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Monday, October 11, 2010

A message to new RKC's

The RKC weekend is a life changer. The people are passionate, High Fives are flying around like moths on street light. People are pressing giant kettlebells, networking, flexing their abs and are all fired up. You leave the RKC and you say to yourself " I can't wait for RKC 2, and the CK-FMS. I am gonna sign up asap.

Here is my advice....don't. I am not saying that you shouldn't take the courses, I am saying that you should wait. Wait and take the time to apply what you have learned. It's great if you can accomplish the basic lifts but teaching it is a whole different story. Once you have taught 50 different clients how to do the basics well, you will have a deeper understanding of the basic lifts. Then after the 50 clients, you will still have much to learn.

I am amazed at newly minted RKC's that create DVD's a week after the certification. Props to them that they have taken the initiative but IMO, its a bit premature. Just because you can regurgitate verbatim what you learned at the RKC doesn't mean it's time to create your own DVD.

I am not ripping on you, I am just saying that you should take your time and learn how to be a great coach. A great RKC is a great coach, this means that you can teach anyone how to perform the lifts.

Take your time and enjoy the ride, strive to be better, teach for free, learn, screw up, learn again and repeat for life.






Sunday, October 10, 2010

ARC trainer from Hell

I hate cardio equipment, for the most part I think it's useless. But, if you must hop on a piece of equipment, try the Cybex ARC trainer. It has a few programs that aren't too bad. Here is a true butt-kicking workout on the ARC trainer.

Caution, this will drive your HR pretty high, please exercise with caution!!

Hit the Strength button
Enter your weight
Select Level 10

Keep your strides per minutes over 135 for 10 minutes. Regardless of what the program does, always keep your strides over 135.

Enjoy and report back


Thursday, October 7, 2010

The 20 minute kettlebell workout

Here is my new favorite kettlebell routine. It takes 20 minutes, thats it ;) It's very simple but not easy. Here are the basic rules:

Pick 1 size kettlebell, I use the 24k for this. Choose wisely, your goal is to not change bells.

You will stay moving for 20 minutes, do not stop.

:30 of 2 handed swings
:30 of Goblet squats
:30 of pushups
200 meter run.

Repeat this for 20 minutes without rest. This is not an "all out" crossfit type routine. Quality reps is key. If you do not know how to manage fatigue yet then this workout is not for you. Keep track of how many "rounds" you finish and try this twice a week for 4 weeks.

If you are gassed, use the 200 meter run as a active recovery, if you can fly on the 200 meter runs, go for it.

The average male KB'er should start with a 20k or 24k while most women (not all) should use a 12k, 14k or 16k bell

Pace yourself, it's a long 20 minutes

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Todays training 10/5/10

5x2 weighted pull-ups

45 x2
55 x2
65 x2
75 x2
85 x2

RKC snatch test with a 20k

4 min flat


Gettin back into it again :)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Freestyle Kettlebells

Here is a quick clip of some of the exercises and movement patterns that you can do with a kettlebell. Enjoy!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Veggies and get-ups

I don't like doing Turkish get-ups and I don't like eating my vegetables. Yes, I am pretty much an 8 year old trapped in a 25 year olds body with a 50 year olds hairline. But, its ok with me, I think farts are funny, still look reasonably fit and I choose to shave my head because it makes me faster.

Ok, back to veggies and get-ups...

Here are five reasons why I don't like vegetables.

1. They don't taste good to me unless I pile them with lots of cheese.

2. I am never full when I eat them.

3. You generally have to wash and cut them, which takes waaaay to long.

4. Ketchup does not count as a vegetable.

5. There's no protein in veggies.

Five Reasons I hate turkish get-ups:

1. I am not sure if they originated from Turkey.

2. They take too long.

3. I am not good at them...yet :).

4. It's like a golf swing, there is always something to fix.

5. There's no protein in get-ups ;)

I am a fitness professional so I pretty much know the reasons why I need to eat my veggies and do my get-ups regardless of the fact that I don't like either. Here are the reasons why you should do both.

Five reasons to eat your veggies:

1. Cancer Prevention- Vegetables are rich in antioxidants, substances shown to provide protection against free-radicals (reactive substances that damage cells and initiate cancer) and other phytochemicals that help to detoxify cancer-causing substances.

2. Keep Trim- Many vegetables contain 50 calories or fewer for a whole cup, while only five potato chips or one small cookie has the same number of calories. If you satisfy your appetite with hearty servings of vegetables and fruits, hunger won’t be a problem and you will eat smaller portions of higher-calorie meats and desserts.

3. Prevent Heart Disease- Eating more vegetables and fruits while cutting back on meat and dairy can help you limit heart-damaging saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. The antioxidants and certain other phytochemicals in these foods also help prevent fatty deposits from forming in vessels. They also provide fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol. The B vitamins are also present that help lower blood levels of homocysteine, high levels of which are a risk factor for heart disease.

4. Visual Health- Eating more vegetables and fruits may lower your risk for two of the most common causes of adult blindness: cataracts and macular degeneration. Scientists link this protection for the eyes with antioxidants like vitamin C and certain carotenoids.

5. Avoid Diabetes- Fruits and vegetables help avoid diabetes. Fruit and vegetables seem to raise blood sugar less than other foods that contain carbohydrates, and their fiber content slows the absorption of sugar into the blood.

Five Reasons to do Turkish Get-ups (TGU's):

1. Shoulder Stability-The TGU takes the shoulder through various planes of motion. Simply put, the more positions you train your shoulder in, the stronger and more stable it will be.

2. Total body Lift- The TGU is probably the best bang for your buck lift known to man, even animals. There is so much happening in the TGU that I won't even get into it. If you don't believe me, grab a kettlebell and do 20 minutes straight of get-ups. Call me later once you stop shaking.

3. Posture- Most athletes are anterior dominant, have anterior cervical spine and poor shoulder mobility. Get ups will help them all when done correctly and progressed appropriately.

4. Proprioception- The TGU will help create a more clear neurological map. Since you are familiarizing your body to various planes in a loaded fashion, your brain will get a blast of information and start to recognize the movement. Remember, you can't turn your nervous system off so practice with perfection.

5. Screening tool- The TGU is a great screen tool, helping to tell you where you are are restricted pretty quickly. It reveals weaknesses quicker than a caffeinated puppy. Always attack the weakness, not the strength.

Eat your veggies, do your get-ups!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Stop with the excuses!

Don't tell me that you don't have time to get off your butt and start moving.

There will always be a reason to not get a workout in.

Honestly, suck it up and start taking care of yourself.

Macy McMillin isn't making excuses, so why are you?