The Four Pillars of Successful “Resolutioning”
January is one of my favorite months of the year, which is odd, considering it’s also a time during which my hometown transforms into a dark and frozen icy tundra abyss. Despite the unideal climate that could easily make a guy want to hibernate, I’m adrenalized by the sense of renewal that comes with the season. Not a do-over per se, but a fresh start. While there may be some pain that enters into my process, especially as I reflect on the prior year’s shortcomings, I have gotten better over my 10-year fitness career at acknowledging my victories and understanding that...
Fitness Myth #1: You should stretch before you workout
Ok, metaphorical show of hands … who here thinks you should do static stretches before working out? Yea, my hand used to be up too. I certainly bought into the whole pre-exercise stretch phenomena. In fact, I believe MOST people have long been under the impression that NOT stretching before doing exercise is a total sin. So why did it make this fitness myth list thing? Well, here’s the deal with stretching… not all stretches are created equal. And not all stretches are ideal either. So let’s define the three main categories of stretching before deciding if pre-exercise flexibility work is beneficial. Static...
Scott’s Top 10 Lifts You NEED to Know: #8 Lunges
Why it made the list (Why you should do them): In order to make my top 10 list, an exercise needs to work multiple-muscle groups at once. The lunge is no exception. When executed with proper technique, this lower body move works the hamstrings, glutes, and quadriceps. These three groups are all significant in size, which means higher calorie expenditure and higher intensity levels can both be achieved. In addition to all that, a high level of core stabilization is needed in order to maintain proper hip position and upper body posture, making the lunge even more valuable to your leg workout regimen. How...
Scott’s Top 10 Lifts you NEED to Know: #9 Parallel Bar Dips
Why it made the list (Why you should do them): Isolated tricep extension exercises are effective at sculpting and strengthening the back of your arms but why not also get the benefit of working your chest and shoulders? Due to its multi-joint action, higher intensity level and more functional design, this compound movement makes the list at #9. Dips can be performed on parallel bars (as my video will demonstrate) but can be progressed to more unstable equipment such as rings and alternatively regressed to assisted machines/bands, or done on a bench with your feet on the floor. How to do them properly: [embedplusvideo height="315" width="450" editlink="http://bit.ly/Q7YRFk" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/O7XeVtEpXj8?fs=1"...