Train Better with Science-Backed Insights

Unlock your peak potential with science-backed training insights from Mike Croskery, M.Sc. With over 30 years of experience in coaching, rehabilitation, and research, I blend cutting-edge biomechanics and exercise physiology to help you optimize human performance, strength, and muscle development. Discover my free articles and strategies, designed to enhance your understanding and achieve better results.

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Applied Exercise Lab

For strength coaches, rehab professionals, and serious trainees seeking advanced, evidence-based strategies.

EMG-based Muscle Studies

Strength & Hypertrophy Programming

Applied Biomechanics

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Fitness

Practical, science-informed guidance for rebuilding fitness, managing injuries, and getting back into training safely and effectively.

Practical evidence-based advice

Accessible strength and mobility tips

Return-to-play strategies that make sense

Explore the Fitness Articles

New Research Unveils Key Insights on EMG Reliability for Exercise Selection

Curious about using EMG in strength and hypertrophy training? This latest research dives into the reliability of surface electromyography (SEMG) for guiding exercise selection. While SEMG helps assess muscle excitation, its variability can impact its effectiveness. This study evaluated SEMG amplitude of the biceps brachii across various arm curl exercises over four sessions, offering crucial insights for coaches and serious trainees.

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Latest Articles

A woman and a man write on a whiteboard to design a weight training routine

Design a Weight Training Routine: Your Playbook

INTRODUCTION Have you ever stood in the gym and felt overwhelmed by the next steps in your quest to build muscle and strength? You’re not alone if it feels like cracking a complex code to create a weight training routine that works. Common questions can bounce around in your head, such as: How many sets? What reps? Which exercises actually work? How often should I even train? […]

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A man performing a preacher curl with EMG sensors on his long head of the biceps and brachioradialis

Best Biceps Exercises: Long and Short Head EMG Study

Abstract This EMG study examines the effectiveness of five popular biceps exercises—inclined curl, hammer curl, dumbbell curl, preacher curl, and wide-grip cable curl—in selectively activating the long and short heads of the biceps brachii using electromyography (EMG). Despite widespread beliefs about certain exercises targeting specific biceps heads, empirical evidence is often lacking. This research aimed to distinguish between anecdotal claims and scientific fact by analyzing […]

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Assessing Readiness: The Hidden Dangers of Drop Jump Tests in Injury Recovery

Assessing Readiness: The Hidden Dangers of Drop Jump Tests in Injury Recovery By Mike Croskery and Heather Grandy, BEng, MASc, Article Summary: This study revealed greater limb asymmetry in an anterior cruciate ligament repair (ACLR) athlete during single-leg drop jumps at 30 cm heights, emphasizing the potential value of proper drop heights for Return to Play assessments (RTP). Differences in Reactive Strength Ratio (RSR), jump […]

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Popular Articles

Motivating the adolescent athlete

Motivating the Adolescent Athlete

Motivation is necessary for developing and performing athletic skills. It is what drives the athlete to successfully acquire a skill through long and arduous practices. Adolescents are influenced by their peers, parents, and the social factors that surround them. Positive reinforcement and encouragement both help youth athletes become motivated to practice and perform well.

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1995 Training Review: 1940s-90s Bodybuilding & Legends

Bodybuilding is a unique sport which involves the assessment of a competitor’s overall muscle symmetry, muscularity, and presentation skills in comparison to the other athletes in an appropriate weight or height class. Each contest consists of three rounds. The first round assesses the competitors overall symmetry and muscularity. The second round is the free posing round where the athletes present to the judges a posing routine that emphasizes his or her best body parts as well as their level of conditioning. Round three is the comparison round in which the athletes are compared against one another through a number of compulsory poses. Throughout all three of these rounds the judges are evaluating muscular definition, muscle shape, presentation, muscular symmetry, and other aesthetic qualities of the individual athletes.

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Low intensity cardio to keep lactic acid low for fat loss.

Lactic Acid and Fat Burning: Optimize Workouts for Max Fat Loss

You’ve just finished your aerobic workout, you’re breathing hard and heavy, and your legs are weak and are burning like their on fire. ‘That fat is going to be burned up like crazy’ you think to yourself. What you might not know is that you may have just sabotaged your fat-burning quest because of the high lactic acid levels you have generated from your hard workout.

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Assessing Readiness: The Hidden Dangers of Drop Jump Tests in Injury Recovery

Assessing Readiness: The Hidden Dangers of Drop Jump Tests in Injury Recovery By Mike Croskery and Heather Grandy, BEng, MASc, Article Summary: This study revealed greater limb asymmetry in an anterior cruciate ligament repair (ACLR) athlete during single-leg drop jumps at 30 cm heights, emphasizing the potential value of proper drop heights for Return to Play assessments (RTP). Differences in Reactive Strength Ratio (RSR), jump […]

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About MyoMax Performance

Since 1995, MyoMax Performance, led by Mike Croskery, has been dedicated to optimizing your health, fitness, and performance. With three decades of experience, he leverages the latest in exercise science and technology to provide individualized and targeted insights. Unleash the power of advanced muscle and movement analysis for you, your clients, and your patients. Learn more about Mike Croskery.

My Services: Training & Performance Solutions

Get expert training programs, assessments, and personal coaching where and how it suits you best. I provide a mobile service that comes to your location, adapting to your available equipment. Don't have what you need? We can arrange equipment in advance. All services, including consultations and customized programs, are also available online. For any inquiries, feel free to contact Mike Croskery.

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"Mike Croskery is one of the most professional and knowledgeable people I have ever worked with. Mike truly has a talent for working with people. He is great at understanding my goals, listening, and encouraging me through difficult (motivational) times. He has a contagious enthusiasm and a caring heart for people who want to achieve their fitness goals."
G. C.
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"My results have been awesome! Mike has been able to fine tune my training programs so well, that I have gone from 188 lbs. to 213 lbs with my body fat at 13.5%. Mike's theories work and they work well."
D. L.
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"As a result of following MyoMax Performance training programs, I have exceeded the demanding physical requirements of being a female firefighter, achieved a personal best of pressing 135 pounds for 6 reps, and brought my bodyfat levels down significantly."
T. M.
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"Calling Mike was maybe the single best thing I have ever done in my life. Over the past almost 15 years, he has made every step along the way easy and worthwhile. The gains in physical fitness—strength, fitness, flexibility and stamina are impressive. The gains in emotional and mental fitness—motivation, focus, courage, confidence, positivity—are off the charts. I could not be more grateful."
P. B.
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"Mike has done an excellent job devising exercise routines to fit my individual needs of dealing with a heart attack, improving my golf game, and improving my health. I particularly like that Mike because of his extensive education and continual search for knowledge, can always answer any of my questions, even those health issues not directly related to my exercise plan. I would strongly recommend Mike to anyone looking for a great personal trainer."
L. P.
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"Mike hasn't only trained me three times a week for the last 14 years, he has educated me on the importance of strength training as I age. He's acutely aware of body mechanics and is very mindful of my various aches and joint pains. He is courteous, respectful, and the ultimate professional who has kept me healthy into my 70s!”
H. H.
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Saying that Mike has changed my life for the better is an understatement; 40 lbs weight loss, normal blood sugar levels, increased energy, flexibility, muscle strength and a more disciplined approach to taking care of myself through constructive exercise and moderated diet. He has also helped me to recover quickly from open heart surgery and a debilitating liver disease. He quickly became a trusted friend, confidant and is the soul of discretion.
I cannot think of anyone who I could attest to taking your personal well-being more to heart than Mike Croskery.
D.S.