferman
- Body Transformation Training Highlights Video with John Sifferman (week 1)
- Body Transformation using Clubbell Training and CST: Day 4 – watch John Sifferman transform his body using CST and Clubbells
- Body Transformation with CST and Clubbell Training: Day 3 – watch John Sifferman transform his body using CST and clubbells
- Body Transformation using CST and Clubbells: Day 2, watch John Sifferman transform his body using CST and Clubbell Training
- My Holiday Fitness Challenge to You: Guest article by Tom Venuto
- Body Transformation with Clubbell Training: watch John Sifferman transform his body with CST and Clubbells
- Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine? Friday's Off-topic post by John Sifferman
- Joint Mobility Training: my first steps toward athletic enlightenment by John Sifferman
- How to Achieve Your First Pull Up – video tutorial featuring John Sifferman