In previous posts I have talked about what tends to make up an ideal physical capacity for folks (see HERE for more on that). And, within those posts I listed out what you may need in order to have the best chance at avoiding injury, strain or struggle with whatever level of living you may … Continue reading WHY BEING STRONG IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK IT IS… AND WHY IT MATTERS AS MUCH AS IT DOES.
Category: Strength Training
HOW TO SURVIVE SHOVELING… AND MAYBE EVEN ENJOY IT
Here in Northern New England winter weather can be pretty hard to predict. Truly, regardless of any 10 day forecast, snowfall can come any given day... and be anywhere from one inch to twenty inches any given week between the months of December and March. And it is with the snow storms that tend to … Continue reading HOW TO SURVIVE SHOVELING… AND MAYBE EVEN ENJOY IT
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK ON TRACK WITH EXERCISE
Every year during the month of January I tend to notice a pattern of conversation cropping up with many of the folks I tend to help. You see, half of the folks I work will come in every couple of weeks or so, with the remaining half somewhere around once a month. The point of … Continue reading WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK ON TRACK WITH EXERCISE
WHY YOU MUST BE CALM IF YOU WANT TO BE BOTH COMFORTABLE AND CAPABLE
Some years ago I was listening to an interview with a long distance mentor, and in it he was asked what is the single common characteristic he has observed in the successful people he has interacted with. He himself is a very prominent, well respected individual in his field, and given he has been able … Continue reading WHY YOU MUST BE CALM IF YOU WANT TO BE BOTH COMFORTABLE AND CAPABLE
HOW LEARNING TO FALL MAKES YOU STEADIER
Here in Maine we tend to experience all four seasons fully, and with not exception the colder ones. It is in these colder times of the year that snow and slush can tend to freeze up fairly solid, making walking about is not all that easy... and quite often not all that safe depending on … Continue reading HOW LEARNING TO FALL MAKES YOU STEADIER
HOW TO BE YOUR MOST COMFORTABLE AND CAPABLE SELF
Now and again as a client is moving through the process of wrangling in whatever pain or problem originally walked them through the door, they ask a question… "Where exactly is this going?" Unfortunately for that person the answer that I have painfully learned to give is not one that they may expect or necessarily … Continue reading HOW TO BE YOUR MOST COMFORTABLE AND CAPABLE SELF
WHY SOMETIMES YOU SHOULD COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
Often times the folks that I will work with have endured a great deal of pain, problems or limitations for some length of time. For some years, for others decades, and for other still these things have been present essentially their whole life. And when a problem is unrelenting, and at times seemingly out of … Continue reading WHY SOMETIMES YOU SHOULD COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
TUNING TENSION… HOW TO LET IT GO
Previously I wrote an article where I mapped out ways in which you can elicit reflexive increases in muscular tension by simply focusing on what you do at three places in your body. You can read it in full HERE. This article is the other side of the coin... How to reflexively tune down tension … Continue reading TUNING TENSION… HOW TO LET IT GO
TUNING TENSION… HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MUSCLE
There are two aspects to what dictates the strength of a muscle... how big it is and how hard it can contract at any given moment, with any given movement. Keeping that in mind there are then two ways you can train a muscle to become stronger: Make it bigger and give it more leverage. … Continue reading TUNING TENSION… HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MUSCLE
WHY SQUATTING FULLY TO THE GROUND SHOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL
There are few basic movements in our modern western world that challenge more individuals than a full-depth squat. Yes, I will see plenty of folks that cannot touch their toes, who cannot steady on one leg, or perhaps not be able to scratch their back. But it is the simple act of squatting fully to … Continue reading WHY SQUATTING FULLY TO THE GROUND SHOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL
WHY YOU SHOULD DITCH THE TREADMILL AND GO OUTSIDE
When you live as far north of equator as I and all the rest of Maine does, you have to learn to both roll and contend with the winters that accompany it. During this time of year the days steadily grow shorter and darker, and despite all the shifts that are coming with climate change … Continue reading WHY YOU SHOULD DITCH THE TREADMILL AND GO OUTSIDE
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE BETTER BALANCE, STOP TRYING TO BE SO RIGID
Balance is a concept that is often very misunderstood in our culture, especially by those looking to have a bit more of it in their lives. And it seems that those folks make up the majority these days… As it applies to your steadiness, balance is talked about in fitness and wellness magazines, books, blogs, … Continue reading IF YOU WANT TO HAVE BETTER BALANCE, STOP TRYING TO BE SO RIGID
IF YOUR KNEES BOTHER YOU, FOCUS ON YOUR FEET AND SEE WHAT REMAINS
If you were to walk into a local group exercise class, or watch a video online where something similar is being mapped out for the masses, if there is some squatting, lunging or jumping going on then you would likely hear some pretty unhelpful advice. "Don't let your knees go forward" "Don't let your knees … Continue reading IF YOUR KNEES BOTHER YOU, FOCUS ON YOUR FEET AND SEE WHAT REMAINS
HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD WITH STRENGTH TRAINING
Very commonly I will be helping someone work their way through some basic movement, and a common problem comes up… They do not know if they are "doing it right". And while they do not always say it in that manner, what I do tend to hear is… "Should I keep my knees from falling … Continue reading HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD WITH STRENGTH TRAINING