Performance Plus Blog

On episode 3 of the Performance Plus Programming Podcast, gymnastics expert Pamela Gagnon joins Coach Johnny B to detail the strict strength pre-requisites for gymnastics movements. Here are the topics we covered in this episode: The 2 foundations of gymnastics movements How many reps of strict gymnastics do we need to have before progressing onto kipping? One of the best...

On episode 2 of the Performance Plus Podcast, Dr. Zach Long jumps on to give us an excellent template for modifying and scaling training around pain and injuries. Questions that are answered are: Do I need to quit training if I am in pain while working out When should I take complete rest from training? How long will an injury...

On episode 1 of the Performance Plus Podcast Pamela fills us in on her new role as the head of Mayhem Gymnastics. On this episode we cover the following topics. -What Mayhem Gymnastics is -How it is different than Performance Plus -What workout Pamela can beat Rich Froning in -What it’s like to work at Mayhem Nation Join Mayhem programming...

Building to your first strict handstand pushup requires considerable upper body strength and balance. You will need to get comfortable being inverted while building strength in the triceps, shoulders, pecs, and back muscles. Here is a basic guideline for learning the strict handstand push-up against a wall. For more help developing gymnastics strength, download our FREE 3-week Gymnastics Booster program!...

The strict bar muscle-up is a very challenging exercise requiring significant upper body strength and coordination. In the following video, Pamela Gagnon breaks down a strict bar muscle-up progression to help you reach your goals! For more in-depth assistance getting your first strict bar muscle-up, check out our recently released five-week muscle up program on Performance Plus. We’ve helped thousands...

The Butterfly Pull-up is an advanced pull-up variation used by athletes participating in the sport of fitness. This movement requires significant strength, mobility, and coordination to perform. Fitness athletes perform the butterfly pull-up because it allows them to perform more pull-ups in less time, which creates a large benefit in competition. But many athletes fall into the trap of jumping...

DO YOU DREAD THE WOD WHEN YOU SEE TOES TO BAR BECAUSE YOU ARE FRUSTRATED WITH DOING SINGLES OR JUST HANGING KNEE RAISES? READY TO TACKLE THIS SKILL BUT NOT SURE WHAT STRENGTH OR MOBILITY YOU ARE LACKING? HERE ARE 3 GREAT DRILLS THAT WILL UP YOUR TOE TO BAR STRENGTH. What you will notice is that all these drills...

Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. Usually, we see a post of an athlete performing Butterfly Pull-ups and we see 100s of comments that say “not one pull-up done.” Ok. Let’s be real. First, if you understand the purpose of the butterfly pull-up you wouldn’t feel a need to make that comment. Second, if you understand the basics...

If you want to advance your handstand game, you not only need balance, but you need to build strength in your shoulders to improve the length of holds, core to help with a more stacked position, and forearm strength to control balance. Use these four steps to improve your handstand strength so you can not only hold handstands for longer,...