Tribe Verified

The Core Lifts: Mastering the Foundation of Real Strength

byPravar SrivastavaOnline coaching worldwide & In-person training across Delhi NCR and KolkataStarts from7,500 per 3 monthsView full gallery

We don't do fancy circus tricks here. Real strength is built in the basics: Squats, Deadlifts, and Presses. If you are ready to stop whining and start the work, you are in the right place.

My personal record on the conventional deadlift: 140 kg for 3 reps, raw. No belt, no straps, no nonsense. Your body has its own inbuilt belt, and I teach you how to use it.

Squats are an analogy for life. When things get heavy, you just have to carry the weight and stand up. This is where you chase discipline, not motivation.

Executing the bench press with 70 kg. My focus is on the chest, not on a huge arch or wide grip. Proper form ensures the target muscle does the WORK.

Some days you don't feel like the planned workout. On this day, I decided to just squat until I dropped. This is the 10th set of 100kg Zercher Squats, pushing past mental barriers.

Just raw, simple deadlifting. This is the foundation. Mastering the hinge pattern is crucial for building core strength and protecting your spine.

Sundays are for squats. Here I'm working through 10 sets, from 60 kg up to 100 kg. This is about volume, intensity, and putting in the work.

The Zercher Squat is a beast. It's uncomfortable and challenges your entire body, especially your core. This is how you get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Deload week doesn't mean no work. It means focusing on technique. Here I'm performing chest supported dumbbell rows, driving with the elbows to truly engage the back muscles.

Performing the standing overhead press without a mirror forces you to rely on spatial awareness and mind muscle connection. Control the weight, don't let it control you.

A personal best on barbell bent over rows: 80 kg for 15 reps. Sometimes you go to war with the weights, pushing for high reps with heavy weight.

About The Core Lifts: Building Real Strength

Before you load up the bar with plates, you need to understand the internal mechanics. Most people reach for a belt the moment things get heavy, but your core has its own inbuilt belt—the Transverse Abdominus (TVA). My training focuses on activating this natural corset first, ensuring your spine is protected from the inside out before we ever talk about hitting your personal bests.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe