So far, in my joint-by-joint series, I’ve covered the lower-body joints: feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. It’s a selection of exercises, but now I’ll put them to work. That’s the idea behind this two-day-a-week program. Instead of focusing … Read More
lower body strength
Build a Stronger, More Resilient Lower Back
The lower back has a mystique. It hurts? Stop what you’re doing. Wake up in the morning with a stiff back? Cancel today’s plans. The deadlift hurts my back. I suck at them. The conclusion often is, “My lower … Read More
How to Build Ankle Strength From the Ground Up
The ankle is busy. It sits between the foot and the rest of the lower body, performing two important functions. Mobility to get where you’re going Stability to keep you upright while getting there The muscles surrounding the ankle, such … Read More
Strength Training for Lower Back Pain
If you’re a lifter or athlete, nothing halts you like low back pain. When a limb is injured, you have another limb to rely on and can adjust your activities, but there is no sidestepping back pain. When it hurts, … Read More
How Prehab Keeps You Strong For The Long Haul
Remember when you could go (exercise) at a moment’s notice? If something hurts, you would only then consider doing prehab or some semblance of a warm-up. Many people, myself included, often wait until we experience pain to pay attention to … Read More
Make Yourself Harder To Kill
Weird title for an article, making yourself harder to kill but bear with me for a few minutes to get a fresh perspective on exercise and strength training. I often joke with clients, friends, and family that when the grim … Read More
5 Unilateral Exercises For Strength And Sexiness
Here Are My Favorite Unilateral Exercises For Strength & Vanity When it comes to people who want to hire other personal trainers or me, one of their main goals is sexiness. They want to lose fat, put on muscle, and … Read More
5 Reasons Why The Bird Dog Is The Bomb
Certain non-negotiables in exercise are near and dear to my heart, with the bird dog being one of them. What the heck is that? Is it a cross between a bird and a dog? Don’t worry; I’ll get into that … Read More
4 Exercises For Stronger Hip Flexors
Muscles like the hip flexors need to be strong and flexible, but most people spend a lot of time stretching them. When it comes to hip flexors, you know to stretch them. Stretching the hip flexors helps improve hip mobility … Read More
8 Reasons Why You Should Deadlift
It’s no secret that I love to coach and perform the deadlift. Here’s me nailing twice my bodyweight deadlift six months ago. There was a lot of pain, blood, sweat, and tears that went into this attempt. Picking up and … Read More