At Trilogy, we’ve always believed that the most effective training isn’t flashy, it’s intentional.
That’s why we weren’t surprised to see our Founder/Owner/Chief Toy Collector, Matt Kasee (MS, CSCS), recently featured in Men’s Journal, sharing some of the same principles we coach on the floor every day.
Across two recent articles, Matt broke down a few of the most underrated tools and strategies in the gym, and why they work.
The Case for the Most Underrated Piece of Equipment: The Sled
While most people think of it as a lower body finisher, we use it for far more.
“While we primarily use it for lower body training and conditioning, we can also use the sled to strengthen our upper body with presses and pulls,” Matt explains. “The sled can be scaled to a complete beginner or a high-level athlete. Plus, it’s a fantastic confidence booster because the learning curve is very small, while still providing a tough challenge.”
Another reason we program sled work so often comes down to recovery:
“The sled has no eccentric, or muscle-lengthening, phase of the exercise,” he adds. “So we can do more work with less muscle soreness. That means bigger results with less wear and tear on the joints.”
In other words: it’s one of the most effective ways to train hard without feeling wrecked the next day.
Instead of focusing only on sit-ups or twisting movements, he emphasized the importance of anti-movement exercises.
“The three most common mistakes in core training are failing to train different directions of force, not progressing exercises, and only doing movements like sit-ups and twists,” Matt says.
At Trilogy, this is why you’ll see a heavy focus on stability-based work.
“While a well-rounded program can include sit-ups and rotational work, the bulk of core training should focus on stabilizing the spine and creating proper alignment through the pelvic floor and diaphragm.”
One key category: anti-extension work, which trains your body to resist arching under load. This is essential for keeping your back strong and protected during lifts like deadlifts, squats, and overhead presses.
What the Men’s Journal Articles Don’t Show
Features like this are exciting, but what matters most is how these ideas show up in real training.
Inside the gym, this looks like:
Smart progressions (for beginners to advanced clients)
Joint-friendly programming that still delivers results
A focus on building strength that actually carries over to real life
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what works, consistently.
Apply what you’ve discovered on our blog inside the gym. Schedule your free intro today to meet a coach, build a plan, and take the first step toward your goals.
