It is time! Time to take a deep look inside - inside of self and inside of spirit. Reflect on the times past and what you wish to leave behind, to incinerate to provide an ash nutrient base for future ... Continue Reading
5 Coaching Lessons I Learned Preparing for the RKC
When I first sat down to write this it was going to be all about how to pass the RKC. Then I realized that what makes a good RKC is also what makes a good coach in any field. The lessons I’ve learned ... Continue Reading
Why Swimming Is the Best Exercise For Pregnant Women
Exercise during pregnancy can be a sensitive subject with plenty of argument for and against. Gestation could be considered a workout in itself, and nowadays, with different forms of exercise more popular ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 22 – Training Through It
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
Training For Natural Birth? Don’t Forget Your Psoas
“Training for birth is just like training for a marathon.” This is a helpful analogy that I’ve heard frequently and even used myself. It expresses the need for physical conditioning and discipline ... Continue Reading
The Numbers Game: Why Losing Weight Is Easier in Groups
I teach group fitness classes at a large gym in West Los Angeles. I’ve always loved the group vibe. It really adds to the pleasure and intensity of my workouts. (Hmm, it sounds like I’m doing an ad for a ... Continue Reading
Ed Bauer: The Poster Man for Vegan CrossFitters
My title at Breaking Muscle is the Vegan CrossFitter and though that’s absolutely true, I more represent the everyday athlete. I’m small potatoes. Like every vegan CrossFitter, I pray that one of us will ... Continue Reading
Science Says: Skechers Shape-Ups Are Worthless
Rocker-bottom shoes, like Skechers Shape-Ups, are very interesting and controversial. Chances are, the first time you saw them you were struck with either disgust or hope. Unfortunately, it appears those ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Andrew Read, Entry 22 – Good News All Around
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. Journal Entry 22 - Good News All ... Continue Reading
Got Choline? Why Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women Need to Eat Eggs
We have been told for decades to limit our consumption of eggs, in an effort to avoid high cholesterol. Research is now indicating that cholesterol in the diet does not directly raise blood cholesterol ... Continue Reading
Exercising While Pregnant: Strong Moms Build Strong Babies
BirthFIT is my business, my practice, and my lifelong passion. As I mentioned in a previous article on Breaking Muscle, chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness are the foundational pillars of BirthFIT. Being ... Continue Reading
Untying the 4 Knots: Jon Engum’s 4 Weeks to Flexible Steel Program
What would more usable range of motion do for your sports performance? Imagine not having to fight your own body. Imagine owning unhindered fluid movement that was at your beck and call. How much more ... Continue Reading
Science Looks At Safely Increasing Explosiveness in Teen Basketball Players
Basketball coaches are always looking for ways to improve explosive strength in their players, but it can be quite challenging for those who coach adolescents. Coaches want to improve performance in their ... Continue Reading
Dear Coach: Can I Compete in Lifting With a Bad Knee?
Dear Coach, I dislocated my patella on my right knee almost a year ago. I went through physical theraphy for it and never really fully recovered. Despite that, I still powerlift, but always have to ... Continue Reading
Sunday Seven: The Week’s 7 Most Popular Articles, Vol. 28
Every Sunday we post the "Sunday Seven" so you can quickly see the 7 most popular articles of the week. This week's most popular posts cover protein bars, Olympic weightlifting, supporting an athletic ... Continue Reading
Developing Self-Awareness: A Messy, Ugly, Five-Step Process
I know some of myself very well - some habits, proclivities, and tendencies. I work fairly hard at self-awareness because I find it to be helpful in all aspects of my life, athletic and otherwise. How am I ... Continue Reading
Dear Willow: Will Crow Pose Break My Arms?
Dear Willow, Can I ask a question? Are the arms strong enough to hold the whole body weight? I've done this [Crow] pose a few times actually, and they haven't broken, but the arm bones are so thin. ... Continue Reading
Mindfulness: What It Is and How Achieve It
Mindfulness aids in athletic training as well as all other aspects of life. Learn what it is and how to achieve it through meditation and other means with these 9 articles, meditations, and ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Charles Staley, Entry 16 – Ditching My Heels
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
Stop Shaking Your Head: How Self-Talk Affects Performance
I have a rule with my students and clients: no headshaking. If you shake your head during a workout there is a ten-burpee penalty, due immediately upon completion of the workout. There is distinct drop in ... Continue Reading
Strength Training for Judo: Part 1 – Training Grip and Cardio
For years, in the world of American martial arts, there has existed the “red headed step child” of judo. In the 60s and 70s, judo was outranked by karate and kung fu, as those two arts were championed by ... Continue Reading
How To Do The Perfect Kettlebell Swing
Internet forums are funny things. They remind me of the zoo. Often they’re fascinating to watch and you can get a rare insight into some hidden facet on a subject, as if you’d just found out cheetahs use ... Continue Reading
NFL 225 Test Accurate at Predicting 1RM Bench Press
“How much ya bench?” This is an all-too-common question people are asked if they even look remotely athletic or spend time in the gym. Although it may be an overused question, there is actually some merit ... Continue Reading
Do You Occlude? What Is Occlusion Training?
What if I told you that you could get your beach muscles and increase your muscle strength using significantly less weight and doing less work than you currently train with? Okay, stop laughing. I’m ... Continue Reading
