Hobart Swan

Background

Hobart Swan formerly wrote and edited for Bodybuilding.com. He also worked as a producer of health content for CBS Radio, and as a health-content specialist at Healthwise, the nation’s largest patient-centered healthcare-information publisher. Swan is based in Boise, Idaho.

Articles

  • Want To Keep Your Gains? Stay Hydrated!

    It's always a good idea to stay hydrated, but, after you lift, taking in enough fluid can mean the difference between muscle gained and opportunity lost.

  • Athlete Profile: Evan Centopani's Training Is Money In The Bank

    For Evan Centopani, building his body is like building a savings account: something he contributes a little bit to every day, knowing it will add up to something much bigger over time. And has it ever added up for him.

  • Strongman Robert Oberst is Ready to Shock the World

    Perennial World's Strongest Man contender Robert Oberst uses high reps and a few pages from the bodybuilding playbook to get brutally strong. Here's his upper-body workout, and his story.

  • How Wounded Veteran Jared Bullock Found Strength Through Adversity

    An IED explosion in Afghanistan slowed this Special Forces soldier down, but it didn't stop him. A double amputee who's all about giving back, Jared Bullock is one unique and inspiring athlete and coach.

  • War Vet KC Mitchell Pushes All Boundaries. So Does His Chest Workout.

    What's better than a pump on chest day? One where your guide is a strong, inspiring lifter who has overcome the unthinkable and lived to tell the tale. This is how KC Mitchell pushes his limits.

  • KC Mitchell's Inspiring Story and Brutal Back Workout

    Put two crazy-strong guys in a gym, surround them with iron and cable stacks, and shit's gonna happen. Especially when those two guys are Jesse Norris and KC Mitchell, and it's back day. Do their workout, steal their tips, and get mile wide!

  • 3 Workouts That Are Insanely Effective At Building Hams And Glutes

    Nothing makes your butt muscles shrink faster than sitting in a chair all day. If you want a backside that will power you in the gym and everywhere else, here's where to start!

  • Meg Squats' Quick Back Workout

    Don't have all morning or afternoon, but want to give some TLC to your back? Meg Squats has a short workout for you that'll give you a chance to fire up your lats and middle back muscles.

  • Abel Albonetti's Workout for Back Annihilation

    This 10-exercise workout targets every muscle in your back. But it's not for the faint of heart. See if you have what it takes. This one's gonna hurt.

  • Who Should Or Shouldn't Take A Pre-Workout?

    The people who benefit the most from a pre-workout exercise with intensity. If you lift light weights and do a little cardio, you probably won't feel the effects.

  • Should I Buy Or Make My Pre-Workout Supplement?

    Unless you stick to some very basic formulas, your odds of creating an effective pre-workout--and doing it for less than what you'd pay over the counter--are not great. But there's no law against it.

  • Do Pre-Workout Supplements Work?

    Yes, but supplements are just one piece of the puzzle. You also need good nutrition, sleep, proper training, and a goal to shoot for. Get those all lined up and pre-workout can help you get there.

  • What Are Pre-Workout Supplements And How Do They Work?

    Pre-workout supps are designed to put a little kick in your step so you can make the most of your gym trip. Find out what ingredients are in most pre-workouts, what they do, and how pre-workouts help you reach your fitness goals.

  • Can't I Just Have Coffee Or An Energy Drink Before A Workout?

    These will definitely give you a buzz, but there's more to a good workout than feeling the rush. Most good pre-workouts contain other ingredients that prepare your body to work hard and add new muscle.

  • What If I'm Sensitive To Stimulants?

    Supplement makers understand that not everyone likes caffeine or other popular stimulants, and work hard to find alternatives to get people energized before their workout.

  • What Is A Pre-Workout Supplement?

    When taken prior to an exercise session, the ingredients in pre-workouts will increase your energy, focus, pain tolerance, or force production by the time you hit the gym.

  • How Can I Prevent Feeling Jittery After I Take A Pre-Workout?

    Caffeine is known for making people jittery, so try other kinds of pre-workouts. Having a small meal with your pre-workout can help, too.

  • Can I Take Other Supplements If I Take Pre-Workouts?

    Yes, indeed. Just make sure the ingredients in your pre-workout—especially stimulants—don't show up in large doses in the other supps you take.

  • Are Some Pre-Workouts Better For Women?

    Many pre-workout servings are calculated with large, muscular men in mind. Some supp makers create special formulas just for women but, in general, women would be well-served to start with less than a full serving of pre-workout and see how it feels.

  • Are Pre-Workouts Safe?

    If you plan on taking a pre-workout, or any other supplement, you need to become a label-reader. Look for brands that have been tested by reputable third-party inspectors.