Category Archives: Mobility/Flexibility

Summertime Fit Activities

It’s summertime and the beach is calling so most people don’t want to stay in the gym all day. That’s why I came up with a lift of popular activities that you can do with your friends or on your own:

 

1. Swimming

Of course! It’s hot out so why not go for a swim? Swimming is low impact activity that you can do at the beach or at your pool. You are required to use your full range of motion, so it will help increase your flexibility and ease pain within your joints.

Swimming

2. Surfing

Head down to your local aquatic center and learn how to surf. Surfing is a great way to increase your overall body strength. Your upper back and shoulders will be worked through paddling. Your legs and core will take a beating from standing up and staying up. Not only is it challenging at first, but its also fun.

Surfer on a Wave

3. Stand up paddle board

If you thing this is way too easy, think again. Similar to surfing stand up paddle board is a fun and great way to get out in the middle of the ocean and get a great workout. Your core will be screaming after your first session.

download (1)

4. Bike riding

It’s nice to actually get out and use a real bike, instead of that stationary one in the gym. You get to feel the wind in your hair and the nice summer sun. Be sure to wear sunblock if you burn easily. If you don’t have a bike, there are plenty of shops that would be happy to rent you one for the day.

Man riding bicycle on remote road

5. Beach Volleyball

Want something more competitive? Try beach volleyball. Get some friends to go out and have a beach day and have a little competition. If you don’t have friends, challenge some of the people already playing.

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

There you have it! Five activities that you can do this summer!

 

Increase your Vertical Jump

If you’re ever played a sport that required you jump, then you know the higher your jump the better. I remember watching basketball when I was younger and dreamed of being able to dunk like Michael Jordan. However, I was on the shorter side: 5 feet 5 inches with a standing reach of 7 feet 1 inch. This didn’t stop me from figuring out how to reach the heights that(taller) professional athletes achieved. It took a lot of work and experimentation, but I figured out a way to increase my jump from 15 inches to a massive 36 inches! I still can’t dunk, but I’m getting closer. And I’m going to show you how I doubled my vertical jump. Continue reading Increase your Vertical Jump

Simple Recovery

by Derrick Luque

There are many factors that are involved when it comes to proper recovery for an athlete to be able to compete at their maximum potential. If you’re a type of athlete who doesn’t always have the time to be able to fully delicate yourself to recovery every day you can get by with three methods. The essential recovery methods are broken down into three group’s food, sleep, and ice/deep tissue massage are grouped as one. Continue reading Simple Recovery

Josh’s Secret Program

Easter is coming up so I thought I’d give you all an easter egg! Lot’s of people ask me what my personal training program looks like, so I’m going to give it to you!

Cleaning 125kg from blocks
Cleaning 125kg from blocks @ 67kg BW

Continue reading Josh’s Secret Program

Back Squat Challenge

For those of you higher level athletes, I’ve got a challenge for you.

The Bodyweight Back Squat Challenge.

Rules:

1. You load the bar to your bodyweight.
2. You have 5 minutes to rep out as many as you can.
3. Time Starts when you un-rack the bar.
4. You MUST go past parallel or it doesnt count.
5. You can rerack the bar but the time doesn’t stop.
6. Don’t puke. Continue reading Back Squat Challenge

Getting better at the “beautiful game”

By: Nathan Thomas Hoang

           The World Cup is months away and soccer fever is in full swing. The weather this time of the year is ideal for playing soccer, so let’s talk about simple exercises to improve strength and flexibility in order to get an edge above the competition.

  • First and foremost, make sure you do these exercises with attentiveness and caution.

Athletic Yoga

It’s no lie that we all train hard to perform our best. Enduring long hours of practice and strength training to achieve our goals. But maybe, its time to utilize the softer side of training: Yoga.

Yoga has a many health benefits to athletes and the general population. The National Center of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine indicate those who practice yoga, both athletes and non-athletes, experienced a lower heart rate level, increased oxygen intake, and increased flexibility and strength.

Continue reading Athletic Yoga

The Power Snatch

The Power Snatch is a variation of a full snatch (a.k.a. squat snatch) that limits lower body movement. This exercise is commonly used by weightlifters to help develop power and strengthen a portion of the pull during the snatch. Not only does it build upper back strength, but also an athletes external rotators. It proves to be vital for many athletes to learn this movement as it also helps develop vertical jump.

Much like the snatch, the power snatch can be executed in various positions: floor, below knee, above knee, or hip.

Here is a video of a power snatch from the floor coupled with a snatch from above knee. You will see the difference in catch heights. The power snatch is caught higher and a snatch is caught in the squat position.