The Write Spotters

09/01/2026

MY LATEST ON Muscle & Fitness

Just because most people say it's a waste of time doesn't make it true.

That's why I explore topics like the hip abduction machine and its usefulness. We all know what it looks like, but does it help or hurt?

Here, with the help of Bo Babenko and Dan Swinscoe, we'llexplore whether the disapproving stares are worth it.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/glute-exercises/hip-abductor-machine-glute-benefits-myths-research-programming-guide/

Thanks to the contributing coaches and to Jeff Tomko for their time and talent.

Coach Shane

Is the hip abductor machine a useless fluff exercise? Physical therapists and research reveal the truth about its glute medius activation and hypertrophy perks.

08/29/2026

My Latest on Muscle & Fitness

Sometimes balance isn't a strength or stability issue but a mobility one.

The Single-Leg RDL builds hamstring and glute strength while reducing imbalances, but you've got to get into good positions first, and that begins with mobility.

Here are 5 mobility exercises for better balance and single-leg RDLs.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/leg-exercises/fix-your-single-leg-rdl-5-mobility-drills-to-eliminate-balance-issues/

Thanks for reading, and to Jeff Tomko for his time and talents.

Coach Shane McLean

Struggling to balance on the single-leg RDL? Master these 5 target mobility drills to fix collapsing feet, tight hips, and shaky hinge form.

08/27/2026

MY LATEST ARTICLE ON Muscle & Fitness

I've lost count of how many times I've almost talked myself out of training.

There's the mind being ready, and there's the body being ready. This article is about the body and its readiness to train. With the help of superstar strength coaches Matt Wenning and Gareth Sapstead, we explore the body's readiness to get after it and when you should take the day off.

Your program is a plan but not a prison.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/should-you-take-a-rest-day-or-push-through-the-truth-about-training-while-fatigued/

Thanks for reading, and thanks to the coaches and Jeff Tomko for making this article happen.

Coach Shane

Struggling with fatigue on leg day? Strength experts Matt Wenning and Gareth Sapstead reveal the traffic light warmup test to decide whether to push, adjust, or rest.

08/22/2026

My Latest on Muscle & Fitness

The bent-over row is the big kahuna of rows because it trains the entire back.

But sometimes, due to form issues or your lower back deciding not today, it becomes an issue. Rather than sucking it up, here are five rows to build a beefy back without the unnecessary discomfort.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/back-exercises/bent-over-rows-bother-your-lower-back-5-back-building-moves-that-still-do-the-trick/

Thanks for reading, and thanks to Jeff Tomko for his time and talents.

Coach Shane McLean

Is your lower back giving out before your lats do? Learn why the barbell bent-over row causes lower-back fatigue, how to fix your setup, and 5 heavy alternatives to build a massive back without spinal stress.

08/20/2026

My Latest On Muscle & Fitness

I feel the lift setup is almost as important as the lifting itself.

If you're constantly readjusting during a set, you're wasting valuable energy that should be spent on lifting. The Preacher Curl may seem silly to worry about, but the biceps are that important.

There are a couple of things to pay attention to with this lift for maximum safety and gains. And here they are.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/the-ultimate-preacher-curl-setup-guide-6-steps-to-isolate-your-biceps-and-force-max-growth/

Thanks for reading, and thanks to Jeff Tomko for his time and talents.

Coach Shane McLean

Stop wasting bicep reps with bad form. Master this step-by-step preacher curl setup checklist to eliminate momentum, protect your elbows, and trigger maximum peak growth.

08/16/2026

MY LATEST ON Muscle & Fitness

Dumbbell rows are great; don't get me wrong, but they can get dull, and you can go through the motions a little bit.

You need a challenge, and Renegade Rows do just that.

Rowing from the plank position strengthens your core and back and turns a once-back exercise into a full-body bonanza.

Here's how to do it right.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/full-body-exercises/how-the-renegade-row-will-help-build-core-strength-shoulder-stability-and-a-bigger-back/

Thanks for reading, and thanks to Jeff Tomko for his time and talents.

Coach Shane McLean

The renegade row is more than a dumbbell row. Discover how it builds core strength, shoulder stability, anti-rotation power, and a stronger back with one simple movement.

08/08/2026

My Latest On Muscle & Fitness

You know when you do split squats and lunges to build your quads and glutes, and all you feel is your inner thighs?
Say hello to your adductors.

Yes, they bring the leg back to midline, but they do so much more. I'll go into that and so much more as I deep dive into those inner thigh muscles.

Pun intended.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/leg-exercises/adductor-training-may-be-the-legday-solution-for-strength-mobility-and-injury-prevention/

Thanks for reading, and to Jeff Tomko for his time and talents; make it a great day.

Coach Shane McLean

Weak adductors could be limiting your squat strength, athletic performance, and muscle growth. Learn the best adductor exercises, how to build stronger inner thighs, prevent groin injuries, and improve lower-body power.

08/02/2026

THE PERSONAL TRAINING HANDBOOK

What began as an idea (in my head) to help newer trainers navigate the ever-changing world of personal training has evolved into The Personal Training Handbook - A Guide to Developing Practical Coaching and Career Skills.

The final manuscript is in Cognella's inbox by August 3rd.

With a lot of help (and work) from Korey Van Wyk and my co-author Joseph Sudimack and chapter contributors:

Jack Hallows
Susie Reiner
Rocky Snyder
J.A. Graves and David Skolnik
Javier Miller-Estrada
Joshua Dillaha and Angela Shaba
Chris Colucci
And last but not least, Mark Nutting

(Andrew Coates was kind enough to write the foreword also.)

This book is coming to life. It’s not another exercise, sets, and reps book. There are already enough of those. It covers the soft skills of training, how to build a social media following, and how to navigate starting a business and dealing with complex client behaviors.

That’s just a taste.

You’d think getting other experts to write the chapters would make it easier, but it hasn’t. It’s pushed Joseph’s and my professional boundaries like no other project. It’s been one of the hardest professional endeavors I’ve ever undertaken.

I hope all the hard work will be worth it when the book gets into the right hands.

If you’re interested in being added to the list to be notified when it comes out next year, please send me a private message.

Next year, I’ll be a book author, and I cannot wait.

Thanks for reading.

Coach Shane

08/01/2026

My Latest On Muscle & Fitness

Some exercises get labeled good or bad, but it depends on context.

Does it have a purpose? Does it put you in positions that you need to improve in and out of the gym?

The deficit deadlift is one of those exercises. Some see it as making the deadlift hard for no reason; others who are slow off the floor see a different story.

With the help of a few coaching friends, rediscover the deficit deadlift and make up your own mind.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/why-the-deficit-deadlift-can-help-you-build-more-strength-and-mobility/

Thanks for reading, and to Jeff Tomko, Matt Wenning, and Tasha Whelan for their time and talents.

Coach Shane

Is the deficit deadlift worth it? Learn how this advanced deadlift variation builds strength off the floor, improves power, targets weak points, and helps serious lifters increase deadlift performance without sacrificing form.

07/30/2026

MY LATEST ON Muscle & Fitness

The Juggernaut method is a grown-up program for gaining muscle and strength. Created by Chad Wesley Smith in 2009, it is now an app, Juggernaut AI.

If you're an experienced lifter whose gains have stalled, like structured workouts, and value long-term gains over short-term ones, it could be the program for you.

I'll give you the lowdown if you click the link below.

https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/the-juggernaut-method-explained-using-high-volume-and-fatigue-for-greater-strength/

Thanks for reading, and make it a great day.

Coach Shane

Looking to get stronger without burning out? Learn how the Juggernaut Method uses progressive overload, fatigue management, and science-backed programming to build muscle, increase strength, and deliver long-term results.