CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 1/10/20

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BUT FIRST…I’M LIKE, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT

(Things I’ve appeared in, places I’m going, you know, important stuff)

1. (De)-Constructing the Deadlift & Squat – Stoneham, MA: Sunday, January 26, 2020

I’m teaming up with Brad Cox of ACUMobility for this 6-hour workshop where we’ll discuss hip assessment and, you guessed it…

…keto recipes deadlifts and squats.

What will be unique about this workshop is the two perspectives we’ll bring to the table; myself as a strength coach in addition to Brad’s background in sports medicine and orthopedics.

EARLY BIRD rate ends in two weeks.

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

It’s official: This marks the sixth year in a row Dean Somerset and I are presenting together. We’re so excited to be coming to Athens to kickstart 2020.

3. Coaching Competency Workshop – London, UK: Sunday, March 8, 2020

4. Strategic Strength Workshop – Detroit, MI: April 5, 2020

This will be my first ever workshop in the region!

I’m expecting ticker tape parades.

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Barking Up the Wrong Tree. . We coaches do it a lot. Take for example new clients who come in and swear up and down they’ve got “tight” hamstrings. . I swear a week doesn’t go by where I don’t hear it. What’s with the pandemic of tight hamstrings everywhere you go? . Well, tight hamstrings is rarely a thing I’ve come to find. This, of course, doesn’t imply people never have tight hamstrings – they do! . It’s just, you know, I’d believe Tupac is alive living on some deserted island more than I believe someone has chronically tight hamstrings. . Look at the before/after pictures above. . This was a new client who came in to see me last weekend who, as you can surmise, told me he had tight hamstrings. . I was skeptical (I.e., cue me going all Beyoncé, Lemonade, baseball bat to a windshield……nooooooooo). . 📸 TOP PIC = Initial Active Straight Leg Raise. Not too shabby, but not great. . 📸 BOTTOM PIC = One minute later after NOT stretching his hamstrings (which he had been doing for years). . I concede he’s bending his knee ever so slightly, but you can clearly see an improvement in his ROM. . What did I do? . I worked on his end range ACTIVE HIP FLEXION. I mean, that’s really what the screen looks at: simultaneous hip Flexion/hip extension; not necessarily hamstring length. . In non-geek speak: I had him actively (meaning HE did the work) bring his bent knee towards his chest (hip flexion) and work on ramping up intensity to “own” the position. . Moving forward, we’re going to do more of that rather than endless stretching. . 🥱 Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz . Swipe LEFT to watch a quick video of how you can test and work on this yourself. . Even though we have to work on stuff, the more you make “rehab” look and feel like TRAINING, the more I find clients buy into it.

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Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work

Diastasis Recti After Pregnancy – Zach Long

If you’re a trainer 50% (actually, maybe it’s 51%) of the population you train are women. A vast number of them will give birth and have “complications” postpartum.

And even if they haven’t recently given birth, once a woman is postpartum she’s ALWAYS postpartum and knowing how to detect and address Distastis Recti is integral.

Increase Your Bench Press By Avoiding These Mistakes – Avi Silverberg

I am admittedly the world’s worst bench presser (countered by the mere fact I am one of the world’s best cuddlers), so I was flummoxed with I was asked to contribute a snidbit to this article.

Just a snidbit, though.

Let’s not get carried away.

This is an excellent article nonetheless and if you’re someone who struggles with their bench press this may help.

Scare Tactics – Michelle Boland

The words we use as coaches/trainers matters.

When someone says something like “deadlifts are dangerous,” most of the time it means the person saying it hasn’t done it enough (or with appropriate technique) to perform it safely in the first place.

Just sayin…

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 2/15/19

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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.

This is a great opportunity for other fitness professionals to gain better insight into my assessment and program design process.

And cat memes.

Can’t forget the cat memes.

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

EARLY BIRD rate ($50 off regular price) ends THIS weekend (2/17).

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Here’s a little doozy I made up as part of @lilew13 workout today. . Hanging Psoas March. . Start from a dead hang and then pull your shoulder blades into your back pocket and assume the Hollow Position (feet out in front, not straight down. Why? Because I said so. And because you’re less apt to crank through the lower back this way. And because it promotes more anterior core recruitment, better alignment, and because I said so). . With a band looped around the feet, bring one knee towards the chest in a CONTROLLED manner. Try to eliminate as much swaying as possible. . Perform 5-8 reps per side. . This is a fantastic core exercise, in addition to scapular stability and a psoas strengthening thingamabobber (which is a muscle, despite being short due to people sitting a lot at desks, can also be weak because many people never train above 90 degrees of hip flexion). . Lisa’s pretty badass, so I wouldn’t use this drill with stark beginners. Instead I’d start with them lying on their backs on the floor performing the same marching pattern. . However, if you’re looking for a challenging exercise give this one a test drive.

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STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK

The Complete Trainers’ Toolbox – A lot of Smart People

– 9 industry leaders.

– 17 total hours of content (tackling issues that every trainer/coach can commiserate with).

– 1.7 CEUs available.

I’m really proud to be a part of this resource which is designed to help build and improve other fitness professional’s businesses. Whether you’re a commercial gym trainer, a strength coach, physical therapist, a gym owner, an industry veteran, or new, you’re bound to learn something from this resource that will help separate you from the masses.

The launch sale ends THIS WEEKEND (2/17), so you have to hurry if you want to take advantage of  it…HERE

Master Your Kettlebell Swing – Matthew Ibrahim

There are a lot of moving parts to mastering the KB swing.

My boy Matt breaks it down step-by-step to make it less likely everyone’s eyes will bleed when they see you swing….;o)

Heart Rate Variability for Athletes – Zach Long

I’ll admit that HRV is a gap in my coaching repertoire.

This was an interesting and to the point article by Zach.

 

CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work: 12/15/17

Ten days till Christmas. Like a bonehead I haven’t started any shopping yet. And by “like a bonehead” what I really mean is “like 97% of the population that has a Y chromosome.”

Apologies for the lame intro this week, but I got things to do/need to go help make Jeff Bezos richer.

On to this week’s list of stuff to read.

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

But First

1. Coaching Competency Workshop – Dallas, TX

I’ll be in Dallas, TX later this month to put on my Coaching Competency Workshop.

I’ll break down assessment in addition to troubleshooting common strength-based exercises such as deadlifts, squats, shoulder-friendly pressing, to name a few.

This is ideal for any personal trainer, coach, or regular ol’ Joe or Jane looking to learn more on my coaching process.

Details are located on the flyer above, and you can purchase HERE.

2) Pedestals Make For Superior Stocking Stuffers

Speaking of ideas for gift shopping, give Pedestal Footwear a look. I’ve been a fan for years and think they’re THE most comfortable socks ever.

Plus, the added benefit is that they’re well-suited (and were actually designed) for meatheads who like to lift heavy things.

I make ZERO commission off pointing you in their direction. I just feel they’re a great company with a great product.

Go HERE.

3) Also, I’m Seeing Star Wars on Sunday.

via GIPHY

I thought I was going to be a lammo and have to revoke my Star Wars nerd card for not being able to go see it opening weekend.

However, my wife is the shit and made it so that we have a baby-sitter for six hours this Sunday.

Star Wars + Steak dinner afterwards = possibly a second baby being made.1

Stuff To Read While You’re Pretending To Work

The Olympic Lifts Are Overrated – Charles Staley

Internet’s Reaction To This Article: “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?”

My Reaction: “Pretty much.”

6 Common Workout Myths That Are Holding You Back – Jeannine Trimboli

This was an excellent article. And given a trove of people will likely be heading to the gym at the start of 2018 to kickstart their fitness goals, I’d mark this one as a MUST read.

The Lifter’s Guide to Treating Tendinopathy – Sean Jacobs via TheBarbellPhysio.com

If you lift things up and down chances are your knee(s), elbow(s), achilles, etc, at some point or another, will get an ouchie.

Here’s your crash course on how to remedy the situation.

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CategoriesStuff to Read While You're Pretending to Work

Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work: 5/2/17

For the past, well, I don’t know how long I’ve posted my “Stuff to Read While You’re Pretending to Work” post every Friday.

This past Friday I did not post it. As a result the internet shut down.2

Okay, it didn’t…but it did feel weird not to post it. And while I’d like to sit here and say it was because of something cool like, say, I had a man-date with The Rock or I was fighting crime, the truth of the matter is, with my schedule being switched around with an infant in tow, it makes it easier to post at the start of the week rather than the end.

You didn’t really care? Oh, okay then….lets get right to it.

Copyright: wamsler / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Check This Stuff Out First

1) Strong Body-Strong Mind – Toronto

Lisa and I are happy to announce we’re bringing back our Strong Body-Strong Mind workshop.

Last year we had the privilege of presenting together in Austin, TX and London, UK, and we’re elated to be heading to Toronto, Ontario to pick up where we left off.

In a nutshell I speak to a little assessment talk, program design, and breaking down technique on a few common lifts such as the squat, deadlift, get-up, and blindfolded chainsaw juggling, and Lisa speaks to more of the mindset side of the equation and how we can help build better rapport and “buy in” with our clients/athletes.

For more information and to sign up, please go HERE.

2) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Orlando

Our Vancouver shindig in April sold out, but Dean and I have recently announced a stop in Orlando, FL later this year, October 21-22nd at Spark Fitness.

I’ve never been to Orlando. There’s no way in hell I’m visiting Disney World.

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

3. The Bigness Project Re-Hatches

A make zero effort to hide my fandom of Jen Sinkler. I think she’s one of the kindest and most authentic human beings I know.

I also think she one helluva a coach and someone who’s a Jedi master at producing and curating quality fitness content. A few months she and Kourtney Thomas (another fantastic coach) released The Bigness Project.

If the title doesn’t give it away it’s alllllll about getting big or diesel or jacked (or whatever your adjective of choice is), and it’s directed towards women. Namely, it’s to prove a point: that women can and should train to add muscle (and not be afraid or timid to do so).

It’s an amazing 14-week program designed for women, by women and also includes a mindset component and thorough exercise glossary.

You need to act quick, though, because it’s being pulled from the virtual shelves by the end of this week. If you want to participate and get the Bigness, you have to go HERE by Friday.

Stuff to Read

MASS – Monthly Applications in Strength Sport – Greg Nuckols, Eric Helms, Mike Zourdos

If you’re a strength athlete, physique competitor, or just someone who likes to look like a brick shit house (or help people look that way) this will be right up your alley.

Every month, they sift through 50+ journals and 1,000+ studies to handpick the cutting-edge research that’s most relevant for building muscle, gaining strength, and getting leaner.  

Pretty much everyone who reads this site – except my mom – should be down with that.

If you want to stay on top of the research but, like me, hate reading research (nor have 40+ hours per month to dedicate to it) then this is a no-brainer.

Subscriptions can be monthly, yearly, or, for the all-out ballers out there, lifetime. This week only MASS is being offered at 20% OFF the regular price.

Go HERE to check it out.

Scaling the Squat – Zach Long & Andrew Millett

Having the ability to regress or progress an exercise based on the needs and ability level of an athlete/client is a skill that any fitness professional should strive to have.

This is never more apparent than when coaching the squat.

The phrase “it’s not so much about contraindicated exercises as it is about contraindicated lifters” never sings to high than in this article.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Formation Strength – Amanda Wheeler & Lori Lindsey

This is a newly minted website by two (more) coaches I respect a ton…Lori Lindsey and Amanda Wheeler.

It’s a site dedicated to former athletes and women and strives to articulate a message that goes against the status quo directed towards much of female fitness.

I encourage you to check it out.

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Gratuitous cute Julian pic of the century. Sorry, I’m biased.

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