Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Born to Run: Why Track and Field Deserves Your Respect

What is running fast or far, if not a metaphor for the internal struggle against the body's inherent laziness?

I spend quite a bit of my time searching and perusing strength and conditioning info, programming theory, and other Breaking Muscle-worthy content even though I'm in high school and should be doing my homework.

 

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The Next Step in My Yoga Practice (Yoga Teacher Training Journal 1)

If you’re considering a yoga teacher training program but aren’t sure what it’s like or what work it entails, I’m writing these journals for you.

Just a few weeks ago, I was at the grocery store with my six-year-old daughter. As I waited impatiently in the hallway during her fourth trip to the bathroom, I noticed a flyer on the bulletin board. It read, “Yoga Teacher Training: Starts September 20.”

 

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Banded Pull-ups: To Band or Not To Band?

Over the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many different CrossFit boxes throughout the United States. ... READ MORE »

Top 10 Foods to Fight Inflammation

By eating anti-inflammatory foods, your body will stay stronger, recover faster, and attain better results in whatever sport you pursue.

I have been rock climbing and biking for years and I never plan on stopping. Of course, with any sport comes regular wear and tear and the possibility of injury. For many athletes, chronic inflammation is common, can be disruptive to their lives, and can hinder them from participating in the physical activities they love.

 

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The Real and Present Danger of Overtraining Youth Athletes

We are neglecting our children. We are failing to care for them properly and allowing them to overtrain - with lifelong consequences.

What if I told you that overuse injuries could be thought more of as injuries of neglect? You’ve decided to neglect training certain muscle groups or maybe you neglect key recovery strategies. You neglect to care for your body properly.

 

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How to Turn Negative Thoughts into Positive Actions

When you experience negative moments in your chosen competition or adventure, I recommend you take these two actions.
In part one of this series on Get Your Mind Right on Game Day, we looked at the methodology behind creating and using motivational themes. In part two, we are going to talk about something everyone struggles with - negative thoughts.
 

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Vitamin D in Elite Athletes: The More the Better

Researchers wanted to see how vitamin D levels correlated with power, speed, and cardiovascular ability in elite soccer players.

Vitamin D affects your muscles, immune system, and energy levels, so it will probably also have an effect on your performance. In a new study in PLOS One, researchers wanted to see whether vitamin D levels in athletes were associated with strength and other measures of fitness. 

 

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Monday, September 29, 2014

CrossFit Kids Classics: Rock-Paper-Scissors Tag

Alison Patenaude presents a CrossFit Kids game based on an old favorite.

Rock beats scissors.

Scissors beat paper.

Paper beats rock.

Kids beat obesity.

Off to Copenhagen (Athlete Journal 52)

These were my last few weeks of training before the Worlds Masters Weightlifting Championships.

These were my last few weeks of training before heading off to Copenhagen for the 2014 Worlds Masters Weightlifting Championships.

 

Monday

I found myself very sluggish during the warm up and cut back on my upper body routine, using very light weights.

 

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How to Manage Time, Energy, Emotions, and Expectations to Achieve Results

Charles Staley has shared his journals so you can see how to optimize your training at any age.

A lot can happen in three years. That’s about how long champion powerlifter Charles Staley has been writing journals here at Breaking Muscle. In that time frame, Charles has taken two world titles and competed in multiple powerlifting tournaments.

 

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Don’t Let Breaks Break You

Injuries are not specific to CrossFit training, but they happen. I’ve been hurt many more times coaching and playing ... READ MORE »

Use EFT to Achieve Success in Your Fitness and Nutrition Goals

In this final article, I’ll give you more ideas on using EFT to shatter beliefs on your limitations and even beat your chocolate cravings.

In my previous articles on EFT, we’ve discussed how you can increase motivation and desire to achieve your goals, how you can instantly improve on any exercise, and how you can use EFT to help with pain and injuries.

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SS Weekly Report 2014-09-29

The Starting Strength Weekly Report 2014-09-29: Topics from the Forums: “Gluteal Amnesia is a myth” and “How do you tell if your abs are a weak link?”. This week Under the Bar: Strong women. View report in browser View report archive var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true};

Blood Analysis: Unlock the Body’s Secrets to Reach Peak Performance

We have clues in our blood that are easy to measure. These clues can have a major impact on our performance and long-term health.

In a recent article in FastCompany, Brian Kamenetzky shared how professional teams are looking to reduce injuries by predicting them. An approach that I strongly agree with.

 

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My 4-Week Program for Achieving Handstand Happiness

If you follow my workouts, then you will achieve better handstands, freestanding handstand push ups, press hand stands, and handstand walking.

Click Here to Start Your Free Handstand Program

Quick test: what do a successfully built house of cards and a handstand have in common? More than you think!

 

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Sunday, September 28, 2014

Six Weeks Isn't Much Time (Athlete Journal 2)

I’ll be training four times per week and dramatically increasing my volume for the six weeks before my next powerlifting meet.

Exhausted, sluggish, yet still breathing. I finally get to enjoy a rest day, after weeks and weeks of hard work. My previous twelve-week training cycle culminated in a 63lb gain across my three lifts, yet with only six weeks before my next meet, there’s no time for rest. 

 

 

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3 Progressions for the L-Sit (Video)

The L-Sit belongs in every athlete's alphabet of bodyweight exercises.

Welcome to our series featuring calisthenics expert Al Kavadlo. This week, Al teaches you how to stay stable in an L-Sit. A successful L-Sit requires the ability to exert constant tension, as well as flexibility and core strength. These are crucial qualities that will help you maintain health and vitality. Having such body control and suppleness will also be a great boon when performing the Olympic lifts.

 

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For Skinny Young Guys: 3 Programs to Bulk You Up

Choose a viable workout program, and do it religiously. Bust your butt, rest on non-workout days, and eat like you want it.

You're in your teens or early twenties. You want to bulk up and gain some muscle. You want to get bigger. Welcome to the club. There are millions of young lads who have that goal. Some of you are insecure about your body. You seek advice to look good. Been there, done that. Take on board a few points from me that will offer some initial perspective.

 

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Saturday, September 27, 2014

CrossFit Radio Episode 348

On Episode 348 of CrossFit Radio, host Justin Judkins interviewed Nikki McGowan and Carl Paoli. This episode was webcast on Sept. 24, 2014.

3:09 Nikki McGowan started CrossFit by trading yoga instruction for her membership fee. Since that time, she’s been teaching yoga to athletes at four affiliates in the South Florida area. She described the benefits of the ancient discipline and how she believes yoga can help CrossFit athletes. McGowan also explained how CrossFitters can learn more about yoga.

14:37 Gymnast and coach Carl Paoli answered questions about his new book, “Freestyle,” and he described why the hollow-body position is a fundamental but complex pose that’s very important to CrossFit athletes. Turning from technique to coaching, the resident of San Franciso, California, described his mission when working with high-level athletes such as two-time CrossFit Games champ Annie Thorisdottir. Paoli gave suggestions to those who want to improve their gymnastics skills, and he listed three positions and movements that are essential for success.

The Quest for the Realignment of the Sport of Powerlifting

by Michael Ferguson “[Powerlifting’s] steady growth seems to be a worldwide trend and has meant that IOC recognition is now more viable than it ever was before. The IPF has been working towards recognition for around fifteen years now…There is lots of good evidence of the “Quest”...but still no cigar.” Read More var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true}; With the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow, Scotland having come to a close not too long ago in early August 2014, there have been a number of things I have reflected steadily upon since. Firstly, what an exhilarating Games it was. The coverage was really memorable, and this combined with my home city as the hosts likely led me to spend more hours in front of the TV over this two-week period than in the first six months of 2014! When I did sporadically venture out of my house it was usually to go to one of the events or for a “swally” (as we Scots like to call it) in the animated West End, the real centre of the festivities. I do not doubt Glasgow City Council’s widely promoted “Legacy” goals either – who could not be inspired by such scenes over one two week period? Our Scottish athletes won more medals than they ever have, with a total of 53 and a 4th place finish in the final rankings. As a city we are doing all we can to make sure the Games have a resounding, long-lasting domino effect on development in Scotland. I sure hope so!My joyous disposition was soon stifled, though, when I was brought from this sport-induced trance to quickly recall that Powerlifting is of course not part of these – to us Powerlifters – “lucky sports.” I have to be completely up front here: it does frustrate and aggravate me that Powerlifting has still not achieved recognition for inclusion in the CWG or the illusive Olympics. This is genuinely my selfish or biased reasoning. It is instead because, quite simply, I know it could provide a different type of entertainment for viewers, one much different from Olympic Weightlifting and something our top athletes deserve. While I understand that Powerlifting’s omission is not without its reasons, in this article I will delve into this murky melting pot of exclusion.Powerlifting itself, in comparison to many other sports, is relatively new, having only originated in the 1960s and formalized in the 1970s. The world’s main federation, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), was founded in 1971 and has grown through to its present day position as the premiere international Powerlifting organization (GBPF 2014a). For the purpose of this article I will reference and discuss only the IPF. The reasons for this are straightforward enough; it is the largest Powerlifting federation in the world, with over one hundred and ten member countries (enough to make IOC recognition a viable option). It is also arguably the only international federation with a reputation in official world sporting circles and standing with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Moreover, since 2012, the IPF has been a member of “Sport Accord” (the former “General Assembly of International Sports Federations” – GAISF), is aligned with the “Anti-Doping Organization” (ADO) and recognised by the “World Anti-Doping Agency” (WADA) for its Anti-Doping programme. Crucially, the IPF has also been part of the “International World Games Association” (IWGA) since its formation in 1981 and competes in the World Games (WG) which “operates under patronage of the IOC” (Kantor 2011). Powerlifting is of course an International Paralympic Committee recognised sport as well. The above associations are significant because a number of other federations exist as purported representatives of the sport. These other federations, though, do not have any relationship with or membership in the above organisations, are fragmented, and arguably lack sporting or moral credibility in comparison due to these facts. Figure 1. Australian Jordan Dayes (52kg class) squatting at June’s IPF World Classic Championships 2014. However, as promising as the above list of forged relationships, schmoozing, agency associations and memberships sound for the IPF and Powerlifting itself, a sport has to be part of 3 “games” before it can be even considered for IOC recognition – The “World Games,” the “University Games,” and the “Commonwealth Games.” We are currently one out of three. A significant number of people (including myself) believe that Powerlifting does, in fact, need to become a Commonwealth and Olympic sport before it ever attains true legitimacy and gets the recognition it deserves. And, to be honest, I’m sick to death of people asking me if powerlifting is “that thing where you put the weights overhead?”(with the arm motions), or the new one I got from work colleagues this summer after competing at June’s IPF World Classic 2014, “you’re not competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?!?!” I digress, though. I guess it’s not their fault – it’s ours. {pagebreak}As far as Olympic Sports go, there are plenty of popular worldwide sports not included in the Olympics, whether by their choice or not. Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling were two of the founding sports of the Olympics, with more than ten times the participation rate of powerlifting. I’m sure many of you were shocked when they were to be cut from the 2020 Olympics, and thankful when brought back on appeal (Madvig 2013). Incidents like these mean that there has never been a more pertinent (or concerning) time for Powerlifting to grow and assert its dominance.Progress and Growth with a TimelineToday, Powerlifting (especially “Classic” powerlifting) is rapidly flourishing through popular weight-training outlets such as CrossFit, which have acted as catalysts to its furthered growth. It is, arguably, seeing its most popular period ever since its inception in the seventies. In June 2014, the newfound health of Powerlifting was excellently represented at the IPF World Classic Championships in South Africa, which had five hundred competitors over the week (IPF 2014b). This number is not even taking into account all of the lifters who didn’t qualify from each participating nation. In Great Britain, The Scottish Powerlifting Federation (affiliate of the GBPF and IPF) has already been getting some recognition from Sports Scotland, with funding being given to some athletes for the first time. Additionally, at the close of 2013, the Great Britain Powerlifting Federation (GBPF) reached a record one thousand members (GBPF 2014b). The number of members needed for an NGB’s recognition in Great Britain currently stands at one thousand, six hundred and fifty, and it appears that the only hindrance to this recognition is reaching this magic number along with some alterations to the GBPF’s constitution (GBPF 2014b). I’m aware the USA and most other countries have seen huge increases in membership and competitors also. This steady growth seems to be a worldwide trend and has meant that IOC recognition is now more viable than it ever was before. The IPF has been working towards recognition for around fifteen years now (Powerlifting Watch 2005). Through my research (outlined below), I have compiled a list of the most recent significant events in the IPF’s quest to become an Olympic Sport (skip if you don’t want to read the nitty gritty - click table to display pdf to view) in Table 1, below. Table 1. Timeline (IPF 2014b). [Click to view full table] There is lots of good evidence of the “Quest” I have outlined in the table above, but still no cigar. Since this last update in January 2014, the IPF stated that rejection was obviously very frustrating as they have always complied with the IOC’s specific requests. However, they reinforced that they would “not give up and would continue to do their best to make sure that they improve and comply with the required criteria” (IPF 2014b).The IssuesThe dominant issues surrounding Powerlifting look quite simple on paper, but are hugely complex in reality. They are fivefold and are as follows:1. Lack of one cohesive governing body for the sport (as aforementioned, the IPF comes closest). Instead we have a laundry list of federations (with different visions and rules). If we cannot police ourselves where do we go from here?2. The number of adverse drug test findings (and all the athletes who are taking Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and getting away with it). Do we really have higher levels of failures as a sport in comparison to all the IOC sports with failed drug tests?3. The “Equipped” (bench shirts, squat and deadlift suits and knee wraps) versus “Classic” (belt, knee sleeves) issue. In essence, these are two different sports. Which one would be included if we ever did get into the Olympics?! Is equipped lifting just “sports technology” or are these materials deceiving artificial aids?4. “Minority Sport.” This is related closely to NGB recognition: if a sport is popular and shows real promise, national governments (and sponsors) will throw money at it and support it to give it the means it needs to thrive. Consequently, this will lead to each nation becoming capable of serious competition. This is a Catch-22 though, as governments need reasons to do so, such as the sport being part of the CWG or the Olympics. Powerlifting still has insufficient numbers in comparison to a lot of other sports, so it needs to keep growing in numbers and attention.5. “Non-athletic.” The opposition and naysayers of Powerlifting often term the sport this. Could the same not be said for an Olympic Equestrian Event (of which the horse is the real athlete) or Lawn Bowls perhaps? (Elder 1989){pagebreak}Reflectance & ConclusionsThe issues outlined above are significant and have been fought over by keyboard warriors on the web and by many Powerlifters in gyms worldwide for years now. You may be asking yourself, “So Michael, why does all this even matter?” It matters if you care about this sport, because these issues have put the brakes on any real progress for Powerlifting as a genuinely respected and legitimate sport. You may also be wondering who all this matters to – rapidly growing groups of Powerlifters the world-over. These pivotal matters can be ignored no longer. Figure 2. My good friend Josh Hancott (Canada) pulling 271kg for a new Junior World Record (74kg class) at June’s IPF World Classic Championships 2014. It is beyond the scope of this article to bicker over these issues or who/what brought us to this point. But no Powerlifter can deny they are having a serious effect on Powerlifting and its ascendancy. It is actually refreshing, even for me, to see them written down so candidly rather than confusingly and endlessly trolled-out on social media avenues, accompanied with profanity. They are laid out here with sufficient clarity for them to be acknowledged and truly discussed. So, the first step for the future of Powerlifting is honesty – acknowledgement and acceptance of the issues suffocating our sport. No longer can denial be an acceptable option. If you have read this, that’s a start (even more so for any non-Powerlifters who may have opened up this article and read it). The second step is, of course, action. Fortunately here, I do believe the tide is turning, and the general consensus is now steadily emerging that this sport can become something more reputable than just a fitness industry-acknowledged sport or an underground dungeon sport fit for the Orks of Middle Earth. The stereotypes are already being confronted while we are slowly ridding ourselves of the naysayers, and a metamorphosis seems to be well underway. This is not just visible from within the sport but can also be seen by outsiders. It is evident in the increased coverage and attention Powerlifting gets on the web and in media from competitions, the sheer number of lifters now competing within the IPF and its affiliates, and the significantly higher number of women taking part, amongst other proof.Therefore, to me, it seems like we are taking bold steps toward pulling away from the issues that have chained us, as if it’s all been a simple natural movement. It is a great sport to be a part of right now. However, we have not reached our destination yet. It’s not about conforming – it’s about progression for our beloved sport. The CWG in my home city was my sobering reminder. What if this was it for Powerlifting? How would you remember your time as a part of it when you’re old and “crippled from the squatting?” As something that could have been? Or something that was? The choice is ours.In closing, I do believe the promise of the quest for IOC recognition is not a false one, but to date it is a failed one. I know that the IPF are continually doing all they can at a higher level to align their views with that of the Olympic Committee (see Table 1 above). So, we know they can do no more than that. You, however, can make a difference at the Local, National and even International level. The first and best thing you could do is not touch the PEDs, then join an IPF-affiliated federation, compete without the equipment, and finally, raise Powerlifting’s profile as a legitimate sport.Let’s make it our turn soon, Powerlifting. We can begin again as an exciting redefined sport.   Michael Ferguson is a National and International competitor and multiple national record holder in the 74kg class, competing for Scotland (SPF) and Great Britain (GBPF & IPF). He competed at the IPF World Classic 2014, achieving 8th place while nursing a bad hip injury. He is currently on the road to recovery and cannot wait to get back on the World stage again soon. Michael can be contacted at mike9189@hotmail.co.uk. ReferencesElder, George. (1989). “Powerlifting: An Olympic Sport?”GBPF. (2014a). “Powerlifting History”GBPF. (2014b). “General Secretary’s Report for 2013” IPF. (2014a). Facebook PageIPF. (2014b). “World Wide News”Kantor, Myles. (2011). “Why Powerlifting Should not be in the Olympics” StartingStrength.comKeys, Marc. (2014). “Three things Powerlifting can learn from other sports”Madvig, Brad. (2013). “Powerlifting in the Olympics, it’s time to stop this nonsense”. Minnesota Strength Sports Powerlifting Watch. (2005). “Powerlifting in the Olympics”The World Games. IWGA

Seminar With Rafael Mendes (Athlete Journal 52)

Last week I had the chance to learn from BJJ athlete Rafael Mendes. I even got to roll with him and ask him questions over a sushi dinner.

Hey guys, guess what? This is entry number 52, which means I’ve been journaling for Breaking Muscle for a whole year!

 

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Jaco Compact Convertible Training Bag (Product Review)

This compact, heavy-duty bag is perfect for athletes who need a versatile product to transport their items.

 

 

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Friday, September 26, 2014

The Holy Land With Russell Berger: Part 5

In 2014, CrossFit hosted its first Level 1 Seminar in Israel. Seminar Staff member Russell Berger took the opportunity to spend an extra week traveling the country, visiting its affiliates and experiencing the culture. In this six-part series, explore the Holy Land with Berger and the local community.

In Part 5, Berger visits the Dead Sea, one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. The salinity creates a harsh environment in which marine life cannot flourish, but when Berger jumps in, he notices something else—the buoyancy.

“Imagine swimming in magic water on the moon,” he says. “You get in the water and it’s like someone is picking you up and holding you at the surface, and you have to be really skilled to drown.”

Berger addresses concern surrounding the safety of CrossFit in an interview with a reporter from an Israeli financial newspaper.

“I think most of the (criticisms about the safety of CrossFit) are unfounded,” Berger says during the phone interview. “I think most of them are exaggerations, and the source of those criticisms, more often than not, is the fitness industry that we’re replacing.”

The Level 1 Seminar is still underway at CrossFit Modiin, and the instructors find nostalgia in the atmosphere. With CrossFit still in its infancy in Israel, the basics are brought back to the forefront for Berger and the rest of the Seminar Staff.

“We’re getting a ton of questions,” Berger says, “and a lot of the questions are questions that I haven’t heard since I started working for CrossFit. You gotta dust off some answers, things I haven’t had to say in a while, which is cool.”

Video by Carey Peterson.

12min 16sec

Additional reading: Dallin Frampton: CrossFit in Kenya by Emily Beers, published Sept. 17, 2012.

5 Mental Health Secrets for Better Workouts (Athlete Journal 109)

Your mental climate during workouts is one of the most significant factors for success. Here's how to optimize it.

Your mental climate during workouts is one of the most significant factors (if not the most significant factor) that will determine the level of success you’ll experience. What follows are a few of my favorite tricks and tactics for more productive gym sessions.

 

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The Ancient Sport of Longsword Fighting in the Modern World (Video)

Don't worry, you won't hurt yourself by engaging in this sword-fighting sport. That is, as long as you know how to be en garde.

Welcome back to an ancient sport that is the stuff of knights and fiefdoms, samurai and assassins, empires and warfare! Wielding a steel longsword is no longer deemed a public safety threat, as long as you are a competitor in historical European martial arts (HEMA). This combat sport is experiencing a rejuvenation, with its very own elite competition known as Longpoint

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Paleo Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs and Chicken (Recipe)

Very few soups are more Italian and loved in my family than wedding soup. So when I started eating paleo, I knew I had to create a new and improved version.

Very few soups are more Italian and more loved in my family than wedding soup. It's pure, unadulterated Italian comfort food. This soup with the little meatballs makes everyone smile.

 

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4 Power-Enhancing Suspension Training Progressions for Cyclists

The simplicity and portability of suspension training systems makes them versatile and convenient.

Suspension trainers have been around for quite a while, and have gained popularity in recent years. This has lead to an assortment of different types on the market, from simple gym rings, to adjustable strap systems by companies like TRX.

 

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3 No-Nonsense Ways to Build Fitness Through Swimming

Swimming is like watery jiu jitsu. If you're going to get fitter in the water, you need to work your technique the right way.

I grew up at a time when we didn’t have all the information in the world at our fingertips, just a press of a button away. If you wanted to know something, you either went and found someone who knew all about it or found one of these things called a book on the subject. If you did the latter, you then tried whatever it was you were reading about to gain some experience.

 

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Lady Lump Love: Top 6 Sports Bras for CrossFit Women

Large or small, it’s important to support those lovely lady lumps. CrossFit requires mobility, constant variation and very high ... READ MORE »

Strength Training and Diabetes: Do Genes Make a Difference?

If you have a family history of diabetes, does strength training affect you differently? A new study suggests, "No."

Insulin is responsible for shuttling glucose into muscles, so athletes with a family history of metabolic disorders may be at risk for several problems related to exercise.

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Stop Playing Through Pain: How to Safeguard Youth Athletes

Some people might applaud the concept of playing a sport through pain and injury. I am not one of them.

Some people might applaud the concept of playing a sport through pain and injury, considering it to be “hardcore.” As parents, coaches, trainers, and young athletes, where do we draw the line with injuries?

 

 

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Return on Investment: When to Prioritize Weakness and Strength

Is there any case for only concentrating on your strong points? I am going to say, “Yes."

We all have been taught from our earliest days that we must work on our weak points. This is true no matter what our endeavor, whether it be our school work, our job, our relationships, or of course, our sport training.

 

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7 Exercises to Maximize Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Strength

The forearms and wrists allow us to perform the exercises that develop and maximize biceps, triceps, deltoid, chest, and back strength.

It is extremely important not to neglect working your forearms during your exercise routines. The hands, wrists, and forearms should be prioritized while warming up and while working out. Below, I will review and demonstrate several stretches and essential exercises that will allow you to build strong and symmetric forearms.

 

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3 Ways to Use the Kettlebell Swing for Overspeed Eccentric Training

Depth jumps are a risky way to train explosive strength. Today I'll show you how to use kettlebell swings to get the same benefits.

In an earlier article, I discussed Verkohshansky’s depth jumps and how his research was the starting point for modern-day plyometics. In this article I will describe the mechanisms of plyometrics. I'll also tell you how to do a few relatively simple kettlebell swing exercises to elicit a plyometric response, and explain the benefits of these exercises.

 

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7 Markers of a Solid Strength Program

There are plenty of fantastic strength programs out there to choose from. Here are seven pointers to help you choose the right one.

I’m often asked to write individual strength programs. However, I take on very few of such requests, because when I write one of these programs, it is exactly what it says it is – individualized. This takes a lot of time, and sadly, I’m unable to afford the time to do too many.

 

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Folate, Alcohol, and Saturated Fat Benefit HDL Levels

Scientists wanted to know how different nutrients affect HDL levels. The highest performers may come as a surprise.

We know that HDL is good for you, but we know less about what affects it. In a recent Nutrition and Metabolism study, researchers examined this substance in greater detail than ever before.

 

 

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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Optimal Shoulder

Strong shoulders are the key to performance overhead, and four simple movements can help you improve mobility and stability.

A look back at the workouts from CrossFit.com for the 2013 year reveals that over 80 percent of them involved at least one exercise that had a transfer of force through the shoulder girdle.

Therefore, proper function of the shoulder is critical for both optimal performance and injury prevention. An examination of the functional anatomy of the shoulder can provide insight as to how we can prepare it for athletic movement, and several rehab/pre-hab drills can help you find the right balance of mobility and stability.

Connecting the Dots of Variance

The variance found in CrossFit is critical both to the ethos of the training and the scope of the ... READ MORE »

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect - Or Does Nature Trump Everything?

Researchers have determined that accumulated hours of practice are actually behind what we mistakenly call "innate talent."

Remember back to your school days when you were finding it hard to get better at a sport or musical instrument, yet one of your friends made it look simple? Your parents probably did one of two things:

 

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Women and BJJ: How to Stay on the Mats During Your Menstrual Cycle

Does your monthly visitor keep you out of training due to discomfort? Here are some tips from experts.

I’m fortunate in that my menstrual cycle doesn’t affect my life in a significant way. It certainly doesn’t affect my BJJ training, but some women aren’t so lucky.

 

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5 Strong Female Role Models to Inspire the Next Generation

Who we teach our children and young athletes to admire is who they will admire and who they will become.

I have always seen it as a tragic commentary on our culture that not one, but a whole herd of Kardashians are famous. They have their own shows, clothing lines, perfume - you name it. It defies logic because they are devoid of any real transferable skills. They are good at nothing except being very, very, good at marketing.

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The 3 Keys to Obstacle Course Racing Success

People make three big mistakes when it comes to OCR training. Here's how to make sure you don't fall into the same traps.

Obstacle course racing (OCR) is growing in popularity year-on-year. With this growth in participation comes an increase in the number of people training specifically for OCR events.

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How Eastern and Western Diets Affect Insulin Resistance and Fat Levels

A recent study explored the effects of two traditional diets on diabetes markers.

Managing and preventing metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes is of critical importance to athletes. Metabolic disease reduces an athlete’s ability to use energy efficiently and increases insulin resistance. In a recent study in PLOS ONE, researchers examined the effects of two diets on diabetes markers.

 

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

10 Shots Health Coaches Love

No, no the kind of shots you get from the doctor or the bar! We're talking shots like wheat-grass, chlorophyll, and other nutritious boosters.

As a health coach, people come to me searching for a natural way to help with their health problems. Most of them are tired of going to doctors just to receive another prescription. My advice: shots.

 

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How to Maintain Yoga's Lineage in Modern Times

Let’s remember yoga is comprised of eight limbs and each one offers an abundant and unique harvest to the one who practices it.

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More Squats and Fewer Kegels: What Your Pelvic Floor Really Wants

Kegels are often the blanket recommendation for a healthy pelvic floor. Katy Bowman suggests they're not all they're cracked up to be.

"Suggested tattoo for trainers, therapists, and athletes: Tighter does not equal stronger. It’s just tighter.” - Katy Bowman

 

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My Greatest Regret as a Business Owner

Your greatest regrets in business will be about people. Not business abstractions, but real people, with names and faces.

"I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done." - Lucille Ball
 

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The 2-Kettlebell Front Squat: The Best Exercise You're Not Doing

“Well, that sucked.” My client put his kettlebells on the ground, contemplating how in the world he got crushed by such little weight.

“Well, that sucked.” My client un-racked the kettlebells and put them on the ground, still contemplating how in the world he got crushed by such little weight (comparatively speaking of course).

 

Here I was taking this guy who considered himself to be pretty strong (and to his credit he was - he could do a mid-300lb front squat relatively easily), and putting him on the struggle-bus with a pair of 24kg kettlebells.

 

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New Study Shows How the Body Builds Strength As We Age

The body pursues different strategies for dealing with resistance exercise as we age, but that doesn't mean you can't get stronger.

You might wonder if there’s a point to working out beyond a certain age, other than to maintain strength and health. In a recent Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research study, investigators compared older and younger participants who completed the same exercise program.

 

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