"You can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been." Will Smith in Hitch Unfortunately, this is too often the case when it comes to Physical Culture in Merica' these days. Everyone has or is THE Thing of the Minute. The new and improved version. It's ground breaking, different, more efficient. And usually, it's more of the same and none of the above. P90X? They used to call that body-weight circuit training. Muscle Confusion? Wasn't that Weider Principle #102, variety. CrossFit? Again, circuit training, only this time we're using more complex modalities and lots of barbells. Shaun T? That Mary Franklin not only got himself some Hip … [Read more...]
People Care What I Think!
March 18, 2014 by
Not Really.... But I did get interviewed for some articles recently. <-----This clearly means I have achieved expert Jedi Master status. In hockey training they like to use the word "Core" a lot. So much so that I got interviewed, along with Maria Mountain (who actually is kinda famous for this) for an article that appeared in USA Hockey's Adult Hockey Newsletter: Why Strengthening Your Core is Key- Michael Rand Some other Core pontificating here: Train Yo' Core Right, Doing it Better: Planking Eat Everyone has to do it. And every day there is a new "It" diet out there promising insanely fast fat loss, muscle gain and Super Mario … [Read more...]
With Age Comes Wisdom…..
March 11, 2014 by
Or so they say.... Stoled it from Bluemoonblog Now that I've been on this earth for a third of a decade I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two. So in honor of getting old(er) here's some things I think I've learned about my fitness: 1. I can't do at 33 what I could do at 23. My workouts even 2 years ago were much "more" than they are today. More volume, more intensity....more of everything. What I've learned is that my recovery just isn't what it used to be and I need to be more mindful of that. I used to feel "beat up" most of the week. Despite less sleep and a boatload more stressors, backing off a little has helped my recovery immensely. I … [Read more...]
The Kettlebell Swing, It’s not a Squat/ Front Raise and it Doesn’t go Overhead.
February 26, 2014 by
The Kettlebell Swing: What are swings about? What's the purpose? A. Loaded hip hinging and FORCEFUL hip extension. http://youtu.be/VP8Jhjcxj78 RKC, HKC, Strong First...it doesn't matter who teaches it and the nuances, some hinge more, some less, regardless, it's about hip hinging and extension. Whats hip hinging? It's engaging/ creating motion from the hips...or pushing the HIPS back without creating motion at the low back. http://youtu.be/cu6XobuUQkU What does hip extension look like you ask? See that arrow? It's pointing out the FULLY extended hip. It's about using your ass to bring the hips into a fully locked out position. Think hips … [Read more...]
Your Story = Your Reality
January 21, 2014 by
"We are defined by the stories we tell ourselves." - Tony Robbins http://youtu.be/1iAVaUNTX9U Why do so many people fail to get what they want out of life? It's not because they're not capable. It's not because the man holds you down. It's not because there is some vast conspiracy set out by the Illuminati to keep you wrapped in a cloak of entertainment constantly telling you you're somehow less capable and deserving than the rich and famous so you remain unmotivated and distracted from reality, what's actually important in the world and you don't LIVE you just exist in some type of state of vicarious hero-worship. http://iwcmediaecology.pbworks.com On … [Read more...]
“Celebrity Trainers”, Fitness Mags and Bad Technique
January 7, 2014 by
We should be thankful for the cornucopia of fitness magazines that come out each month. http://www.fitsugar.com When the zombie apocalypse comes at least we'll have an ample supply of toilet paper for eternity. While some of them don't completely suck ballzzzz and every now and then even the crappy ones actually have some good experts and columnists, for the most part the vast,vast majority of these ....ehhhhh....."publications", are riddled with misinformation and Pure Jackassery passed off as Correct Technique. How this happens? The only thing I can guess is that the "Fitness Experts" and the editors have NO CLUE what's going on. See, here's the thing. Many … [Read more...]
Where to Start…..
December 30, 2013 by
New Years Resolutions are stupid, you should already be doing those things, coming up so that means LOTS of people coming into the gyms, many of them for the first time either ever or in a loooooong time. Sadly, there is so much conflicting information out there, that it's hard to figure out what you should be doing to get the results you want. That means most people will take one of two paths: Path 1: The Observer They'll watch what others in the gym are doing (especially those people working with "fitness professionals" ) and they're going to mimic those exercises as best they can. <----this would make sense until you realize the BIG Secret....most "Fitness … [Read more...]
Something You Should Be Thankful For…
November 27, 2013 by
Your Health.... Just as much as your Family, Job, Success, Nunchuck Skills or Sweet Hoop Ride with the Whistle Tip. http://youtu.be/mL6XmaIcqPA?t=42s Cold Hard Truth: If YOUR health is any less than the best it can be, you're not optimizing YOU, restricting your life, burdening others and bringing less than 100% to any relationship you're in. Think about It: All these things involve INTERACTION between YOU and other people or things. Because of that, it's your responsibility to bring the best you possible to all of your relationships. If you're not at your best you're not capable of doing your best work.... So, if you have your health be thankful for that, … [Read more...]
