In the midst of a project related to the curriculum at FPTI, a healthy debate arose last week amongst my colleagues: What determines whether a lower-body exercise is termed a “push” or a “pull?”
With the upper body, it’s pretty clear: A push is a vertical or horizontal movement that involves moving a load AWAY from the body (either overhead or to the front, respectively), whereas a pull is a vertical or horizontal movement that involves bringing a load TOWARD the body (either from overhead or from the front, respectively). Here are some examples:
Think you need to run to get in a good conditioning workout? Think again.
Here’s FocusNYC trainer Alex demonstrating three great joint-friendly tools we use to improve conditioning in place of traditional “cardio.” They’re more fun and, frankly, far more effective. And as you’ll find out, they also have other benefits. What we’re trying to say is that if there were fitness awards, they’d be Golden Globe winners. Do these three exercises in a row, and we guarantee you’ll be gassed.
2011 marked some major milestones: FocusNYC celebrated its 10-year anniversary, opened a new facility and started a very successful personal training institute. And I finally finished grad school and took a nap! Unless 2012 really does bring the apocalypse, I think it’s going to be an even better year.
If you’re interested, check out this video for a recap of 2011′s fitness trends, and see what John Spencer Ellis and Mike Mahler see in store for 2012:
And if you’re not about to sit through that… here’s what I see on the horizon:
Here we are on the last day of the year. No doubt, many of you are gearing up to get started on… well, probably whatever it is you failed to accomplish in 2011 and every year prior, yet resolved once again to do in 2012. But did you ever stop and wonder why you never reach those New Year’s Resolutions?
It’s usually because you don’t take the time to set an appropriate goal.
Below is an old post from Gabe about goal setting, which I think carries a lot of weight (no pun intended) around this time of year.
One of the most proven methods for goal setting is the “SMART” approach.
There are a lot of variations of the SMART formula, but I really like Tom Venuto’s version: “SMART-ER” goals. According to Tom, goals should be:
Christmas with my family is never dull, to say the least. I have Porky Pig to thank for this year’s entertainment:
It’s no stretch to say that I must have heard that song close to 25 times in the two days I was actually home – yet everyone still got a good laugh at that poor pig’s expense every time. Thankfully, it looks like 2012 will bring some better music: In case you hadn’t heard, Van Halen will be touring with David Lee Roth!
The other day a client of mine made an interesting comment when I brought out the ab wheel. He looked at me and said, “I’m surprised you actually use something from an infomercial.”
Christmas is just two weeks away, but stocking stuffers are always last on the list of priority shopping. Here are a few ideas for your fitness-loving friends!
1. Tennis balls.
It doesn’t matter if you’re loved one plays tennis – that’s not what these are for. Any hard-training fitness buff knows the importance of soft-tissue work, and tennis balls provide a great way to get at tough-to-target trouble sites like the glutes and teres minor. You should be able to find them at any sporting goods store.
The holiday season has officially arrived and you know what that means: For the next month or so, we’ll be attending numerous celebrations complete with tons of rich and tasty (need I add fattening?) treats. Many of us will gladly give in to temptation and indulge for the next month or so, and then make our way back to the gym with our tails between our legs come January. If you’re dreading the gym crowd as much as this girl (can you say ‘panic attack’?)…
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and has since recovered enough from any food-induced comas to take full advantage of the opportunity to use work time to search for Cyber Monday deals.
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