CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 8/21/20

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THE WEEKLY BRIEF UPDATE

1. #Achillesgate2020 Update

Nothing too too new to brag about this week other than I WAS CLEARED TO DRIVE MOTHERFUCKAS.

Up until this past Tuesday I hadn’t been behind the wheel of a car since May 23rd. My wife has been carting me everywhere.

  • Babe, I need to go to work!
  • Babe, I need to meet my realtor to check out a new potential gym space!
  • Babe, I need eggs.
  • Babe, why are you walking toward me with a knife. Babe, BABE, noooooooooooo.

On top of that I’m pretty sure Lyft is still operating in Boston because of me.

So it was a nice reprieve and welcome change of pace to be able to drive this week.

Onward!

2. You can now purchase CORE @ Home for whatever it is you want to pay.

During quarantine I started a platform where I’d deliver 20-40 minute workouts that could be performed in everyone’s living room using minimal equipment.

In all I curated 36 workouts using nothing but bodyweight, bands, and kettlebells and/or dumbbells. With many people still reticent to head back to their regular gyms (not to mention the scarcity of gym equipment out there to purchase) I figured this would be a nice opportunity to help.

Whether you want to spend $1 or $100, the workouts are ready and available to start.

For more information go HERE.

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This week the delightful @meghancallaway and I are collaborating on a series we think you’ll enjoy. . This is DAY TWO where we’re highlighting four innovative exercises for both the adductors and hip flexors. . 2️⃣ Seated Core Engaged Hip Flexor Lift Offs. . This exercise strengthens the hip flexors and abdominals and more or less “locks” you into place so you can’t cheat with your lower back (ya big jerk). . Coaching Tips (follow @meghancallaway to see tips for her exercise). 👇 To give credit where it’s due: I stole my exercise from friend and colleague @dougivsc . . The hip flexors can simultaneously be both tight and weak, and endless stretching is NOT the answer. . In fact it (may) be feeding one’s symptoms. . If you have back pain and have been stretching your hip flexors relentlessly since 2012 try this doozy instead. . Grab a foam roller, a light or average band, and a tennis ball. Wrap the band around a pair of J-hooks in a squat rack so that they match the length of the foam roller from the ground. . Sit down underneath the band with your legs in a V-shape and your torso as upright as possible; place a tennis balls to the side of your ankle. . With the foam roller upright and just in front of you press it UP into the band. . Oh shit, that’s a lot of tension! . That’s good – it’s the point and will make it harder for you to cheat. The added tension locks you in – abs on, ribs down. . From there you’ll “lift off” moving your foot over the tennis ball and back using ONLY your hip flexors to do so. . Perform 8-10 repetitions per direction. . . ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ #hipflexors #hipflexorstrength #hipstrength ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣#corestrengthening #coretraining #coreexercises #coreworkouts #abexercises #abworkouts #resistancebandsworkout

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

Niched: Demystifying the World of Finance – Pete Dupuis/Sahil Bloom

Full Disclosure: Pete’s a good friend and former business partner of mine. His Niched podcast is excellent either way you slice it.

Sahil is also a good friend (and one of the first athletes I trained at Cressey Sports Performance). He’s now doing some pretty cool things in the world of finance, telling stories, and making it more palatable for us minions.

He’s been CRUSHING Twitter of late with his “Allegory of Finance” series. So much so that Sahil picked up a follow from Tim Cook. He’s now one of 69 people the CEO of Apple follows.

However, I’M only one of 48 people Sahil follows…;o)

A Step by Step Push-Up Progression List – Matthew Ibrahim

I’ve always stated that if one improves his or her’s ability to perform a GOOD push-up, pretty much every other lift will benefit from it as well.

Unfortunately, as much as push-ups are slept on because they’re deemed “too easy” or not worth our time, many, MANY people cannot perform them well.

This article will help.

Best Habit Advice Ever: Never Miss Twice – Mike T. Nelson

Loved this short and to the point blog post from Mike.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Stuck at Home Not Wearing Pants: 4/17/20

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Today marks a full month that we’ve been quarantined here in Boston. And it’s looking as if it’s going to be more of the same for yet another month.

I’d like to sit here and say I’ve used my “bonus” time to pick up a second language, read War and Peace, or, I don’t know, organize my entire DVD/Blu-Ray collection autobiographically.

What does that even look like?

Well, for instance, if I wanted to watch the movie, say, Go…

…I’d have to remember I put that in the Spring 1999 (but saw in the theater alone) section.

Moreover, if I wanted to watch Notting Hill I’d have to remember that’s also Spring 1999, but in the Took a Friend to the Movies Who Happened to be the Opposite Sex (but Wanted Her to Be More Than a Friend, but She Stayed a Friend) section.[footnote]Weirdly, this section is stacked.[/footnote]

Alas, none of that has taken place.

Most of my time has been spent having lightsaber battles with my 3-year old and eating an embarrassing amount of cheese.

I’ve also been CRUSHING Ozark on Netflix.

My wife, Lisa, had watched the previous two seasons without me and I never caught up. Season three was released a few weeks ago and she said she’d re-watch the first two seasons so we could watch the most recent one together.

Season 1 = Insanely good. What a treat to watch a well-written show that takes pride in character development and pacing.

Season 2 = I’m only half way through and it’s still really, really good.

Season 3 = NO SPOILERS.

Something else to check out (if you haven’t already) is Questlove’s 7+ hour tribute to Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest that he posted on his YouTube channel last weekend. I’ve been listening to it non-stop this entire week.

I love the intermittent breaks he takes throughout to give us a history/music lesson. There’s a point where he takes 5-10 minutes to discuss a rare sample that producer J-Dilla (RIP) used to produce Tip’s hit Breath & Stop, finds it, and then fucking shows how Dilla incorporated it into the song.

It’s so sick.

Part I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZiM9WG5Prg

 

Part II

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Stuff to Read While You’re at Home Not Wearing Pants

On Motivation, Discipline, and Coaching – Jonny Pietrunti

My boy Jonny took a break from social media and writing for a while, but he’s been back WITH A VENGEANCE of late.

Lower Extremity Injury Prevention & Rehab – Christopher Havens (TD Athletes Edge)

I’m a big fan of the team at TD Athlete’s Edge in Salem, MA

This is article is one of the reasons why.

Awesome content and info.

Niched – Pete Dupuis

If you’re craving for a podcast recommendation I can’t say enough good things about my good friend and former business partner, Pete Dupuis’s, latest venture.

It highlights “unconventional” entrepreneurs who have taken alternative paths to their success.

Pete’s an engaging interviewer and the stories told are fascinating.

(waiting for him to interview me so I can talk about my biceps for 60 minutes).

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 9/20/19

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BUT FIRST…CHECK OUT WHERE I’M GOING

1. Coaching Competency Workshop – New York, NY: Sunday, November 3, 2019

2. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Athens, Greece: Saturday, Feb 29th & Sunday, March 1st, 2020

This will be the first leg of mine and Dean Somerset’s European extravaganza in early 2020. The second leg will take place in…

3. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Maidenhead, U.K: March 7th & 8th, 2020

There’s an Early Bird rate for both of these events, so keep that in mind before you decide to hold off. Dean and I are really excited for this and hope to see you there!

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

Is a Diastasis Recti Normal? – Dr. Sarah Duvall

If you’re a fitness professional you WILL see this and it’s important to recognize it and to have a handful of strategies in your back pocket to address it.

How to Build a Successful Career and Rewarding Career in Fitness – Nate Green

There’s no “easy” path or formula, but Nate provides an excellent blueprint in this article.

What If You Stopped Worrying About Employees Maintaining Personal Brands? – Pete Dupuis

Whenever I hear stories of gyms stifling their employees’ ability to develop personal brands I can’t help but shake my head.

It’s dumb.

Like, dumber than opening a protein shaker bottle you left in your car in 95 degree heat for a week.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 8/16/19

I’m writing this from the beautiful city of Chicago.

I got here yesterday because I’m presenting at an Equinox today to a group of their trainers, talking shoulders and stuff.

Lisa and Julian are en route from Boston as I tap away on my keyboard, and it’s her first time flying solo with him.

Remember that scene from Taken when Liam Neeson’s character is talking to the dude who kidnapped his daughter on the telephone and after his epic “I will find you, and I will kill you” monologue, all the kidnapper says is “good luck” and then hangs up.

Remember that?

Well, “good luck” babe…;o)

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BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1. Coaching Competency – Dublin, Ireland

This is happening Sunday, September 8, 2019 (save $100 using Early Bird rate)

Register HERE

So what happens when a room full of Irish(w0)men find out I’m not much of a drinker?…;o)

Whether you get paid to tell people to lift heavy things or you just like to lift heavy things yourself, in this 1-day workshop you’ll get the opportunity to listen to me talk about my how I approach assessment and gain a better understanding of how I “match” the exercises I prescribe to better fit the needs, ability level, and more importantly, the anatomy of each individual I work work.

In short, this workshop looks at the “umbrella theme” of my coaching philosophy.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – go HERE.

3. Strategic Strength Workshop – London, England

This is happening the weekend of September 14-15th, 2019 (save £50, Early Bird rate ends THIS WEEKEND).

Register HERE

Luke Worthington and I have presented this workshop twice. Once in London last year and again this past June in Boston.

We’re bringing it back to London this Fall, my most favorite place in the world.

This two-day workshop is designed to arm fitness professionals with all the tools they’ll need to hone their assessment skills and to make their clients/athletes a bunch of bonafide, resilient, strength training Terminators.

Combined Luke and I have ~40 years of coaching experience (or one Dan John) and bring different perspectives and skill-sets to the table; Luke peels back the onion on PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) concepts and assessment, while I go into detail breaking down movement and how to better “match” the exercises we prescribe to our clients.

For more information – including itinerary and how to register – you can go HERE.

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#popupjulian has been absent of late.The @sowaboston market was a perfect opportunity to make a cameo.

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

6 Exercises or Techniques to Help With Grip Strength – Jarrod Dyke

Grip (or lack of it) can often be a limiting factor when it comes to making progress in the weight room. Strength and conditioning coach, Jarrod Dyke, offers some simple and effective tips to help with that.

The Thin Line Between Loyalty & Defection – Pete Dupuis

Being a business owner (and running a business) is always a delicate balance between setting rules and drawing a line in the sand and knowing when to pick your battles when someone “breaks” those rules.

Excellent reflection from Pete in this piece.

How to Train Beginners With Online Personal Training – Eric Bach

Personally, whenever I have someone who’s a beginner (“newbie”) reach out asking me to write their programs online I’ll encourage them to seek out a personal trainer IN-PERSON to work with.

There are just too many other variables and nuances involved when working with beginners.

That said, if you ARE going to do it read this article.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 5/10/19

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BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – 2019 Locations & Dates

Sydney, Australia: July 13-14th at Clean Shred.

Melbourne, Australia: July 19-21st and Melbourne Strength & Conditioning. (<—  Includes bonus “Psych Skills for Fitness Pros” pre-workshop with Dr. Lisa Lewis).

This workshop will piggyback on the material Dean Somerset and I covered in the original Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint.

With this iteration, though, we’ll be going a bit deeper into the coaching and programming side of things:

  • How to program around common injuries.
  • How to “connect” the appropriate exercises to the client/athlete.
  • How to really add value with your assessment process.
  • How to squat and deadlift like a boss.

Find out more details HERE.

2. Strategic Strength Workshop – Boston, MA

NOTE: The Early Bird rate of $100 OFF the regular price ends THIS WEEKEND (May 5th)

Luke and I did this workshop last summer in London and figured it’s only fair to bring it State side.

Combined we have 30+ years of coaching experience (I.e., one Mike Boyle or Dan John) and this workshop will be two days where we uncover every nook and cranny as it relates to how we assess our clients/athletes and how we best prepare them for the rigors of every day life/sport.

This will be a unique opportunity for people to learn from myself, but especially Luke, who is one of the best and brightest coaches I know. This will be his first time teaching in the States.

For more information and to register you can go HERE.

3. Strong Body-Strong Mind Workshop – Chicago, IL

This will be the only time Dr. Lisa Lewis and I will be presenting this workshop together in 2019. In previous years we’ve presented together in Boston, London,  Bonn (Germany),  and Austin, TX.

This 1-day workshop is targeted towards fitness professionals and digs a little deeper into what really “bogs” them down and stresses them out….

…their clients!

Click THIS link for more details on topics covered as well as date/cost/location.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

How to Break Your Social Media Addiction – Tessa Yannone

This article doesn’t really have anything to do with fitness, but it does have A LOT to do with your health. My friend Tessa (who’s the head health/fitness honcho at Boston Magazine) asked my wife, Dr. Lisa Lewis (who’s the head honcho of Jedi mind tricks), to provide some basic suggestions on how people can begin to ween themselves off of social media.

Given how social media, in particular Instagram, has transformed the way we get and digest health/fitness information, this article is never more relevant.

Life, Fitness, and the Road to Hana – Pete Dupuis

There are many parallels between “life” and fitness. The one that reverberates most is….

“The journey is more important than the destination.”

This quickie blog post from Pete beautifully backs up that statement.

40 Years With a Whistle – Dan John

I was sent Dan John’s most recent opus the other day.

Of course I love it, as I do with pretty much anything that man writes.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 2/8/19

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BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – 2019 Locations & Dates

Philadelphia, PA: April 27-28th

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: May 25-26th

Sydney, Australia: July 13-14th

Singapore, Republic of Singapore: July 20-21st

This workshop will piggyback on the material Dean Somerset and I covered in the original Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint.

With this iteration, though, we’ll be going a bit deeper into the coaching and programming side of things:

  • How to program around common injuries.
  • How to “connect” the appropriate exercises to the client/athlete.
  • How to squat and deadlift like a boss.

Find out more details HERE.

NOTE: For the Singapore event you’ll need to use THIS link.

2. Coaching Competency Workshop – Raleigh, NC

I’ll be making my first appearance – ever (<— how’s that possible?) – in the wonderful state of North Carolina this coming March to put on my popular Coaching Competency Workshop.

Full details (date, location, itinerary, how to register) can be found HERE.

EARLY BIRD rate is currently in effect ($50 off regular price), so make sure to take advantage of it while you can.

3) The Complete Trainers Toolbox

I’ve been pretty mum about it, but this is dropping next week…

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I was training later than usual tonight after a stressful day dealing with a sick toddler. . I wanted to include a baller “filler” in between my sets of squats and remembered this doozy I saw @coachleeboyce mention a few weeks ago. . I don’t recall what he called it, but it’s outstanding. . It’s low grade, won’t affect subsequent sets of “heavy” stuff, and hammers a lot of things most people need to work on: . Lumbo-pelvic stability, scapular stability (namely serratus activation/protraction), and even hip mobility (I.e., working through hip flexion & extension with minimal lumbar movement). . I really like this one. . If you’re gonna try it, I only have one piece of coaching advice: GO SLOW. . This drill is much more effective if you take your time and not rush. . Also: my triceps look gooooood.

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

Pete Dupuis on Niche Domination in the Fitness Industry – Physical Preparation Podcast

Mike Robertson’s podcast is always a must-listen, but this one featuring my good friend Pete Dupuis was particularly eargasmic.

Pete has an uncanny ability to keep things real when it comes to discussing fitness business shenanigans. If you’re a gym owner (or plan to be)….fire this episode up.

The Sleep Tip You Should Never Give a Client (and 5 Others You Should) – Mike. T. Nelson

It’s not about more sleep, it’s about better sleep.

Awesome stuff from Mike here.

3 Things to Remember When Recovering From Lifting Injuries – Shane McLean

Looksie here.

TG.com contributor, Shane McLean, is cheating on me writing for a different site………….;o)

Awesome stuff as always my man.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 12/14/18

Holy moley what a shit show.

We’ve had a sick toddler on our hands the past few days (hence the lack of content this week) and our apartment is basically a Petri dish of whateverthef*** at the moment.

He’s feeling better – and back at daycare – but, yeah, that wasn’t fun.

Anyhoo, lets get to this week’s list of stuff to read.

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – 2019 Dates

This workshop will piggyback on the material Dean Somerset and I covered in the original Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint.

With this iteration, though, we’ll be going a bit deeper into the coaching and programming side of things:

  • How to program around common injuries.
  • How to “connect” the appropriate exercises to the client/athlete.
  • How to squat and deadlift like a boss.

Check em out HERE.

2. Watch Me In Action

Ever wonder what it would look like to have me take you through an assessment?

No?

Well, I DIDN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ANYWAY!

[slams door]

Fast forward five hours….

A few months ago Adam Rees of GRIT Gym and his girlfriend, Rachel, stopped by CORE to hang out and to so that I could take a look at Rachel.

She had been having some hip issues and wanted me to take a look at her deadlift and squat.

A technique audit if you will.

They ended up making this video to document their experience.[footnote]Good thing I wore pants that day. Also, I’m if this isn’t nominated for Best Documentary at this year’s Oscars I’m going to be pissed.[/footnote]

3. Appearance on The Strength Running Podcast

I was invited back onto the Strength Running Podcast hosted by Jason Fitzgerald.

It’s a on-going battle, but I do feel the tides are turning and that many runners are starting to understand the importance of strength training (and how it should serve to compliment their running).

Jason and I discuss a bevy of things in this episode, but we dial in on the deadlift and why it’s such an integral movement to learn.

Give it a listen HERE.

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In today’s edition of “shit I saw on the internet and am now going to steal it,” this is a deadbug variation that loosely mimics one I saw @vernongriffith4 perform using a @stickmobility . . The difference: . 1. I don’t have access to a @stickmobility , but instead am using a “bendier” PVC stick. . 2. I had @lilew13 (my wife) face the opposite direction because the stick was shorter. . This is a great way to really lock in the concept of the deadbug: stabilized spine while moving through the extremities. . Simply press the stick INTO the wall to engage the anterior core more. For those who struggle with this idea, the stick works like a charm. . And yes, before anyone asks, a band works well here too. However this is a nice option if you don’t have access to a band. . And, honestly, because you have to press into the wall (or the stick falls), I find this variation works better to get the abs to turn on. . ALSO: massive kudos to Lisa for making things awkward AF at the end.

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

Gym Owner Musings – Installment #12 – Pete Dupuis

Pete’s stuff is always insightful, relatable, and not full of foo-foo BS.

If you’re a gym owner (or aspire to be), Pete is required reading.

10 Online Training Challenges No One Warns You About – Leigh Peele

With more and more fitness professionals opting to go the online route, it’s important to understand that there are some HARD truths to the lifestyle.

Read this post by Leigh.

And then read it again.

Nutrition Myths For Fat Loss Explained – Steve Bergeron

This is an excellent 3-part (but short read) series written by friend Steve Bergeron of AMP Fitness here in Boston. Plenty of practical and sane advice here.

Give it a read.

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 7/20/18

No funny business or LOLs today.

Lets get right to business.

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

 1. Strong Body-Strong Mind – Boston, MA

Dr. Lisa Lewis and I have designed a 1-day workshop for health/fitness professionals that touches on a topic rarely discussed: the SOFT SKILLS of coaching.

  • How to improve exercise consistency.
  • How to increase motivation and competency to train.
  • How to assess clients/athletes and write more effective programs that better match their ability level.
  • How to create loyal clients (and a growing bank account).

We’ll be holding another Strong Body-Strong Mind Workshop in Boston, MA on August 12th.

1. We offer both a Professional ($129) and Student rate ($99).

2. This Early Bird Rate ends on Sunday 7/22

3. CEUs will be made available.

For more details (including itinerary and registration) go HERE.

2. Even More Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Dates/Locations Announced

Dean Somerset and I are currently in the throes of drumming up new content for our staple workshop series.

We’ve presented this workshop all over the world – London, Vancouver, Oslo, Prague, Boston, LA, Minas Tirith – and even turned it into a popular digital product HERE so everyone can enjoy it.

We’ve already nailed down dates in Slovenia, Houston, and LA this fall (2018) and are also in talks to bring it to Detroit, Philadelphia, Edmonton, Australia, and Singapore in 2019.

If you’re someone who’d like to host this event/participate in a tickle fight please reach out to either Dean or myself.

Go HERE to register in the announced cities.

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

So You’re Considering Putting Your Name On Your Business? – Pete Dupuis

Unless your last name is “Brickshitdieselmotherfucker,” don’t use it to name your gym. Although, in fairness, Pete offers both the pros and cons of using your name.

Be cautious.

And if you’re last IS Brickshitdieselmotherfucker….can we be friends?

The Dark Knight Turns 10 – Entertainment Weekly

This has nothing to do with fitness, but I wanted to share this nonetheless.

Around this time 10 years ago The Dark Knight was released.

This was an excellent “back and forth” between film critics Chris Nashawaty and Darren Franich I thoroughly enjoyed.

You Can Be Tom Hanks – Dan Trink

Remember that scene in Castaway when Tom Hanks’ character is making his getaway from the island and his beloved Wilson inexplicably floats away and towards the end of the scene we’re left with that cacophony of “Wilson! Wilson! I’m so sorry. Wiiiiiiiiillllssssooonnn!!”

Yeah, I cried so freakin hard too.

Anyway, my boy Dan makes a brilliant analogy between that scene and how he explains what training WILL and WON’T do with his new(ish) clients.

Great read.

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A goal I have for most of my female clients is to help them work towards a strict, unassisted, chin-up. The #1 mistake when it comes to this goal is trainees not training the chin-up/pull-up enough. There are MANY things that can be utilized to help build context & confidence in this endeavor….including performing exercises from the floor. @ironbodybyartemis has been a huge influence on this front for me. One of the first drills I incorporate is the Hollow Position. Getting people to respect and MAINTAIN full-body tension is key, and this is a lovely drill to hammer that point home. Too, it’s the preferred position one should utilize when hanging from a chin-up/pull-up bar, so there’s loads of carryover to the actual exercise itself. Set a solid foundation here and good things are bound to happen.

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CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 3/16/18

Oh, hello.

I’m in NYC!

I flew down here yesterday from Boston courtesy of Equinox. I’ll be doing two separate workshops for a bunch of their trainers talking about shoulder assessment and how to turn their clients into a bunch of bench pressing and chin-upping T-1000’s.

I still wanted to make sure I got this week’s list up for your reading pleasure, though.

I got your back.

Copyright: gregorylee / 123RF Stock Photo

BUT FIRST…(STUFF TO CHECK OUT AND OTHER TIDBITS CURATED TO MAKE YOU A BETTER COACH OR HUMAN)

1. I’m Everywhere In 2018

I’ve got a bevy of speaking engagements lined up for 2018, and next week begins the madness.

I’ll be in NYC speaking at a few Equinox locations on March 16th and 17th, and from there on out I’ve got a place to be at least one weekend every month for the foreseeable future.

It’s a nice feeling to be in demand.

I’d encourage you to click the link above or THIS one for more details/insights into where I’ll be and when.

Events Just Around the Corner

  • Spurling Spring Seminar – Kennebunk, ME: April 14th
  • Coaching Competency Workshop – Sterling, VA: April 21st
  • The Fitness Summit – Kansas City, MO: May 4-5th (Dean Somerset and I are doing a special 4-hour PRE-CON for this event).

2. Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coaching Certification

Registration for this highly competitive certification opens on April 4th. However, I’ve got some good, nay, fucking amazing news.

I’ve negotiated some awesome perks for you:

  • Early access to enroll on April 3rd (24 hrs before they open to the public), increasing your chances of getting in.

  • A huge discount (up to 33% off the regular price).

This is without question one of the best certifications any fitness professional can possess, offering incredible value and helps to separate you from the masses.

Go HERE for more info.

3. Even More Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Coming Soon

Dean Somerset and I are currently in the throes of drumming up new content for our staple workshop series.

We’ve presented this workshop all over the world – London, Vancouver, Oslo, Prague, Boston, LA – and even turned it into a popular digital product HERE so everyone can enjoy it.

We’ve already nailed down dates in Slovenia, Houston, and LA this fall (2018) and are also in talks to bring it to Detroit, Philadelphia, Australia, and Singapore in 2019.

If you’re someone who’d like to host this event/participate in a tickle fight please reach out to either Dean or myself.

STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

4 Action Steps to Combat Negative Thinking – Dr. Lisa Lewis

Not that I’m biased or anything (my wife wrote this article for Mark Fisher Fitness), but this is the greatest article on the topic of how to punch negative self talk in the dick that’s ever been written.

4 Ways To Improve Your Hip Flexion – Ashleigh Kast

Hip flexion is kinda like the evil red-headed step child of hip mobility. For some reason it always seems to get a bad rap.

As Ashleigh states in this article:

“That’s the action of pulling your knees to your chest with a neutral spine. You need to be able to put your hips in flexion while under load, with structural integrity, at the bottom of your squat or top of your hinge.”

We need hip flexion.

Here’s how you’re going to do it.

Gym Owner Musings #10 – Pete Dupuis

Pete’s stuff is always required reading.

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CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work Uncategorized

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 8/11/17

As you’re reading this I’m likely 35,000 feet in the air making my way back from Florida to Boston. What’s also likely is Lisa and I trying not to destroy the back of our pants juggling a 6-month old lap to lap in an effort to keep him at bay and not terrorize the rest of the passengers.

Knowing today was going to be a wash in terms of productivity I planned a head and prepped this week’s list of stuff to read a day early.

Lets get to it.

Copyright: epokrovsky / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Check This Stuff Out First

1) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Orlando

There’s only less than three weeks left to take advantage of the Early Bird rate for Dean Somerset and I’s workshop in Orlando, at Spark Fitness, the weekend of October 21st.

I’ve never been to Orlando. I bet it’s going to be beautiful in October. Yet, there’s no way in hell I’m visiting Disney World.[footnote]They could be giving out free tickets to a Jennifer Lopez wet t-shirt contest and I’d still avoid it like the plague. And yes, it’s not lost on me that Disney World is family friendly and they’d never host a wet t-shirt contest. It’s my fantasy. Shut up.[/footnote]

You can go HERE for more details and to sign up.

HEADS UP: We’ve also added Boston into the mix later this year. Not Burlington Boston or Beverly Boston, two cities that are lovely, albeit not (that) close to Boston.

No, this is IN Boston. In the heart of the city Boston, at AMP Fitness.

Early bird rate is in effect now and if you’re super eager to sign-up you can go HERE.

2) Elite Fitness & Performance Summit – Chicago

 

I’ll be in Chicago this September alongside some other phenomenal speakers for the Elite Fitness & Performance Summit. The cast includes:

  • Nick Tumminello
  • Mark Fisher (if I have to follow him on stage I’m going to be pissed)
  • Josh Henkin
  • Nick Berry
  • Molly Galbraith
  • Krista Scott-Dixon
  • Ryan Ketchum

And many, many more.  It’s one of the most action-packed fitness events of the year, so be sure to reserve your seat ASAP.

Stuff To Read

Precision Nutrition ‘Hot Topic’ Report – John Berardi

I trust the people over at Precision Nutrition implicitly. If there’s ever a topic on nutrition I’m curious about or if a client has questions I almost always defer to them.

Today’s nutrition climate is sooooooo confusing and dichotomous. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? It’s sometimes hard to ascertain if something is BS or legit.

Well, PN (or, more specifically, the legend himself, John Berardi) just released this awesome, FREE, multi-day mini-course covering nutrition “hot topics” like whether grains are good/bad for you, the good and bad detoxes, whether you should be worried about GMOs, the facts about post-workout nutrition, nutrient timing, calorie counting, and, like, do unicorn tears really increase protein synthesis by 119%?

All the important stuff is covered.

The Best Fat Loss Article On the Motherfuckin’ Internet – Aadam Ali

There’s a kid-friendly link somewhere on the internet that refers to this as the “Best Fat Loss Article on the Motherlovin‘ Internet.”

Fuck that.

This.

THIS ladies and gents is what it means to write with infotainment in mind.

Tony Was a Weirdo, So Mark Started a Gym – Pete Dupuis

True story:

Pete sent me an email last night saying:

“You okay with me publishing the following tomorrow? Don’t want to overstep, so asking first.”

I then proceeded to read the greatest piece of literature ever written.[footnote]Only a slight exaggeration. Slight.[/footnote]

I wrote back:

“I got teary eyed reading that. Please, publish that motherfucker.”

Thanks Pete (and Mark). That meant a lot to me.[footnote]Also, “was” a weirdo? Was? I’m still pretty freakin weird, thank you very much[/footnote]

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I love this slide on scapular winging. Mostly because I look jacked, but also because it’s a term that’s vomited out there by personal trainers & coaches without much thought. Dr. @quinn.henochdpt notes that while it is a thing (congruence between the rib cage and shoulder blade)…REAL scapular winging is a medical diagnosis where the Long Thoracic Nerve fails at innervating the serratus anterior. Much of the time what’s “diagnosed” as scapular winging isn’t really much of anything and nothing more than a lack of tension and motor control that can be addressed rather easily. In this pic I’m using a ground based movement first, a side lying bottoms up kettlebell swivel and press, to teach context of tension and CONTROL of movement. No scapular winging. Weird. Stop tossing out words and terms that likely don’t mean anything and giving everyone the sense they’re broken. They’re not. They (probably) don’t need 37 different corrective exercises to fix their winging. They just need to learn how to do a push up correctly or something.

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