Sean Haleen is one of my favorite yoga practitioners (and friends!). And I’m IN LOVE with his YouTube channel where he shares loads of great virtual yoga videos and tutorials for a variety of issues and focuses. As a runner with an old back injury, this class for the IT Band and Piriformis is one of my favorites.
Read MoreI’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.
Read MoreYour amazing foot is filled with 26 bones, 30 joints and loads and loads of mechanoreceptors which provide critical information to the brain to help it make all sorts of decisions. Unfortunately, our feet can easily get stiff and immobile by stuffing them in ill-fitting shoes, walking around on weird surfaces or just not using them enough. So in this month’s Couch Talk we get up off the couch and show you some yummy and effective foot mobility and strengthening drills to give your feet (and your brain) some love!
Read MoreIf you suffer from a bad case of “tech neck” from too much screen time, consider adding some chin tucks to your day to mobilize and strengthen the cervical spine, restore posture and reduce pain. My awesome physical therapist Mark Bautista, DPT, PT at Renew Physical Therapy gives a great demo in this video. Be gentle and listen to your body. This should feel good. If this causes you pain stop right away and consult a doctor (like Mark and his team). If pain free, start with 10 reps a few times a day to give your neck a break. For more mobility tips follow Mark on IG @dr.markpt.
Read MoreIf you're working out often and think you need to push harder, think again. Here are 8 Signs You’re Overtraining with insights from me and other fitness professionals for US News & World Report.
Read MoreMobility Minute! Grab your foam roller and spend a minute (or two) on the best thoracic extension drills in my arsenal. These feel yummy and are great for anyone with lower back and neck issues.
Read MoreScrolling has become the new smoking and too much screen time is linked with poor mood, poor productivity, fatigue, anxiety and physical pain. In this pre-recorded 60 minute workshop Morgan and JJ discuss the importance of your visual system and its crucial role in your overall health and teach you how to train it just like you would train any other muscle.
Read MoreThis is one of my favorite mobility drills for tight hamstrings, IT bands and basically the entire leg from the toes to the hip all the way into the lower back. Why does it work so good? Because it’s a “neurofascial stretch” meaning it targets the muscles, fascia and nerves across several joints as a system. If you’re feeling tight, doing a lot of running or just generally want to improve your mobility give it a try!
Read MoreAbout 50 million Americans participate in some form of running or jogging, according to a 2020 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. This year, with running events like the San Francisco Marathon set to resume in September, it’s a great time to get in gear and start training.If you want to maximize the many benefits of running and prevent injury, you first have to get yourself some dedicated running shoes. Here’s a handy guide to help you find your perfect pair.
Read MoreAs a trainer, I often work together with my clients’ physical therapists to ensure the safest and most effective rehab program from an injury. If you think you may need a physical therapist, it's crucial to choose the right one for your injury. Don’t delay or assume that the issue will fix itself. You only have one body, and you should take the best care of it. Here are some important factors that will help you make your decision and questions you’ll want to ask.
Read MoreJJFit Mobility Minute! If you are feeling tight in your hips and/or lower back try doing this “hip box” drill in the morning or before your next workout!
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreIf you are feeling tight in the neck and shoulders from too much typing and texting (I know I am!) here is my favorite stretch for getting some relief. Channel your inner scorpion!
Read MoreI've been getting a lot of questions and requests for my best recommendations for foam rolling, stretching and mobility. As a trainer and a massage therapist I love helping clients and students with the best strategies for taking care of their fascia and muscles. Check out my collaboration with LiveStrong for the best foam rolling techniques for the whole body.
Read MoreFoam rolling is a great way to take care of tight tissues and to mobilize your joints. But there are some things to avoid. Check out my latest collaborating with LiveStrong for tips from me and other fitness pros. And check out all my LiveStrong interviews here.
Read MoreCheck out my latest NewsUpNow.org segment for my five go-to moves for building a strong back and arms. Whether you want to improve your posture or build/tone your muscles these moves are the foundations.. All you need are two dumbbells and a resistance band to get started.
Read MoreSuper proud to have collaborated with @krgrundy for Livestrong to show off my favorite posture improving strength moves. If you want to improve your posture to reduce pain, improve performance or just to look your best these five moves are a must.
Read MoreAre you struggling to find a fitness routine during all this? Does your diet need help but you’re not sure where to start? Is your body crying out for more stretching and mobility? You’re not alone and I have three free ways to help.
Read MoreAfter running 30 miles this week and a brutal shoulder day Friday and leg day yesterday my body was screaming for a mobility day. Often my hardcore clients will need a full blown mobility session every once and a while so I put this together with my greatest hits! If you have sore, stiff hips, back, knees, shoulders, neck, etc consider grabbing a foam roller, yoga strap and lacrosse or tennis ball and follow along with me for an hour. I promise you’ll feel yummy when you’re done!
Read MoreThe most common way to make an exercise harder is simply to add more weight. But adding more weight isn’t always an option, particularly if you are working out at home. And sometimes just adding more weight even if you have access to it isn’t always the best choice if you have injuries or joint issues. There are several strategic ways you can progress exercises to challenge your body and avoid plateaus in strength-building.
Read MoreOnce a month I gather the best fitness and nutrition news, tips and videos from my blog into one handy email. I never share email addresses with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time. Check out past issues.
