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Rejecting the "Bulky" Myth

I really enjoy training women.  In fact, they can be easier to train than guys because they A) are overly concerned with form/technique, B) tend to ask more questions, and C) can't stop bragging about their newfound strength.  In fact, when a female client tells me she was showing off her deadlift videos, or is able to fit into her "skinny" pair of jeans, I tend to react like this:

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Why Stretching Your Hamstrings is Like Setting Your Face on Fire (OK, Not Really..)

Maybe that title is a bit of an overstatement.  But, if you know me, you know I'm not a big believer in stretching your hamstrings (in fact, it's a point I've expanded upon here and here).

Now, I know what you're saying:

  • "But, aren't we supposed to stretch?"
  • "But it feels sooooo good!" (So does scratching a mosquito bite.  But are you supposed to? Facepalm.)
  • "How will I ever be a supple leopard if I can't touch my toes?"

As anyone who's actually tight can tell you - and let's qualify that by saying that someone that can't bend over and touch their toes - stretching never helps...unless the goal of stretching is to make the "tight" people feel bad about themselves.  (<----I used to be one of them)

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UnFRUITful Nonsense

Late last week, I had a client tell me the following: "My friend in Weight Watchers told me I'm not supposed to eat a banana and an apple on the same day." 

I laughed, and pressed the issue of why?  Why would a banana and an apple - yes, on the same day - be bad for you?  "Because it's too much sugar."

I mean, it's OK.  We all make mistakes.  For example, when I was younger, I thought the proper name for our glutes was "bootyus maximus." (LOL, I was adorable.) 

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3 Core Exercises to Harness Your Inner "Channing"

Even though we're about 11 hours from it being officially #mancrushmonday (which, for the record, is every Monday), it's probably no surprise that I've already seen the new Magic Mike trailer.

Yes, I saw the first one.  And yes, it was me asking Lindsay to go see it.  And no, I haven't been practicing my dance moves in the mirror (ok, maybe a wee bit).

While I'm not as excited as when I saw "Snakes on a Plane" on opening night in 2007 - you can tell I have great taste in movies - the success of Magic Mike at the box office makes me think of two points:  1) Most guys wish they could dance like Channing Tatum and 2) no one would be displeased if they woke up tomorrow with a great set of abzzz.  And, while I can't help you with the former, I can definitely outline how to obtain the latter.

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Unsexy Methods to Break Personal Records

This week's topic is pretty unsexy.  In fact, it's just about as unsexy as today's birthday boy, Hugh Hefner.

On that note: can anyone tell me what the deal is with his robe and sailor hat?  I mean, the guy IS 89 years old....but also has a degree in psychology.  If that's not ironic, I don't know what is.

Creepiness aside, a few weeks ago I had a brief conversation with one of my coworkers that went a lil' something like this:

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