Craig Dennis
Founder
Craig Dennis is the founder of GainStrong, a fitness platform designed for people who want to get stronger but feel stuck in cycles of stopping and starting. After seeing how often fitness content and apps create guilt, pressure, and unrealistic expectations, Craig began focusing on a different approach, one centered on consistency over intensity and return over perfection. His writing draws on firsthand experience, repeated patterns observed in beginners and returning lifters, and research into habit formation and training behavior. Craig's goal is not to push harder workouts, but to help people keep going, especially on the days motivation is low.
Areas of Expertise
Articles by Craig Dennis
Best Free Calisthenics App for iPhone (2026): Tested, Ranked & Honestly Compared
We tested every major free calisthenics app on iPhone. Here's which ones are genuinely free, which are paywalled demos, and which will actually get you results.
How to Rebuild a Workout Habit After Burnout (Without Burning Out Again)
A research-backed guide to getting back to exercise after burnout — covering the real reasons you stopped, how to restart without overdoing it, and how to make the habit stick this time.
Pull-Up Strength Standards: How Many Should You Be Able to Do?
Find out exactly how many pull-ups you should be able to do based on your gender, age, experience level, and bodyweight — plus why you might be stuck and how to fix it.
Pulse Squat Exercise: How to Do It, Benefits, and Muscles Worked
Learn how to do the pulse squat exercise with proper form, discover the muscles it targets, and find out why it builds more quad and glute strength than regular squats.
Abs Workout At Gym: The Complete Guide to Building a Strong Core
Everything you need to know about training your abs at the gym — the best exercises, how often to train, how many sets and reps, and the mistakes keeping your six-pack hidden.
Planche Progression for Beginners: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to train for the planche from scratch. This beginner guide covers every progression, the prerequisites you need, common mistakes to avoid, and realistic timelines.
Free Home Workout Plan Without Equipment (4-Week Beginner Programme)
A complete, science-backed home workout plan that requires zero equipment. Build real strength and fitness in 4 weeks using only your bodyweight.
Calisthenics Consistency: Why Most Apps Make It Harder
Most calisthenics apps are designed to keep you engaged, not to keep you consistent. Here is why that difference matters — and what actually builds a lasting training habit.
Best Calisthenics App in 2026: Free & Paid Options Compared
Tried-and-tested breakdown of the best calisthenics apps in 2026 — including free options, skill progression tools, and which one is right for your training level.
Calisthenics for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Starting Right
Everything you need to start calisthenics from zero — foundational exercises, a 4-week beginner workout plan, progression tips, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
How to Learn a Handstand: The Step-by-Step Progression That Actually Works
Learn how to do a handstand with this complete beginner's progression guide — honest timelines, wrist prep, fear conditioning, wall drills, and how to finally go freestanding.
How to Track Your Workouts Properly: A Beginner's Complete Guide
Learn how to track your workouts effectively with a simple, sustainable system that helps you build strength, avoid plateaus, and make consistent progress.
How to Get Back into the Gym After a Break: A Comprehensive Guide
Discover effective strategies to get back into the gym after a break, including mental tips, workout plans, and nutrition advice to support your journey.
I Missed a Week of Workouts, Should I Start Over?
Missing a week of workouts can feel like failure, but it rarely means lost progress. Here's what actually happens, and how to return without pressure or burnout.
How to Restart Working Out After a Long Break (Without Burning Out Again)
If you've taken a break from working out, restarting can feel harder than starting from scratch. Learn how to return gently, without guilt or burnout.
Why Fitness Apps Make Consistency Harder (And What Actually Helps)
Fitness apps often turn normal interruptions into guilt. Learn why consistency breaks and what design patterns help people return without pressure.
The 45-Minute Strength Routine for Busy Weeks
A repeatable training template that covers push, pull, legs, and core in under an hour without sacrificing progress.
How to Progress Your First Pull-Up Without Burning Out
A step-by-step ladder that builds strength, grip, and confidence while keeping recovery in check.
The Science of Deloads: When to Back Off to Move Forward
A practical guide to timing deloads, adjusting volume, and returning stronger in your next training block.