Like all of you, I have a really busy schedule. Besides the time I spend training others, I manage my business, I work a full time job, I do volunteer work each week, I spend time with my family, and I take care of household chores. But scheduling and planning my own workout is just as important as those other activities, because keeping myself healthy and in good shape gives me the energy and availability to help others. So how do I plan my own workouts? Here are the four things I do to keep my workouts on schedule and make them effective: I Put My Workout on My Calendar - I've learned over time that if you’re going to accomplish anything in your busy life, you need to schedule it. My exercise time is booked on my calendar, and is (generally) non-negotiable. I once heard the illustration that if you had to have treatments 3 times per week for a serious illness, would you let anything get in the way of having those treatments? No, you would rearrange your … [Read more...]
How To Do A Kettlebell Swing
There are a lot of different movements and exercises you can do with a Kettlebell, but the most basic one is the Kettlebell Swing. This movement has a lot of benefits: it is a great fat burner, it works your posterior chain, and it is a good exercise for Tabata Intervals. Personally, I use this exercise on my Saturday fun day. I like it because it is great for working the hip flexors and providing explosion to running and sprinting that I do. The video below is a great tutorial on how to do the movement. As she mentions, all of the power should be coming from your hips; your arms should basically just be "straps" for the kettlebell to swing with. So you're not lifting with your arms, but creating the movement with the pop in your hips. … [Read more...]
Hard Core Playground Workout
In case you haven't heard of The November Project, it's an "open source" fitness program featured in a lot of major cities around the US, built around the idea of a group of people getting together in open spaces to workout together, while cheering and motivating one another on. They have been featured in a series of article on NPR that caught my eye, which provides a playground workout for every level of fitness. The latest one is a hardcore gonzo playground workout for those in really good shape who want a challenge. I plan to try this one over the weekend. … [Read more...]
Soccer Specific Strength and Conditioning Work Out
I was playing pick up soccer yesterday, and somebody made the comment that being in good shape is different from being in soccer shape. True that. With the constant sprinting and stopping, lateral movement, and quick footwork, you get a dynamic workout that steady state cardio doesn't necessarily provide. While one of the best ways to get in soccer shape is to actually play, Men' Fitness has provided a great soccer training work out to help you build the strength and stamina needed to perform on the pitch. Even if you're like me and play pick up soccer on a regular basis, this work out should help you step up your game. Check out the video below for the full work out, and get details on reps here. If you don't have an agility ladder, check them out of Amazon.. Post updated on 8/16/16 … [Read more...]