Dear Willow, I practice a lot with breath in yoga. I have heard of Surya Bhedana Pranayama, but am not sure what it is and how it is used. I understand it is similar to Anuloma Viloma (alternate ... Continue Reading
At the Core of It: Creating Strength and Tension in the Body
Right from the start of physical culture a strong midsection has been prized. From the six-pack of Eugen Sandow to books like Enter The Kettlebell saying, “It is no coincidence that since overhead presses ... Continue Reading
The Facts on Rotator Cuff Injuries and Treatment
As a coach I get a lot of questions about injuries. I’m no physical therapist, but when you work with both athletes and non-athletes on a daily basis the questions of what to do about injuries and how to ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 36 – Hook Grip Improvement
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the Athlete Journal of world champion powerlifter Chris Duffin. Follow Chris as he trains and competes in various events over the coming year. Chris's journal will be posted every ... Continue Reading
5 Ways To Get Young Children Moving
Once my firstborn daughter could walk and express herself somewhat coherently, I had a hard time knowing how to teach her anything. I remember being so frustrated when I would try to sit down with her and ... Continue Reading
Interview with Valery Fedorenko, Founder of the World Kettlebell Club
I love kettlebells, love ‘em. The first time I saw one was when I walked into Petranek Fitness years ago as a fledging CrossFitter. For most Americans, it’s only in the last ten years that the word ... Continue Reading
Our Amazing First Experience With the Teen Gauntlet CrossFit Competition Series
How often do we get a chance to do exactly what we say we’d do? Having lived over four decades, I know it isn’t the majority of the time. Life gets in the way of best-made plans. We change our minds. ... Continue Reading
4 Factors That Help Your Child Eat Healthier
Mexican American children are 60% more likely to be overweight than Caucasian children. This disproportionate effect of obesity is alarming and health professionals are looking for solutions. Today's study ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Andrew Read, Entry 33 – VO2 Max and Body Fat Test
Click here to read other journal entries and articles by Andrew Read, and look for his new journal every Monday as he trains for Ironman Melbourne. Athlete Journal Entry 33 - VO2 Max and Body Fat ... Continue Reading
Kettlebell Circuits for MMA, BJJ, and Martial Arts
It is very easy to get lost in the moment during the tense theater of battle while watching a Brazilian jiu jitsu competition, boxing match, or mixed martial arts event. Competing martial artists generally ... Continue Reading
Taking a New Perspective On Your Training
I’ve had many epiphanies over the years. Not to use a possibly tired term haphazardly, but a few of these epiphanies have even led to paradigm shifts for me. As a coach, this has happened to me as well. In ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 42
Every Sunday we post the "Sunday Seven" so you can quickly see the 7 most popular articles of the week. This week: healing after betrayal in BJJ and life, the importance of cortisol, 1RM controversy, and ... Continue Reading
7 Articles to Help You Choose a Good Coach
You've heard you need to choose a good coach to get better in your discipline. But how do you tell a good coach from a mediocre one? Here are 7 articles to help you find the best coach possible in a number ... Continue Reading
The New Principles of Training For 2013
You all know the conventional training principles that have governed your efforts in present training. Here are some of these principles: specificity, overload, intensity, recovery, adaptation, ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Julie Warren, Entry 5 – Taking Baby Steps
EDITOR'S NOTE: Along with Andrew Read and Narisa Wild, Julie Warren will be sharing her training experiences for upcoming endurance challenges. Follow Julie as she prepares for her next adventure - ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 28 – The Big Lifts
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ever wonder how a world-class coach actually trains? Wonder what it's like to train as a "mature athlete?" Welcome to the athlete journal of Charles Staley. A big believer in practicing what ... Continue Reading
Essential Training Etiquette for Cycling and Swimming
We all know that the gym has its own rules regarding what is seen as good and bad behavior. Some of it should be common sense – if you sweat like a bear on amphetamines do everyone a favor and wipe your ... Continue Reading
Is Rate of Perceived Exertion a Useful Strength Training Tool?
For runners and other endurance athletes, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) is a valuable metric. Training programs often have athletes use RPE to self-regulate their efforts. For instance, a program might ... Continue Reading
Escalation of Commitment: How We Justify Bad Behavior
I’m still thinking a lot about the topic of my last article, regarding two male grapplers who allegedly repeatedly raped a female teammate on New Year’s Eve. It’s the main thing many of us in the grappling ... Continue Reading
Dangers of Open Water Swimming: Sun and Salt
Life wouldn’t exist without the sun, yet the sun presents a major challenge and a potential danger to open water swimmers, or anyone swimming outdoors. Sun damage comes in the form of over-exposure and sun ... Continue Reading
Size Matters, Bro! The Misinterpretation of the Henneman Size Principle
It is common knowledge that for strength, you must work sets in the 3-5 RM range more than any other. Similarly, doing many sets with high reps will get you huge. You can stretch your muscles if you get a ... Continue Reading
Featured Photographer: David Brown – BJJ and Skateboarding
Art can be so much more meaningful when you know a little bit more about the person behind it - the eye behind the lens. That's why I periodically profile sports/action photographers and their work. Read ... Continue Reading
Scientifically-Proven Tips for Faster Sprinting
Sprinting isn’t just about raw strength and speed. Like any skill, better technique can help you achieve your full potential. Today’s study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research asked the ... Continue Reading
Sally’s 8 Week BJJ Tournament Training Program: Strength & Conditioning
“The best way to get in shape for Brazilian jiu jitsu is to do Brazilian jiu jitsu.” I hear this a lot, but is it true? I’m not so sure. Technique is the most important part of the game, but if you’re ... Continue Reading
