It’s safe to crunch again. Not too long ago, a good number of well-meaning, but misguided people stirred up enough fear around crunches that many people were scared to do them and were encouraged to do planks instead—and now the new world record for a static plank that is more than eight hours. That’s not…
Balance is a funny thing. We don’t often fully notice it until we lose it. Like any other fitness characteristic like speed, power or strength, it can be developed and enhanced. Blind Balance Training Balance training is often approached in less-than-helpful ways. For example, the usual test of balance is to stand on a single…
Every day, millions of us tell ourselves, in our most determined inner voice, “I need to lose weight; I’m going to start working out to lose those extra pounds!” And, to demonstrate our conviction, we join a gym, jigger our schedules to block off time for exercise, and begin to work out with admirable intensity…
What can the movie Goodfellas teach us about working out? Released in 1990 and starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, Goodfellas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and Pesci won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It’s one of those movies that many people will watch simply because the…
In common usage, “mobility training” has come to mean what “flexibility training” once meant for many of our clients. Whatever we are calling it, it’s a good idea to examine two joints essential for movement. Mobility Gatekeepers: Hips and Shoulders The hips and shoulders provide the most potential mobility in all three planes of movement…
Foam rollers are an effective method of reducing tension and increasing muscle length for either a pre-workout warm-up or post-exercise active recovery. Technically known as self-myofascial release (SMR), the use of foam rollers for the purpose of reducing muscle tension has become a widely accepted fitness practice. There are two prevailing theories regarding why foam…
No one goes to a health club or fitness studio hoping they leave in worse shape than when they arrived. There is one common denominator shared by everyone who exercises on a regular basis: we all want results from our time spent sweating! This is one reason why high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts have become…
For kids of all ages, one of the most revered Halloween traditions is trick-or-treating. On the other 364 days of the year, we tell kids to NOT take candy from strangers, but on one special night we not only allow it, but we encourage the practice. Experienced Halloween lovers know that there are two primary…
Here’s a question every trainer receives on a regular basis: “How do I get a better butt?” The media is filled with answers, but sadly most of them claim you can get a “toned tush” with only two weeks of leg raises, or “chiseled cheeks” by completing a simple 30-day squat challenge, or a “fabulous…
Most skiers loathe the chairlift on a chilly day. The muscles get stiff and the body cools down quickly. Dynamic stretches are an excellent solution for this problem. Keeping the body moving strategically enhances performance and prevents injuries. Skiing recruits hundreds of muscles. Practicing smaller, isolated movements is a type of corrective exercise, challenging specific…