I absolutely love the internet.  In fact, that's probably why I spent my first few years out of college working in social media marketing, simply because it was a brilliant way to waste time....but a way to claim I was "working."

(And Dad, I'm sure you're happy to read that previous paragraph after shelling out the money for my expensive, liberal arts education.  But I also learned how to write....so that has to count for something?)

Anyway, as much as I love the internet, it's also the reason most attempts at weight loss tend to end up like the video below - a smooth Michael Jackson dance, turned into an aggressive bathroom(?) wall face plant.

I've made it no secret that strength tends to solve a lot of problems.  Chronic back pain?  Strength tends to help.  Running related pains in your hips and knees?  Strength can help that too.

Forget to put a new cover sheet on your TPS report?  Well, OK, I guess strength won't help you there....but looking like a bad ass won't hurt either.

Anyway, this week I wanted to highlight one of my favorite exercises in building total body strength - the kettlebell overhead press.  And I know you're shocked, but I actually do something other than deadlift all the time (but not much else..)

I like to think I'm a glass half full kind of guy.  Unless, of course, I'm A) trying to find something I've misplaced, B) making a Target run that will "only take 2 minutes," or C) find that an hour of my writing has instantly disappeared into an internet/blog writing black hole.  

And yes, that last one just happened. Damn you, interwebzzzzz!

ANYwho, I'm a firm believer that if you solidly put your mind to something - yes, pretty much anything - you can accomplish it.  Maybe I've read one too many self help books.  Or maybe I was cheerleader in a previous life, I'm not really sure. (<----And if I was, you can bet I was at the bottom of pyramid!)

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:

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)