(Source: Bev Childress) When searching for healthy foods at the supermarket, what do you usually look for? Do you stick with raw and natural foods (veggies, meats, fruits, grains) or do you search for ... Continue Reading
The Butt of a Backbend: A Lesson in Gluteal Anatomy
To clarify the ambiguity of a teaching technique for a common yoga posture, a group of yogis will sometimes employ the good ol’ democratic vote. To clarify the ambiguity of a teaching ... Continue Reading
Stretching Your Hamstrings Isn’t Always Best
A lot of people complain about tight hamstrings, and the usual exercises prescribed by physical therapists, strength coaches, and friends alike are a variety of hamstring stretches. Yes, there are times ... Continue Reading
Young Athletes Must Hip Hinge
The bulk of youth in the modern era have completely forgotten how to move, and have lost all sense of what their body is doing in space (proprioception). Teaching them to hip hinge can be a daunting task, ... Continue Reading
Never Get Injured in the Gym Again, Please
Today I want to discuss a very important topic that's not talked about enough in the fitness community: injury prevention. Don't get me wrong, a lot has been said about treating injuries, but injury ... Continue Reading
Your First Workout Post-Injury: Time to Learn Something New
(Source: Bev Childress) To truly feel fulfilled in your training, you must build your mindset on gratitude. Gratitude for what you already have—any progress you have made and a body that, regardless ... Continue Reading
The 12 Labors of Michael McCastle: Achieving the Impossible
Georges Hébert was a groundbreaking physical educator from France in the first half of the 20th century, whose influence on the art and science of human movement is still felt today. “Be strong to be ... Continue Reading
Take Control of Your Knee Pain: PFP and Your IT Band
I can still vividly remember my first serious injury. I was leading a Muay Thai class in some sprints at a local park, when I hit some uneven ground and felt something weird happen to my knee. Little did I ... Continue Reading
Set Small Goals to Accomplish Big Things
(Source: Bev Childress) (Source: Bev Childress) Whether you’re new to training or have been battling away for decades, there comes a time when you need a new target or a goal to give you a ... Continue Reading
Join the United Tribe of Fitness
Over the last several months, I have had the amazing opportunity to interview some of the best of the best in the fitness industry for the Breaking Muscle Podcast. From those on the cutting edge of sports ... Continue Reading
Show Unconventional Arm Training Some Love
I hate training arms. Especially biceps. It isn’t that I have inferior strength or development, it’s just because it’s boring. Think about it; what traditional exercises do you perform for biceps? I can ... Continue Reading
Biomechanics, Balance, and Boldness
Every good coach and trainer considers themselves, to some extent, as a student of human movement. But few people can touch the level of devotion and study of David Weck, inventor of the BOSU ball and ... Continue Reading
10 Short Daily Drills to Combat Back Pain
The discs that make up our spine are super-hydrated and fat when we wake in the morning. Sounds good, right? But as we sit through the day, our hip flexors tighten, our glutes quit working, and our ... Continue Reading
The Balance of Power in the Hips
The hip joint is impressive looking. With 21 muscles that provide stability, keep the femur in the pelvis, and allow for an incredible range of movements, it’s a unique part of our anatomy.1 The ... Continue Reading
Goldilocks and the Three (Chicago) Bears
Once upon a time, there was a teenaged Chicago Bears fan named Goldilocks. Goldilocks, despite her short life experience, was no fair-weather fan. She pined for the Monsters of the Midway; the glory days ... Continue Reading
The Power of Daily Movement and Normalizing Fitness
Today we’re bringing you a very special episode of the Breaking Muscle Podcast with none other than Max Shank, creator of the 5 Minute Flow, and author of Ultimate Athleticism and The Simple Shoulder ... Continue Reading
Train Your Chest Without Machines
When you hear the local gym bros talking about training, one question invariably comes up: How much ya bench? The chest has become synonymous with muscle building and the unofficial measure of strength. ... Continue Reading
Dear Newbie, Dabbling Is Not a Sin
Hey there, newbie. On behalf of trainers, coaches, writers, editors, and fitness professionals everywhere, I’d like to issue you a formal apology. You see, in articles, videos, and podcasts everywhere ... Continue Reading
Invest Your Summer in Play and Skill Building
Summer means something different to everyone. Whether you shift your hours to be more available for the kids, or it’s business as usual, there is still a different feel in the air. Grills are going, music ... Continue Reading
Impose Boundaries for More Creative Workout Programming
Of late, my training has consisted of very little strenuous efforts. I am now on the recovery upswing after an injury. The last several months have assumed the form of radical acceptance and lessons ... Continue Reading
The Tribe of the Kettlebell
We all understand that the tool matters far less than what you do with it. Few people exemplify that altruism more than Sean Griffin, founder of Chicago Primal Gym. While his passion and tool of choice is ... Continue Reading
Do You Even Science Bro?
We all like to think we are more logical than we actually are. At some point, we have probably entered into a discussion about a health or fitness related subject with someone and have been quick to cite a ... Continue Reading
The Rules of Pain Free Hypertrophy
What does the phrase “pain-free training” conjure in your mind? Does it bring up images of those colorful dumbbells that are smaller than your hand? Does it include exercises that look more like they ... Continue Reading
High Intensity Training vs. Olympic Weightlifting: How to Have Both & Get Strong
(Source: Bev Childress) It is not unusual to find the strength training community divided when it comes to what style of training is best or how and when to employ the many training techniques and ... Continue Reading
