Need a Little Holiday Cheer Pick-Me-Up to Your Workouts this Month?

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Need a Little Holiday Cheer Pick-Me-Up to Your Workouts this Month?

I taught group fitness at the amazing Equinox Pine Street for many years with the most incredible students. My folks brought great energy to every class, but holiday classes were always my favorite. It become a tradition for me to teach in this spiffy elf costume while squatting, swinging and sweating to silly pop Christmas music. Yes, including “that” Mariah Carey song. I combed through my archive and compiled this “Best of JJFit Holiday Workouts” Spotify playlist in case you need a little holiday cheer pick-me-up to your workouts this month.

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Got Music? Here's My Go-To Workout Playlist This Month

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Got Music? Here's My Go-To Workout Playlist This Month

It’s widely proven that three of the most powerful workout enhancers are coffee, creatine and a great playlist! Recently my client Daniel told me he loves my Spotify playlist archive that has hundreds of playlists from my days as an Equinox group fitness instructor. It’s been a minute since I put my “DJ JJ” hat on and created a new one. This one got me through a big run and a big lift session this weekend. Hope it brings some fitspo to your day!

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Embrace Your Inner Kid with an Adult Coloring Book

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Embrace Your Inner Kid with an Adult Coloring Book

I’m loving my new adult coloring book that Peter got me for my birthday! It's a nice way to start the day instead of immediately slamming my brain with texts, emails, alerts, beeps and boops. I've heard that adults can benefit from "silly" activities like coloring. Turns out it's true! According to the Mayo Clinic coloring can be good for your health by promoting mindfulness, relieving stress and embracing the imperfect. Although, I'm pretty sure MY coloring is perfect. 

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How to Make Pizza Salad (aka Panzanella)

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How to Make Pizza Salad (aka Panzanella)

So this recipe is a little different from what I usually share. This one is more about inspiration and sparking joy and experiencing life. So indulge me in a little backstory. TLDR: I made panzanella using leftover pizza from A16 and some impromptu ingredients I picked up at the farmer’s market and was thrilled with myself. I’m calling it “pizza salad”. It made me really happy. 

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Free Smoothie Workshop and Tasting (Plus Cardio Dance Class!)

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Free Smoothie Workshop and Tasting (Plus Cardio Dance Class!)

Join me and my pals at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center for a free event on Saturday, April 6th from 9-10a. I’ll be leading an interactive workshop and explaining how to make the perfect smoothie including my top smoothie dos and don’ts. You’ll get my best recipes and I’ll demo live exactly what to do to get the most nutritious and delicious results. You will also get to taste my Super Green Protein Smoothie and learn how to make it at home. This special event is free to the entire community but space is limited. Register here to reserve your spot!

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Do You Need a Killer Workout Playlist This Month?

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Do You Need a Killer Workout Playlist This Month?

A good playlist can make all the difference between a ”hell yeah” workout and “hell no” workout. Over the years I’ve created and archived on Spotify over 250 public workout and relaxation playlists from my 10 years of teaching group fitness at Equinox and practicing massage. This month I put together this 90 minute bad boy because I needed some musical motivation to get me moving and it’s gotten me through a 14-mile run and several “I don’t wanna” leg days. Hope you enjoy!

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How Much Does Sweating Define a Good Workout?

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How Much Does Sweating Define a Good Workout?

As days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder there's no doubt that fall is knocking at our doors. For some folks this means changes to their workout routines especially for those who like to run, walk or ride outside. It reminded me of an interesting question I was asked by a reporter a few years ago. He noticed that around this time of year, he stopped sweating during his workouts and was worried this meant he was being less effective. How much does sweating define a good workout? Check out my answer in his article.

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Rocking and Rolling Is Serious Business

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Rocking and Rolling Is Serious Business

In theory, I love this recent NYT article about “adopting a playful attitude toward working out”. It’s a lovely story about an awkward kid who grew up to be a trainer who helps his clients “get silly” in their workouts (piggyback rides, tag, skipping). The premise is so important. Working out doesn’t have to be awful. It can be fun. And the benefits of returning to more “primal” (or what I’d call “functional”) movement patterns are indisputable. So what’s the catch? 

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Tips and Tricks for a Comfortable Crow Pose

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Tips and Tricks for a Comfortable Crow Pose

When my good buddy Morgan, who is an amazing personal trainer and a talented yoga instructor, comes to visit my office fitness shenanigans always ensue! I asked for her best tips for anyone struggling with their crow pose. Grab your mat, maybe a yoga block and make your best claws and paws! CAW CAW!

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Client Spotlight: Katherine Takes on the 292 Mile Lebanon Mountain Trail!

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Client Spotlight: Katherine Takes on the 292 Mile Lebanon Mountain Trail!

The BEST part of being a personal trainer is witnessing how clients use the fitness we build to live their fullest lives. It gives me tremendous satisfaction when clients feel empowered to take on new challenges both in everyday life and in big new adventures. I'm beaming with pride that the amazing Katherine Maher is off this month to take on a herculean challenge and to fulfill a dream and I'm grateful she took a few minutes to share in a quick interview how integrating fitness into your daily life can prepare you for HUGE adventures. 

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Crab Your Way to Better Mobility and Core Strength

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Crab Your Way to Better Mobility and Core Strength

Let’s get our crab on! Crab touches are an awesome functional movement that improves mobility and core strength and can help alleviate a tight back, hips and shoulders. No wonder they are a favorite in my classes and amongst my personal training clients. Plus, they are kinda fun!

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Five of My Favorite Fitness Trackers for Optimizing Health, Performance and Diet

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Five of My Favorite Fitness Trackers for Optimizing Health, Performance and Diet

There are SO MANY trackers on the market. And the landscape changes all the time. The ones discussed in this post are the ones I have personally used at various stages of my fitness journey and have seen work for many of my clients. If you have something that is already working for you, GREAT! Don’t fix what ain’t broke. But if you are looking for something to aid you along in your wellness journey maybe one or some of these can help.

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Healthy Holiday Treats from Allison Tibbs

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Healthy Holiday Treats from Allison Tibbs

I’ve been lucky to work with the incomparable Allison Tibbs for several years. She is an amazing coach and is hands down a nutrition guru. A while back we partnered to deliver a fantastic healthy holiday happy hour to our corporate client Nixon Peabody. The menu included Allison's super yummy almond butter stuffed dates, no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies, non-alcoholic mulled wine and my favorite entree of teriyaki soba and veggies with shrimp and salmon. Here’s a PDF with the recipes. Be sure to follow Allison on IG @allisontibbs.

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Dr. Mark and JJ Discuss and Demo the Latest Uses for BFR Training

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Dr. Mark and JJ Discuss and Demo the Latest Uses for BFR Training

I’ve written about BFR (“Blood Flow Restriction”) or “Occlusion” Training on and off since 2017. This modality of resistance training has been clinically proven as a way to effectively and safely “hypertrophy” muscle. So when I was recently visiting my AMAZING physical therapist Dr. Mark Bautista, I was surprised to see patients being treated with BFR cuffs. I asked Dr. Mark about it and I learned about the deluge of recent clinical studies that have broadened the usage of BFR to include injury-specific rehab/prehab, sports performance, endurance, strength as well as traditional hypertrophy.

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Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ: Box Breathing and Air Hunger

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Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ: Box Breathing and Air Hunger

Breath is LIFE. Like, literally. So I was so happy when my amazingly talented and super knowledgeable friend Morgan dropped by my office for a couch talk session about breathing. We’ve both noticed clients lately experiencing episodes of shallow, labored breathing and she has some fantastic drills for breathing optimally in the moment and for building a breathing practice. Think of your breath like a muscle. To get stronger we need to exercise it strategically and consistently.

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Holiday Gifts Any Fitness Buff Will Love

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Holiday Gifts Any Fitness Buff Will Love

It's that time of year again and folks are beginning to grill me for fitness-related gift ideas. Here are a few of my favorite things that are sure to please anyone trying to fit fitness and nutrition into a busy, balanced life whether working out at home, in the gym or on the road.

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 3: Vegetarian “Tuna Salad” Made From Chickpeas

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 3: Vegetarian “Tuna Salad” Made From Chickpeas

In the NewsUpNow.org kitchen with me this week is the beautiful and amazing Allison Tibbs who has perfected a scrumptious vegetarian "tuna salad" recipe made from chickpeas. Just in time for your Labor Day BBQ, this salad is great as a meal, snack or side and will satisfy even the most avid meat eater and tuna salad snob. It can also be modified to be vegan friendly and as we demonstrate is great for doing bicep curls in the kitchen. Proof! "Cooking" can be easy, fun and delicious.

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JJFit & NewsUpNow Pumpin' Divas

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JJFit & NewsUpNow Pumpin' Divas

Join me and the legendary drag queens of the Castro Donna Sachet, Paju Munro and Katya Smirnoff-Skyy for a hilarious 45-minute total body workout. All donations benefit the great work at NewsUpNow.org helping to keep the arts and entertainment sector alive in the Bay Area. Choose your own donation from $1-$100 and watch the video here.

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JJFit in the News: What To Do If Your Dog Is Stronger Than You

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JJFit in the News: What To Do If Your Dog Is Stronger Than You

My pal Ian at MEL Magazine came to me with a common problem. As he puts it, "My dog’s interpretation of a 'walk' is more like an opportunity to amputate my arm, and I can’t say he hasn’t come close to succeeding." Yep, his dog is stronger than him (and probably a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, too). If you can relate, give his latest post a read with expert advice on how to walk a dog that’s stronger than you, including my #1 strength training move to help you get the upper hand (which I call the “Auggie row” named after my favorite pup.

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Client Spotlight: Kimberly Su and Her "Virtual Fitness" Journey

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Client Spotlight: Kimberly Su and Her "Virtual Fitness" Journey

When I met Kimberly in February 2020 for a quick chat to discuss training together I was super excited. She wanted to build a strength training program to help her recover from a hip injury and to get her feeling strong and balanced in her body. She was everything I look for in a client: ready, willing and energetic. And then COVID hit.

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