Rowing Right: Mastering Proper Rowing Mechanics with Concept2
Chad Benko Chad Benko

Rowing Right: Mastering Proper Rowing Mechanics with Concept2

Whether you're a seasoned rower or just hopping on the erg between lifts, proper rowing mechanics make a world of difference. Efficient movement means better performance, fewer injuries, and more bang for your buck in every session. At Synergy Strength, we want our athletes to move well—and when it comes to rowing, we trust the gold standard: Concept2's rowing technique framework.

Let’s break down each phase of the rowing stroke and explore how to master your movement on the rower.

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Why Do WE Emphasize a stacked handstand position first?
Chad Benko Chad Benko

Why Do WE Emphasize a stacked handstand position first?

When learning the art of hand balancing, there’s often a temptation to mimic the various handstand styles we see from seasoned gymnasts, acrobats, and handstand experts. Some have an arched back, others display a relaxed "banana" shape, while a few showcase perfectly straight lines. With so many styles, it’s reasonable to wonder: Why do we emphasize the stacked handstand position first?

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The Value of the Hip Snatch: Building Strong Third Pull Mechanics and a Solid Receiving Position
Chad Benko Chad Benko

The Value of the Hip Snatch: Building Strong Third Pull Mechanics and a Solid Receiving Position

In Olympic weightlifting, few things separate beginner lifters from advanced lifters more than the quality of their third pull and the strength of their receiving position.
It’s not enough to simply "catch" the bar overhead — elite performance demands that athletes aggressively pull themselves under the bar and stabilize into a tensed, strong bottom position.

One of the best tools to develop these crucial qualities is the Hip Snatch.

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Understanding CRAC Stretching in Mobility+ Programming: Why It Works and How to Apply It
Chad Benko Chad Benko

Understanding CRAC Stretching in Mobility+ Programming: Why It Works and How to Apply It

With Mobility+, our mission is to help you not just move better, but move stronger. One of the cornerstone methods we use to improve flexibility, mobility, and joint resilience is the CRAC methodContract-Relax-Agonist-Contract stretching.
This technique is simple in concept but incredibly powerful in practice, and today, we’ll break down why it works so well, the science behind it, and how we apply it in our Mobility+ sessions.

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Fitness Racing and CrossFit: A Powerful Complement, Not a Clone
Chad Benko Chad Benko

Fitness Racing and CrossFit: A Powerful Complement, Not a Clone

At Synergy Strength, we’re proud to build athletes who are strong, capable, and resilient across all areas of fitness. As part of that mission, we offer both CrossFit and Fitness Racing classes—two distinct but complementary approaches to developing full-body fitness.

While they share some surface similarities—functional movements, high intensity, and a community-driven atmosphere—CrossFit and Fitness Racing are fundamentally different in purpose and structure.
One is a comprehensive sport.
The other is a specific and valuable training stimulus.

And together, they make athletes better.

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The Importance of Creatine: From Strength to Cognitive Support
Chad Benko Chad Benko

The Importance of Creatine: From Strength to Cognitive Support

Creatine is one of the most widely studied and effective dietary supplements available today, particularly for improving strength, increasing lean muscle mass, and enhancing high-intensity exercise performance. But its impact goes far beyond the gym floor. Over the past two decades, new research has uncovered a host of additional benefits—from supporting brain health and cognition to improving bone density and even protecting against neurological diseases.

This article explores the deep pool of evidence supporting creatine's benefits for both physical and mental performance and shines a spotlight on why it’s no longer just a “bodybuilder’s supplement.”

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Contract-Relax Stretching: Why We Use It in Mobility+
Chad Benko Chad Benko

Contract-Relax Stretching: Why We Use It in Mobility+

Mobility is more than just being flexible — it’s about owning your range of motion with strength and control. In our Mobility+ program at Synergy Strength, we prioritize methods that go beyond basic stretching to create real, usable mobility. One of the most powerful tools in that toolbox is contract-relax stretching.

Let’s break down what it is, why it works so well, and how it adds another level to your performance and longevity in training.

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