From stiff muscles to sore joints, pain that is induced or exacerbated by exercise is a significant concern amongst the athletes I train, especially adult athletes. Devices that deliver heat or cold and ... Continue Reading
Running Performance: Is Smaller Better?
Bodyweight and body composition are critical factors in most sports. Compare marathon runners to football linemen, for example. It’s no coincidence that they are dramatically different in size, ... Continue Reading
Athlete Journal: Terry Hadlow, Entry 10 – 12/23/2013
EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of Terry Hadlow. Terry got started in Olympic weightlifting in 1970 and is the only Canadian to have competed in senior nationals in five different decades - ... Continue Reading
Effects of Stride Angle on Running Economy
Running economy is a major factor for determining running performance. Better efficiency while running at race pace makes for a faster athlete who can maintain higher speeds for longer, and this is how ... Continue Reading
Interview With Seymour Yang: What Does Meerkatsu Mean Anyway?
When I started to do gi reviews, I had about eleven gis that didn’t fit properly. Inspired by Meerkatsu, whose real name is Seymour Yang, I created a blog and began reviewing gis to help women like me find ... Continue Reading
A Simple Breathing Exercise for a Balanced Mind
Pranayama, or the yoga of breathing, is often described so esoterically that non-yogis have a hard time embracing the practice. Personally, I was intimidated by pranayama even after years of practicing ... Continue Reading
How Does Time of Day Affect Your Workout?
People can be lumped into two categories: morning people, and the rest of us. Some people just pop out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and go to the gym before they even go to work. By contrast, people ... Continue Reading
Intermittent Cryotherapy Improves Performance in Baseball Pitchers
The term cryotherapy refers to the application of something cold to the muscles and the idea behind its use is as an aid for recovery in the athletic world. Yet, study after study shows only a benefit to ... Continue Reading
An Argument Against Machines: RIP Weight Machines (1963–2013)
It’s over. The end is near. If I were in the weight machine making business, I’d start looking for a new line of work. Sure, your local gym still has plenty of machines and for the time being will most ... Continue Reading
Older Adults Need Well-Rounded Routines
Most of us know it’s important to remain fit and active as we age. It’s not just good for your health and longevity, either. Maintaining a minimum level of fitness makes everyday life that much easier. ... Continue Reading
Training During the Cycling Season: Time to Focus on Mobility and Skills
After months of careful preparation during the winter and spring, the cycling race season is often a busy time, going from event to event. But despite the schedule, I think there are some real advantages ... Continue Reading
Battling Ropes: Just Another Fad?
Battling ropes. You’ve probably seen them, if not in your local gym then on TV shows like The Biggest Loser. Someone picks up the ends of two long ropes, with one rope in each hand, and quickly snaps them ... Continue Reading
How Our Teammates Can Mirror Our Abilities: Athletic Wisdom from an N’SYNC Alum
I like Justin Timberlake. You do too. Admit it. Bring It on Down to Omeletteville? Hilarious. D*ck in a Box? Inspired. His latest song is called Mirrors, and it’s catchy. That’s not a matter of opinion; ... Continue Reading
Pop Quiz Challenge: Test Your Nutrition and Fitness Knowledge
You may think you're an expert, but now it's time for an official fitness pop quiz! I am all about espousing the truth to assist you in moving forward with your goals. That is important when sifting ... Continue Reading
Elevated Poise: Beginner Parkour Rail Skills
Can you name the ninth physical skill, of the infamous Ten General Physical Skills promulgated by Jim Crawley and Bruce Evans? It’s a crucial one, and is always something that athletes can improve upon. ... Continue Reading
Wax and Wane: Get In Sync With the Moon and Seasons
On June 23rd we had what some people call a “super full moon.” This full moon was the closest to the earth of the full moons in 2013. This occurred two days after the Summer Solstice. If you have been ... Continue Reading
Why All Surfers Should Be Doing CrossFit
Surfers from parts of the world that get consistent surf stay surf fit by practicing what they love in a constantly changing environment that ensures they are always ready for the uncertainties a surf ... Continue Reading
Are You Doing the Outside Work to Get the Inside Body You Want?
Think about this concept: The “inside" of your body - your muscle and adipose (fat) tissues, your lungs and the cardiovascular system, and your joint-stabilizing ligaments and muscle-attaching tendons - is ... Continue Reading
Made Strong Through Weakness: How CrossFit Transformed an Italian Prison
Being one of the first CrossFit certified coaches in Italy, I started to promote the methodology by teaching in fitness centers, colleges, and schools all around the country. One morning in 2011, as I was ... Continue Reading
Learning Sucks, But You Should Do It Anyway
When I was four years old I could read at a fourth grade level, but I couldn’t tie my shoes so they weren’t going to let me into kindergarten. I have a September birthday, so I was one of those kids doomed ... Continue Reading
Aerobic Exercise, Try It On For Size
I have some admittedly “out of the box” ideas when it comes to exercise. One of them is that not only is aerobic exercise (both local and systemic) a good thing in general, it might even be good for ... Continue Reading
Squat Therapy: 4 Drills That Will Improve Your Squat
Welcome to Squat Therapy. Squat Therapy is what I call these drills when working through them with my clients. The words seem to strike a perfect balance between the fact this is not going to be a ... Continue Reading
How to Prepare for and Win a Fight
In many scenarios in sport and in life we are called to do battle. How do we know what the best way is to prepare? How do we know when we are victorious? The answer isn’t always obvious. A helpful place to ... Continue Reading
What the Marines Know About Discipline That Will Make You a Better Athlete
I had a conversation the other day with a man who was speaking of his son in the Marine Corps. The father beamed with pride talking about the work, courage, and dedication of his son serving in ... Continue Reading
